July 12, 2026
„A Regin of Rose” by Kate Golden
BLURB
They must save the world—but can they also save each other?
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. And after what he’s endured, he’s 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 fighting 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 and his allies, because she knows if she fails, both realms will be doomed forever.
MY OPINION
How does it feel to read a trilogy that just keeps going downhill?
If you don’t know — but for some reason you want to find out — pick up „The Sacred Stones” by Kate Golden. You’ll experience the perfect literary downhill slide.
After finishing the second book, I immediately grabbed the third one just to finally end this story and never return to it.
„A Promise of Peridot” was already weak, but „A Reign of Rose”? I have no words. It’s even worse. It’s 500 pages of absolutely nothing. A complete waste of my time, even though I listened to the audiobook instead of reading.
This book has everything and nothing at the same time. It feels like Kate Golden had no idea what to do with the conclusion of this trilogy, so she threw in every random thought she had. And in the end, we gain nothing, because the story is boring, chaotic, and exhausting.
Yes. Exhausting. I was tired AF listening to this book. And I think that should tell you everything — how is it even possible to be tired because of an audiobook? Try „A Reign of Rose” if you’re curious.
I’m relieved that I finished the entire „The Sacred Stones” trilogy. Honestly, that’s the best part of this series — it’s finally over. I will never come back to these books. Also, this line: “From Kate Golden, author of viral phenomenon „A Dawn of Onyx”, comes the seductive, action-packed conclusion to her sweeping Sacred Stones trilogy” is a complete lie. There is no action here. A bit of smut and a few events, but in the end Kate Golden needs to choose: either learn how to write smut or learn how to write fantasy. Because trying to throw everything into one book without knowing how to connect it just doesn’t work.
And yes, I know I’m being harsh, but this is the second book in one week that made me angry while listening. It was a waste of time, and I had so many thoughts like “just DNF it” and “stop being a masochist,” but I promised myself I would share my opinion after finishing the whole story. So I did. And this trilogy is a big disappointment.
BTW — Kate Golden, have you ever heard of trigger warnings?
In the end, „A Reign of Rose” is a bad book, and the entire Sacred Stones trilogy is a perfect example of a series going rapidly downhill. Don’t ask me about these books again — tomorrow I won’t even remember I read them.