THE PROPHECY – Taylor Swift
This song has defined A REIGN OF ROSE the most for me. Not only does the title speak to fundamental crucible Arwen will have to face—the unavoidable prophecy that’s irrevocably shaped the last year of her life—but the lyrics tell the story of a woman begging to be freed from a fate she fears. Though Taylor is singing about failed love, it sounds like Arwen’s inner monologue to me.
“I guess a lesser woman would've lost hope. A greater woman wouldn't beg, but I looked to the sky and said, please. I've been on my knees, change the prophecy.”
EMPIRE NOW – Hozier
If I ever share a book playlist that doesn’t have Hozier, Taylor, or Florence on it, you’ll know that was made an imposter. And this one happens to have all three! This is Hozier’s most A Reign of Rose song. He sings about how past informs to future, history is doomed to repeat itself unless someone is brave enough to make a change, and the power of revolution. It’s a hopeful song lyrically, but the melody reminds us that to get to that brighter future, we must make sacrifices. Arwen and Kane know a little something about that for sure.
“After all, darling, I wouldn't sell the world, the way that things are turning. If it falls, I would hold on for all its worth. The future's so bright it's burning.”
LOVE STORY (Version Orchestrale) – Indila
Though in French, this song captures pretty perfectly how we find Kane at the top of this novel. He’s lost the love of his life. And though he’s got revenge in the front of his mind, no amount of vengeance can cure the hole in his heart. Writing the first part of this book broke my heart into pieces. The English lyrics here explain why:
“He sees her everywhere, standing there, he waits for her. A rose in his hand, apart from her, he hopes for nothing. Nothing around him has any meaning, and the air heavy.”
RUNNING UP THAT HILL – Kate Bush
A classic in the finale-vibes playbook. Used by everyone from the 2012 Olympics to Vampire Diaries to Stranger Things, this song captures the essence of fighting when you have absolutely nothing left. Pushing yourself even when it’s hard, and you’re exhausted, and everything hurts, and your mind is begging you to give up. But you don’t. Arwen, Kane, Griffin, Mari… That’s what they have waiting for them in this book. This is their last stand against the worst evil Evendell has ever seen. They’ll need to keep running even when the hill looms high overhead.
“And if I only could, I'd make a deal with God, and I'd get him to swap our places. I'd be running up that road, be running up that hill, with no problems.”
QUEEN OF PEACE – Florence and The Machine
Arwen, my girl, my queen, the chosen one, the savior of the realms, is a queen of peace. She is prophesized to bring safety and civility back to Evendell, and she’s going to succeed or die trying. But the battle ahead won’t be an easy one. She’ll need to rely on her wits, her friends, and her power. But most importantly, A Reign of Rose is the conclusion of a love story. Arwen will need nothing as much as her partner—her other half—Kane. But will they be able to save Evendell and restore peace, while also saving each other?
“Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill, I will conquer. Blood is running deep, some things never sleep… Oh, the queen of peace always does her best to please. Is it any use? Somebody's got to lose.”
The Sacred Stones #3
From Kate Golden, author of viral phenomenon A Dawn of Onyx, comes the unforgettable, epic conclusion to her pulse-pounding Sacred Stones trilogy.
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 survive to fulfill the prophecy and kill his father, Fae King Lazarus. After what he's endured, Kane is willing to save all of Evendell by whatever means necessary—even if that spells his own death.
Little does Kane know, he's not the only one desperate 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. She’s all too aware that if she fails, both realms will be doomed forever.
With the help of new allies and old friends, Kane and Arwen will see this battle through to the end.
Romance Fantasy [Berkley, On Sale: October 8, 2024, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593641941 / eISBN: 9780593641958]
Kate Golden is the bestselling author of viral sensation and debut novel A Dawn of Onyx. She lives in Los Angeles where she works in the film industry developing movies with screenwriters and filmmakers. When she isn’t telling stories, Kate is an avid book reader, movie fanatic, and functioning puzzle addict. She and her husband can be found hosting cozy game nights and taking hikes with their sweet pup, Milo.
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