A Promise of Peridot Summary, Characters and Themes
A Promise of Peridot, the second installment in Kate Golden’s The Sacred Stones Trilogy, delves deeper into a world of high-stakes fantasy, emotional turmoil, and morally complex relationships.
Picking up after the explosive events of A Dawn of Onyx, Arwen Valondale faces the daunting truth of her destiny as the last full-blooded fae and the prophesied savior of her realm. As she grapples with betrayal, love, and her burgeoning powers, Arwen embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the Blade of the Sun—a weapon crucial to defeating the tyrannical fae king Lazarus. With political intrigue, romantic tension, and life-threatening challenges, this book raises the stakes for the trilogy’s climactic finale.
Summary
The story begins immediately after the Battle of Siren’s Bay, with Arwen Valondale reeling from revelations about her true identity as the last full-blooded fae and her role in a prophecy that foretells her death to save the realm.
Betrayed by Kane Ravenwood, Lazarus’s son and her former ally, Arwen struggles to navigate her complex feelings for him as they embark on a quest to find the Blade of the Sun.
This mythical weapon is said to be the only way to defeat Lazarus, a ruthless fae king with plans to dominate the world.
Arwen, Kane, and their companions—including her loyal friends Mari and Griffin—set sail for Citrine, a mysterious underwater kingdom shielded by magical barriers.
The Kingdom of Citrine offers safety from Lazarus’s forces and serves as the first step in their quest. As they navigate the kingdom’s political intrigues, Arwen’s anger and mistrust toward Kane create tension within the group.
Despite her animosity, the two share undeniable chemistry, and Kane’s guilt and devotion to protecting Arwen are evident as he struggles to regain her trust.
The journey to uncover the Blade of the Sun takes the group through dangerous trials, including treacherous underwater passages, encounters with giant spiders, and perilous battles with Lazarus’s mercenaries.
One recurring antagonist, Halden, relentlessly pursues Arwen, revealing an unsettling ability to track her movements. The group also faces challenges within Citrine’s court, where Kane’s past actions complicate their fragile alliances.
Amidst the physical and magical challenges, Arwen contends with her grief over her mother’s death, her anger at Kane, and the weight of the prophecy dictating her fate. Her depression manifests in self-destructive behavior, but as the journey unfolds, she begins to embrace her powers and identity.
Her relationship with Kane evolves, moving from cold animosity to a rekindling of their deep emotional bond. Their connection is tested in both tender and steamy moments, further complicating their dynamic as allies.
The climax sees Arwen captured by Lazarus, who reveals his horrifying plans to exploit her lineage and produce powerful heirs.
Stripped of her freedom and surrounded by magic-resistant restraints, Arwen must resist Lazarus’s sinister ambitions while holding onto hope that her companions will rescue her. The book ends on a dramatic cliffhanger, with Arwen’s fate hanging in the balance and the prophecy still unresolved.
With rich world-building, a blend of romance and suspense, and a relentless pace, A Promise of Peridot sets the stage for an epic conclusion in the final installment of the trilogy. The stakes are higher than ever, with Arwen’s life, love, and the fate of the realm on the line.
Characters
Arwen Valondale
Arwen is the central protagonist, and her journey is at the heart of the narrative. She is revealed to be the last full-blooded fae, prophesied to kill King Lazarus, albeit at the cost of her life.
Arwen’s character is multifaceted, showcasing a blend of resilience, vulnerability, and intense emotional depth. She begins the story consumed by grief over her mother’s death and anger toward Kane for his betrayal.
Her pain manifests in reckless actions and a reluctance to accept her destiny. Despite these challenges, Arwen gradually evolves, learning to embrace her identity and powers.
Her internal struggle—balancing her anger, longing, and sense of duty—makes her a compelling and relatable character. Throughout the story, Arwen’s leadership qualities shine as she navigates personal and external conflicts while stepping into her role as a savior.
Kane Ravenwood
Kane is a morally complex and enigmatic character, embodying the archetype of the “morally gray” love interest. As Lazarus’s son, he bears the weight of his father’s legacy and the guilt of betraying Arwen in the past.
Kane’s journey is defined by his unwavering devotion to Arwen and his willingness to embrace darkness to protect her. He struggles with his own demons, including guilt, regret, and the burden of his love for Arwen.
His character is marked by a constant tension between his desire for redemption and the shadowy path he walks. Despite his flaws, Kane’s actions demonstrate his loyalty and depth of feeling, making him a pivotal figure in the story.
His chemistry with Arwen is electric, filled with tension, longing, and unresolved emotions that drive much of the narrative.
Mari
Mari is one of Arwen’s closest allies and a source of strength and support throughout the journey. She demonstrates remarkable growth in her magical abilities, becoming a powerful and reliable companion.
Mari’s dynamic with Griffin adds a layer of warmth and lightheartedness to the story, as their budding romance offers moments of respite amidst the high stakes. Her loyalty to Arwen is unwavering, and her growing confidence in her powers makes her an indispensable member of the group.
Griffin
Griffin is another central ally, providing both emotional and physical support to the group. His steadfast nature and tragic backstory add depth to his character, making him more than just a secondary figure.
Griffin’s relationship with Mari is a source of development for his character, as it allows him to reveal his softer side and provides an avenue for his personal growth. He emerges as a strong, multifaceted character who balances practicality with compassion.
Fedrik
Fedrik is a charming and somewhat enigmatic prince from an allied kingdom, adding a layer of intrigue and levity to the group. While he serves as a potential romantic rival to Kane, this aspect of his character feels somewhat contrived.
Fedrik’s presence adds complexity to the group dynamic and showcases the broader political alliances at play in the world. His witty demeanor and occasional comic relief make him a memorable, if not entirely pivotal, character.
Halden
Halden is a recurring antagonist who creates a constant sense of danger for the protagonists. His ability to track Arwen makes him a formidable threat, and his appearances underscore the relentless nature of Lazarus’s forces.
Halden’s motivations and allegiance to Lazarus are not deeply explored, but his role as an obstacle adds urgency and stakes to the group’s quest.
Lazarus
King Lazarus is the central antagonist, a tyrannical and terrifying force whose plans drive the overarching conflict. His cruelty is amplified by his personal interest in Arwen, shifting his motives from mere domination to a more sinister obsession.
His desire to use Arwen for her magical lineage—to create powerful heirs—makes him a deeply depraved villain. Lazarus’s manipulative nature and unyielding power create a looming threat that defines the stakes for the protagonists.
His character is a dark, unrelenting force of opposition, and his capture of Arwen at the story’s climax sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation in the final installment.
Princess Amelia
Amelia is a member of the traveling party and a courteous, determined presence in the group. While she does not have the same depth of development as other characters, she contributes to the dynamics of the team.
Her role is primarily supportive, offering a sense of diplomacy and grounding the group in their larger political goals.
Themes
The Burden of Prophecy and the Struggle for Free Will
A central theme in A Promise of Peridot revolves around the concept of prophecy and how it shapes Arwen’s journey. Arwen is the last full-blooded fae, marked by a prophecy that prophesies her as the savior destined to kill the monstrous Fae king Lazarus, but at the ultimate cost of her life.
This weighty expectation becomes a source of conflict, not only because Arwen is forced into a role she never chose, but also because the prophecy seems to dictate her fate. Throughout the book, Arwen wrestles with the pressure of fulfilling the prophecy, the fear of what it might mean for her loved ones, and the loss of agency she feels as she faces a future seemingly preordained.
The tension between fulfilling destiny and exercising personal choice is explored in depth, as Arwen’s internal struggle deepens. The exploration of whether Arwen has control over her fate, or whether her life is irrevocably shaped by the prophecy, adds complexity to the story’s emotional landscape.
In addition, the theme touches upon larger questions about the nature of destiny and whether one can defy or rewrite their fate, posing significant questions for the character and the reader.
The Conflict Between Light and Darkness in Personal Relationships and the Role of Redemption
The relationship between Arwen and Kane is at the heart of this novel, and it mirrors the broader conflict of light versus darkness that runs through the story. Kane, revealed to be the son of Lazarus, is a figure of deep moral complexity, struggling with guilt for his past actions and the darker aspects of his nature.
His love for Arwen is both a redemptive force and a destructive one, as he is willing to embrace darkness to protect her. Meanwhile, Arwen must navigate her own emotional turmoil, trying to reconcile her feelings of betrayal toward Kane with the undeniable bond they share.
Their relationship is marked by tension, longing, and a series of intense emotional and physical moments that serve as both a reflection of the light (love) and the darkness (betrayal, guilt, and sacrifice) that exists in their respective worlds. The constant push and pull between these two forces—the emotional and moral complexities of their relationship—emphasizes the overarching theme of redemption, not just for individuals but also for their relationships.
Kane’s journey of self-sacrifice, and Arwen’s struggle to trust and forgive, speaks to the potential for redemption in a world where darkness constantly threatens to consume the light.
Sacrifice, Love, and the Weight of Responsibility in Leadership
Another prominent theme is the complex intersection of love, sacrifice, and leadership. Arwen’s journey is not only about fulfilling a personal destiny but also about stepping into a role of leadership in a world on the brink of war.
She is forced to grapple with the immense responsibility of leading her allies to defeat Lazarus, all while confronting her grief, anger, and fear about her own inevitable death. The weight of leadership in this context is not just strategic or political—it is deeply personal.
Arwen’s internal conflict is highlighted as she must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for the greater good. The sacrifices she must make, including the potential loss of herself, speak to the emotional cost of leadership.
Moreover, the theme of love complicates these decisions. Arwen’s love for Kane, her loyalty to her friends, and her budding role as a leader of the rebellion against Lazarus all intertwine, making her decisions more complex and painful.
The story delves into the tension between personal desires and the greater good, with Arwen’s evolving understanding of what it means to lead—a theme that is reflected both in her relationship with Kane and in her growth as a leader of the rebellion against Lazarus.
The Role of Betrayal, Trust, and Emotional Healing in Building Alliances
Trust and betrayal are crucial themes that drive much of the emotional and political tension in A Promise of Peridot. Arwen’s initial anger and distrust toward Kane—stemming from his past betrayal—create a backdrop of emotional conflict that influences the group dynamics throughout the story.
Betrayal is not confined to Kane’s actions alone; it is a recurring theme that runs through both personal relationships and political alliances. Characters must continuously navigate the fine line between loyalty and suspicion, as their mission to defeat Lazarus grows more perilous and complicated.
However, it is not just the political alliances that are tested; the personal emotional healing that occurs, especially between Arwen and Kane, is significant. As the story progresses, Kane’s remorse and self-sacrifice begin to rebuild the fractured trust between him and Arwen, suggesting that healing and forgiveness are necessary components of any strong alliance.
The complexity of trust within the context of betrayal and emotional growth offers a rich exploration of how alliances—both personal and political—are forged and tested in times of war and crisis.
The Ever-Encroaching Shadow of Power and Tyranny and Its Effect on Personal Lives
Lazarus, the tyrannical Fae king, represents an ever-looming threat that hangs over every character in the novel, and the theme of power, control, and tyranny is woven throughout the story. Lazarus’s pursuit of Arwen, not just as a tool to kill but as someone to bind to him for personal gain, speaks to the corrupting and oppressive nature of absolute power.
His manipulation of power extends beyond political conquest, seeking to control individuals and shape their destinies for his own purposes. This looming tyranny profoundly impacts the personal lives of the characters, especially Arwen, whose fate is intricately tied to Lazarus’s ambition.
His insidious control over individuals, and his ability to capture and manipulate those closest to Arwen, illustrates the lengths to which power can reach, and the deep psychological and emotional toll it takes on its victims.
This theme also explores the ways in which characters, like Arwen and Kane, must struggle not only with external battles but also with the internal battle of resisting the corrupting influence of power, and how love, trust, and sacrifice can become tools to defy tyranny.