Reviews tagging 'War'

A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden

21 reviews

clairebartholomew549's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is an incredibly typical fantasy romance, and I ate it up as I am wont to do. I wouldn't say this is anything original - plucky heroine who has secret powers she doesn't understand the import of, love interest who appears evil at first and turns out to be morally complicated at worst, world-building that honestly makes no sense and smashes too many tropes together (this series honestly seems like one of the worst offenders of this so far, to be honest, and I am simply not okay with the kingdoms being named after gems, lol), but it certainly scratches an itch and is satisfying enough. This book executes a tried-and-true formula to a tea, and I loved it and of course will be reading the rest of the series.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

carlybomarly's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is not just a pretty cover! 

The world building is just right, the magical system is easy to follow, and there’s a map! 

Gotta love when there’s a curse that fits specifically with the lore - “bleeding stones” fits the mood and world well. 

Full of my favorite tropes:

⚔️Romantasy

⚔️Enemies to Lovers

⚔️Stabby FMC

⚔️He falls first 

⚔️Slooooooooow burn

⚔️Dragons, shifters, and Fae, oh my!

Arwen is caught by enemy forces when trying to make sure her family has what they need. She suddenly finds herself working as a healer for the king her country is at war with. She has power that she doesn’t understand and has never pressed the boundaries of.  

The mysterious stranger in the dungeons with Arwen who quickly becomes someone she is drawn to. 

We learn more about Kane - possibly our new favorite shadow daddy, how strong Arwen already is, how strong she could grow to become, a prophecy that has all the key players on edge, some friends became family while others became enemies, and what it’s going to take to do the right thing OR just burn the whole world down. 

I could not get to book 2 fast enough! Keep in mind - this book is not very spicy, 🌶️ but it’s coming! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence, and War

Moderate: Physical abuse and Murder

Minor: Kidnapping

literarymary95's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I stumbled upon this book through a suggestion video on Fourth Wing. I can see the dragon mention for this book, but it was barely a part of the story. However, I was really surprised by this book and loved this book. It kept me on my toes even though I guessed parts while other parts I truly didn't see but felt I should have.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual content, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture

karina_dreamsinwords's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was such a quick fantasy romance read! I wish there was more development in world building and the magic system but very much an enjoyable time.

The slow burn, touch her & die, “I will burn the world for you” vibes gave what it needed to give 🔥

I look forward to seeing the plot progress in book 2!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual content, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Torture

kshertz's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is another romantasy that’s really wonderful. It’s intriguing, it has a bad ass femme hero, it has a brooding bad boy king, and lots of secrets. I’ve read these stories a few times and they’re always good. It wasn’t enough to get me to continue with the series, but worth a read!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail

jackiepreston's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Torture and War

rileydobereading's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Alcohol

Moderate: Rape, Violence, and War

Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent

jorlang11's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and War

Minor: Child abuse and Rape

memoirsofabooklover's review against another edition

adventurous funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

i loved this book. the world building sucked me in but wasn’t too complex as to leave me confused for the first half of the book. really interesting layers of unanswered questions throughout. i loved the mcs and their banter and all the twists (many i saw coning but still loved them). the tension was brilliant

(albeit slightly annoying as there was no release in the book) but it should make the eventual completion of a spice scene very rewarding.

i loved the beauty of the world, as well as the integrated mythology. thoroughly enjoyed, but not sure what i’m supposed to do with myself now whilst i wait for the next book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Medical content, Kidnapping, and War

Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Rape, Torture, Vomit, and Alcohol

dani_reis's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

2.0

Predictable book. If the author grows with each release there's potential for some big successes. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, and War