A Dawn of Onyx Paperback – November 14, 2022

4.5 starsI'm always on the lookout for a new fantasy book or series to fall in love with and, I can definitely say, this is FANTASTIC. If you're looking for something with similar vibes like ACOTAR or From Blood and Ash, you'll really enjoy this first book in a new series!Our story is told from the perspective of Arwen Valondale. Arwen is born and raised in the Kingdom of Amber, which has been at war with the Onyx Kingdom for years. She's lived in Amber her whole life and has never left. Arwen helps provide for her family while her brother is away at war as a healer as she has magic healing abilities, and she is kind, compassionate, and cares deeply for her family. While she and her family are fleeing the Kingdom of Amber to find safety in the Garnet Kingdom, she makes the decision to return back to their home to get medicine necessary for her mother's illness. This proves a fatal mistake, as she is found and taken prison by soldiers of the Onyx Kingdom.After making a place for herself in the Onyx Kingdom's stronghold of Shadowhold by becoming the castle healer, she meets King Kane Ravenwood. Kane is mysterious, dark, brooding and unforgiving. Yet he's also charming, and he and Arwen have that spark, that connection that draws them to one another. They build trust, he opens up to her and she to him, and you find yourself rooting for this morally grey snack of a man!I'm obsessed with the tension between Arwen and Kane. They clearly have a connection, yet neither will act on it. The burn between them is excruciatingly slow but I must be a masochist because I loved every second of it.The worldbuilding in this book is incredible. Worldbuilding is such a difficult thing - when you're creating an entire new world, places, people, history. It can be information overload sometimes. Yet the way that it's written, you are given a lot of information but it doesn't feel like it's smacking you in the face or is overwhelming. It is woven well into the story and you feel like you've just stepped into this world with an easy understanding of how everything works.The story just builds and builds until the very end. There is a wild twist (or two) at the end you won't see coming, and will leave you wanting more. Now the pain of waiting for book 2 begins.The only reason this is not 5 stars for me, is because I would have loved to have had a dual POV with Kane's perspective. To get inside his head would have been a real treat… hopefully we are lucky and get that in the future books!Tags: fantasy romance, enemies to loves, slow burn, magic/fae, "who did this to you" vibesSpice: 1.5 peppersFirst person/Single POV

I picked this up after finishing a Zodiac Academy, I was looking for something not so time consuming and engulfing. Also with angst and dragons and magic. I got it with A Dawn of Onyx. From the start you are taken on a wild adventure with twists and turns happening every chapter. Our FMC Arwen is not a wishy washy girl, she is powerful and does not doubt herself much like many in romantasy series. She takes the story by storm.This is a great hangover cure if you are looking for some romance but also with a plot that moves rapidly while building the world. The characters are all easily loved, you get a found family. Magic, Fae, creatures of dark. It is a must read for any Romantasy reader.

this was such a fun time. A Dawn of Onyx was a classic fantasy romance, nothing too complicated in the plot or characters or anything, nothing super unique; just a quick, heartfelt romantasy. I thought a few times that it is a really great starter fantasy romance. you’ve got your FMC with mysterious powers, the evil, shadowy king who may or may not be who you think he is, a secret prophecy, dragons, and tension you could cut with a knife. all the elements fantasy romance readers will eat up with a spoon ❤️I can’t say too much about the MMC without spoilers but I really liked him. & I’m always a sucker for the “soft/healer” FMC so this was really a hit for me. it didn’t try to do too much, it just let itself breathe and take its time & not be something it wasn’t, & that made it shine for me personally. there’s almost nothing worse than a book trying too hard to be something it’s not.I do wish we’d been able to get the MMC’s POV; I feel like it would’ve made it much better. hopefully in the next books 🤞But I had no complaints, really.I’d recommend it to fantasy romance readers who know their tropes & what they like, & those new to fantasy romance to get a feel for what they can expect.🌹high fantasy romance🖤DRAGONS🌹healing magic🖤Shadow Daddy🌹past abuse resulting in anxiety🖤soft FMC🌹there’s only one horse🖤there’s a fine line between hate & attraction🌹the Fae🖤simple, straight forward writing style🌹first person, single POV🖤flirty banter🌹misunderstood hero🖤“I hate him but he’s just too pretty”🌹surprisingly possessive FMC🖤”who did this to you?”

A Dawn of Onyx is a spellbinding romantasy debut that blends dark intrigue, slow-burn romance, and a touch of magic. Arwen Valondale’s journey begins with sacrifice—offering herself to the ruthless Onyx King in exchange for her brother’s life. As a prisoner in enemy territory, she must navigate treacherous court politics, eerie magical forces, and a dangerously charming fellow captive, all while unlocking the dormant power within her.Kate Golden’s writing is immersive, and the world-building is rich with dark fairytale vibes. The tension between Arwen and her reluctant ally crackles, delivering just the right amount of angst and romance. Though the plot follows familiar tropes—captor/captive dynamics, hidden magic, and a fight for survival—it’s executed in an addictive way that keeps you turning pages.

I really like this book! I just feel that the world building could have been a bit better and that the plot was a little more fluid. It seemed a bit all over the place at the end. Still, I love the characters and can’t wait to see what happens to Arwen and Kane in the rest of the series!!If I could give it partial rating I’d give it a 3.75. It was almost a 4 but fell a little flat.