Oathbound

Chronicles of Aronshae #3

by J.K. Barber

The Ice Queen is on the run. Routed from her glacial palace in the frozen North, Salamasca has fled to the Eastern Kingdoms to lick her wounds and gather her strength once more. Illyander is recovering from the Empress of Ice’s rampage and slowly Snowhaven has been rebuilt. But while the Ice Queen lives, she is a threat to all who walk Aronshae. No one knows this better than Master Swordswoman Sasha Ironwright, and her twin sister Katya, Mistress of the Sorcerous arts, blessed and cursed by the Great Mother with the power of her avatar Akor’shi-kai.
So, Jared, Talas and the Ironwright twins journey to the mysterious East, a land filled with strange peoples and even stranger customs, to end Salamasca’s menace once and for all. In the meantime, the Ice Queen has reunited with her old mentor Luzige and her reanimated servant Roane to raise an army of Easterners to crush Illyander and bring all of Aronshae under her heel.
Will the Illyanders be in time to stop the Ice Queen’s rise to power or are they only rushing to their own deaths at the hands of an even more powerful adversary? Gathering allies and enemies along their way, the Illyanders hope to finally end the menace of the Empress of Ice once and for all, knowing all the while that victory or defeat will mean the death of the twins as they are consumed by the power of Akor’shi-kai.
Meanwhile, the dragons have returned….

Genres: Fantasy

194 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Jay and Katie Barber combine their names to write under pen name, J.K. Barber. The couple lives in Roswell, GA with their children, Maya and Gabe, as well as their four rescue cats. Jay graduated from The University of Georgia with a BA in English Literature, and Katie graduated from The University of Colorado at Boulder with a BA in English Creative Writing. They combine their educations, writing together as a co-author team for projects such as the "Chronicles of Aronshae" and "Mervidia."

In addition to their collaborative work, they also have individual titles: "Hidden Path," a prequel to their trilogy written by Jay, and "Fallen," a post-apocalyptic angel novel written by Katie. The Barbers enjoy being parents, table top gaming, reading, mixed martial arts, reading, riding motorcycles, and PC gaming.


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Reviews

[David Teachout · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was curious how the story would conclude given how elements of it were so often discussed, notably the sacrifice of the twins. That the authors took it where they did was both satisfying and believable based on the world created. The number of loose ends to finish almost overwhelmed the story, but they were done without needless expansion. The dragons, if possible, almost served as a supporting role, though one that was perfect for what had to happen. Truly a fun and entertaining read, with deaths unfortunate and sad, and success inevitable but couched in the difficulty of a fully realized world.

[Emily Apel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting Read

This the third book in the series has completed the first two books wonderfully! I was unable to stop reading and became totally enmeshed in the story. I would highly recommend this book along with the first two books of this series for an amazing story which you will be lost completely in.

[Seth Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic way to finish a great series. After the ending of the second book, I wasn't sure what to expect for the conclusion of this adventure. Travelling to the previously unseen Eastern Kingdom, our heroes finally confront the Queen of Ice in what will be their deadliest confrontation. Even at the cost of their lives, the heroes will stop her campaign of terror or die trying. Wonderful storytelling, awesome characters, and action a plenty, this book is a great read from cover to cover. If you haven't read the first two entries in the series, I highly recommend it.

[Laurie Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oathbound

I enjoyed this trilogy despite the multiple points of view that happened without rhyme or reason. More chapters or segments would've helped along with better editing in all three books.
Have your tissues ready as you read this one. The authors did a great job making you feel for Sasha, Katya and Jared in the story.