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Ruby & Onyx
Love, Lies, and Magic...
This unforgettable fantasy romance weaves a spellbinding tale of magical mysteries and heart-pounding romantic thrills. Discover a fresh twist on the genre that explores the intricate dance between love and lust, the resilience of life after loss, and the transformative power of self-belief. Ruby & Onyx will capture your heart and sweep you away into a realm of passion, mystery, and self-discovery.
Trapped in the remote village of Carcera, Radya dreamed of an impossible life:
A life outside of the magical barrier. A life of love and adventure. A life liberated from the menacing red eyes haunting her nightmares.
Those delusions were merely a dream, until those red eyes turned corporeal and revealed a fate foretold from ages past.
Forced to reckon with an arranged marriage to the snarky and fickle Prince of Mendacia, who grates on her nerves as often as he quickens her pulse, Radya must navigate an unfamiliar world of magic, lies, and deception. The closer she gets to the truth, the more people get hurt. Each revelation comes at cost, threatening to ignite a war between Kingdoms and lovers.
Will Radya choose this new life, despite the profound repercussions? Or will she follow her dreams, which connect her to yet another life unknown?
This unforgettable fantasy romance weaves a spellbinding tale of magical mysteries and heart-pounding romantic thrills. Discover a fresh twist on the genre that explores the intricate dance between love and lust, the resilience of life after loss, and the transformative power of self-belief. Ruby & Onyx will capture your heart and sweep you away into a realm of passion, mystery, and self-discovery.
Trapped in the remote village of Carcera, Radya dreamed of an impossible life:
A life outside of the magical barrier. A life of love and adventure. A life liberated from the menacing red eyes haunting her nightmares.
Those delusions were merely a dream, until those red eyes turned corporeal and revealed a fate foretold from ages past.
Forced to reckon with an arranged marriage to the snarky and fickle Prince of Mendacia, who grates on her nerves as often as he quickens her pulse, Radya must navigate an unfamiliar world of magic, lies, and deception. The closer she gets to the truth, the more people get hurt. Each revelation comes at cost, threatening to ignite a war between Kingdoms and lovers.
Will Radya choose this new life, despite the profound repercussions? Or will she follow her dreams, which connect her to yet another life unknown?
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2024
20 people are currently reading
3283 people want to read
About the author
Summer Grace
1 book41 followersSummer Grace is a debut author, publishing Ruby & Onyx as the first part of a series.
Summer grew up in New Orleans and currently lives in Southern California. She is passionate about writing stories that inspire as much as they entertain, and she hopes that Ruby & Onyx will inspire readers to believe in themselves and embrace their inner strength.
Summer draws upon her own experiences and relationships during the writing process to build intricate storylines and deeply relatable characters. A naturally talented writer, and a charismatic introvert with a big heart, Summer loves the process of crafting a thrilling fantasy experience with a hint of her own reality thrown in – culminating in stories that resonate with and truly move her readers.
In her spare time, aside from being Stage-1 Book-Nerd, you’ll find Summer paddleboarding, running half-marathons, sipping wines and brews at a local tasting room, and hanging out with her dog (who, of course “SPOILER ALERT”, a character in Ruby & Onyx is based on!).
Summer grew up in New Orleans and currently lives in Southern California. She is passionate about writing stories that inspire as much as they entertain, and she hopes that Ruby & Onyx will inspire readers to believe in themselves and embrace their inner strength.
Summer draws upon her own experiences and relationships during the writing process to build intricate storylines and deeply relatable characters. A naturally talented writer, and a charismatic introvert with a big heart, Summer loves the process of crafting a thrilling fantasy experience with a hint of her own reality thrown in – culminating in stories that resonate with and truly move her readers.
In her spare time, aside from being Stage-1 Book-Nerd, you’ll find Summer paddleboarding, running half-marathons, sipping wines and brews at a local tasting room, and hanging out with her dog (who, of course “SPOILER ALERT”, a character in Ruby & Onyx is based on!).
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 2, 2024
i was given this arc in exchange for an honest review.
what i liked: i love when there are prophecies, and that was cool in the story. the inclusion of prophecies added an element of mystery and anticipation that kept me somewhat engaged. it reminded me of “the star-touched queen,” which is one of my favorites, so that’s cool. there were echoes of that same poetic, almost mythic quality in “ruby & onyx” that i appreciated.
the plot twist towards the end of the book was very good. VERY GOOD. it added an unexpected layer to the story and provided a satisfying twist. however, it might have been more engaging if there were subtle hints throughout the narrative, allowing the reader to feel it coming beforehand. this would have built more suspense and kept the readers more invested. (also very the star-touched queen)
unfortunately, this book feels mistagged as na, as it really just reads like a ya where the characters can swear. the characters have a very formal and eloquent way of speaking, which makes the curses feel out of place and forced, rather than natural. it was jarring and took me out of the story at times.
i had a hard time relating to the mc but after some thought, while still inconsistent, i understand her. radya is a mc that differs from other fantasy mc in that she feels more “human”, by this i mean that honestly, if i were transported into this world, i would too act the way she does and say the things she says. this caught me off guard as i read because i think we are all very used to mcs like jude duarte, maybe mia corvere and the like, while radya reminds me maybe of clary fairchild mixed with some alina starkov (this is another point on why i think this is mistagged as na and would be better tagged as ya lol)
honestly, i think the story would’ve been the same without the dog, and i am sorry about that but maybe i am just not the biggest dog person; moose didn’t add anything to the story. the presence of the dog felt like an afterthought, rather than an integral part of the plot or the mc's development.
the magic system was also not that cool, but i think that there are various bits that would be very interesting if they’re picked up in the second book 👀. for now, it felt underdeveloped and lacked the complexity and intrigue that can make fantasy worlds so captivating. there were moments where the magic system seemed to hold promise, but these moments were fleeting and ultimately unfulfilling.
the decision to add the plot twist when there is just 1/10 of the story left, especially when all that happened before felt too dense and not as intriguing, is a sure way of losing your readers' interest. the pacing of the book was uneven, with long stretches that felt bogged down by unnecessary details and then a rushed conclusion that left many questions unanswered. a more balanced approach could have greatly enhanced the overall reading experience.
overall, “ruby & onyx” is a good way to pass the time. while the book has its moments and some interesting ideas, it ultimately falls short in execution. if you enjoy ya fantasy with a formal tone and don't mind a slower pace, you might find something to like here. however, for those seeking a more gripping and well-rounded fantasy experience, this might not be the best pick.
what i liked: i love when there are prophecies, and that was cool in the story. the inclusion of prophecies added an element of mystery and anticipation that kept me somewhat engaged. it reminded me of “the star-touched queen,” which is one of my favorites, so that’s cool. there were echoes of that same poetic, almost mythic quality in “ruby & onyx” that i appreciated.
the plot twist towards the end of the book was very good. VERY GOOD. it added an unexpected layer to the story and provided a satisfying twist. however, it might have been more engaging if there were subtle hints throughout the narrative, allowing the reader to feel it coming beforehand. this would have built more suspense and kept the readers more invested. (also very the star-touched queen)
unfortunately, this book feels mistagged as na, as it really just reads like a ya where the characters can swear. the characters have a very formal and eloquent way of speaking, which makes the curses feel out of place and forced, rather than natural. it was jarring and took me out of the story at times.
i had a hard time relating to the mc but after some thought, while still inconsistent, i understand her. radya is a mc that differs from other fantasy mc in that she feels more “human”, by this i mean that honestly, if i were transported into this world, i would too act the way she does and say the things she says. this caught me off guard as i read because i think we are all very used to mcs like jude duarte, maybe mia corvere and the like, while radya reminds me maybe of clary fairchild mixed with some alina starkov (this is another point on why i think this is mistagged as na and would be better tagged as ya lol)
honestly, i think the story would’ve been the same without the dog, and i am sorry about that but maybe i am just not the biggest dog person; moose didn’t add anything to the story. the presence of the dog felt like an afterthought, rather than an integral part of the plot or the mc's development.
the magic system was also not that cool, but i think that there are various bits that would be very interesting if they’re picked up in the second book 👀. for now, it felt underdeveloped and lacked the complexity and intrigue that can make fantasy worlds so captivating. there were moments where the magic system seemed to hold promise, but these moments were fleeting and ultimately unfulfilling.
the decision to add the plot twist when there is just 1/10 of the story left, especially when all that happened before felt too dense and not as intriguing, is a sure way of losing your readers' interest. the pacing of the book was uneven, with long stretches that felt bogged down by unnecessary details and then a rushed conclusion that left many questions unanswered. a more balanced approach could have greatly enhanced the overall reading experience.
overall, “ruby & onyx” is a good way to pass the time. while the book has its moments and some interesting ideas, it ultimately falls short in execution. if you enjoy ya fantasy with a formal tone and don't mind a slower pace, you might find something to like here. however, for those seeking a more gripping and well-rounded fantasy experience, this might not be the best pick.
August 23, 2024
Let me just say whatever you thought this fantasy book was going to be like, you’re probably wrong.
This was probably one of thee best fantasy style books I have read YET! It was so intense from chapter one, I was painfully invested in everything that Radya did and said and when she found out what she did oh my hat my heart exploded!
This bad ass never lost her fight and her wits no matter what she went through, she kept her herself strong even when everything was going to the dogs. Imagine going about your day and the next thing you wake up to find out that you’ve magic powers, the King and Queen want you to marry their son and you’re this widely revered and talked about person.
The ending was just *chefs kiss* there was such a great balance between elegance and fight,love and betrayal and the way Radya developed was so subtle yet impactful. My fav part was that there was love and desire but it wasn’t soppy, it wasn’t distasteful and it ticked all the right boxes.
Amazing!
This was probably one of thee best fantasy style books I have read YET! It was so intense from chapter one, I was painfully invested in everything that Radya did and said and when she found out what she did oh my hat my heart exploded!
This bad ass never lost her fight and her wits no matter what she went through, she kept her herself strong even when everything was going to the dogs. Imagine going about your day and the next thing you wake up to find out that you’ve magic powers, the King and Queen want you to marry their son and you’re this widely revered and talked about person.
The ending was just *chefs kiss* there was such a great balance between elegance and fight,love and betrayal and the way Radya developed was so subtle yet impactful. My fav part was that there was love and desire but it wasn’t soppy, it wasn’t distasteful and it ticked all the right boxes.
Amazing!
August 4, 2024
I was given an ARC by the amazing author and I can say, it did not disappoint. The world was amazingly crafted with characters with depth that made me love or hate them and the unpredictability was amazing too.
As a reader that usually reads Fantasy with plot twists I was expecting one that is could easily been seen from the beginning in all of the books I have read. When I updated my process and saw one of the reviews said it had a plot twist I was using every inch of my brain to figure it out. When it came there was no way I could have predicted that and it came out beautifully as well. The ending tied up some loose strings that made me wonder at the beginning, ‘Why did they do that?’
Character wise was amazing as well. The characters weren’t all black and white though. Characters you would think trustworthy would have hints of depth and ready to stab you in the gut 😉 when shown their real intentions. I loved how the main character wasn’t full of herself once she was shoved crucial information of her being ‘gifted by the gods’ like other stories. She was written as a normal person would react ‘Why me? I’m ordinary like everyone else so what’s so special about me?’
The prophecy I would love to say though is *chefs kiss*. I mean the rhyme was amazing and it doesn’t tell you all details from the first sentence like all prophecies letting the reader wanting more.
There’s so much more I would love to say about this amazing story though all I can say is, continue writing your beautiful stories and if you continue the series I would love the rest. Now everyone go read the book!
As a reader that usually reads Fantasy with plot twists I was expecting one that is could easily been seen from the beginning in all of the books I have read. When I updated my process and saw one of the reviews said it had a plot twist I was using every inch of my brain to figure it out. When it came there was no way I could have predicted that and it came out beautifully as well. The ending tied up some loose strings that made me wonder at the beginning, ‘Why did they do that?’
Character wise was amazing as well. The characters weren’t all black and white though. Characters you would think trustworthy would have hints of depth and ready to stab you in the gut 😉 when shown their real intentions. I loved how the main character wasn’t full of herself once she was shoved crucial information of her being ‘gifted by the gods’ like other stories. She was written as a normal person would react ‘Why me? I’m ordinary like everyone else so what’s so special about me?’
The prophecy I would love to say though is *chefs kiss*. I mean the rhyme was amazing and it doesn’t tell you all details from the first sentence like all prophecies letting the reader wanting more.
There’s so much more I would love to say about this amazing story though all I can say is, continue writing your beautiful stories and if you continue the series I would love the rest. Now everyone go read the book!
June 12, 2024
What in the world was that ending Summer please explain why you did that lmao. I enjoyed this book so much. I was hooked from the beginning. It was fast-paced. The characters were amazing. The twist had me on the edge of my seat. The romance was beautifully written. The world building was super easy to get into. I need book two now lol
May 31, 2024
I loved this book so much and the TWIST!
First - the pacing. I DNF so many books because of a slow start but this was gripping from page one. The first scene was haunting and captivating, and I really could not put this book down during the third act. The ball scene had me screaming.
Second - the side characters. Not a fan of boring filler/side characters so this was a breath of fresh air to have well-developed side characters that were more than just window dressing. (Shout out to Guylita in particular!)
Third - the romance! I love a twist and this did not disappoint. I cannot wait for Book 2 to see what happens next.
Fourth - the world building in this book was great. It was not an info dump, nor was it sparse on the details. Instead, the author crafted a beautiful, magical world that was unique and vibrant.
Finally - Radya! Radya was so well-developed with a moving character arc. She is neither the frequently overdone archetypical badass nor is she the overdone damsel in distress. Instead, Radya is multifacted and you truly see her growth over the course of this book.
This book was a total joy and I can't wait to read Book 2!
First - the pacing. I DNF so many books because of a slow start but this was gripping from page one. The first scene was haunting and captivating, and I really could not put this book down during the third act. The ball scene had me screaming.
Second - the side characters. Not a fan of boring filler/side characters so this was a breath of fresh air to have well-developed side characters that were more than just window dressing. (Shout out to Guylita in particular!)
Third - the romance! I love a twist and this did not disappoint. I cannot wait for Book 2 to see what happens next.
Fourth - the world building in this book was great. It was not an info dump, nor was it sparse on the details. Instead, the author crafted a beautiful, magical world that was unique and vibrant.
Finally - Radya! Radya was so well-developed with a moving character arc. She is neither the frequently overdone archetypical badass nor is she the overdone damsel in distress. Instead, Radya is multifacted and you truly see her growth over the course of this book.
This book was a total joy and I can't wait to read Book 2!
August 26, 2024
3.5 star read
I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway!Rayda is trapped in a town that is protected by a magical barrier that prevents anyone from leaving and coming in. She's always felt alone and like a prisoner. With nightmares that plague her and glowing red eyes that seems to follow her wherever she goes she goes about her life. Until the day she is taken in the middle of the night and told she is betrothed to the prince. Thrown into a whirlwind of lies deceit and curiosity as she tries to figure out the reason she is told she is so powerful. An interesting story line ya book filled with magic.
I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway!Rayda is trapped in a town that is protected by a magical barrier that prevents anyone from leaving and coming in. She's always felt alone and like a prisoner. With nightmares that plague her and glowing red eyes that seems to follow her wherever she goes she goes about her life. Until the day she is taken in the middle of the night and told she is betrothed to the prince. Thrown into a whirlwind of lies deceit and curiosity as she tries to figure out the reason she is told she is so powerful. An interesting story line ya book filled with magic.
July 3, 2024
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and boy was I surprised that how amazing it was. The FMC is a strong bad ass who throughout the story is amazing. And if you’re good at knowing what’s gonna happen in the story, this one will get you by surprise I promise.
September 2, 2024
Loved this book! Wow!
Ruby & Onyx had me hooked from the beginning and as the story unfolded I found myself constantly on edge, trying to piece together what it all meant, and the payoff was well worth it.
The eerie tension in the first scene and Radya’s haunting, vivid nightmares with those strange red eyes that seemed to torment the depths of her mind were just so gripping. Then the cryptic “messages”, shall we say, that hinted at something more… I had to find out where it was all going.
My favorite thing about this book was how masterfully the prophecies and Radya’s premonitions were woven throughout the story. It’s elusive and enigmatic and keeps you guessing, with every line hinting at something deeper without giving away too much. The attention to detail in this book is incredible; nothing is wasted, and everything has a purpose. Little details that seem insignificant at first come back in powerful ways later on, making the entire story feel meticulously crafted, purposeful, and incredibly satisfying.
Radya (the FMC) felt authentic because her imperfections (for lack of a better word) seemed to stem from the “scars” of her past and how she had been stifled by her surroundings for so long. She’s not your typical “chosen one” who instantly accepts her fate and flourishes. Instead, she is filled with self-doubt and struggles to overcome herself, really. She questions everything, like “Why me? I’m just Radya from small town Carcera” which made her journey even more compelling—she’s thrust into this deeply layered whirlwind of politics, magic, and destiny that she didn’t know existed and grows into a strong woman in her own way. I thought it was refreshing to see a protagonist who’s not just going along with the flow, but actively trying to understand how and why things are what they are, and what her own role really is in the grand scheme of things, even if she makes mistakes along the way. The other characters in this book are also very well developed. I found myself constantly changing who I trusted, who I liked and disliked, and who I rooted for. Gemma reminded me of my best friend so I got attached to her, and Bas was just so mysteriously emotional…and seemingly attractive.
Of course, there’s that plot twist that I absolutely did not see coming —completely unexpected and so perfectly executed that I had to stop and catch my breath. Actually, there’s more than just one twist, but there’s that ONE that really gets you. If you’ve read this book, you know…IYKYK.
I’ve already sent Ruby & Onyx to a few friends and I’d recommend this to anyone who reads Fantasy. It’s so well written and really has a great message that I found impactful. And, just the right amount of romance! It’s one of those books will stay with you long after you’ve finished…I’m honestly sad that book 2 isn’t out yet.
This a must read!
Ruby & Onyx had me hooked from the beginning and as the story unfolded I found myself constantly on edge, trying to piece together what it all meant, and the payoff was well worth it.
The eerie tension in the first scene and Radya’s haunting, vivid nightmares with those strange red eyes that seemed to torment the depths of her mind were just so gripping. Then the cryptic “messages”, shall we say, that hinted at something more… I had to find out where it was all going.
My favorite thing about this book was how masterfully the prophecies and Radya’s premonitions were woven throughout the story. It’s elusive and enigmatic and keeps you guessing, with every line hinting at something deeper without giving away too much. The attention to detail in this book is incredible; nothing is wasted, and everything has a purpose. Little details that seem insignificant at first come back in powerful ways later on, making the entire story feel meticulously crafted, purposeful, and incredibly satisfying.
Radya (the FMC) felt authentic because her imperfections (for lack of a better word) seemed to stem from the “scars” of her past and how she had been stifled by her surroundings for so long. She’s not your typical “chosen one” who instantly accepts her fate and flourishes. Instead, she is filled with self-doubt and struggles to overcome herself, really. She questions everything, like “Why me? I’m just Radya from small town Carcera” which made her journey even more compelling—she’s thrust into this deeply layered whirlwind of politics, magic, and destiny that she didn’t know existed and grows into a strong woman in her own way. I thought it was refreshing to see a protagonist who’s not just going along with the flow, but actively trying to understand how and why things are what they are, and what her own role really is in the grand scheme of things, even if she makes mistakes along the way. The other characters in this book are also very well developed. I found myself constantly changing who I trusted, who I liked and disliked, and who I rooted for. Gemma reminded me of my best friend so I got attached to her, and Bas was just so mysteriously emotional…and seemingly attractive.
Of course, there’s that plot twist that I absolutely did not see coming —completely unexpected and so perfectly executed that I had to stop and catch my breath. Actually, there’s more than just one twist, but there’s that ONE that really gets you. If you’ve read this book, you know…IYKYK.
I’ve already sent Ruby & Onyx to a few friends and I’d recommend this to anyone who reads Fantasy. It’s so well written and really has a great message that I found impactful. And, just the right amount of romance! It’s one of those books will stay with you long after you’ve finished…I’m honestly sad that book 2 isn’t out yet.
This a must read!
August 23, 2024
⚠️LIGHT SPOILERS
I think a lot of people will like this book, but it wasn’t for me. I started off invested in the story, but by the end I hated the FMC -wait, not even the end because I DNFd at 93%.
You might like this book if you like/don’t mind an FMC who:
+ constantly asks questions
+ waffles between knowing she can’t trust anyone to trusting them somewhat, to wanting to kiss them (well, one person), and divulges way too much information
+ knows she’s in danger but is constantly doing things to make it worse and putting others lives at risk in pursuit of answers
+ is incredibly naive
+ is entirely too trusting (despite, as mentioned, knowing she can’t trust anyone)
+ jumps into blood oaths and magical tests willfully blind, without clear knowledge of what she’s committing to (also putting way too much faith in a stranger who just admitted that he tortures and run tests on prisoners)
+ doesn’t seem all that upset that a lot of people she runs into end up dead or in prison
+ is about as subtle, sneaky, and careful as a bull in a china shop
+ easily gets overwhelmed, loses consciousness a bit due to said ‘overwhelm’, and is often quick to give up (or try to)
+ is never not asking questions (seriously)
+doesnt seem all that concerned with being a once in a millennia person.. yes she is trying to find out about a prophesy, yes she’s working on her powers, but doesn’t seem to care about anything beyond that (except the dog)
I could keep going but this is the type of FMC that infuriates me. Other than that, I didn’t think there was romance in the book the 93% I read) other than light flirting with the prince. the magic system and world building was underdeveloped and underwhelming as well.
I think a lot of people will like this book, but it wasn’t for me. I started off invested in the story, but by the end I hated the FMC -wait, not even the end because I DNFd at 93%.
You might like this book if you like/don’t mind an FMC who:
+ constantly asks questions
+ waffles between knowing she can’t trust anyone to trusting them somewhat, to wanting to kiss them (well, one person), and divulges way too much information
+ knows she’s in danger but is constantly doing things to make it worse and putting others lives at risk in pursuit of answers
+ is incredibly naive
+ is entirely too trusting (despite, as mentioned, knowing she can’t trust anyone)
+ jumps into blood oaths and magical tests willfully blind, without clear knowledge of what she’s committing to (also putting way too much faith in a stranger who just admitted that he tortures and run tests on prisoners)
+ doesn’t seem all that upset that a lot of people she runs into end up dead or in prison
+ is about as subtle, sneaky, and careful as a bull in a china shop
+ easily gets overwhelmed, loses consciousness a bit due to said ‘overwhelm’, and is often quick to give up (or try to)
+ is never not asking questions (seriously)
+doesnt seem all that concerned with being a once in a millennia person.. yes she is trying to find out about a prophesy, yes she’s working on her powers, but doesn’t seem to care about anything beyond that (except the dog)
I could keep going but this is the type of FMC that infuriates me. Other than that, I didn’t think there was romance in the book the 93% I read) other than light flirting with the prince. the magic system and world building was underdeveloped and underwhelming as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2024
I’m SO glad I picked up this book…I couldn’t put it down! I can’t recommend "Ruby & Onyx" enough!
If you like messy love triangles, high stakes, breathtaking twists and turns, and a strong female lead with a real, relatable character arc, this book is definitely for you. It is a fascinating contemporary romance that examines the complexities of love and identity.
“Ruby & Onyx” centers around Radya, who lives a quiet life until her world turns upside down when the her nightmarish visions become reality. She is thrust into a world of royal drama, including an arranged marriage to the Prince of Mendacia. The tension between them is electric, blending sharp banter with undeniable chemistry. But if you think you know what is in store for Radya, you are so very wrong. As the story develops, you begin to realize how deep the layers of deception, politics, and romantic connections truly are. Each of Radya’s revelations carry heavy consequences and uncover explosive truths about her own past.
The author did a fantastic job exploring the themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, and she crafted it uniquely compared to other books in the genre. The deep character development got me invested in so many of the characters, while the prose is both haunting and lyrical. Whether you're drawn to stories of strong-willed heroines or tales of love set against a backdrop of danger and intrigue, this book will not disappoint. It’s a must-read for fans of contemporary romance who appreciate a story that is as emotionally relevant as it is romantically fulfilling.
10/10 for sure!
If you like messy love triangles, high stakes, breathtaking twists and turns, and a strong female lead with a real, relatable character arc, this book is definitely for you. It is a fascinating contemporary romance that examines the complexities of love and identity.
“Ruby & Onyx” centers around Radya, who lives a quiet life until her world turns upside down when the her nightmarish visions become reality. She is thrust into a world of royal drama, including an arranged marriage to the Prince of Mendacia. The tension between them is electric, blending sharp banter with undeniable chemistry. But if you think you know what is in store for Radya, you are so very wrong. As the story develops, you begin to realize how deep the layers of deception, politics, and romantic connections truly are. Each of Radya’s revelations carry heavy consequences and uncover explosive truths about her own past.
The author did a fantastic job exploring the themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, and she crafted it uniquely compared to other books in the genre. The deep character development got me invested in so many of the characters, while the prose is both haunting and lyrical. Whether you're drawn to stories of strong-willed heroines or tales of love set against a backdrop of danger and intrigue, this book will not disappoint. It’s a must-read for fans of contemporary romance who appreciate a story that is as emotionally relevant as it is romantically fulfilling.
10/10 for sure!
September 3, 2024
Whoa! What a fantastic read. This book REALLY delivered-- I was super into this!
Ruby & Onyx has everything I crave in a story: drama, suspense, complicated relationships, unexpected turns, and a main character who’s right in the thick of it all. It was exactly what I needed to unwind after a long, stressful day of work. If you’re on the fence about picking it up, trust me—dive in now.
Let me tell you, Radya's life gets wild. One minute she’s living her regular life, and the next, she’s thrown into this crazy mix of drama, magic, prophecies, politics, and even an arranged marriage and fated love she never saw coming. The whole thing had me staying up late trying to get in as much of this story as I could, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, bam! Another twist!
The characters and the world building were very well done - I felt like I visualized a lot of the scenes places vividly, and I grew to love (and loathe) a lot of the characters. Radya became my favorite, Olly made me so mad, and Amin’s bluntness made me laugh out loud sometimes.
I think the author did such a great job building this entire story. I was shocked at how impressive her writing turned out to be, especially with this being her first book. The plot line was unexpectedly deep…I felt like I was unwrapping a present, and then another and another as the the complexities of the story was revealed. I loved that.
I’ve already been raving about this book to my friends and even suggested it for my friend's book club. I can’t wait for the next one!
Highly recommend! I really think more people need to read this!
Ruby & Onyx has everything I crave in a story: drama, suspense, complicated relationships, unexpected turns, and a main character who’s right in the thick of it all. It was exactly what I needed to unwind after a long, stressful day of work. If you’re on the fence about picking it up, trust me—dive in now.
Let me tell you, Radya's life gets wild. One minute she’s living her regular life, and the next, she’s thrown into this crazy mix of drama, magic, prophecies, politics, and even an arranged marriage and fated love she never saw coming. The whole thing had me staying up late trying to get in as much of this story as I could, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, bam! Another twist!
The characters and the world building were very well done - I felt like I visualized a lot of the scenes places vividly, and I grew to love (and loathe) a lot of the characters. Radya became my favorite, Olly made me so mad, and Amin’s bluntness made me laugh out loud sometimes.
I think the author did such a great job building this entire story. I was shocked at how impressive her writing turned out to be, especially with this being her first book. The plot line was unexpectedly deep…I felt like I was unwrapping a present, and then another and another as the the complexities of the story was revealed. I loved that.
I’ve already been raving about this book to my friends and even suggested it for my friend's book club. I can’t wait for the next one!
Highly recommend! I really think more people need to read this!
October 3, 2024
I kept hurting my own feelings today when I was looking forward to my nightly reading time, only to remember I finished this book. I’m so sad to wait for the series to continue!
Radya can be a teensy bit too self deprecating and critical of herself- but I had to remind myself she has those doubts because people made her feel that way over and over again. Overall she’s a good person and a badass who does her best to protect her loved ones. But Moose obviously the best, and the goodest boy. If you want a mild spoiler about the fate of the dog sidekick, I’ve put it down below. I can’t say much about the other characters without giving a lot away, but I really enjoyed the ride.
There are some major twists - one I kinda saw coming but didn’t understand why, and several others I was blindsided by. The book is well-paced and I am looking forward to anything else from this author!
I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway.
Dog’s fate, mild spoiler ahead
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*
*
*
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*
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Moose survives and is not injured. 🥰🐶
Radya can be a teensy bit too self deprecating and critical of herself- but I had to remind myself she has those doubts because people made her feel that way over and over again. Overall she’s a good person and a badass who does her best to protect her loved ones. But Moose obviously the best, and the goodest boy. If you want a mild spoiler about the fate of the dog sidekick, I’ve put it down below. I can’t say much about the other characters without giving a lot away, but I really enjoyed the ride.
There are some major twists - one I kinda saw coming but didn’t understand why, and several others I was blindsided by. The book is well-paced and I am looking forward to anything else from this author!
I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway.
Dog’s fate, mild spoiler ahead
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*
*
*
*
*
*
Moose survives and is not injured. 🥰🐶
October 20, 2024
I received a Kindle version of this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to check this title out! I thought the plot and premise for this book were really interesting and it had really good bones and could become an intriguing series! The book kept me guessing as to who was truly good and bad for a good portion and I enjoyed that ride! My only critiques were that I would’ve liked to see a little more detail and struggle with Radya and her powers and I did feel like while the ending was exciting it was slightly rushed and I would’ve liked those last few chapters to have really dug in a little harder. All in all I enjoyed this book and will continue on with the next book when it’s published!
January 11, 2025
Spice: 0/5
Romance: 0.5/5
Arranged Marriage
First person POV
Multiple love interests (but not a love triangle)
RATING: 4.5 out of 5
Helloooooooo?????
This was not at all what I was expecting from a book with only 35 ratings. This was so refreshing and realistic for a romantasy. The FMC, Radya, actually has a normal working brain. There are things that happen that normally the FMC would ignore for the plot to be able to continue but Radya would openly question normally questionable people and scenarios. She had the most relatable and realistic personality in a FMC that I have ever seen.
This author did an amazing job at creating a world that was easy to understand while also keeping it very intriguing. The story progressed where some things that happen are obvious but there a lot of things that unfold that I would have never been able to guess.
My tiny little pet peeves for this book-
I personally did not care for the characters names, they just felt weird lol.
I wish there was less insta lust from Radya. She does go back in forth in her mind with her feelings but I feel like she falls too hard too fast and it makes her seem a little immature.
Overall, this was such an amazing read and I cannot wait to see where this brilliant author takes this story next. I hope we get an update on the next book ASAP!
Romance: 0.5/5
Arranged Marriage
First person POV
Multiple love interests (but not a love triangle)
RATING: 4.5 out of 5
Helloooooooo?????
This was not at all what I was expecting from a book with only 35 ratings. This was so refreshing and realistic for a romantasy. The FMC, Radya, actually has a normal working brain. There are things that happen that normally the FMC would ignore for the plot to be able to continue but Radya would openly question normally questionable people and scenarios. She had the most relatable and realistic personality in a FMC that I have ever seen.
This author did an amazing job at creating a world that was easy to understand while also keeping it very intriguing. The story progressed where some things that happen are obvious but there a lot of things that unfold that I would have never been able to guess.
My tiny little pet peeves for this book-
I personally did not care for the characters names, they just felt weird lol.
I wish there was less insta lust from Radya. She does go back in forth in her mind with her feelings but I feel like she falls too hard too fast and it makes her seem a little immature.
Overall, this was such an amazing read and I cannot wait to see where this brilliant author takes this story next. I hope we get an update on the next book ASAP!
January 8, 2025
I won this book through Goodreads giveaway. I was really excited to read and starting out, I liked the story but the FMC destroyed this book for me. 22 years old and acts like a child. Literally throwing tantrums, asks a million questions and during life or death situations like come on... I could go on and on about the absolutely annoying, whiney, naive FMC. I reluctantly finished the book because I'm just one of those people that has to finish things, I wished desperately that wasn't in this case because I wanted to dnf so bad. I am absolutely sick and tired of these types of FMCs. I'm sure others will disagree, but this was not the book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
October 26, 2024I've seen a trend lately of authors moving past y/a characters to 20 something. The problem is that the characters and their dialog do not move with the age. I could accept the premise and writing if the story were meant for younger readers. It's just too juvenile for me.
October 28, 2024
Great read.
I want more! This book was a good read, and was hard to put down. I am hoping that there continues to be more books in this series.
This book was given to me as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
I want more! This book was a good read, and was hard to put down. I am hoping that there continues to be more books in this series.
This book was given to me as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
December 30, 2024
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and was pleasantly surprised by this story. Having never heard of the book or author before winning, I had no clue what to expect. I went in blind and I really loved it! Perfect book to end 2024.
September 11, 2024
A great book!
October 9, 2024
2.5
Yea, MFC Radya is really annoying.
How to describe her......
- Whiny
- Not a strong MFC
- Can't defend herself
- Doesn't trust anyone but trusts everyone until - it's too late. Then, back to not trusting anyone.
- The constant repeating of things we already know. (I can see the invisible) (the invisibles are no longer invisible to me). We get it. Doesn't need repeating with each encounter.
- She faints a lot.
The story was pretty boring. There wasn't much action or surprises that surprised me. Even when she tried to find out about the prophecy, everyone else did they work for her. Where's the fun in that?
Also, now I understand why there is no chemistry between the MFC and Olly. It was not a surprise since everything seemed suspicious from the get-go.
At the end, with Gemma, Radya just didn't seem to care and only self pitied about herself.
Yea, MFC Radya is really annoying.
How to describe her......
- Whiny
- Not a strong MFC
- Can't defend herself
- Doesn't trust anyone but trusts everyone until - it's too late. Then, back to not trusting anyone.
- The constant repeating of things we already know. (I can see the invisible) (the invisibles are no longer invisible to me). We get it. Doesn't need repeating with each encounter.
- She faints a lot.
The story was pretty boring. There wasn't much action or surprises that surprised me. Even when she tried to find out about the prophecy, everyone else did they work for her. Where's the fun in that?
Also, now I understand why there is no chemistry between the MFC and Olly. It was not a surprise since everything seemed suspicious from the get-go.
At the end, with Gemma, Radya just didn't seem to care and only self pitied about herself.
October 17, 2024
I won a free copy from Goodreads! Thank you so much!
I really want to love this book, and maybe if there's a sequel then it will tie everything together, but...
I felt the story was pretty slow, with the majority of the plot/story driving force happening in the last 20% of the book. I felt the synopsis was a little misleading, hyping up the story to which it just did not deliver.
This book should be classified as a YA and not a NA. The worst part about the book was the swearing. I thought there would be some type of romance, even a little spice, but there really wasn't any of that. Not that it needed it, I'm saying in terms of classifying. This is a book I could safely carry in the high school library where I work.
The FMC was slightly annoying in my opinion. I get that she has had a lot of trauma in her life, but it got to the point of being entirely too much. The woe-is-me was too much. I could understand if she was 18, but she was in her 20's. I know we've all been there, I truly do, but it kind of took me out of the story and gave me the ick. She was also really brash and demanding, which seemed unnecessary in most of the situations that side of her came out. Also, as much as I love animals, I felt like the addition of Moose was more an afterthought and less a part of the story. Maybe in the next book he will have more of a chance to shine.
I did really like the magical element, and the whole immortal mates idea. That was great. I loved the supporting characters so much! Especially the twins! They were a wonderful addition. Bas was lovely and I can't wait to learn more about him.
Overall this was a solid first book! It's really easy as readers to pick apart the books we read, but to be so vulnerable as to write something from your soul and put it out there for the masses is awesome. I feel like Summer Grace will work out the kinks and deliver a solid follow up to Ruby and Onyx.
I really want to love this book, and maybe if there's a sequel then it will tie everything together, but...
I felt the story was pretty slow, with the majority of the plot/story driving force happening in the last 20% of the book. I felt the synopsis was a little misleading, hyping up the story to which it just did not deliver.
This book should be classified as a YA and not a NA. The worst part about the book was the swearing. I thought there would be some type of romance, even a little spice, but there really wasn't any of that. Not that it needed it, I'm saying in terms of classifying. This is a book I could safely carry in the high school library where I work.
The FMC was slightly annoying in my opinion. I get that she has had a lot of trauma in her life, but it got to the point of being entirely too much. The woe-is-me was too much. I could understand if she was 18, but she was in her 20's. I know we've all been there, I truly do, but it kind of took me out of the story and gave me the ick. She was also really brash and demanding, which seemed unnecessary in most of the situations that side of her came out. Also, as much as I love animals, I felt like the addition of Moose was more an afterthought and less a part of the story. Maybe in the next book he will have more of a chance to shine.
I did really like the magical element, and the whole immortal mates idea. That was great. I loved the supporting characters so much! Especially the twins! They were a wonderful addition. Bas was lovely and I can't wait to learn more about him.
Overall this was a solid first book! It's really easy as readers to pick apart the books we read, but to be so vulnerable as to write something from your soul and put it out there for the masses is awesome. I feel like Summer Grace will work out the kinks and deliver a solid follow up to Ruby and Onyx.
August 12, 2024
👏😍 To say I love this book is an understatement! 💜
10/10 would recommend to everyone!
The story line, the magic, the drama, the betrayal and the plot twists were simple perfect 😘🤌
The story follows Radya a badass strong minded girl trying to discover who she really is and what she’s destined to be, her whole life she thinks shes a nobody, an outcast but little does she know her whole life is about to change!
The betrayals broke my heart every single time 💔 just to get piece back together ❤️🩹
There’s so much going on but it’s super easy to follow, it’s medium to fast pace.
Tropes:
~ Fantasy 🗡️
~ Romance 👩❤️💋👨
~ Arrange marriage 💍
~ Magical creatures 🪄
~ Prophecies 🔮
~ Immortality ♾️
~ Betrayal 💔
~ Found family ❤️🩹
~ Single POV 👩🏻
Characters:
Radya: One of my favorite female leads in a long time, she is a straight up badass, she goes through so much but she never gives up. She always finds a way to keep moving forward and have hope that things will work out on the end. She defended the people she loved and never left anyone behind 💪🏻👩🦳
Olly: ugh that’s all I go to say about him, he really tricked me until the end 🙄 I had my suspicions but he really outdid himself 🤧💔
Mosse: I love you!! Best side kick EVER 🐕
Gemma: BEST FRIEND EVER
Bass: I LOVE HIM 👑♥️♥️😍 This man is everything! The way we know so little about him yet what we know is just perfect 😩♥️
The world building is amazing I just wished we had a map 🗺️
I love to be able to see where I am and how far / what’s between the places am going.
The ending was AMAZING and I literally can’t wait for the second book to come out ! ♥️♥️
10/10 would recommend to everyone!
The story line, the magic, the drama, the betrayal and the plot twists were simple perfect 😘🤌
The story follows Radya a badass strong minded girl trying to discover who she really is and what she’s destined to be, her whole life she thinks shes a nobody, an outcast but little does she know her whole life is about to change!
The betrayals broke my heart every single time 💔 just to get piece back together ❤️🩹
There’s so much going on but it’s super easy to follow, it’s medium to fast pace.
Tropes:
~ Fantasy 🗡️
~ Romance 👩❤️💋👨
~ Arrange marriage 💍
~ Magical creatures 🪄
~ Prophecies 🔮
~ Immortality ♾️
~ Betrayal 💔
~ Found family ❤️🩹
~ Single POV 👩🏻
Characters:
Radya: One of my favorite female leads in a long time, she is a straight up badass, she goes through so much but she never gives up. She always finds a way to keep moving forward and have hope that things will work out on the end. She defended the people she loved and never left anyone behind 💪🏻👩🦳
Olly: ugh that’s all I go to say about him, he really tricked me until the end 🙄 I had my suspicions but he really outdid himself 🤧💔
Mosse: I love you!! Best side kick EVER 🐕
Gemma: BEST FRIEND EVER
Bass: I LOVE HIM 👑♥️♥️😍 This man is everything! The way we know so little about him yet what we know is just perfect 😩♥️
The world building is amazing I just wished we had a map 🗺️
I love to be able to see where I am and how far / what’s between the places am going.
The ending was AMAZING and I literally can’t wait for the second book to come out ! ♥️♥️
October 1, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ Mysterious Prophecy
~ Arranged Marriage
~ Deception & Betrayal
~ Fated Romance
I am not usually a YA reader but this book blew me away with the lies and deception that the FMC experiences as she is whisked away to a castle and finds out that she is betrothed to the Prince of Mendacia. She also finds out that she has magic and not only has she been betrothed, but her parents are dead and she has no reason to believe that she was even betrothed in the first place. The King and Queen give her 30 days to make her decision to commit to the marriage. But since she is in a new place, with only herself to trust, she must find out the truth behind the deception of not only the King and Queen, but all of those who interact with her in the castle. Will she agree to this betrothal, or will she deny ties to the Monarchy and go back to her life in Carcera?
What I Loved: Who doesn’t love lies, deception, and mystery in a book? If you don’t, you are in the wrong place. This book is packed with all kinds of mystery because of a prophecy and I am all here for it. The story theme was one of identity and self-discovery and it made me think of coming of age because we see a young woman growing into herself and who she is becoming. We finally discover with a very complex curtain reveal, who she was in her past life and where it will lead her now in her current life which makes the story even more compelling. This book has an incredible world-building aspect and a thrilling storyline that keeps you on your toes throughout the whole book. It is an absolute page-turner filled with adventure and excitement. I loved that this book was a mixture of romantasy and thriller because those are my favorite genres. The ending of this book will blow your mind and leave you with a million questions about the story.
Other notes: This is Summer’s first book and I cannot wait to see what other stories she comes up with. She is definitely an author to watch. And this is a book that you NEED to read. Add this to your TBR, it will be available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited on August 22, 2024.
Special thanks to the Author, Summer Grace, for providing a complimentary digital Electronic Advanced Reader Copy (E-ARC) of this novel. This is my fair, honest, and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
~ Mysterious Prophecy
~ Arranged Marriage
~ Deception & Betrayal
~ Fated Romance
I am not usually a YA reader but this book blew me away with the lies and deception that the FMC experiences as she is whisked away to a castle and finds out that she is betrothed to the Prince of Mendacia. She also finds out that she has magic and not only has she been betrothed, but her parents are dead and she has no reason to believe that she was even betrothed in the first place. The King and Queen give her 30 days to make her decision to commit to the marriage. But since she is in a new place, with only herself to trust, she must find out the truth behind the deception of not only the King and Queen, but all of those who interact with her in the castle. Will she agree to this betrothal, or will she deny ties to the Monarchy and go back to her life in Carcera?
What I Loved: Who doesn’t love lies, deception, and mystery in a book? If you don’t, you are in the wrong place. This book is packed with all kinds of mystery because of a prophecy and I am all here for it. The story theme was one of identity and self-discovery and it made me think of coming of age because we see a young woman growing into herself and who she is becoming. We finally discover with a very complex curtain reveal, who she was in her past life and where it will lead her now in her current life which makes the story even more compelling. This book has an incredible world-building aspect and a thrilling storyline that keeps you on your toes throughout the whole book. It is an absolute page-turner filled with adventure and excitement. I loved that this book was a mixture of romantasy and thriller because those are my favorite genres. The ending of this book will blow your mind and leave you with a million questions about the story.
Other notes: This is Summer’s first book and I cannot wait to see what other stories she comes up with. She is definitely an author to watch. And this is a book that you NEED to read. Add this to your TBR, it will be available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited on August 22, 2024.
Special thanks to the Author, Summer Grace, for providing a complimentary digital Electronic Advanced Reader Copy (E-ARC) of this novel. This is my fair, honest, and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
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