Oathborne: Year One

Oathborne #1

by Morgan Rice

“A spirited fantasy ….Only the beginning of what promises to be an epic young adult series.”
--Midwest Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From #1 bestseller Morgan Rice comes the debut of a spectacular new fantasy series, ideal for fans of Rebecca Yarros and George R.R. Martin.

From USA Today and #1 bestseller Morgan Rice, author of A Quest of Heroes (over 5,000 five star ratings) comes the long-awaited debut of a thrilling new romantasy series.

Street urchin Kaela Reign receives a mysterious invitation to a secret institute where recruits learn the art of espionage and ancient magic. Within the labyrinthine passages of Stonegarden, Kaela will find new friends, make powerful enemies, and gain powers beyond her own imagination. But her most formidable challenge may be love, as she finds herself attracted to both the fiery charm of Erik Emberflame, and the aloof Valerin Frost.

The OATHBORNE series will thrust you into an exhilarating fantasy world teeming with love and danger, a place where fate is woven tightly with romance and magic. With a narrative full of thrilling unpredictability and tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat, the series will immerse you in its savage yet enchanting realm. Captivating both adult and young adult readers alike, OATHBORNE offers a fresh spin on fantasy.

Future books in the series are also available!

“The beginnings of something remarkable are there.”
--San Francisco Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Has all the ingredients for an instant plots, counterplots, mystery, valiant knights, and blossoming relationships replete with broken hearts, deception and betrayal. It will keep you entertained for hours, and will satisfy all ages. Recommended for the permanent library of all fantasy readers.”
--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re The Sorcerer’s Ring)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Action-packed …. Rice's writing is solid and the premise intriguing.”
--Publishers Weekly (re A Quest of Heroes)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romantasy, Ebooks, Romance, Audiobook, Fantasy Romance

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2024

About the author

Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER’S RING, comprising seventeen books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising twelve books; of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising three books; of the epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising six books; of the epic fantasy series OF CROWNS AND GLORY, comprising 8 books; of the new epic fantasy series A THRONE FOR SISTERS, comprising eight books (and counting); and of the new science fiction series THE INVASION CHRONICLES. Morgan’s books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer’s Ring) and RISE OF THE DRAGONS (Kings and Sorcerers—Book #1) are each available as free downloads!

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch!

Reviews

[Kris Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great idea, but this book needed more world building and more character building. Will not be going further in this series.

[Darren Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read.

[Douglas Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start

Ok 1 of the Oathborne series introduces the main characters and sets the stage for the series. There is little in character development and relationships are in place with little explanation. There is potential there. I hope the series progresses with greater depth of character and sense of plot.

[Susana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relationships, good or bad, are formed too quickly and without reason, sort of love/hate at first sight.
Also the main character seems to be always right, the strongest, the brightest. And, yet, she’s always questioning herself and the connections created. Which in a way it’s normal given her origins, but I found it repetitive at times.
Otherwise, the idea seems interesting. I’ll read nr. 2, let’s see how it goes.
2,5✨

[Bonnie Lou · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I started it as an audiobook. The narrator was awful. There were times where you hear a click then the narrator would start reading really fast. There was no way of knowing which character was speaking, no emotion in the narration. Then there some random word like noises throughout the book. I couldn’t handle it, so I had to switch to the ebook.

The plot and idea were great, but the character building needed a lot of work. Also, it seemed to jump without explanation. I was constantly asking how the heck did this come about, how did the characters get into this situation. The academy was also a bit confusing.

[Serina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it's because I listened to it as an audio book or maybe it's because I wasn't interested in the story....it was very repetitive and not very attention grabbing.
2 stars-mostly for the magic

[Caitlin Johnson]

Audio was terrible on this one

[Empress5150 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disclosure:

I attempted to read the audible edition of this book. Had I read-read it, my comments below would likely be different as the storyline was interesting enough.

The narrator of the audible edition, named only "Marissa", was absolutely terrible. Monotone voice, speaking gibberish at times, and even narrating "asterisk asterisk asterisk" (presumably when *** appeared in the written edition). I put up with it until I was half-way through the book but finally had to stop as I couldn't bear her voice any longer!

[Marjorie Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to dive into book two!

This is the first book I've read by Morgan Rice. Sometimes the teasers can be misleading...but not this time. This book delivers! Strong leading character that can still accept help from her friends. A diverse cast that is introduced in a way that you don't have to stop and think about who they are. The book moves at a good pace. I'm starting book two as soon as I post this review. If this genre is what you enjoy, then get this book. You won't be disappointed.

[Hans-Peter Drexel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful storyline and captivating characters

A wonderful story out into written words. A leap of faith and a deep belief in herself sets the heroine in an adventure course with danger around every corner.
Another beautiful storyline, captivating characters and a fascinating world which is suitable for all ages from teen upward. Morgan is a very gifted creator of story s which draw you in and you just want to read some more, and more, and more.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Morgan Rice: Book One

This is the first book by this author that I’ve read. I’ve been stuck is a book blah lately. They all just seem blah. So I was excited to find this one by an author that I’d heard good things about. It wasn’t blah, but it was repetitive and had an awful love square that was just poorly done. It was pure stubbornness that got me to the end.

[Rebekka · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise wouldnt be half bad, but the characters, good god, the characters! Kaela is a complete mary-sue that gets literally, and i mean literally, everything handed to her. Including three possible boyfriends, who swoon over her every goddamn second, and she has no chemistry with any of them!! How do you fuck up three possible romances this bad? cardboard is more appealing at this point.

[Kelley Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually am not a fan of fantasy but I thoroughly enjoyed this book . The story follows Kaela an orphan who steals to help other orphans when she gets the call to a magical school where she unlocks her power during trials , having more than anyone excepts her to have . Throughout all the ups and downs she finally understands and comes to peace with her abilities.

[Isabell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This i a food book, finished it a while back I just never reviewed it. It has a very good worldbulding, more like a dystopian world. It has the stakes of hunger games, but with dragons! It left off at a place where I need to pick up the second to get my answers, but I will!! excited to see where this takes me.

[Pedro Bedro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this free on Bookbub and read it despite not being YA so definitely not the demographic. The plot worked well and the characters are good for the start of a series setting up the romance angle and an antagonist who will most likely be making a comeback at some point.

[Paul Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oathborne: Year One - Brilliant

I read this book in one sitting. I couldn’t stop. A gripping tale.

If I had five thumbs that is what I would give to Morgan Rice, and a thumb is worth twice a star to me.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick easy read!

I loved how easy this book felt to read. I started it on a plane ride and was hooked from the start! This as the first book, is not based around romance. It's about survival and making friends in unlikely places.

[Orlando Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

great characters

Great storyline and character building. Can’t wait to start on Year two of this series and see how the characters progress and their magic evolves along with their wraiths

[Zahava (pallor17reads on YouTube) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. It was ok. I might not be a romantacy girl. It read well but didn't go anywhere and felt YA, which I don't resonate with. The search for an un-putdownable, adult-centric romantacy continues. Will not continue with this series. 😕

[Jordaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the idea and the themes, but it needed a lot more world building.
It kept telling us that there was "tension" or that they were building "trust" instead of just writing it. I would of liked seeing the characters interact more so that their bonds would of made sense

[Marc Rieck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful example of the trope

This is a novel about the outsider overcoming the trials of the schooling, as well as the disdain of some classmates.

Along the way she picks up some admirers, and she refused to choose!

[Paul Langevin]

Not what I expected

If I were adolescent girl, this might have been a good read; maybe, but I am not. Two stars for me means it was readable, but I wish I hadn't.
What I have noticed about fantasy books is that their high ratings come mostly from people that love fantasy books.

[Terps2225 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best chapter of the book was the prologue. That main character was interesting, but disappeared in the rest of the book. Needs more world building and character development. Felt flat and predictable.

[Machelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it 3 stars but it was really 2.5 at best. I love the world building and the intrigue, but I HATE the Why Choose Troupe. I wish they would have billed this as that and I wouldn't have read it. I liked the world just not enough to deal with why choose.

[Philip Povey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oathborne a grand read

This a cleverly written story of young woman coming into herself a story of intrigued and discovery and magic. A wonderful read with sadness, happiness, friendship and loneliness. I look forward to the next both.

[Carol Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! This is a great tale of a girl who rises from street rat and thief, to training to become a defender of the realm. This will test her in ways she never imagined. The narration was top notch.

[Sally Antoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Testing never was so deadly!

This is the beginning of an amazing and interesting series! So much is interwoven in this as the testing system can make or break them.

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another engaging read by Morgan Rice that is a very good book to read and so engaging. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong FMC. She's thrust into an academy where she learns to hone her skills and to use magic. Morgan Rice created an unpredictable fantasy world with twists and turns.

[Carmel McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story

very stressful situations at the academy a series of very hard trials for the students to test their powers and resolve. Who will she choose?