“At once fresh, at once classic, Onyx and Ivory is a page-turning blend of monsters, magic, and romance.” —Susan Dennard, New York Times bestselling author of TruthwitchAcclaimed author Mindee Arnett thrusts readers into a beautiful, dangerous, and magical world in this stunningly epic and romantic fantasy for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sarah Raasch.They call her Traitor Kate. It’s a title Kate … Sarah Raasch.
They call her Traitor Kate. It’s a title Kate Brighton inherited from her father after he tried to assassinate the high king of Rime.
Cast out of the nobility, Kate now works for the royal courier service. Only the most skilled ride for the Relay and only the fastest survive, for when night falls, the drakes—deadly flightless dragons—come out to hunt. Fortunately, Kate has a secret edge: She is a wilder, born with forbidden magic that allows her to influence the minds of animals.
And it’s this magic that leads her to a caravan massacred by drakes in broad daylight—the only survivor Corwin Tormaine, the son of the king. Her first love, the boy she swore to forget after he condemned her father to death.
With their paths once more entangled, Kate and Corwin must put the past behind them to face this new threat and an even darker menace stirring in the kingdom.
more
Disclaimer: This review MAY contain spoilers.
This book has restored my love for fantasy! For most of 2019, I have been in a fantasy slump. I have been reading mostly contemporary books or rereading old favorites. Sure, there are tons of new fantasy books (and plenty of backlist titles) that I am eager to read, but I just have not been in the mood whatsoever. This incredible book changed that!
The first thing that I noticed when I started this book is the way that I was drawn into the story. It instantly caught my attention and didn’t let up for a moment. Arnett’s writing voice, or style, really spoke to me immediately. I loved how smooth and engaging the writing was.
The world-building in this book was superb. The author paints a rich fantasy world with its own lore and magic system. Everything about this world is interesting and leaves the reader wanting to know everything. The world is so vivid that you could close your eyes and feel it all around you.
The plot of this story really blew me away. There were so many components assembled to create something truly incredible. What initially made me want to read the book was the promise of monsters that come out at night and hunt people. The idea fascinated me and excited me. After finishing the book, I realized that this was only a small piece of the story. The main focus of the story goes so much deeper. There is political intrigue, different magical elements, and a rich history housed in this plot. The revelations in this book are ones that you will not anticipate.
One of the best things about this series was the characters. The two main characters have so much growth and character development. I liked how they were both good at their core, but that didn’t mean that they were without flaws either. They felt so real. Like I could sit down with either of them and have a conversation. Who they both are at the beginning and who they end up becoming by the end of the book are vastly different people. I adored the side characters. Signe, Dal, and Bonner were amazing. Their individual personalities brought so much more depth to the story.
The romance was a slow-burn friends-to-lovers style romance that was so very satisfying. I love how Arnett was able to capture the love that the two main characters had for each other through a deep childhood friendship that ended up meaning more. Their shared past was evident and really made their romance work well. I liked the tentativeness that they had with each other after seeing each other again after being apart for three years, having ended things on bad terms. Watching them rebuild their friendship and realize that their romantic feelings were still present was a delightful journey. I am rooting for these two so very much!
Overall, this is a fantasy story that will capture your heart. It boasts complex world-building, magic, realistic characters, and a heroic girl that saves a prince! (That’s right, the girl saves the prince in this one, folks!) I implore everyone to read this and I am so glad that I already have a copy of the final book because I don’t think that I could have waited!
This cover is astonishing. It draws a reader in with its strangeness and the tree’s otherworldly twists and turns. Between that and the title, you’d believe you were diving into an epic fantasy adventure or quest… (Sidenote: I didn’t actually see the swords until midway into listening to this book.) Upon grabbing this audiobook from audible shelves, I had thought I’d be able to tell where this story would take me. As most of you know, I don’t read the synapses before I purchase. I like the unpredictability of it. I like the thrill of discovery. I usually purchase based on recommendation OR seeing the book everywhere. As long as it is fantasy and has magic, I’m your girl. BUT!
In my opinion, the cover did not match the story. To me, the cover screams epic fantasy, which it was, and spins an illusion of battle and war… which it wasn’t. Not really. It was pretty… childish. It fell short too often for my liking.
The storyline felt more for a young adult than an adult epic fantasy, and maybe it was meant to be that way, but the story didn’t settle with me at any point during the listen. Often times, I felt like things were way over done. For example, the main character told the reader (or in my case, listener) how MUCH she loved horses…over and over again. Everything the MC did was about her complete, undying, worshiping love for the equestrian species. Look, doll. I love horses too, grew up with them, and even I was sick of hearing about horses. I semi-get why she used horses so much in this book, but the author could have easily inserted some more animal species and gotten away with it. But, it’s neither here nor there. Maybe in the second book it explains more, I don’t know. I won’t be picking up the second, however, so someone will have to let me know. Now, for storyline, structure, audio actor, etc. Aside from the storyline not squeezing even a little of itself into my expectations, the novel plot seemed a bit shaken. I was very frustrated because I went through 1/2 of the book and was positive there was no definitive plot. Several subplots were presented, but nothing definitive. I stuck it out though, because authors can surprise us. When it finally sprang, I wasn’t surprised. In fact, I was disappointed. The plot, and everything that followed, was convenient and predictable. I was disappointed. The audio actor was good. I have no complaints there.
I’d consider recommending this book for the younger crowd of Sarah J. Maas fans. Perhaps even the younger crowd of my own series, Rise of the Realms. Maybe midteens?
I wanted so much to like this book, but in the end I found it lacking
Onyx & Ivory was nothing more than an average read, for me. It didn’t feel all together fresh and new. And, at times, it felt entirely too lengthy. It seemed as if I’d been reading it for weeks instead of days and I had urges to skim.
The world of Rime is complex and layered, the cast of characters just as real as they are magical. Everything about this story is fearless. Be warned: This is the kind of book that swallows you whole.
Kate is a hero for the ages, and I was utterly swept away in her story, aching for her trials and rooting for every victory. This hero has heart and soul that will linger long after you close this book. A triumphant adventure with so much heart.
At once fresh, at once classic, Onyx and Ivory is a page-turning blend of monsters, magic, and romance.
If you are looking for an outstanding YA Fantasy, don’t look any further than Onyx and Ivory. This book is engrossing and unputdownable, it has all the elements of a great fantasy read: complex worldbuilding, compelling characters, interesting magic system, action-packed battles, and a star-crossed romance.
In Onyx and Ivory, Arnett tackles many important social issues: prejudice, injustice, religious influence (and even access to birth control), but they are all wrapped up in pulse-racing, heart-pounding, exquisite storytelling. There is not a lot I didn’t love about the book, it exceeded all my expectations, and I cannot wait for the next installment!