Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 - 4.0 stars (see my rating system)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Genre: Romantasy
Our highly anticipated second installment of the series! Check out the detailed chapter by chapter recap if you’re interested in re-freshing your memory before reading the next book in the series.
Items beyond the synopsis contain spoilers.
“A Promise of Peridot” follows Arwen as she, Kane, and their allies set out on a perilous sea voyage to uncover the truth after the cliffhanger of the devastating battle from the first book. Their journey leads them to Citrine, an underwater kingdom fraught with political intrigue and past betrayals. Tensions rise as Arwen navigates her conflicted feelings for Kane and the attention of Prince Frederick, all while searching for the legendary Blade of the Sun.
If you thought the tension from A Dawn of Onyx was intense, A Dusk of Citrine cranks it up another notch. The love triangle between Arwen, Kane, and Prince Frederick adds drama that kept me glued to the pages. The enemies-to-lovers trope still shines, but now it’s layered with jealousy, misunderstandings, and fierce loyalty. The chemistry between Arwen and Kane evolves, hitting new highs (and lows), with moments that range from heartbreak to undeniable passion. And yes, the witty banter is still very much alive, adding moments of lightness to an otherwise tumultuous journey.
Like many second books in a series, A Dawn of Perdot navigates the tricky waters of second-book syndrome. It’s a bridge between the start of A Dawn of Onyx and what promises to be an epic finale. This means that while the stakes are high and the tension palpable, there’s a sense of moving pieces into place rather than full resolution. Arwen’s journey focuses on understanding her enemies and forming critical alliances, which adds layers to her character and the overarching plot but sometimes slows the pace.
If you enjoyed A Dawn of Onyx, then A Promise of Peridot will entice you with romance, adventure, and high stakes. It’s not going to make you question the meaning of life, but it will keep you up way past bedtime, flipping page to see what happens next. I can’t wait for the third installment of the series!
My favorite quotes from the book that made me fall in love with Arwen and Kane.
“You matter more to me. More than revenge, redemption- anything. Don’t you know I love you, Arwen?" - Page 299, A Promise of Peridot
Spicy Chapters: 12, 31, 39, 40, 41
In A Promise of Peridot, the story resumes with Arwen, Kane, and their crew at sea, recovering from the battle of the first book. Their voyage is marked by tension (as is tradition) and uncertainty as they search for clues that could shift the tide of the ongoing conflicts. Early on, Arwen and Kane share an unexpected, tender moment when Arwen drinks too much (who wants to place a bet on if they get back together?!)
After days at sea, they reach Citrine, a kingdom hidden beneath the ocean. Mari uses her magic to help the group breathe underwater as they enter the city. Kane’s complicated past resurfaces: he was once banished for breaking a marriage agreement with King Broderick’s daughter due to her youth. Drama follows as Kane negotiates safe refuge for the refugees of his nation, agreeing to appoint a representative to marry Sera, Broderick’s daughter, in exchange for shelter.
Arwen struggles with her feelings for Kane (go figure), especially when he sends her flowers as a peace offering. Mari and Arwen explore Citrine, indulging in the city’s delights and even getting drawn into a gambling night with their friends. Amid some banter, Arwen ends up winning an unexpected prize, but soon finds out that Crawford, who was involved in the game, set a trap to lure her out. Kane kills Crawford when he discovers that he had a bounty on Arwen.
The tension between Arwen and Kane simmers as their emotional walls come down, leading to an intense balcony encounter where Arwen admits feeling betrayed by him. Dagan steps in, pushing Arwen to embark on a mission to find the fabled sword with Kane and Mari. Prince Frederick joins their journey, sparking Kane’s jealousy due to his flirtatious nature toward Arwen. Arwen’s claustrophobia resurfaces, but Kane calms her as they press forward.
During the chaos, Mari accidentally triggers a magical backlash that plunges them into darkness. The caves collapse, forcing Arwen to save Mari and leap into a lagoon, where she is found unconscious by a band of pirates. Just as negotiations with them begin, Halden finds her. Kane, who is frantically searching for Arwen, binds his magic to hers to locate her. Tortured by Halden, Arwen uses her lighte to escape and finds Kane.
Prince Frederick’s injury sends Arwen rushing to him, further complicating her feelings for Kane. A confrontation unfolds when Kane finds Arwen with Frederick, culminating in an argument interrupted by an ambush from pirates. Mari is struck by an arrow, but her amulet absorbs the blow, leading to a revelation that it never held any magic and had been siphoning power instead.
As Mari’s life hangs in the balance, the crew visits Briar, a powerful witch who reveals that Mari’s amulet demanded balance for its power. It’s also revealed that Arwen is the last full-blooded fae. They find themselves seeking answers from Esme, who hints that her daughter, Beth, may hold the key to unlocking the prophecy.
Beth confirms that the Blade of the Sun never left Onyx and shares stories that piece together Arwen’s lineage, revealing her father was a fae god. In a secluded cottage, Kane shares the weight of his past, the bloody coup against his father, and the guilt he carries. Their bond grows as they ready themselves for the trials ahead.
News arrives that the refugees in Citrine have been sent back to Onyx to avoid Lazarus’ wrath. Frederick’s offer to take Arwen away from the chaos is refused as she admits her love for Kane and reveals where she believes the sword is hidden. The pair’s relationship culminates in declarations of love and physical intimacy as they prepare for their final quest.
They travel to Hemlock Isle, where the island’s ruler, Killoran, betrays them, shackling Kane and intending to harvest his lighte. Trapped in a widow’s web, Arwen frees a chained widow and faces Killoran, only to find him wielding the blade they seek. Kane, in a desperate bid to save Arwen, partially transforms into a dragon but is wounded by the sword, fulfilling a dark part of the prophecy. Just as they prepare to leave, Lazarus confronts them, revealing that Amelia had betrayed the group.
The final showdown with Lazarus leads to Halden’s death at Arwen’s hands, but she herself is hurt by Lazarus and presumed dead. The book closes with Arwen awakening in Lazarus’ chambers, where he declares the sword destroyed and his intention for them to rule together so that she can produce fully fae heirs.
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