What do you think?
Rate this book
The Broken Bonds #1
Oath of Betrayal
⚔A multi-POV slow-burn romantic epic fantasy with a dark Slavic twist, unique magic, dragons, forced proximity, and enchanting world-building. Perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom, Blood and Steel and The Witcher⚔
The dragon chose her. The rider would claim her. The fae would use her. To fight for herself, she may have to watch the world burn.
Sole survivor of a magical catastrophe that fractured the Barrier and killed the men she loved, Annika swore never to take another bond. To stay hidden from those who crave her power, she fakes her death and vanishes into obscurity.
But her magic is restless. A dragon haunts her dreams, and monsters are slipping through the cracks in the Barrier her magic created.
When a brutal attack forces her hand, Annika reveals the truth she’s fought to bury—drawing the attention of the ruthless Commander of the Dragon Riders and his dark fae Necromancer.
Both are men of war, forged in blood and duty. Their touch may be gentle, their eyes kind, but to them, she is a weapon—the first woman ever chosen by a dragon, whose magic cannot be contained by one bond alone.
Torn between the Commander, who ignites her power, and the Necromancer, who tempers its inferno, Annika must decide if her heart can bear another bond...
If she denies it, the Barrier will fall, and the kingdom she swore to protect will burn to ash.
------------------------------------------
Tropes & Vibes
Unusual romance, slow burn to spice, forced proximity
Dragon bond • soul-shard/anchor magic • necromancer/dragon rider MMC
Grief healing • duty vs. freedom • found family riders
Multi-POV • epic stakes • Slavic-inspired worldbuilding
The series contains adult M/F content, and further in the series, you will find M/F/M and M/M pairings, as well as coarse language and injury detail. Suitable for readers 18+
The dragon chose her. The rider would claim her. The fae would use her. To fight for herself, she may have to watch the world burn.
Sole survivor of a magical catastrophe that fractured the Barrier and killed the men she loved, Annika swore never to take another bond. To stay hidden from those who crave her power, she fakes her death and vanishes into obscurity.
But her magic is restless. A dragon haunts her dreams, and monsters are slipping through the cracks in the Barrier her magic created.
When a brutal attack forces her hand, Annika reveals the truth she’s fought to bury—drawing the attention of the ruthless Commander of the Dragon Riders and his dark fae Necromancer.
Both are men of war, forged in blood and duty. Their touch may be gentle, their eyes kind, but to them, she is a weapon—the first woman ever chosen by a dragon, whose magic cannot be contained by one bond alone.
Torn between the Commander, who ignites her power, and the Necromancer, who tempers its inferno, Annika must decide if her heart can bear another bond...
If she denies it, the Barrier will fall, and the kingdom she swore to protect will burn to ash.
------------------------------------------
Tropes & Vibes
Unusual romance, slow burn to spice, forced proximity
Dragon bond • soul-shard/anchor magic • necromancer/dragon rider MMC
Grief healing • duty vs. freedom • found family riders
Multi-POV • epic stakes • Slavic-inspired worldbuilding
The series contains adult M/F content, and further in the series, you will find M/F/M and M/M pairings, as well as coarse language and injury detail. Suitable for readers 18+
458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2024
1593 people are currently reading
8994 people want to read
About the author
Olena Nikitin
12 books493 followersOlena Nikitin is the pen name of a writing power couple who share a love of fantasy, paranormal romance, rich, vivid worlds and exciting storylines. In their books and out, they love down-to-earth humour, a visceral approach to life, striving to write realistic romances filled with the passion and steam people always dream of experiencing.
Meet the two halves of this Truro UK-based dynamic duo!
Olga, a Polish woman, has a wicked sense of humour with a dash of Slavic pessimism. She’s been writing since she was a small child, but life led her to work as an emergency physician. While this work means she always has stories to share, it often means she’s too busy to actually write. She’s proud to be a crazy cat lady, and together with Mark, they have five cats.
Mark, a typical English gentleman, radiates charm, sophistication, and an undeniable sex appeal. At least, he’s reasonably certain that’s what convinced Olga to fly across the sea into his arms. He’s an incredibly intelligent man with a knack for fixing things, including Polish syntax in English writing. If you give him good whiskey, he might even regale you with his Gulf War story of how he got shot.
Olena Nikitin loves hearing from their fans and critics alike and welcomes communication via any platform! https://linktr.ee/olenanikitinauthor
Meet the two halves of this Truro UK-based dynamic duo!
Olga, a Polish woman, has a wicked sense of humour with a dash of Slavic pessimism. She’s been writing since she was a small child, but life led her to work as an emergency physician. While this work means she always has stories to share, it often means she’s too busy to actually write. She’s proud to be a crazy cat lady, and together with Mark, they have five cats.
Mark, a typical English gentleman, radiates charm, sophistication, and an undeniable sex appeal. At least, he’s reasonably certain that’s what convinced Olga to fly across the sea into his arms. He’s an incredibly intelligent man with a knack for fixing things, including Polish syntax in English writing. If you give him good whiskey, he might even regale you with his Gulf War story of how he got shot.
Olena Nikitin loves hearing from their fans and critics alike and welcomes communication via any platform! https://linktr.ee/olenanikitinauthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
February 11, 2025
╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚐! ⊹
╰ ✦ •
HELLO?! THE ENDING? OMG! The way I DEVOURED this, I desperately need more!
Oath of Betrayal by Olena Nikitin, the first book in The Cursed Bonds duology, unfolds as a compelling Slavic mythology-infused spicy epic fantasy with everything you want and more. This was by far one of my favourites of Olena's!
The world-building and details in Olena's books are always so mesmerizing. It will be one thing that draws you in immediately. The book itself is nothing short of perfect and it's been a while since I've read something I actually truly enjoyed. I loved how unique and fascinating this book was. Olena's words flow effortlessly off the pages with beautiful descriptions, creating a vivid and atmospheric world. You'll find the most immersive, richly crafted world where dragons soar with their bonded riders, where magic flows freely, and dark forces threaten to tear the kingdom apart and the ever-present, menacing shadow of the Lich King and his undead minions adds a constant sense of danger. Not to mention the amazing side characters and Annika's anchor bonds. The vibes of Oath of Betrayal reminded me a little of Olena's previous series, Autumn Chaos (book 1), which I totally loved!
The story follows Annika 'Ani' Diavellar who has been living in hiding as Annika Jaksa for the last decade, because of the Lost Ridge incident, consumed by grief for her anchors, whose deaths have shaped every aspect of her existence. But to the world, Annika is believed to have died alongside her two anchors, Arno and Talmund, in a wlok. Fast forward to the present day, she is the acting town mage who protects the village from the terrible demons. When the threat of the Lich King arises, she and her new anchors must defeat him.
Annika is a fiery and multifaceted mage, brimming with power and resilience, and her sass and wit are spot-on! I loved seeing Ani's healing journey, it was raw and emotional, she overcame her feelings about her past and she learned to trust and love again.
Lord Ormond or 'Orm', the dragon-riding Commander, embodies bravery, duty, and loyalty, with a possessive edge that makes it fun to watch when mixed with Ani’s unpredictable nature. They really balanced each other out! I liked how his character developed, seeing his vulnerabilities and how he embraced change and new connections. I liked how he was with both Ani and Alaric.
Alaric or 'Ari' is a dark fae mage with necromancer powers, burdened by a painful past and a hidden curse. He was one of my favourite characters! It was heartbreaking to see what he's been through; scorned and rejected because of his heritage and powers, all while longing for a bond of his own. I couldn't help but feel for him! I hope we get to know more about him in the next book!
I loved the soul bond between Ari and Orm and the evolving bond between all three characters was both intense and heartwarming.
This was one of my favourite quotes!! I love how dedicated they were to Ani!
Can we also talk about the amazing side characters!? One of my favourites was Katja, the no-nonsense herbalist, who proved to be a loyal and supportive friend to Ani. I loved their banter!
And let's not forget Vahin, Orm’s dragon, he is an absolute delight, providing a comedic break amidst all the chaos. I also loved the fact that Ani was able to have him as an anchor! The banter they had was amazing!! He had Tarin vibes! He was literally everything!!
Also want to mention the artwork in the book! Oh my god!! It really brought the characters to life!
Overall, Oath of Betrayal was a fun action-packed, slightly spicy read. It has a nice mixture of fantasy, romance, and action, with a little spice, I like how it doesn’t only focus on the relationship between the main characters.
────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥why choose
❥forced proximity
❥hidden identity
❥medium burn
❥dragons
❥banter
❥badass FMC/grumpy MMCs
❥Slavic mythology
❥complex magic system
❥extensive world-building
Thank you for the ARC Olena♡
_________________________________
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
│ ⊹ 𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚐! ⊹
╰ ✦ •
I barely knew her, but the wild magic, the darkness I caged in the depths of my soul, awakened, stirring in response to her courage and flooding me with the most unexpected feeling of desire. I wanted to kiss her—so fucking much.
HELLO?! THE ENDING? OMG! The way I DEVOURED this, I desperately need more!
Oath of Betrayal by Olena Nikitin, the first book in The Cursed Bonds duology, unfolds as a compelling Slavic mythology-infused spicy epic fantasy with everything you want and more. This was by far one of my favourites of Olena's!
The world-building and details in Olena's books are always so mesmerizing. It will be one thing that draws you in immediately. The book itself is nothing short of perfect and it's been a while since I've read something I actually truly enjoyed. I loved how unique and fascinating this book was. Olena's words flow effortlessly off the pages with beautiful descriptions, creating a vivid and atmospheric world. You'll find the most immersive, richly crafted world where dragons soar with their bonded riders, where magic flows freely, and dark forces threaten to tear the kingdom apart and the ever-present, menacing shadow of the Lich King and his undead minions adds a constant sense of danger. Not to mention the amazing side characters and Annika's anchor bonds. The vibes of Oath of Betrayal reminded me a little of Olena's previous series, Autumn Chaos (book 1), which I totally loved!
‘I call you Nivale because you are as special and as rare as the mountain flower. You have a strength and resilience that leaves me awestruck. I wish our circumstances were different—you have me mesmerized, Ani. As for your strange need for my heartbeat, I found it quite adorable.’
The story follows Annika 'Ani' Diavellar who has been living in hiding as Annika Jaksa for the last decade, because of the Lost Ridge incident, consumed by grief for her anchors, whose deaths have shaped every aspect of her existence. But to the world, Annika is believed to have died alongside her two anchors, Arno and Talmund, in a wlok. Fast forward to the present day, she is the acting town mage who protects the village from the terrible demons. When the threat of the Lich King arises, she and her new anchors must defeat him.
Annika is a fiery and multifaceted mage, brimming with power and resilience, and her sass and wit are spot-on! I loved seeing Ani's healing journey, it was raw and emotional, she overcame her feelings about her past and she learned to trust and love again.
Lord Ormond or 'Orm', the dragon-riding Commander, embodies bravery, duty, and loyalty, with a possessive edge that makes it fun to watch when mixed with Ani’s unpredictable nature. They really balanced each other out! I liked how his character developed, seeing his vulnerabilities and how he embraced change and new connections. I liked how he was with both Ani and Alaric.
Alaric or 'Ari' is a dark fae mage with necromancer powers, burdened by a painful past and a hidden curse. He was one of my favourite characters! It was heartbreaking to see what he's been through; scorned and rejected because of his heritage and powers, all while longing for a bond of his own. I couldn't help but feel for him! I hope we get to know more about him in the next book!
I loved the soul bond between Ari and Orm and the evolving bond between all three characters was both intense and heartwarming.
‘If it wasn’t already clear enough, anyone who touches my lady with malicious intent will lose their hands, eyes, and tongue before I grant them the mercy of death.’ Orm’s words were iced fury, his tone quiet and controlled, but what truly chilled my blood was Alaric’s follow-up, his gentle voice filled with deadly intent. ‘And when Lord Ormond has finished with them, I will revive their corpses for the sheer pleasure of watching him do it again. He may damage their bodies, but I will take my revenge on their very soul.’
This was one of my favourite quotes!! I love how dedicated they were to Ani!
Can we also talk about the amazing side characters!? One of my favourites was Katja, the no-nonsense herbalist, who proved to be a loyal and supportive friend to Ani. I loved their banter!
And let's not forget Vahin, Orm’s dragon, he is an absolute delight, providing a comedic break amidst all the chaos. I also loved the fact that Ani was able to have him as an anchor! The banter they had was amazing!! He had Tarin vibes! He was literally everything!!
Also want to mention the artwork in the book! Oh my god!! It really brought the characters to life!
Overall, Oath of Betrayal was a fun action-packed, slightly spicy read. It has a nice mixture of fantasy, romance, and action, with a little spice, I like how it doesn’t only focus on the relationship between the main characters.
────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥why choose
❥forced proximity
❥hidden identity
❥medium burn
❥dragons
❥banter
❥badass FMC/grumpy MMCs
❥Slavic mythology
❥complex magic system
❥extensive world-building
Thank you for the ARC Olena♡
_________________________________
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
October 9, 2024
oath of betrayal is teeming with epic high fantasy elements, detailed and engaging world-building and an interesting magic system that feels distinctive. with an engaging introduction of slavic mythology (that left me reading about it until midnight), a mature-aged female main character and a “why choose” romance, i was enamoured!
the world-building is fantastic.
as mentioned, it’s details are charming as we’re introduced to an immersive, rich world where dragons soar with bonded riders, where magic floats and dark forces are threatening to destroy the kingdom. i loved the unique and interesting connection between conduit mages and their bonded anchors. the way dragons bonded to certain bloodlines. the looming, threatening presence of the lich king and his undead minions.
whilst initially engaging, the anticipation to know more wore off. i wanted (and awaited) a deep and fast-action narrative filled with rich character development, an intense and titillating romantic entanglement, and amazing emotional depth. instead, everything unfolded in slow-motion and started to become repetitive—the action was decent but filtered; the romance between ani, orm and ari was a real slow burn built on lack of communication and baseless assumptions. i had to skim the last 27%!!
i do have to make an honourable mention to some side characters. vahin (orm’s dragon) is essentially a fantasy version of an indoor cat, with wings and scales. he purrs and demands head scratches!! bryna is an absolute delight—a promiscuous half-orc who runs the local blacksmith and katja, the no-nonsense herbalist who was such a good friend to annika.
annika “ani” diavellar
for the last decade, ani has been living in isolation and seclusion. acting as the town mage who protects the village’s inhabitants from demons. she’s been mourning the losses of her anchors whose deaths have defined her existence. the world has known annika diaveller to have died from a wlok with her two anchors, arno and talmund. her tragic backstory left me excited to see how she comes to terms with their deaths and eventually overcomes her feelings as she learns to love (and trust) the new men in her life.
i feel that ani’s character development was hindered by the forced use of the geas. i understand the reasons for its need at the time, but the geas was too convenient in absolving the threatening presence of her rejecting an anchor bond, of diminishing her unresolved feelings towards arno and tal’s deaths. once ani’s long-term sadness for her anchors returned, she was too calm in forgiving orm and alaric. she basically shrugged her shoulders and said “okay”.
a “why choose” romance
i don’t usually read “why choose” and reverse harem romances. there’s usually one man who stands out and sometimes the interactions from others feel forced. i always wind up rooting for one man and it’s just too difficult to settle on who’s the most suitable!
i was keen to see how ani’s love for both men would unfold. the way ani was drawn towards orm and alaric was not equally handled, and her budding relationships with both men felt imbalanced albeit authentic. ani and alaric’s connection felt more like friends with some flirting, built on magic synergy whereas the true romance seemed to be centred on orm. the dialogue was monotonous towards the end, as it had transitioned from humorous, budding exchanges to lacking emotion and any meaningfulness.
orm and alaric are soul brothers having known each other for such a long time. as soon as orm and alaric started to express the briefest mention of romantic feelings, i almost dropped my kindle in defeat. the sudden attraction between orm and alaric was so outta pocket and not on my bingo sheet! the supposed connection they shared with annika (and each other) was unconvincing and unsupported by earlier chapters.
i have no intentions to continue this series. the fact that this threw me into a book slump even further says everything.
pros:
- MAGIC!! 🎀✨
- a female main character who’s in her thirties (no OP 18 year old finally).
- interesting world-building featuring mages, necromancers and slavic influenced mythology.
- the well introduction to the supporting characters.
cons:
- the writing was repetitive. it felt like this book was never going to reach the end.
- some painfully long chapters.
- the sudden attraction between ari and orm (almost ended me).
- annika’s random as fuck dominatrix awakening while alaric fantasised bending over for orm while he feasted on annika’s 🐱 (it reiterates my previous issue).
- everything unfolded in slow-motion—the action, the romance.
- the ending was boring. fucking good riddance.
────────────────────
˖⁺‧₊♡ pre-read review ⋙ i need something to take me away from my book slump and a mature fantasy romance, influenced by slavic mythology with mages and dragons and necromancers sounds like everything right now.
follow me on: instagram
the world-building is fantastic.
as mentioned, it’s details are charming as we’re introduced to an immersive, rich world where dragons soar with bonded riders, where magic floats and dark forces are threatening to destroy the kingdom. i loved the unique and interesting connection between conduit mages and their bonded anchors. the way dragons bonded to certain bloodlines. the looming, threatening presence of the lich king and his undead minions.
whilst initially engaging, the anticipation to know more wore off. i wanted (and awaited) a deep and fast-action narrative filled with rich character development, an intense and titillating romantic entanglement, and amazing emotional depth. instead, everything unfolded in slow-motion and started to become repetitive—the action was decent but filtered; the romance between ani, orm and ari was a real slow burn built on lack of communication and baseless assumptions. i had to skim the last 27%!!
i do have to make an honourable mention to some side characters. vahin (orm’s dragon) is essentially a fantasy version of an indoor cat, with wings and scales. he purrs and demands head scratches!! bryna is an absolute delight—a promiscuous half-orc who runs the local blacksmith and katja, the no-nonsense herbalist who was such a good friend to annika.
annika “ani” diavellar
for the last decade, ani has been living in isolation and seclusion. acting as the town mage who protects the village’s inhabitants from demons. she’s been mourning the losses of her anchors whose deaths have defined her existence. the world has known annika diaveller to have died from a wlok with her two anchors, arno and talmund. her tragic backstory left me excited to see how she comes to terms with their deaths and eventually overcomes her feelings as she learns to love (and trust) the new men in her life.
i feel that ani’s character development was hindered by the forced use of the geas. i understand the reasons for its need at the time, but the geas was too convenient in absolving the threatening presence of her rejecting an anchor bond, of diminishing her unresolved feelings towards arno and tal’s deaths. once ani’s long-term sadness for her anchors returned, she was too calm in forgiving orm and alaric. she basically shrugged her shoulders and said “okay”.
a “why choose” romance
i don’t usually read “why choose” and reverse harem romances. there’s usually one man who stands out and sometimes the interactions from others feel forced. i always wind up rooting for one man and it’s just too difficult to settle on who’s the most suitable!
i was keen to see how ani’s love for both men would unfold. the way ani was drawn towards orm and alaric was not equally handled, and her budding relationships with both men felt imbalanced albeit authentic. ani and alaric’s connection felt more like friends with some flirting, built on magic synergy whereas the true romance seemed to be centred on orm. the dialogue was monotonous towards the end, as it had transitioned from humorous, budding exchanges to lacking emotion and any meaningfulness.
orm and alaric are soul brothers having known each other for such a long time. as soon as orm and alaric started to express the briefest mention of romantic feelings, i almost dropped my kindle in defeat. the sudden attraction between orm and alaric was so outta pocket and not on my bingo sheet! the supposed connection they shared with annika (and each other) was unconvincing and unsupported by earlier chapters.
i have no intentions to continue this series. the fact that this threw me into a book slump even further says everything.
pros:
- MAGIC!! 🎀✨
- a female main character who’s in her thirties (no OP 18 year old finally).
- interesting world-building featuring mages, necromancers and slavic influenced mythology.
- the well introduction to the supporting characters.
cons:
- the writing was repetitive. it felt like this book was never going to reach the end.
- some painfully long chapters.
- the sudden attraction between ari and orm (almost ended me).
- annika’s random as fuck dominatrix awakening while alaric fantasised bending over for orm while he feasted on annika’s 🐱 (it reiterates my previous issue).
- everything unfolded in slow-motion—the action, the romance.
- the ending was boring. fucking good riddance.
────────────────────
˖⁺‧₊♡ pre-read review ⋙ i need something to take me away from my book slump and a mature fantasy romance, influenced by slavic mythology with mages and dragons and necromancers sounds like everything right now.
follow me on: instagram
August 18, 2024
That cliffhanger, tho.... the audacity 😒
For starters, TW are in the back of the book. I found that odd, but I tend not to read them anyway, so I didn't notice til I was finished.
The first four chapters were an immense struggle. I started the book twice and out it down and read a physical book and came back to try again because I refuse to DNF an advanced readers copy (Thank you, thank you!! My thanks come in the form of my honest review). It's busy... so busy. You feel like you came into the middle of a book, and you can't remember what you already read, but you're only on page 2. And that one time when I read CC and got mad because all the people in the beginning died, and i didn't need to know any of them, so a hundred pages was for nothing... That's what I felt here in the first four chapters. It felt very busy and messy and unnecessary. However, I decided not to deduct any stars for that because maybe that's just me. And then chapter 5 felt like it was written by a completely different person, and chapter 6 had me hooked. What a great read!! This novel has everything I love to read and takes me to a place I would love to visit. Slavic lore is quickly becoming my most favorite to read. And I'm loving dragons... they always seem to be the way I feel humans should be but just can't live up to.
I await the 2nd book; might even reread this one but skip the first 4 chapters so I can experience the story without that crazy annoying beginning.
Don't wait... pre-order now!!!!
For starters, TW are in the back of the book. I found that odd, but I tend not to read them anyway, so I didn't notice til I was finished.
The first four chapters were an immense struggle. I started the book twice and out it down and read a physical book and came back to try again because I refuse to DNF an advanced readers copy (Thank you, thank you!! My thanks come in the form of my honest review). It's busy... so busy. You feel like you came into the middle of a book, and you can't remember what you already read, but you're only on page 2. And that one time when I read CC and got mad because all the people in the beginning died, and i didn't need to know any of them, so a hundred pages was for nothing... That's what I felt here in the first four chapters. It felt very busy and messy and unnecessary. However, I decided not to deduct any stars for that because maybe that's just me. And then chapter 5 felt like it was written by a completely different person, and chapter 6 had me hooked. What a great read!! This novel has everything I love to read and takes me to a place I would love to visit. Slavic lore is quickly becoming my most favorite to read. And I'm loving dragons... they always seem to be the way I feel humans should be but just can't live up to.
I await the 2nd book; might even reread this one but skip the first 4 chapters so I can experience the story without that crazy annoying beginning.
Don't wait... pre-order now!!!!
September 11, 2024
'I will give you my all—my fire, my magic, and my life. Just stay with me. I don't want to dwell in the dark again.'
Oath of Betrayal, book 1 of Olena Nikitin's new The Cursed Bonds duology, is a stunning entry into high fantasy, brimming with epic world-building, a unique magic system, and Nikitin's signature fascinating blend of Slavic mythology. The story centers around Annika Diavellar ("Ani"), a powerful yet broken mage, whose grief after losing her bonded mates is unmistakable and deeply resonant. The emotional depth of Ani's journey as she grapples with her past while being torn between two compelling men who just happen to also be friends—Ormond Erenhart ("Orm"), the formidable Commander of the Dragon Riders, and Alaric'va Shen'ra ("Ari"), a dark fae necromancer—adds layers of complexity to the narrative.
The world-building, as I mentioned, is fantastic, with a rich, immersive world where dragons soar and magic pulses with life as dark forces stir while the kingdoms’ defenses fall apart. The inclusion of Slavic mythology, as always, is particularly refreshing, adding a distinctive cultural texture that sets this book apart from other fantasy novels. The "why choose" romance also is handled with finesse, balancing the relationships between Ani, Orm, and Ari in a way that feels organic and authentic.
Orm's character is a delightful mix of strength and tenderness, his protective nature offset by moments of vulnerability that make him completely endearing (the man is a total cinnamon roll), on top of just being a hottie. On the other hand, Ari's dark and brooding persona is closely explored, giving readers insight into the motivations behind the actions of yet another beautiful, conflicted man. The interactions between these two and their developing bond with Ani are both intense and heartwarming.
The supporting characters are equally memorable, with characters like Vahin (Orm's dragon) and the various friends Ani makes along the way, each adding depth to the story. I particularly enjoyed Katja, a down-to-earth, no-nonsense herbalist; Bryna, a half-orc, promiscuous, and hilarious blacksmith; and Ian, an injured ex-dragon rider who serves as a barkeeper—though no one compares to Vahin (total Tarin vibes for those who've read Fourth Wing, he's everything and I refuse to accept any other answer).
Finally, Nikitin skillfully handles the grim aspects of the tale (see list of content warnings below) with moments of levity and camaraderie, making for a well-rounded reading experience. And while the romance is a bit of a slow burn, the tension is palpable, making the spicy scenes worth the wait! The cliffhanger ending leaves you eager for the next installment, promising even more excitement and drama to come.
Overall, Oath of Betrayal is a must-read for fans of high fantasy and fantasy romance ... almost like a Sanderson novel with just a bit of *spice* added to it. Olena Nikitin has crafted a tale that is both epic and intimate, filled with heartache, passion, and the promise of redemption. I can't wait to see where the story goes next!
Content warnings include death, violence, domestic abuse, torture, the threat of war, and grief.
PLEASE NOTE: I am the editor of Oath and Betrayal. As such, I acknowledge my bias but have made every effort to remain objective in this review.
Expected publication date is 12 September 2024.
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
Oath of Betrayal, book 1 of Olena Nikitin's new The Cursed Bonds duology, is a stunning entry into high fantasy, brimming with epic world-building, a unique magic system, and Nikitin's signature fascinating blend of Slavic mythology. The story centers around Annika Diavellar ("Ani"), a powerful yet broken mage, whose grief after losing her bonded mates is unmistakable and deeply resonant. The emotional depth of Ani's journey as she grapples with her past while being torn between two compelling men who just happen to also be friends—Ormond Erenhart ("Orm"), the formidable Commander of the Dragon Riders, and Alaric'va Shen'ra ("Ari"), a dark fae necromancer—adds layers of complexity to the narrative.
The world-building, as I mentioned, is fantastic, with a rich, immersive world where dragons soar and magic pulses with life as dark forces stir while the kingdoms’ defenses fall apart. The inclusion of Slavic mythology, as always, is particularly refreshing, adding a distinctive cultural texture that sets this book apart from other fantasy novels. The "why choose" romance also is handled with finesse, balancing the relationships between Ani, Orm, and Ari in a way that feels organic and authentic.
Orm's character is a delightful mix of strength and tenderness, his protective nature offset by moments of vulnerability that make him completely endearing (the man is a total cinnamon roll), on top of just being a hottie. On the other hand, Ari's dark and brooding persona is closely explored, giving readers insight into the motivations behind the actions of yet another beautiful, conflicted man. The interactions between these two and their developing bond with Ani are both intense and heartwarming.
The supporting characters are equally memorable, with characters like Vahin (Orm's dragon) and the various friends Ani makes along the way, each adding depth to the story. I particularly enjoyed Katja, a down-to-earth, no-nonsense herbalist; Bryna, a half-orc, promiscuous, and hilarious blacksmith; and Ian, an injured ex-dragon rider who serves as a barkeeper—though no one compares to Vahin (total Tarin vibes for those who've read Fourth Wing, he's everything and I refuse to accept any other answer).
Finally, Nikitin skillfully handles the grim aspects of the tale (see list of content warnings below) with moments of levity and camaraderie, making for a well-rounded reading experience. And while the romance is a bit of a slow burn, the tension is palpable, making the spicy scenes worth the wait! The cliffhanger ending leaves you eager for the next installment, promising even more excitement and drama to come.
Overall, Oath of Betrayal is a must-read for fans of high fantasy and fantasy romance ... almost like a Sanderson novel with just a bit of *spice* added to it. Olena Nikitin has crafted a tale that is both epic and intimate, filled with heartache, passion, and the promise of redemption. I can't wait to see where the story goes next!
Content warnings include death, violence, domestic abuse, torture, the threat of war, and grief.
PLEASE NOTE: I am the editor of Oath and Betrayal. As such, I acknowledge my bias but have made every effort to remain objective in this review.
Expected publication date is 12 September 2024.
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
May 10, 2025
Read this book!!! This was a solid romantic fantasy book! I loved the female main character she had sass. I love a strong female main character. This book has dragons necromancers all my favorite things in a fantasy book. The romance was such a great slow burn and I loved the character development. The Slavic influence in this book really makes it more interesting and sets it apart from other books. I cannot wait to read book 2!!! Thanks to the nerd fam for the gifted Arc.
March 11, 2025
I don’t know what kind of crack was put into this book but holy SHIT I have never fallen in love with a book so quickly before.
I think I have 90% of this book highlighted on my kindle LMAO.
Ani, Ari & Orm have quickly become some of my absolute favourite characters to read about. Ani is my new favourite FMC. Strong, funny, POWERFUL. I’m obsessed with everything about her and love she doesn’t put up with any shit.
Ari & Orm… MY MAN MY MAN MY MANNNNN. I love these two so much. Despite their ferocious love for Ani, they’re so respectful towards her despite the high stakes and danger surrounding them at all times. The nicknames they have for her have me on my KNEES.
I adore that both MMC’s are so different. Ari being a dark fae and struggling with accepting Ani’s love and forgiveness makes him even more loveable.
Orms protectiveness had me WEAKKKKK!!!!
Another thing I loved was the female friendships. We love a girls girl & strong independent women!
The magic system is SO unique, I love that Ani has elemental magic & needs her dragon for to anchor her power. He’s another favourite character of mine and I love that we get to her the dragons thoughts/talking.
If you like
🗡️ first person multi pov
🗡️ dragons, creatures, monsters, beasts
🗡️ elemental magic
🗡️ dark fae
🗡️ curses & oaths
🗡️ slow burn/tension
🗡️ why choose !!!!
🗡️ strong FMC & over protective MMC’s
🗡️ epic well written fighting/training scenes
You’ll love this book!
I think I have 90% of this book highlighted on my kindle LMAO.
Ani, Ari & Orm have quickly become some of my absolute favourite characters to read about. Ani is my new favourite FMC. Strong, funny, POWERFUL. I’m obsessed with everything about her and love she doesn’t put up with any shit.
Ari & Orm… MY MAN MY MAN MY MANNNNN. I love these two so much. Despite their ferocious love for Ani, they’re so respectful towards her despite the high stakes and danger surrounding them at all times. The nicknames they have for her have me on my KNEES.
I adore that both MMC’s are so different. Ari being a dark fae and struggling with accepting Ani’s love and forgiveness makes him even more loveable.
Orms protectiveness had me WEAKKKKK!!!!
Another thing I loved was the female friendships. We love a girls girl & strong independent women!
The magic system is SO unique, I love that Ani has elemental magic & needs her dragon for to anchor her power. He’s another favourite character of mine and I love that we get to her the dragons thoughts/talking.
If you like
🗡️ first person multi pov
🗡️ dragons, creatures, monsters, beasts
🗡️ elemental magic
🗡️ dark fae
🗡️ curses & oaths
🗡️ slow burn/tension
🗡️ why choose !!!!
🗡️ strong FMC & over protective MMC’s
🗡️ epic well written fighting/training scenes
You’ll love this book!
August 28, 2024
3/5⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I really wanted to love this book but unfortunately it wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped it would be :(. I absolutely loved the authors writing, and enjoyed following Annika on her journey and the characters she met along the way. I think what I couldn’t really grasp was the world building, I got really confused at times and felt like it may have been alot of info dumping at certain points in the story. However the glossary at the end was soo helpful on the authors part, it definitely helped me understand the terms better! Overall, while I struggled with this book at times, I can still say it was a great read and will most likely continue reading this series!!🫶🏽
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I really wanted to love this book but unfortunately it wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped it would be :(. I absolutely loved the authors writing, and enjoyed following Annika on her journey and the characters she met along the way. I think what I couldn’t really grasp was the world building, I got really confused at times and felt like it may have been alot of info dumping at certain points in the story. However the glossary at the end was soo helpful on the authors part, it definitely helped me understand the terms better! Overall, while I struggled with this book at times, I can still say it was a great read and will most likely continue reading this series!!🫶🏽
September 11, 2024
The words riveting, refreshing, and rakish do not begin to describe this ravishing experience of high and epic fantasy.
We finally have a main female character who is above the age that usually lead fantasy books (yay!)
and sassy dragons (because why wouldn’t we want that)
oath of betrayal starts off with a bang. Immediately throwing us into a fight scene, which I found absolutely fascinating, but can definitely cause some major whiplash. I had to reread it a couple times because I wasn’t sure if I had missed something at the beginning. But the introduction to Slavic mythology was engrossing. I, unfortunately, never had the opportunity to learn about Slavic mythology and this book was a great read. I ended up doing my own research to learn more about it.
While I genuinely enjoyed learning about Slavic mythology. The pacing of the story fell flat for me. I’m an absolute stickler when it comes to the pacing of the storyline, and I felt myself slowly start to lose interest. I was waiting for that certain moment or situation when things would start to pick up and for the story to shoot forward. But it never really came. I tried so hard not to dnf this book because I try to give authors the benefit of the doubt, so pushed forward. It did take me two weeks to finish this book, which is never really a good sign for me.
The character development is also not exactly detectable. I couldn’t really define a beginning, middle and end for each character. Which I think is very important for any book. But if anyone was able to find it, please let me know! I would love to discuss it with you! 😊
The love triangle between the three were so interesting but definitely slow burn. The chemistry was palpable and genuinely made me feel a little giddy for them. The personalities of the two make characters was fantastic to read and the author really did a good job and making them two distinct and separate characters.
And in regards to my earlier statement about the book being riveting, refreshing, rakish. It’s more so for the new culture that I experienced while reading.
I really don’t want to strikethrough possibly reading the rest of the series, but I think only time will tell.
We finally have a main female character who is above the age that usually lead fantasy books (yay!)
and sassy dragons (because why wouldn’t we want that)
oath of betrayal starts off with a bang. Immediately throwing us into a fight scene, which I found absolutely fascinating, but can definitely cause some major whiplash. I had to reread it a couple times because I wasn’t sure if I had missed something at the beginning. But the introduction to Slavic mythology was engrossing. I, unfortunately, never had the opportunity to learn about Slavic mythology and this book was a great read. I ended up doing my own research to learn more about it.
While I genuinely enjoyed learning about Slavic mythology. The pacing of the story fell flat for me. I’m an absolute stickler when it comes to the pacing of the storyline, and I felt myself slowly start to lose interest. I was waiting for that certain moment or situation when things would start to pick up and for the story to shoot forward. But it never really came. I tried so hard not to dnf this book because I try to give authors the benefit of the doubt, so pushed forward. It did take me two weeks to finish this book, which is never really a good sign for me.
The character development is also not exactly detectable. I couldn’t really define a beginning, middle and end for each character. Which I think is very important for any book. But if anyone was able to find it, please let me know! I would love to discuss it with you! 😊
The love triangle between the three were so interesting but definitely slow burn. The chemistry was palpable and genuinely made me feel a little giddy for them. The personalities of the two make characters was fantastic to read and the author really did a good job and making them two distinct and separate characters.
And in regards to my earlier statement about the book being riveting, refreshing, rakish. It’s more so for the new culture that I experienced while reading.
I really don’t want to strikethrough possibly reading the rest of the series, but I think only time will tell.
September 9, 2024
This was an instant favourite, I love all the characters, the worldbuilding and magic is phenomenal, and I was enchanted by every second of the mesmerising plot. Also the nicknames in this book are adorable.
It's a perfect blend of epic fantasy with action, dire stakes, battles and strategy, alongside a slow burn RH romance that has you rooting for both MMC. Also dragons! This had dragon riders, dragon bonds, and Vahin is exactly how I imagine a loyal caring and protective dragon would be.
Annika is a feisty and complex mage, she is so powerful and resilient, and her sass and wit is perfect. She isn't afraid to be herself which I absolutely adore, and her journey is raw and emotional with her tragic backstory and fears for the future. I loved seeing her abilities grow, her shifting feelings, and despite not wanting to be a hero the way she naturally protects those around her.
Orm is the brave dragon-riding commander with a sense of duty and loyalty, he also has a possessive energy too and it was fun seeing him kept on his toes with Ani's chaos. I enjoyed how it also explored his vulnerabilities, and embracing change and new connections. He is literally a grumpy protective bear and it's perfect.
Ari is a dark fae mage with necromancer powers, broken by his past and corrupted by a secret curse.
It's heartbreaking that he's rejected and scorned by most due to his heritage and powers and desperately seeks a bond of his own. I loved his shameless flirting, the fun chemistry he and Ani share, and his endearing connection to Orm. He's a tortured soul that needs to be saved and he experiences a complex journey of revenge, redemption and hope.
I love the concept of anchors and conduits for magic, Ani's sassyness and take no nonsense attitude, and how Orm, Ari and Vahin will burn the world for her.
This immersive fantasy book will grip you start to finish, make you laugh and swoon with the flirting and building passion, explores a creative mix of elemental powers and necromancy, and has them all facing a hoard of deadly monsters and threats from the Lich King.
This does end on a crippling cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for the next book!!!
✨"I was a bloody weapon. Imperfect, scared, and occasionally unhinged, but if this attack had shown me anything, it was that I could make a difference"
✨"If it wasn't already clear enough, anyone who touches my lady with malicious intent will lose their hands, eyes and tongue before I grant them the mercy of death"
✨"No, little wildcat, not since the magic in your heart lit the depths of my soul. You have no idea how much I've been craving you"
✨"She is cunning, ruthless, and she made me bleed"
✨"Oh, I can be possessive and overprotective too, Little Flame"
It's a perfect blend of epic fantasy with action, dire stakes, battles and strategy, alongside a slow burn RH romance that has you rooting for both MMC. Also dragons! This had dragon riders, dragon bonds, and Vahin is exactly how I imagine a loyal caring and protective dragon would be.
Annika is a feisty and complex mage, she is so powerful and resilient, and her sass and wit is perfect. She isn't afraid to be herself which I absolutely adore, and her journey is raw and emotional with her tragic backstory and fears for the future. I loved seeing her abilities grow, her shifting feelings, and despite not wanting to be a hero the way she naturally protects those around her.
Orm is the brave dragon-riding commander with a sense of duty and loyalty, he also has a possessive energy too and it was fun seeing him kept on his toes with Ani's chaos. I enjoyed how it also explored his vulnerabilities, and embracing change and new connections. He is literally a grumpy protective bear and it's perfect.
Ari is a dark fae mage with necromancer powers, broken by his past and corrupted by a secret curse.
It's heartbreaking that he's rejected and scorned by most due to his heritage and powers and desperately seeks a bond of his own. I loved his shameless flirting, the fun chemistry he and Ani share, and his endearing connection to Orm. He's a tortured soul that needs to be saved and he experiences a complex journey of revenge, redemption and hope.
I love the concept of anchors and conduits for magic, Ani's sassyness and take no nonsense attitude, and how Orm, Ari and Vahin will burn the world for her.
This immersive fantasy book will grip you start to finish, make you laugh and swoon with the flirting and building passion, explores a creative mix of elemental powers and necromancy, and has them all facing a hoard of deadly monsters and threats from the Lich King.
This does end on a crippling cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for the next book!!!
✨"I was a bloody weapon. Imperfect, scared, and occasionally unhinged, but if this attack had shown me anything, it was that I could make a difference"
✨"If it wasn't already clear enough, anyone who touches my lady with malicious intent will lose their hands, eyes and tongue before I grant them the mercy of death"
✨"No, little wildcat, not since the magic in your heart lit the depths of my soul. You have no idea how much I've been craving you"
✨"She is cunning, ruthless, and she made me bleed"
✨"Oh, I can be possessive and overprotective too, Little Flame"
August 31, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
Annika, a conduit mage, sees the loves of her life fall before her in battle and must do all she can to save herself. As a result, her powers creates the accidental destruction of the realm’s lost ridge, allowing the evil that lives beyond it to enter into their kingdom. Struck with grief and despair, Annika fakes her death in an effort to hide her powers so she never has to Anchor to another soul again. When a disturbance brings along a dragon and its rider, Annika’s world turns upside down and she must choose to let her suffering drown her or rise to the occasion to save the realm from the Lich King.
This book comes right out the gate with intense world building, inventive creatures, and unique magic systems. I was immediately trying to learn all of the magical beings and terms that I was unfamiliar with. Luckily this book provides the reader with a beautiful map showcasing the land, an extensive glossary in the back, and footnotes to guide the reader. This book as a whole is fast pace, and thrown right into the chaos in the first few chapters. I was constantly hooked and never knew how the story would unfold.
While this is heavy in fantasy, there is a beautiful, unconventional love story intertwined. Will they or won’t they? Annika struggles to determine which male would make the best match, but also contemplates why can’t she have both? To make the decision more difficult, as a conduit mage, Annika needs an Anchor to control her powers, as it is unsafe to be without an Anchor. Her magic craves the bonds between both males, and coupling is the safest, least painful way to join with an Anchor. Will she choose her Anchor based on love or necessity? We see how the love triangle plays out and from multiple points of view as this book is told from Annika, Ormond, and Alaric. The book also had beautiful chapter designs, each specially drawn for the character you are reading at the time. There are also character drawings throughout the chapters that I loved.
An important part of this story is how various characters struggle with unsurmountable grief and choosing to fight instead of succumbing to darkness. I really appreciated having a story include complex emotions like this, as it brings transparency of real life struggles people face every day. It made the characters more realistic and relatable, making me love and appreciate them more.
This story ends on a massive cliffhanger and I can’t believe I have to wait to see how this all unfolds. I highly recommend this story if you are interested in high fantasy, unique world building, and a story that keeps the reader on their toes. This is not for readers looking for a light read as there are heavy topics discussed within the pages.
Annika, a conduit mage, sees the loves of her life fall before her in battle and must do all she can to save herself. As a result, her powers creates the accidental destruction of the realm’s lost ridge, allowing the evil that lives beyond it to enter into their kingdom. Struck with grief and despair, Annika fakes her death in an effort to hide her powers so she never has to Anchor to another soul again. When a disturbance brings along a dragon and its rider, Annika’s world turns upside down and she must choose to let her suffering drown her or rise to the occasion to save the realm from the Lich King.
This book comes right out the gate with intense world building, inventive creatures, and unique magic systems. I was immediately trying to learn all of the magical beings and terms that I was unfamiliar with. Luckily this book provides the reader with a beautiful map showcasing the land, an extensive glossary in the back, and footnotes to guide the reader. This book as a whole is fast pace, and thrown right into the chaos in the first few chapters. I was constantly hooked and never knew how the story would unfold.
While this is heavy in fantasy, there is a beautiful, unconventional love story intertwined. Will they or won’t they? Annika struggles to determine which male would make the best match, but also contemplates why can’t she have both? To make the decision more difficult, as a conduit mage, Annika needs an Anchor to control her powers, as it is unsafe to be without an Anchor. Her magic craves the bonds between both males, and coupling is the safest, least painful way to join with an Anchor. Will she choose her Anchor based on love or necessity? We see how the love triangle plays out and from multiple points of view as this book is told from Annika, Ormond, and Alaric. The book also had beautiful chapter designs, each specially drawn for the character you are reading at the time. There are also character drawings throughout the chapters that I loved.
An important part of this story is how various characters struggle with unsurmountable grief and choosing to fight instead of succumbing to darkness. I really appreciated having a story include complex emotions like this, as it brings transparency of real life struggles people face every day. It made the characters more realistic and relatable, making me love and appreciate them more.
This story ends on a massive cliffhanger and I can’t believe I have to wait to see how this all unfolds. I highly recommend this story if you are interested in high fantasy, unique world building, and a story that keeps the reader on their toes. This is not for readers looking for a light read as there are heavy topics discussed within the pages.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2024
Holy hell.
When I applied to ARC read this book it sounded interesting and I though why not that sounds like I'd really enjoy that... what I didn't expect was a book that dominated my life and had me laughing, shouting, and at one point sheding a few tears.
This is one of those books that I wish I could read it for the first time again, and I will be revisiting this book again I'm sure!
The characters are just amazingly deep, the development of the world is rich and cleverly laid out for the readers, and some of the best spicy scenes I've read in a while.
I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy to place on the shelf, and I will have to refrain from counting down till book 2 is out.
For now I'll be sitting here in awe at the storyline and coping with a book hangover...
When I applied to ARC read this book it sounded interesting and I though why not that sounds like I'd really enjoy that... what I didn't expect was a book that dominated my life and had me laughing, shouting, and at one point sheding a few tears.
This is one of those books that I wish I could read it for the first time again, and I will be revisiting this book again I'm sure!
The characters are just amazingly deep, the development of the world is rich and cleverly laid out for the readers, and some of the best spicy scenes I've read in a while.
I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy to place on the shelf, and I will have to refrain from counting down till book 2 is out.
For now I'll be sitting here in awe at the storyline and coping with a book hangover...
September 19, 2024
Okay.. where do I begin with this story?
As someone who has never read a “why choose” trope in their life, I was a little thrown off by the opening scene but in a way that prompted me to NEED to know more and read further.
In the beginning I thought the magic system and the world that we were seemingly thrown into as the reader was going to be too complex and confusing and I would get lost in understanding it but let me tell you..
As I slowly was introduced to and began to uncover the emotions and personalities behind the MC’s I was absolutely struck by them. It is so rare that you have a story where you are rooting for MULTIPLE characters at the same time but the multi-POV aspect of this book allows you to really feel connected on such a core level to Annika, Ormund, and Alaric.
These characters brought this story to life and made me whole heartedly invest in the world and magic within it. I found myself completely immersed in the world and mesmerized by the wonder of it, and when a dragon was introduced, I was absolutely addicted.
In general, it usually takes me about a week or two to finish a book but I finished this book in 2 days solely because I could not be bothered to put it down. I was reading this book wherever and whenever I could and NEEDED to know what was coming next.
The story itself although heavily rooted by romance definitely leans towards high fantasy (which I adore). If you’re a fan of dragons, game of thrones, house of dragons, etc. I have a feeling you will absolutely LOVE this story.
The deep emotions explored and expressed between the characters - of grief, self-worth, fear of rejection, being worthy of love and happiness, are innate human ponderances that really deeply move you and connect you to these MC’s.
I really valued that this book isn’t the same old Romantasy story with the same old cast of characters. Our FMC Annika really is a champion of strength and being reborn in ways that aren’t tied to youth and beauty in a traditional sense. We see more mature themes across all of the characters that speak to the idea of being deserving of love regardless of age, beauty, or background.
The story itself is so beautifully and carefully written you can tell that Olena took their time really creating the stories of these characters and expertly crafting the world in which they reside.
It was such a pleasure to consume this piece of true art and I cannot WAIT to read the next book given the cliffhanger of an ending we were left with. My jaw is still on the floor and I will not be picking it up until book two 😂
As someone who has never read a “why choose” trope in their life, I was a little thrown off by the opening scene but in a way that prompted me to NEED to know more and read further.
In the beginning I thought the magic system and the world that we were seemingly thrown into as the reader was going to be too complex and confusing and I would get lost in understanding it but let me tell you..
As I slowly was introduced to and began to uncover the emotions and personalities behind the MC’s I was absolutely struck by them. It is so rare that you have a story where you are rooting for MULTIPLE characters at the same time but the multi-POV aspect of this book allows you to really feel connected on such a core level to Annika, Ormund, and Alaric.
These characters brought this story to life and made me whole heartedly invest in the world and magic within it. I found myself completely immersed in the world and mesmerized by the wonder of it, and when a dragon was introduced, I was absolutely addicted.
In general, it usually takes me about a week or two to finish a book but I finished this book in 2 days solely because I could not be bothered to put it down. I was reading this book wherever and whenever I could and NEEDED to know what was coming next.
The story itself although heavily rooted by romance definitely leans towards high fantasy (which I adore). If you’re a fan of dragons, game of thrones, house of dragons, etc. I have a feeling you will absolutely LOVE this story.
The deep emotions explored and expressed between the characters - of grief, self-worth, fear of rejection, being worthy of love and happiness, are innate human ponderances that really deeply move you and connect you to these MC’s.
I really valued that this book isn’t the same old Romantasy story with the same old cast of characters. Our FMC Annika really is a champion of strength and being reborn in ways that aren’t tied to youth and beauty in a traditional sense. We see more mature themes across all of the characters that speak to the idea of being deserving of love regardless of age, beauty, or background.
The story itself is so beautifully and carefully written you can tell that Olena took their time really creating the stories of these characters and expertly crafting the world in which they reside.
It was such a pleasure to consume this piece of true art and I cannot WAIT to read the next book given the cliffhanger of an ending we were left with. My jaw is still on the floor and I will not be picking it up until book two 😂
September 3, 2024
This book had me drawn in right from the beginning. It opens with a battle and it gives clear understanding of what’s to come for our FMC. Hiding out from the world after great loss and suffering. Things take a turn when she comes across a dragon (Vahin) who wants to show her EPIC power to the Lord of the Dragon Riders.
Our FMC is a strong one which I LOVE. No damsel in distress here. Annika and her chemistry with the two MCs Ormond/Alaric is *chefs kiss*
Character development, plot, world building, chemistry, fantasy, is ALL on point Olena Nikitin did her thing making sure she hit the mark with every aspect in this book.
The plot was not lost in this book and the romance — M/F M/F/M and M/M — is hotter than ever. We were left on a bit of a cliffhanger but I’m anxiously waiting to see what’s to come!!
If you enjoy spicy dark romance, dragons, mages, epic fantasy, why choose. You’ll love this!!
I’m so excited to read the rest of the series and this book is honestly worthy of a reread it’s THAT GOOD!!!
This is an ARC read via NetGalley 🤍—Reviews/Opinions are honest and my own. I will review on TIKTOK after release date- @abbi.dawn2
Release Date- September 12, 2024
Our FMC is a strong one which I LOVE. No damsel in distress here. Annika and her chemistry with the two MCs Ormond/Alaric is *chefs kiss*
Character development, plot, world building, chemistry, fantasy, is ALL on point Olena Nikitin did her thing making sure she hit the mark with every aspect in this book.
The plot was not lost in this book and the romance — M/F M/F/M and M/M — is hotter than ever. We were left on a bit of a cliffhanger but I’m anxiously waiting to see what’s to come!!
If you enjoy spicy dark romance, dragons, mages, epic fantasy, why choose. You’ll love this!!
I’m so excited to read the rest of the series and this book is honestly worthy of a reread it’s THAT GOOD!!!
This is an ARC read via NetGalley 🤍—Reviews/Opinions are honest and my own. I will review on TIKTOK after release date- @abbi.dawn2
Release Date- September 12, 2024
September 8, 2024
Oath of Betrayal is a thoughtfully written high fantasy that was hard to put down! This book had fantastic world building, witty banter, forced proximity, action, dragons, magic, and slow burn why choose romance. I loved the integration of Slavic mythology!
The plot is intriguing and immersive. The characters are well developed, and the chemistry between them is palpable and feels authentic.
There is a cliffhanger that left me itching to dive into the next book!
The plot is intriguing and immersive. The characters are well developed, and the chemistry between them is palpable and feels authentic.
There is a cliffhanger that left me itching to dive into the next book!
October 1, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ I think this is a solid first book for a new epic adult fantasy romance series! This was such a romantic yet still epic fantasy read. The perfect combination to where I was swooning, then nervous or anxious, and then giggling at all the banter. 🤌
🐉 If you’re a fan of the Fourth Wing Dragons & Dragon rider dynamic but want something more Adult, then this is for you.
💙 This is a great intro to the Why Choose trope if you’re wanting to try one out this would be a great first book to pick up!
💙 Our characters include a powerful FMC who’s one of the last of her kind. We get a broody grumpy masculine dom. And we have our fun flirty but dangerous Sub.🤭 You get the best of BOTH worlds.
💙 This has a very complex magic system along with a Slavic mythology twist. There are SO MANY different creatures mentioned that were very cool to learn about.
💙 This is where I’d HIGHLY recommend you get a physical copy. They give you footnotes with definitions of unknown words to us. PLUS a glossary at the end of the book! AND THE COVER ART!! 😍 Just had to appreciate the details they took into account✨
🐉 If you’re a fan of the Fourth Wing Dragons & Dragon rider dynamic but want something more Adult, then this is for you.
💙 This is a great intro to the Why Choose trope if you’re wanting to try one out this would be a great first book to pick up!
💙 Our characters include a powerful FMC who’s one of the last of her kind. We get a broody grumpy masculine dom. And we have our fun flirty but dangerous Sub.🤭 You get the best of BOTH worlds.
💙 This has a very complex magic system along with a Slavic mythology twist. There are SO MANY different creatures mentioned that were very cool to learn about.
💙 This is where I’d HIGHLY recommend you get a physical copy. They give you footnotes with definitions of unknown words to us. PLUS a glossary at the end of the book! AND THE COVER ART!! 😍 Just had to appreciate the details they took into account✨
January 28, 2025
ARC review: *Oath of Betrayal* is a must-read! The world-building, magic, and characters are all phenomenal, and I was hooked from start to finish. Dragons, dragon riders, and a rich magic system made the story even more immersive. Vahin, the protective and loyal dragon, completely stole my heart.
Annika is a strong, complex FMC with sass, resilience, and incredible magic. Her emotional journey was gripping, and I loved how fiercely she protected those around her, despite her reluctance to be a hero. Orm, the brave, grumpy dragon-riding commander, had a perfect balance of strength and vulnerability, while Ari, the dark fae necromancer, added an intriguing and heartbreaking dynamic with his tragic backstory.
The slow-burn MMF romance was beautifully woven into the epic stakes of the plot. The chemistry between Ani, Orm, and Ari was full of banter, flirting, and tension that kept me hooked. Plus, the Slavic lore and the unique magic system of anchors and conduits felt so fresh.
If you’re looking for:
- A strong FMC in her 30s
- A golden retriever commander
- A dark, broody fae mage
- Dragons
- Slow-burn romance and epic battles
This book has it all! The cliffhanger left me desperate for book 2, and I’ll definitely be revisiting this one. Highly recommend for anyone who loves fantasy romance!
Annika is a strong, complex FMC with sass, resilience, and incredible magic. Her emotional journey was gripping, and I loved how fiercely she protected those around her, despite her reluctance to be a hero. Orm, the brave, grumpy dragon-riding commander, had a perfect balance of strength and vulnerability, while Ari, the dark fae necromancer, added an intriguing and heartbreaking dynamic with his tragic backstory.
The slow-burn MMF romance was beautifully woven into the epic stakes of the plot. The chemistry between Ani, Orm, and Ari was full of banter, flirting, and tension that kept me hooked. Plus, the Slavic lore and the unique magic system of anchors and conduits felt so fresh.
If you’re looking for:
- A strong FMC in her 30s
- A golden retriever commander
- A dark, broody fae mage
- Dragons
- Slow-burn romance and epic battles
This book has it all! The cliffhanger left me desperate for book 2, and I’ll definitely be revisiting this one. Highly recommend for anyone who loves fantasy romance!
February 3, 2025
Strong adult FMC loses everything and finds hope
That cliffhanger sucked. Lol
Book starts with Ani and her two anchors/lovers being pulled into a battle with an beast who should not be on this side of the barrier. Unfortunately this battle claims the lives of both of her anchors (these people allow a conduit mage to control their limitless power) and so she does something reckless in hopes of ending the beast and her rejoining her men in death. However, her magic attracted the attention of a dragon and a type of bond was created.
Many years later she happens upon the dragon who saved her so long ago. Ani finds herself in the company of Vahin (the Dragon) and the commander Orm when they are attacked by a swarm of monsters. She is without anchors and out of options so she must bond to Vahin in hopes of saving everyone in their party. This is really the start of the story with everything else being background.
I will admit the beginning of this story is slow but I do understand that happens a lot in fantasy books since the world and magic need to be built. I absolutely love Vahin and his quirky disposition. He is also very loyal and only wants to enjoy the gifts Ani has given him.
"I will give you my all - my fire, my magic, and my life. I just don't want to dwell in the dark again."
The two male characters are as close as brothers and there are random hints that they could become more later.
Orm is the leader and his brother works for the crown. He is doing his best to keep his people safe from the Litch King and his undead creations. He is Vahin's bonded rider. There is a wild magic within him that he fights against so he doesn't go berserk but Ani has a calming presence.
Ari is a dark fae mage who specializes in necromancy which makes people see him as less than. He was run from his home and cursed by his mother and he must get to the Litch king to have any hope of removing it and the pain it always causes him. Ani is a balm to his curse and he feels so much better with her around. Thus fact is one of many that peaks his interest.
"'If it wasn't already clear enough, anyone who touches my lady with malicious intent will lose their hands, eyes, and tongue before I grant them the mercy of death.' Orm's words were iced fury, his tone quiet and controlled, but what truly chilled my blood was Alaric is follow-up, his gentle voice filled with Deadly intent. 'And when Lord Ormond has finished with them, I will revive their corpses for the sheer pleasure of watching him do it again. He may damage their bodies, but I will take my revenge on their very soul.'"
These guys take touch her a die to a whole new level with die again and again. They are super over protective and they sometimes forget just how powerful she is.
I can't wait to see what happens next because everything is going to be very bad when its notice what happened at the end.
That cliffhanger sucked. Lol
Book starts with Ani and her two anchors/lovers being pulled into a battle with an beast who should not be on this side of the barrier. Unfortunately this battle claims the lives of both of her anchors (these people allow a conduit mage to control their limitless power) and so she does something reckless in hopes of ending the beast and her rejoining her men in death. However, her magic attracted the attention of a dragon and a type of bond was created.
Many years later she happens upon the dragon who saved her so long ago. Ani finds herself in the company of Vahin (the Dragon) and the commander Orm when they are attacked by a swarm of monsters. She is without anchors and out of options so she must bond to Vahin in hopes of saving everyone in their party. This is really the start of the story with everything else being background.
I will admit the beginning of this story is slow but I do understand that happens a lot in fantasy books since the world and magic need to be built. I absolutely love Vahin and his quirky disposition. He is also very loyal and only wants to enjoy the gifts Ani has given him.
"I will give you my all - my fire, my magic, and my life. I just don't want to dwell in the dark again."
The two male characters are as close as brothers and there are random hints that they could become more later.
Orm is the leader and his brother works for the crown. He is doing his best to keep his people safe from the Litch King and his undead creations. He is Vahin's bonded rider. There is a wild magic within him that he fights against so he doesn't go berserk but Ani has a calming presence.
Ari is a dark fae mage who specializes in necromancy which makes people see him as less than. He was run from his home and cursed by his mother and he must get to the Litch king to have any hope of removing it and the pain it always causes him. Ani is a balm to his curse and he feels so much better with her around. Thus fact is one of many that peaks his interest.
"'If it wasn't already clear enough, anyone who touches my lady with malicious intent will lose their hands, eyes, and tongue before I grant them the mercy of death.' Orm's words were iced fury, his tone quiet and controlled, but what truly chilled my blood was Alaric is follow-up, his gentle voice filled with Deadly intent. 'And when Lord Ormond has finished with them, I will revive their corpses for the sheer pleasure of watching him do it again. He may damage their bodies, but I will take my revenge on their very soul.'"
These guys take touch her a die to a whole new level with die again and again. They are super over protective and they sometimes forget just how powerful she is.
I can't wait to see what happens next because everything is going to be very bad when its notice what happened at the end.
September 2, 2024
The Oath of Betrayal jumps right into action of our final main character Annika (Ani). Ani is a strong, independent conduit mage, who is naturally selfless and wants to help others, even at her detriment. I found Ani to be a really relatable character. And that ending-what a cliff hanger and it allows so many different paths for book two that I can’t even give you an inference of what’s to come!
Shortly into the story we meet our other main characters, Ormond- Dragon Commander, Alaric- dark Fae necromancer, and Vahin- Ormonds bonded dragon. The author does a beautiful job a depicting heartbreak and experiences of betrayal throughout each of our main characters lives, and how they have chosen to fight the darkness to overcome the treachery. Even though this was clearly fantasy, I felt like actions like this made it very relatable to your average person and allowed me to connect with the characters. The relationships between the main characters left wanting to see the development and where the relationship would go. I would say this was a book that was easy to not want to put down and power though; I’d consider it a fast paced book.
My deduction of stars comes from I feel like some of the story development, I wish there was more time spent developing Ani feelings for the male characters and how she overcame the trauma of losing her previous soulmates. There also were moments where scenes just felt progress too quickly and it didn’t allow those intense emotions to develop.
Overall I enjoyed this story and would rank it 4⭐️’s. I look forward to picking up the second book to see the continued development of the story, characters and world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Authors for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Shortly into the story we meet our other main characters, Ormond- Dragon Commander, Alaric- dark Fae necromancer, and Vahin- Ormonds bonded dragon. The author does a beautiful job a depicting heartbreak and experiences of betrayal throughout each of our main characters lives, and how they have chosen to fight the darkness to overcome the treachery. Even though this was clearly fantasy, I felt like actions like this made it very relatable to your average person and allowed me to connect with the characters. The relationships between the main characters left wanting to see the development and where the relationship would go. I would say this was a book that was easy to not want to put down and power though; I’d consider it a fast paced book.
My deduction of stars comes from I feel like some of the story development, I wish there was more time spent developing Ani feelings for the male characters and how she overcame the trauma of losing her previous soulmates. There also were moments where scenes just felt progress too quickly and it didn’t allow those intense emotions to develop.
Overall I enjoyed this story and would rank it 4⭐️’s. I look forward to picking up the second book to see the continued development of the story, characters and world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Authors for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 9, 2024
Oath of Betrayal is the first book in a fantasy romance duology, with magic, dragons, MMF slow burn romance building across the book, danger, and rich world building steeped in Slavic lore and myth, and I absolutely loved this first book!
If you're looking for
- A strong, older FMC lucky to find love again
- A golden retriever commander
- A dark elf mage
- Slow burn romance between all three
- Dragons!
- Banter and flirting while trying to save the world
- Rich world building
Then you must get the first book in this new duology!
I'm still pretty new to this author but one thing I really love is their Slavic lore mixed into the world building - it's so unique and fresh for me personally as a reader. I love the beasts, dangers, and magic system in this too.
I really loved Annika - she is a female lead in her 30s, which I love so much and want more of. She has had a painful past, losing her two lovers and anchors for her magic. She's been living in hiding since those events, but Ormond and his dragon, Vahin, discover her and new connections are formed. I love that she has sass and is very fiery, she stands up for herself, and she doesn't exactly give in to these new connections.
I also loved that Ormond and Alaric (Ari) are friends at the start of this, but once Ani is in the picture, the notion of going further than just friendship becomes an idea. I imagine that this will be explored more in the next book and I am looking forward to see this friendship turn to lovers.
The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger - no major spoilers here, but it sets things up for an exciting book 2 and I can't wait to read it!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
If you're looking for
- A strong, older FMC lucky to find love again
- A golden retriever commander
- A dark elf mage
- Slow burn romance between all three
- Dragons!
- Banter and flirting while trying to save the world
- Rich world building
Then you must get the first book in this new duology!
I'm still pretty new to this author but one thing I really love is their Slavic lore mixed into the world building - it's so unique and fresh for me personally as a reader. I love the beasts, dangers, and magic system in this too.
I really loved Annika - she is a female lead in her 30s, which I love so much and want more of. She has had a painful past, losing her two lovers and anchors for her magic. She's been living in hiding since those events, but Ormond and his dragon, Vahin, discover her and new connections are formed. I love that she has sass and is very fiery, she stands up for herself, and she doesn't exactly give in to these new connections.
I also loved that Ormond and Alaric (Ari) are friends at the start of this, but once Ani is in the picture, the notion of going further than just friendship becomes an idea. I imagine that this will be explored more in the next book and I am looking forward to see this friendship turn to lovers.
The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger - no major spoilers here, but it sets things up for an exciting book 2 and I can't wait to read it!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2024
Oath of Betrayal by Olena Nikitin is such an amazing epic romantasy filled to the brim with fantastic world-building, a unique magical system, and drool-worthy characters (full illustrations throughout the book). The main female character, Annika, is a fierce mage that can handle everything life has thrown at her and then some. She has a very traumatic past of lost lovers and the trauma that comes from that, but to me, she is very relatable and likable. In the beginning, she doesn’t trust herself to trust others but once our two MMCs enter her life she begins to change her views.
Both MMCs, Ormond and Alaric, are headstrong and possessive of Annika and that leads us to the “Why Choose” romance. While usually, I’m not a huge fan of this trope I think that Nikitin did an amazing job making it a fun aspect of the story and I liked it very much. If you like slow-burn steamy spice you’ll definitely want to check out this book! I loved both MMCs mainly because their main character aspects were the opposite of each other. Ormond being a dragon rider with a monster caged inside and Alaric being the calm but mysterious dark fae necromancer made it hard to pick a favorite so I adopted the who choose theme and love them both.
Overall, Olena Nikitin wove together an alluring, enchanting, and unputdownable epic romantasy and I can not wait to get my hands on book 2!
Both MMCs, Ormond and Alaric, are headstrong and possessive of Annika and that leads us to the “Why Choose” romance. While usually, I’m not a huge fan of this trope I think that Nikitin did an amazing job making it a fun aspect of the story and I liked it very much. If you like slow-burn steamy spice you’ll definitely want to check out this book! I loved both MMCs mainly because their main character aspects were the opposite of each other. Ormond being a dragon rider with a monster caged inside and Alaric being the calm but mysterious dark fae necromancer made it hard to pick a favorite so I adopted the who choose theme and love them both.
Overall, Olena Nikitin wove together an alluring, enchanting, and unputdownable epic romantasy and I can not wait to get my hands on book 2!
September 12, 2024
I absolutely loved this book, all the characters in it, the world building, plot, everything !! Olena’s books always have me hooked!
My heart broke for Annika and everything she has been through and lost but she is such a strong character. Everything that she takes on she handles amazingly and with a bit of sass!!
I also about loved Ormond!! He is very protective of Annika and oh my god I love his nickname for her!!! His protectiveness caused a few bumps in the road because he wants no harm to come to her but she is able to handle herself. I also loved seeing him accept the change instead of making her choose between him and Alaric!
Alaric broke my heart throughout this book too! He has also been through a lot and struggles dealing with what he wants to do and how he feels for Annika. He also gets a lot of judgement from others because of his powers and which broke my heart but Annika doesn’t judge him for it! I loved the bond between them and the banter!
I also really loved Vahin!! I mean how can you not love Vahin and seeing him blossom and his protectiveness for Annika!! 🥹
The ending!!! Omg!! It had me in a hold and I can’t wait to see where their story goes in the next book!!!!
My heart broke for Annika and everything she has been through and lost but she is such a strong character. Everything that she takes on she handles amazingly and with a bit of sass!!
I also about loved Ormond!! He is very protective of Annika and oh my god I love his nickname for her!!! His protectiveness caused a few bumps in the road because he wants no harm to come to her but she is able to handle herself. I also loved seeing him accept the change instead of making her choose between him and Alaric!
Alaric broke my heart throughout this book too! He has also been through a lot and struggles dealing with what he wants to do and how he feels for Annika. He also gets a lot of judgement from others because of his powers and which broke my heart but Annika doesn’t judge him for it! I loved the bond between them and the banter!
I also really loved Vahin!! I mean how can you not love Vahin and seeing him blossom and his protectiveness for Annika!! 🥹
The ending!!! Omg!! It had me in a hold and I can’t wait to see where their story goes in the next book!!!!
August 19, 2024
"Let's just keep pretending you are nice and can take no for an answer while I remember the enjoyable time I had with Vahin. Anything else will make the situation awkward."
This book has it all. The world has been expertly built and is the perfect stage for the heartbreak, the joy, the banter and rediscovering of a family that was thought to not be deserving of.
The characters are all so well written with glimpses into their pasts that almost beg for their own stories to be told as their own novels.
The opening chapter sets the pace and the story does not slow down, so buckle up for one hell of a ride! I never wanted to put it down, at the same time not wanting it to end.
Add to that the author's ability to add that slow burn spice, Slavic inspiration for a refreshing take on fantasy, the creation of dragon that I would fight to have as my own guardian and a distinct talent for endings that leave you begging for the next book and you have the recipe for a must read series.
This book has it all. The world has been expertly built and is the perfect stage for the heartbreak, the joy, the banter and rediscovering of a family that was thought to not be deserving of.
The characters are all so well written with glimpses into their pasts that almost beg for their own stories to be told as their own novels.
The opening chapter sets the pace and the story does not slow down, so buckle up for one hell of a ride! I never wanted to put it down, at the same time not wanting it to end.
Add to that the author's ability to add that slow burn spice, Slavic inspiration for a refreshing take on fantasy, the creation of dragon that I would fight to have as my own guardian and a distinct talent for endings that leave you begging for the next book and you have the recipe for a must read series.
August 22, 2024
A book should be fun to read, a book should be hard to put down. A book should bring new perspective in a vivid and resonating way. This first book of the series does all that and more. Therefore 5+ stars from me.
I love the growing curve of the main characters. Annika, a conduit mage broken after the loss of her anchors/lovers, trying to cope and slowly fallen for two completely opposite men: Ormond Erenhart (Orm), the commander of the Dragon Riders, and Alaric'va Shen'ra (Ari), a dark fae necromancer.
Ani agrees to help fight the Lich-king and while attacked by ghost-vampires she bonds with Vahin, a dragon that finds himself drawn to consciousness again. Having an anchor again makes her a powerful weapon in the war against the Lich-King. The bonding is also the start of the relationship with Orm and Ari as well. A struggle for all of them, and with nice twists and turns. Lies, a curse, family matters, friendship, adventure and revenge are keywords.
Just read for yourselves. This book is definitely worth reading!
Highly recommended! Can't wait for the story to continue.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love the growing curve of the main characters. Annika, a conduit mage broken after the loss of her anchors/lovers, trying to cope and slowly fallen for two completely opposite men: Ormond Erenhart (Orm), the commander of the Dragon Riders, and Alaric'va Shen'ra (Ari), a dark fae necromancer.
Ani agrees to help fight the Lich-king and while attacked by ghost-vampires she bonds with Vahin, a dragon that finds himself drawn to consciousness again. Having an anchor again makes her a powerful weapon in the war against the Lich-King. The bonding is also the start of the relationship with Orm and Ari as well. A struggle for all of them, and with nice twists and turns. Lies, a curse, family matters, friendship, adventure and revenge are keywords.
Just read for yourselves. This book is definitely worth reading!
Highly recommended! Can't wait for the story to continue.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 20, 2024
Oath of Betrayal is the first book in the Broken Bonds duology which follows Annika who fakes her death and hides away until she encounters the Lord Commander of the dragon riders, Ormond, who discovers her powers. From there, she must make a decision when she is expected to bond with a dark necromancer and is hunted by the Lich King. As the last conduit mage she has to face her fate and determine if she can save the kingdom.
Overall I really enjoyed this book! The pacing in the beginning was slow for me but around 28% I became invested in the storyline. Annika and Ormond’s relationship had me anticipating their interactions with each other and I’m not usually someone who likes the “why choose” trope but in this book I didn’t mind it. The necromancer, Alaric, and Annika also had great chemistry. My favorite part of this book though was Annika and Vahin, the dragon!! The nickname “little flame” was so fitting and I loved their dynamic with each other. So definitely give this series a try if you like epic fantasy, why choose romance, dragon riders, and cliffhangers! Seriously though the cliffhanger?! 😭
My Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author and TheNerdFam for the eARC!
Overall I really enjoyed this book! The pacing in the beginning was slow for me but around 28% I became invested in the storyline. Annika and Ormond’s relationship had me anticipating their interactions with each other and I’m not usually someone who likes the “why choose” trope but in this book I didn’t mind it. The necromancer, Alaric, and Annika also had great chemistry. My favorite part of this book though was Annika and Vahin, the dragon!! The nickname “little flame” was so fitting and I loved their dynamic with each other. So definitely give this series a try if you like epic fantasy, why choose romance, dragon riders, and cliffhangers! Seriously though the cliffhanger?! 😭
My Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author and TheNerdFam for the eARC!
September 1, 2024
this series truly has so much potential! with clear inspiration from Slavic lore, the world is so intriguing with its excellent character chemistry, dragons, dark fae, mage magic with a mad king to overthrow before time runs out
while the fmc’s age is never specified, it’s ambiguously alluded to that she is older than your standard 18-25 year old featured in fantasy so i feel like this story could reach a broad demographic of readers!
the beginning chapters leaned a bit on the info-dumping side for me but it eventually picked up and delivered so much promise in character development, and a substantial plot to hold my interest! both the mmcs have fantastic personalities and deliciously flirty banter with their fmc counterpart, i was so enthralled by every interaction they had with each other!
towards the last 25%, i noticed a lot of repetition in dialogue which is a big frustration of mine when reading and i found the writing of the action scenes a bit lack-luster in comparison to earlier chapters.
the relationships between the three leads could definitely fall under the slow-burn category but with this being marketed as a why choose romance, i don’t personally feel like this trope was entirely delivered. the chemistry between them as individuals was very palpable throughout but towards the end, the why choose element was presented hastily and with clear bias towards one specific character in the writing which made it difficult to see genuity within the mcs all together.
my curiosity is definitely piqued enough to pick up the second book though, especially in light of the cliffhanger featured in this one!
read if you like:
— dark fantasy
— dragons
— politics
— slow burn
— why choose
comparable to:
— the witcher
— game of thrones
— when the moon hatched
*i read this on my kindle and didn’t know there was a glossary in the back until i finished and think it might elevate your reading experience to at least skim over this before diving in 👍🏻
**if you own a physical copy, there’s a list of trigger warnings also in the back. if you’re reading digitally, a prompt to read the tw should populate at the beginning.
thanks so much to victory editing and netgalley for a digital arc in exchange for my honest thoughts ✨
while the fmc’s age is never specified, it’s ambiguously alluded to that she is older than your standard 18-25 year old featured in fantasy so i feel like this story could reach a broad demographic of readers!
the beginning chapters leaned a bit on the info-dumping side for me but it eventually picked up and delivered so much promise in character development, and a substantial plot to hold my interest! both the mmcs have fantastic personalities and deliciously flirty banter with their fmc counterpart, i was so enthralled by every interaction they had with each other!
towards the last 25%, i noticed a lot of repetition in dialogue which is a big frustration of mine when reading and i found the writing of the action scenes a bit lack-luster in comparison to earlier chapters.
the relationships between the three leads could definitely fall under the slow-burn category but with this being marketed as a why choose romance, i don’t personally feel like this trope was entirely delivered. the chemistry between them as individuals was very palpable throughout but towards the end, the why choose element was presented hastily and with clear bias towards one specific character in the writing which made it difficult to see genuity within the mcs all together.
my curiosity is definitely piqued enough to pick up the second book though, especially in light of the cliffhanger featured in this one!
read if you like:
— dark fantasy
— dragons
— politics
— slow burn
— why choose
comparable to:
— the witcher
— game of thrones
— when the moon hatched
*i read this on my kindle and didn’t know there was a glossary in the back until i finished and think it might elevate your reading experience to at least skim over this before diving in 👍🏻
**if you own a physical copy, there’s a list of trigger warnings also in the back. if you’re reading digitally, a prompt to read the tw should populate at the beginning.
thanks so much to victory editing and netgalley for a digital arc in exchange for my honest thoughts ✨
September 7, 2025
forced proximity-slow burn-why choose-magic systems
What a wild dragon ride! This writing duo built a complex world of magic, betrayal, dragons, and demons that come together in an action packed first book! The slow burn, touch her and die, and banter of this book had me turning the page every chance i got! I am downloading book two as soon as I finish writing this!
Tropes:
Why choose
Dragons
Magic systems
Found family
Forced proximity
Nicknames
Touch her and die
Bad ass FMC
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers
#fantasy #bookreview #bookrecomendations #whychoose #slowburn #dragons #badassfmc #foundfamily #forcedproximity
What a wild dragon ride! This writing duo built a complex world of magic, betrayal, dragons, and demons that come together in an action packed first book! The slow burn, touch her and die, and banter of this book had me turning the page every chance i got! I am downloading book two as soon as I finish writing this!
Tropes:
Why choose
Dragons
Magic systems
Found family
Forced proximity
Nicknames
Touch her and die
Bad ass FMC
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers
#fantasy #bookreview #bookrecomendations #whychoose #slowburn #dragons #badassfmc #foundfamily #forcedproximity
September 8, 2024
Reading Oath of Betrayal, I didn't know what I was getting into when I started reading it. From the very beginning the book played with my emotions, not a lot of books do that to me. I can count on my hand the number of times that a book series just floors me, and makes me go “Wow, that book was amazing.” Betrayal was that book. I'm looking forward to the next book, Oath of War. The characters were someone that I could probably meet in the street, the world building was perfect, and the story was amazing. The ending had me stunned, and was there a cliffhanger at the end?
I received a complimentary ARC from the author for a fair and honest review.
I received a complimentary ARC from the author for a fair and honest review.
September 6, 2024
I wish it had been a weekend when I started reading Oath of Betrayal by Olena Nikitin, because I could not put it down. So now on only 2 hours of sleep because I was up all night reading this exciting adventure of mages, dragon riders, and impending war. The fantasy world was easy to get lost in, my heart was racing, tears forming, and I enjoyed the slow burn romance between the 3 main characters that I hope will continue to grow in the next book.
This is an ARC review via Booksirens.
This is an ARC review via Booksirens.
August 29, 2024
Oath of Betrayal follows Annika, a conduit maged who faked her death and is tormented by the grief of the loss of her two bonded lovers. Fate comes into play when dragon rider, Orm, and dark far, Alaric, stumble across the mage in hiding. After a strange soul connection and learning of her abilities, Orm and Alaric track down Ani to use her as the ultimate weapon in the war against the Lich King. This is the first book in a fantasy why choose romance series with dragons, monsters, soul bonds, and war.
This book started off in the thick of battle. While it did capture my attention, I have to admit it was a bit hard to digest at the beginning with all the terms, names, and just initial world building. After getting the hang of everything it became easier. Ani is a strong FMC who truly just wants to help people, and she’s a serious bad ass when it comes to her magic. Orm is a cold commander but is an absolute simp for Ani. Alaric is cheeky and a tortured soul that I’m dying to know more about. & who doesn’t love an exasperated soul bonded dragon who’s tired of having to take care of his riders?
Over all I enjoyed this book but I also felt like something was missing for me. It was medium paced in my opinion, some parts were over really quick that seemed important but others seemed to lag that could’ve been brushed over. I love soul bonds but I think there was a lack of build up, she just kind of automatically seriously considered if not agreed to bond with three others after suffering grief for over a decade. There were two open door scenes but I’d still rate it two chili peppers. The plot captured my attention and provides intrigue and mystery so I do plan on reading the next one. Especially to find out Orm and Ari’s reaction to that cliff hanger with Ani.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc!
This book started off in the thick of battle. While it did capture my attention, I have to admit it was a bit hard to digest at the beginning with all the terms, names, and just initial world building. After getting the hang of everything it became easier. Ani is a strong FMC who truly just wants to help people, and she’s a serious bad ass when it comes to her magic. Orm is a cold commander but is an absolute simp for Ani. Alaric is cheeky and a tortured soul that I’m dying to know more about. & who doesn’t love an exasperated soul bonded dragon who’s tired of having to take care of his riders?
Over all I enjoyed this book but I also felt like something was missing for me. It was medium paced in my opinion, some parts were over really quick that seemed important but others seemed to lag that could’ve been brushed over. I love soul bonds but I think there was a lack of build up, she just kind of automatically seriously considered if not agreed to bond with three others after suffering grief for over a decade. There were two open door scenes but I’d still rate it two chili peppers. The plot captured my attention and provides intrigue and mystery so I do plan on reading the next one. Especially to find out Orm and Ari’s reaction to that cliff hanger with Ani.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc!
December 20, 2024
*Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC*
First of all, I am so excited to have received a physical copy of this from Nerd Fam and the author. It’s such a STUNNING cover and I was so intrigued about reading a Slavic fantasy as it’s a new culture for me to learn about and I’m all for that.
Annika is my favorite character because she is the kind of character I love to read: a woman who is strong-willed, fiery, and who has ✨layers✨ (I always love sassy FMCs though).
The story is an immediate jump into the world building and I was hooked. I need the next book like…yesterday 🖤
Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews