Plot
Fairytales are for the naive.
Princess Assassin Gray Monroe is ordered by her father to kill the villainous prince responsible for starting a war that threw the world into a post-apocalyptic society. In a decrepit landscape where two magical species war with one another, while a human militia hunts them all, Gray has only one thing on her mind: vengeance.
With a single focus on killing the man who murdered her first love, she believes nothing will stop her. That is until she hesitates when she comes face-to-face with her nemesis at long last.
Unable to complete the task, Gray must return to the King’s Palace empty-handed for her annual birthday celebration to a court of vipers who lie in wait for her to slip in her icy façade. When a sinister plot is revealed to assassinate the princess, she must flee into a world where she’s now the hunted and fight to survive to get the revenge she’s owed.
Prince Griffin Silas is on a mission of his own: to kill the king. The problem is he’s suffering from an affliction that robs him of his sanity while making him crave violence and death. But first, he needs the princess in his hands, no matter the cost. In a race against his spiraling affliction, who will achieve their goal first?
As the first installment in the Celestials of Arcadia, “A Touch of Gold and Madness” is a story about moving through a lifetime of trauma while also packed with action, secrets, betrayal, and a tension full of slow-burning steam. It will keep you turning the pages to discover the long-buried truths concealed by those who seek ultimate power.
Review
Wow, this book had absolutely no business being this good. I’m genuinely baffled as to why no one is talking about it!
First off, the magic system and world-building are incredible. The story features two species at war: the Elementals, who can control and manipulate the four elements, and the Kinetics, who wield power over different forms of kinetic energy. All of this is set against the backdrop of a dystopian Earth, where humans have been forced underground after a massive EMP bomb wiped out most of the planet’s electrical systems. Oh, and did I mention multiverses? My mind was blown—reading this felt like watching a blockbuster movie.
The action is relentless, kicking off almost from the first page. You’re immediately thrown into the chaos: Gray is tasked with hunting down and killing Griffin, as ordered by her father, the King. Meanwhile, Griffin is on a mission of his own—to assassinate the King. Their individual stories are gripping and, honestly, heartbreaking. The trauma both of them have endured is horrific, and it’s a wonder they’re still functioning.
The romance, while a bit weaker, is a slow burn. At first, it felt slightly disjointed, especially in the beginning, but it eventually develops pretty well. It’s definitely a “he falls first” situation, while Gray struggles more with her feelings.
For a debut, this was absolutely fantastic! The ending left me with so many unanswered questions, and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us.
My Rating: 4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟
About the Author
K.L. is a dark fantasy romance author who lives for complex plots, characters, and worlds. When she isn’t writing or editing, she is either reading or drawing realistic charcoal portraits. As a mother of two rowdy boys, she values the quiet evenings when she can focus on her work best while drinking a mug of sugar-free hot cocoa.
While she loves writing a spicy slow burn and lots of fight scenes, her books depict dark themes of trauma and healing that she hopes will resonate with other readers.
Books & Other Pursuits 