Arwen Faces a Life Imprisoned In This Excerpt From A Reign of Rose
It’s always bittersweet when the final book in a favorite series arrives. Thrilling, of course, since you get to see a story you’ve followed for multiple books and hundreds of pages reach its end. But also more than a bit sad, since it means you’ll have to say goodbye to characters you’ve grown to care about deeply. Such is the case with Kate Golden’s A Reign of Rose, the final installment of her Sacred Stones trilogy.
The series’ first book, A Dawn of Onyx was one of 2023’s buzziest romantasy titles, and its sequel, A Promise of Peridot, was released earlier this year. Now, Reign of Rose is set to hit arrive in October and will bring this sprawling story of warring kingdoms, magic, and betrayal to a close. The story picks up right after Peridot’s cliffhanger ending, and follows Kane and Arwen as they battle to save the world—and one another.
Here’s how the publisher describes the story.
Kane Ravenwood, King of Onyx Kingdom, would go to the ends of the continent for Arwen Valondale, but what if she’s beyond even that? Broken in ways he never imagined he could be, Kane must find a way to fulfill the prophecy and kill his father, Fae King Lazarus. After what he’s endured, Kane is willing to save Evendell by whatever means necessary – even if that spells his own death.
Little does Kane know, he’s not the only one desperate for revenge. Arwen is no longer afraid to fight – no sacrifice is too great, no enemy too daunting. Now, nothing will stop her from destroying Lazarus, because she knows if she falls, both realms will be doomed forever.
With the help of new allies and old friends, Kane and Arwen will see this battle through to the end. They must save the world – but can they also save each other?
Reign of Rose won’t hit shelves until October 8, but we’ve got a first look at this highly anticipated final installment for you right now.
Once Octavia had purged every ounce of lighte from my veins, Wyn laid me across the deceivingly sumptuous bed, depleted and still unable to speak. My arms collapsed across my body and I crumpled myself into a ball. I didn’t care who saw.
And maybe it was that notion exactly—that acceptance, that acquiescence to her power—but as Octavia strolled from the room, she offered me a serpentine grin and a flick of her wrist. With my next cough I found my voice had returned.
The kingsguards had walked in just as she’d left. Their armor reminded me of the exoskeleton of a rare silver crustacean—no leather or steel in sight, but a shinier, scalier alloy rippling over their joints. The helmets so skin-smooth it was as if their skulls had been dipped in the stuff. Only a sheer red visor covered their faces, and I had the errant thought that if I were ever in a position to fight one of these men, it would be the only entry point for my blade. I was sure no man-made weapon could penetrate whatever their breastplates and greaves were made of.