Hype Post – Onyx & Ivory by Mindee Arnett

**Disclaimer, I have not read Onyx & Ivory or any spoilers about it.  The following post is pure speculation on what I think I will like and dislike about it.  I have had a copy on my shelf for a few months now but waited to read it until I received a copy of the sequel Shadow & Flame.**

Title Onyx & Ivory

Author Mindee Arnett

Description from Amazon

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.

Initial Thoughts

I bought this book a while back from Book Outlet and just never picked it up.  I was surprised on Tuesday, June 4th when I received a forgotten preorder of the second book, Shadow & Flame, so I decided to start this one.

I didn’t have too many expectations going into this book.  It sounded good so I bought it.

Cover Art

I’m undecided on the cover art of this book.  Is it creepy?  Or, is it cool?  Is that tree meaningful in some way?  What about those swords?  I see three there so who’s the third character?

I will say this much, it gets me thinking, a lot.  So I have to commend it for that.

Notes on the Dust Jacket

I am very interested in the idea of a “royal courier service”.  It sounds like a perfectly dangerous and adventurous job for our main character.  I also like the fact that she can communicate with animals.  I feel like that’s an underrated magical ability in fantasy books.  I’m glad to see it featured prominently here.

Final Thoughts

I am excited to start this book.  As I said earlier, I don’t have too many expectations of this book.  But, I hope it becomes one of my favorites.