A Dawn of Onyx: A Mixed Bag of Dreams and Disappointment
When I first stumbled upon A Dawn of Onyx by [Author’s Name], the premise seemed rife with potential: a healer thrust into a war-torn kingdom, political intrigue, and a brooding romance. As a lifelong fantasy aficionado, I thought I’d unearthed a hidden gem in the vast expanse of my TBR pile. But as I turned the pages, I found myself wondering if I’d instead accidently picked up a polished stone with no depth.
At the heart of the story is Arwen, a healer from a quaint village, who is catapulted into the claws of the wicked King of Onyx, the tyrannical ruler of the Onyx Kingdom. The notion of discovering beauty amid turmoil grabbed my curiosity. Unfortunately, while the plot initially sparkled with promise, it quickly lost its luster.
World-building and Narrative Style
One of my primary joys in fantasy literature is immersing myself in richly crafted worlds that vibrate with their own histories and intricacies. However, A Dawn of Onyx falters here. The world of Evendell felt flatter than I’d hoped—it contained just enough to understand the setting but no further depth to compel me. The remnants of an intriguing lore seemed to wither away beneath dialogue that often felt more suited for high school romances than a medieval landscape. I craved a refined narrative, yet found myself grappling with confusing structure and unsurprising tropes.
The narrative’s pacing got me too; it felt hurried, as if the author wished to rush to the next plot twist but left us—like Arwen—stumbling unsteadily behind. I often found myself thinking, "And I’d love to listen to you fall off a cliff," when faced with one of the more predictable developments. While I wanted to be swept away in adventure, that sensation drowned in a flood of lost authenticity.
Character Dynamics
Speaking of Arwen, I wish I could say she was a memorable protagonist. Instead, I found her bewilderingly naïve and more than a little frustrating. As she encounters the many complexities of her new existence, I yearned for an evolution that felt genuine rather than forced. Kane, the king, displayed promise as a character but quickly fell into the trap of overused tropes—his purpose was reduced to merely romantic interest rather than a figure with rich character development.
The romance itself felt chaotic and rushed. One moment, they’re exchanging glances, and the next, he’s ready to stake everything on a woman whose only redeeming quality appears to be her name. A love story lacking depth is perplexing in a fantasy work, and this didn’t quite satisfy.
The Ending
By the time I reached the conclusion, I wondered if the writer was as fatigued with the plot as I was. The ending felt plopped in, with elements stitched together in a way that robbed any real tension or excitement.
In closing, while A Dawn of Onyx holds the glimmer of a solid premise and exists within a universe that might yet flourish, it felt more a missed opportunity than a grand adventure. If you’re intrigued by the concept of a hate-read, or are a fantasy lover who adores a deep dive into character psyches—flawed as they may be—this could very well be your cup of tea. For my part, I somehow think I will return for the sequel. After all, it’s something to hate-read for the sheer thrill of it. Who knows? Perhaps the next installment will redeem its predecessor.
Discover more about A Dawn of Onyx (The Sacred Stones, #1) on GoodReads >>