War's Shadow Over Amber

Arwen Valondale's world is defined by loss and survival. In the small, war-torn Kingdom of Amber, she mourns her missing brother and childhood friend, Halden, both conscripted to fight against the powerful Onyx Kingdom. Her days are spent healing the wounded with a secret, draining magic she barely understands, while caring for her ailing mother and spirited younger sister, Leigh. The war's cruelty is omnipresent: Amber stands alone, its allies silent, its people starving, and its enemy—Onyx—led by the infamous, merciless King Kane Ravenwood, whose motives for invasion remain a mystery. Arwen's only solace is her family, her healing work, and the hope that her loved ones might return.

The Healer's Secret Light

Arwen's healing abilities are extraordinary—she can mend wounds and cure illness with a touch, but her power is finite and leaves her exhausted. Unlike witches, her magic is wordless, elemental, and deeply personal. It's a secret she guards fiercely, using it to help her community and hide the scars of her abusive stepfather. Yet, her gift is also a curse: it cannot save her mother, and it marks her as something other than human. As Amber's situation grows desperate, rumors swirl that women will be conscripted next, and Arwen's fear for her family's safety intensifies.

Stolen Coin, Stolen Fate

When Arwen's brother Ryder returns home, battered and on the run, he brings with him a sack of stolen Onyx coin and dire news: Onyx soldiers are in pursuit, and Amber's defeat is inevitable. Ryder urges the family to flee to the neighboring Garnet Kingdom, using the stolen wealth to buy passage. Forced to abandon everything, Arwen, her mother, and Leigh prepare to leave, but a forgotten vial of medicine sends Arwen back to their home—where she is captured by Onyx soldiers, sacrificing her freedom to ensure her family's escape.

Captured by Onyx's Men

Arwen is taken by brutal Onyx soldiers, led by the sadistic Lieutenant Bert, and forced to heal a dying man to save her own life. Her power is exposed, and she is dragged north as a prisoner, witnessing the monstrous strength of Onyx's army and their pet dragon. The journey is harrowing, culminating in her arrival at Shadowhold, the Onyx army's fortress, where she is thrown into the dungeons and meets a mysterious, infuriating fellow prisoner whose presence unsettles and intrigues her.

Bargain in the Dungeons

In the darkness of Shadowhold's dungeons, Arwen's panic is soothed by banter with her enigmatic cellmate, whose sharp wit and dangerous aura both comfort and unsettle her. She is soon pressed into service as the keep's healer, watched over by the gentle Barney. Arwen's days are filled with tending wounds, learning the castle's secrets, and plotting escape. She befriends Mari, a clever, red-haired witch, and Dagan, a gruff apothecary with a soldier's past, who begins to teach her swordplay and hints at the true nature of her magic.

The King in Disguise

Arwen's cellmate is revealed to be none other than King Kane Ravenwood himself, who had disguised himself to investigate threats within his own keep. Their relationship, fraught with distrust and attraction, deepens as Arwen learns of his burdens and the darkness he carries. Kane is both protector and captor, offering Arwen a bargain: serve as his healer in exchange for her family's safety. The lines between enemy and ally blur as Arwen glimpses the man behind the monstrous reputation.

Escape Plans and Betrayals

Arwen's longing for freedom leads her to plot escape with the help of Mari and Dagan. Just as she is about to flee, she is caught in the act and forced to bargain for her life again. Meanwhile, Halden, her childhood friend, reappears as a captured Amber assassin, shattering Arwen's trust and forcing her to confront the cost of loyalty and love. The revelation that Halden is not the man she remembered, and that Kane's feelings for her are more complex than she realized, leaves Arwen torn between past and present.

The Dragon's True Identity

Kane's true nature is revealed: he is not only king, but also a powerful Fae, the son of the infamous Fae King Lazarus. The war is not merely for land, but for the fate of mortals and Fae alike. Arwen learns of a prophecy: a full-blooded Fae, the Blade of the Sun, will be born to end Lazarus's reign. Kane's rebellion against his father failed decades ago, and now he seeks redemption—and Arwen's help—to save both worlds. Arwen's own powers, once a mystery, are the key to the prophecy.

Lessons in Power and Fear

Under Dagan's tutelage, Arwen learns to wield a sword and harness her magic, drawing strength from fear rather than being ruled by it. She discovers that her power is not witchcraft, but lighte—the elemental force of the Fae. As she grows in skill and confidence, Arwen's relationships deepen: with Mari, who struggles with her own magical heritage; with Griffin, Kane's loyal commander; and with Kane himself, whose vulnerability and passion draw her in despite her better judgment.

The Prophecy's Chosen One

The truth of the prophecy is laid bare: Arwen is the last full-blooded Fae, destined to wield the Blade of the Sun and kill Lazarus, but at the cost of her own life. Kane, torn between love and duty, tries to shield her from this fate, but Arwen refuses to be a pawn. She chooses to fight, not just for Kane or her family, but for all those who would suffer under Lazarus's rule. The weight of destiny, love, and sacrifice presses on her as the final battle looms.

The Fae King's Return

Lazarus, the Fae King, launches a devastating attack on the Peridot capital, Siren's Cove, with the combined forces of Amber and Garnet. Arwen, her family, and allies are caught in the chaos as the city burns. In a desperate escape, Arwen's powers awaken fully, unleashing a storm of lighte that decimates enemy forces. On the beach, Lazarus confronts Kane and Arwen, revealing the prophecy's final lines and the truth of Arwen's heritage. Kane and Lazarus battle in their dragon forms, while Arwen is forced to fight for her life and the lives of those she loves.

The Battle for Siren's Cove

The battle is catastrophic. Arwen's mother is killed by a stray arrow, and in her grief, Arwen unleashes the full force of her Fae power, annihilating the enemy and revealing herself as the prophesied weapon. The cost is immense: the city is lost, her family shattered, and Arwen's sense of self forever changed. Kane, gravely wounded, survives the battle, but the rift between him and Arwen—born of lies, love, and destiny—seems insurmountable.

Loss, Fury, and Awakening

In the aftermath, Arwen is consumed by grief and rage. Her mother's death, the betrayal by Halden, and the revelation of her true nature drive her to the brink. Her lighte becomes a weapon of destruction and salvation, and she must learn to control it or risk becoming the very monster she fears. The survivors flee by ship, haunted by loss and the knowledge that the final confrontation with Lazarus is inevitable.

The Blade of the Sun

As the survivors sail toward the Kingdom of Citrine, Arwen grapples with her destiny. The Blade of the Sun—a legendary weapon that can kill Lazarus—must be found, and only she can wield it. The prophecy demands her sacrifice, but Arwen refuses to be a victim. She chooses to fight, to save the world she has come to love, even if it means her own death. Kane, broken by guilt and love, vows to protect her, but Arwen knows the choice is hers alone.

A World to Save

The story ends with Arwen, battered but unbroken, standing on the deck of the ship, determined to face her fate. She has lost much—her mother, her innocence, her trust—but she has gained strength, purpose, and the will to save a world worth living in. The war is not over, and the prophecy's end is uncertain, but Arwen is no longer afraid. She is the Blade of the Sun, and she will fight for the dawn.

Characters

Arwen Valondale

Arwen is a young woman shaped by loss, responsibility, and hidden power. Her role as healer in Amber is both a gift and a burden, as her magic isolates her and cannot save those she loves most. She is fiercely loyal to her family, haunted by her stepfather's abuse, and driven by a need to protect others—even at her own expense. Arwen's journey is one of self-discovery: from fearful survivor to courageous warrior, from pawn to the prophesied Blade of the Sun. Her relationships—with Kane, her siblings, and her friends—are marked by love, betrayal, and the struggle to claim agency over her own fate. Her greatest strength is her compassion, and her greatest challenge is accepting the cost of her destiny.

Kane Ravenwood

Kane is the enigmatic, feared ruler of Onyx, burdened by a monstrous reputation and a legacy of violence. Beneath his cold exterior lies a man tormented by guilt, loss, and the weight of prophecy. As the son of the Fae King Lazarus, Kane is both mortal and Fae, a shapeshifter with immense power and a deep sense of responsibility. His love for Arwen is transformative, forcing him to confront his own darkness and the possibility of redemption. Kane's journey is one of atonement: he seeks to end his father's tyranny, protect Arwen, and save a world he once thought lost. His greatest fear is losing those he loves, and his greatest hope is that love might be enough to change fate.

Ryder Valondale

Ryder is Arwen's older brother, a charismatic and reckless figure whose return from war sets the story in motion. His theft of Onyx coin and desperate flight for safety reveal both his courage and his flaws. Ryder is fiercely protective of his family, but his actions often have unintended consequences. He represents the cost of war on ordinary people and the lengths to which love will drive us.

Leigh Valondale

Leigh is Arwen's younger sister, a bright, bold, and curious child who brings light to the darkest moments. Her innocence is both a source of hope and vulnerability, and her presence grounds Arwen's choices. Leigh's fearlessness often puts her in danger, but her love for her family is unwavering.

Halden

Halden is Arwen's childhood friend and first love, whose return as an Amber assassin shatters her trust. Once a symbol of safety and home, Halden's transformation into a tool of Gareth's regime and his willingness to betray Arwen for his mission reveal the corrosive effects of war and the complexity of loyalty. His actions force Arwen to confront the difference between love and obligation.

Mari

Mari is a red-haired, quick-witted witch who befriends Arwen in Shadowhold. Her intelligence, humor, and magical prowess make her an invaluable ally. Mari's own struggles with identity and belonging mirror Arwen's, and their friendship is a source of strength for both. Mari's courage and resourcefulness are vital in the fight against Lazarus.

Dagan

Dagan is the apothecary and former soldier who trains Arwen in swordplay and helps her unlock her true power. His past is marked by loss at the hands of Lazarus, and his gruff exterior hides deep wisdom and compassion. Dagan's mentorship is crucial to Arwen's transformation from victim to warrior.

Griffin

Griffin is Kane's right hand, a stoic and formidable commander with secrets of his own. As a Fae shapeshifter, he is both protector and enforcer, guiding Arwen and Mari through peril and loss. Griffin's loyalty to Kane and his kingdom is unwavering, but his growing bond with Mari hints at a softer side.

Barney

Barney is the Onyx soldier whose life Arwen saves, setting off the chain of events that lead to her capture. His kindness and decency stand in contrast to the brutality of war, and his support helps Arwen survive her captivity.

Lazarus Ravenwood

Lazarus is the ancient, ruthless ruler of the Fae, father to Kane, and architect of the war that threatens all of Evendell. His power is unmatched, his cruelty legendary, and his desire for domination insatiable. Lazarus embodies the dangers of unchecked ambition and the legacy of generational trauma. He is both the enemy Arwen must destroy and the shadow Kane must escape.

Plot Devices

Prophecy and Destiny

The central plot device is the ancient prophecy foretelling the end of the Fae King at the hands of his second son and the last full-blooded Fae. This prophecy drives the actions of Kane, Lazarus, and Gareth, and traps Arwen in a fate she never chose. The tension between destiny and free will is explored through Arwen's struggle to claim agency over her life, even as she is manipulated by those who would use her as a weapon. The prophecy is both a source of hope and a curse, foreshadowing sacrifice and tragedy.

Hidden Identity and Disguise

The narrative is structured around secrets: Arwen's hidden magic, Kane's true identity as king and Fae, Halden's betrayal, and the true nature of the war. Disguise and revelation are used to build suspense and deepen character relationships. The gradual unveiling of truth forces characters to confront their own motivations and the consequences of deception.

Elemental Magic and Lighte

Arwen's magic is not just a tool, but a metaphor for her trauma, resilience, and transformation. Her power is elemental, drawn from fear and pain, and only becomes fully realized through self-acceptance and courage. The use of lighte as the Fae's life force ties personal growth to the fate of the world, making Arwen's journey both intimate and epic.

Found Family and Sacrifice

The story is anchored by the theme of found family: Arwen's bonds with her siblings, Mari, Dagan, and even Kane. The willingness to sacrifice for those we love is both a source of strength and tragedy. The narrative structure alternates between moments of intimacy and large-scale conflict, using personal stakes to heighten the impact of war and prophecy.

Narrative Structure and Foreshadowing

The book uses a linear narrative interspersed with flashbacks, dreams, and prophecies to build tension and foreshadow key events. The gradual revelation of Arwen's identity, the true nature of the war, and the cost of victory are layered throughout, creating a sense of inevitability and suspense.

Analysis

A Dawn of Onyx is a sweeping fantasy that reimagines the classic "chosen one" narrative through the lens of trauma, agency, and the cost of love. At its heart, the novel is about a young woman's journey from powerlessness to self-determination, set against a backdrop of war, magic, and political intrigue. Kate Golden uses the tropes of fantasy romance—enemies to lovers, hidden royalty, ancient prophecy—not as mere plot devices, but as vehicles for exploring deeper questions: What does it mean to be chosen? Can love survive betrayal and destiny? How do we find hope in a world defined by loss? The book's greatest strength is its psychological depth: Arwen's struggle with fear, guilt, and the burden of expectation is rendered with empathy and nuance. The romance between Arwen and Kane is both a source of healing and a crucible for pain, mirroring the larger conflict between mortals and Fae. Ultimately, the novel argues that true power lies not in magic or prophecy, but in the courage to choose one's own path—even when that path leads to sacrifice. In a world where war and trauma threaten to consume all, A Dawn of Onyx offers a vision of hope, resilience, and the possibility of a new dawn.

Last updated: May 12, 2025