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The Oath: The Kingdom of the Crescent
Debut epic fantasy by Henry Cantleberry!
Before empires rise, the world must be tested.
A creeping black fog rolls out of the wilderness, carrying raiders touched by dark magic and leaving villages in ash. The realm within the Crescent Mountains stands unprepared—divided by politics, haunted by old grudges, and blind to the true power moving against it.
As warriors, wanderers, and reluctant heroes are drawn together, ancient magic stirs, dangerous alliances form, and secrets long buried begin to surface. To survive, they must swear oaths of loyalty, faith, and sacrifice—but some promises are easier to make than to keep.
Behind the invasion lies a conspiracy far greater than any army, and the choices made in its shadow will decide whether the realm rises… or falls.
The The Kingdom of the Crescent is an epic fantasy of honor, political intrigue, and the fragile line between duty and ambition—perfect for readers who love rich world-building, morally complex characters, and the slow burn rise of legends.
Before empires rise, the world must be tested.
A creeping black fog rolls out of the wilderness, carrying raiders touched by dark magic and leaving villages in ash. The realm within the Crescent Mountains stands unprepared—divided by politics, haunted by old grudges, and blind to the true power moving against it.
As warriors, wanderers, and reluctant heroes are drawn together, ancient magic stirs, dangerous alliances form, and secrets long buried begin to surface. To survive, they must swear oaths of loyalty, faith, and sacrifice—but some promises are easier to make than to keep.
Behind the invasion lies a conspiracy far greater than any army, and the choices made in its shadow will decide whether the realm rises… or falls.
The The Kingdom of the Crescent is an epic fantasy of honor, political intrigue, and the fragile line between duty and ambition—perfect for readers who love rich world-building, morally complex characters, and the slow burn rise of legends.
- GenresFantasyDark Fantasy
442 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2024
About the author
Henry Cantleberry
1 book8 followersBesides being a husband, father, a naval veteran of 21 years, a craftsmen, an amateur guitar player, and a songwriter, he's a lover of fantasy and writer. The influences in his youth included Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Dune. When he wrote songs during college, his lyrics often reflected fantasy themes; the same went for his papers when he was studying philosophy. He always loved an epic adventure in a grand scale. So, he grew into a daydreamer and a romanticist. His optimism walks hand in hand with his ideals of grandeur. Often, his wife walks a line of encouragement and keeping him rooted in reality. However, she never waivered when it came to supporting him writing his first book. It was a classic epic fantasy that encouraged him to develop a series which he is currently planning and writing. He lives in the Midwest, steadily writes, and looks forward to next adventure hiking in a national park.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 8, 2026
“The Oath” by Henry Cantleberry is the debut novel for an intended series in the works, The Kingdom of the Crescent. I’ll break down what it is about without giving away spoilers, and what the pros and cons were from my personal reading experience.
PLOT:
Seemingly possessed raiders are razing the Mid, which is the region of our protagonists. The locals don’t know where they came from, what their purpose is, or what the dark powers are that seem to control them. An unlikely candidate, a simple woodsman named Cal, somehow finds himself chosen as a scout leading a small group of specialists that navigate to discover the truth while war is looming closer as an immediate threat.
All the while, the Par’sha, a nomadic tribal culture, is also experiencing the same threat, dealing with it in their own way. Fates coincide the trajectory of Su’ca and her Par’sha to ally with the militia army of the Mid to combat this evil that seems to have forbidden magic involved.
GENRE DEFINED:
This is “low fantasy” and realistic medieval fantasy. By low fantasy, I mean do not be fooled by the book cover. Yes, there are obscure warriors with green glowing eyes who fight atop mountain rams. But that’s the extent of the entire fantasy element, other than the sorcerer who has the power to possess. This is a human story all the way. This is a practical story. This is a very realistic story. There are no far-fetched fantasy concepts going on, no deep dive into other fantasy race cultures, no explanation of magic systems, no complicated or unique fantasy-related information coming your way.
Cantleberry’s “The Oath” is ideal for non-fantasy readers to dip their toes into the genre and get a mild taste for it. Every chapter is written with practicality, realism, decisions you can digest. It is also great for fantasy lovers who want a break from some of the more intense and eccentric high fantasy stories, and yearn for a more grounded world.
WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR:
- Not a fan of elaborately crazy fantasy names? This author has you covered. Names like Cal, Bill, Kenneth, Malcolm, and Gregory is what you will find. (Other than when dabbling into his barbarian culture of the Par’sha.)
- As stated above — if you are new to fantasy, and not ready to plunge into high fantasy or graphic dark fantasy, this novel sprinkles just enough mild fantasy elements in to draw you (while sticking to the known classics — elves, dwarves, orcs, dark magic)
- Sheer realism, if you are looking for that type of thing. The characters behave in mature and believable ways. The societies function in ways you can process. The gears turn and you understand them without having to stretch your brain to learn something new.
- Safe PG-13 Rated Fantasy (no spice or trigger warnings).
- The author writes clear and straightforward. There is no flowery exposition or going off the rails into explaining backstories or concept origins. It stays centralized about what the issue is (possessed raiders attacking the “good guys homeland”), and doesn’t divert from there.
WHAT ENHANCED MY READING EXPERIENCE:
- Cantleberry has created a believable, functioning world (at least in the regional segment he chose to dive into with his first novel thus far). The politics are well thought out. The cultures are thoroughly fleshed out. It is evident in the writing that the author has clearly established all the fine details of each region and culture, down to a science. I, for one, absolutely love intricate world-building to this level, as long as it does not interfere with the pacing.
- This is intelligent writing. The level of pragmatism is appreciated as well compared to many other fantasy works that become a little unhinged with ridiculousness, in which Cantleberry avoids like the plague.
- Very intense climax finale that was gripping and page-turning, and the book ended on some nice cliffhangers that allude to a plot twist for more intrigue to come.
- I enjoyed the character Clydes and the minor plot twist about who/what he was, and wanted to know more about his background.
- This final pro goes out to the author, Henry Cantleberry, himself. I discovered this author in the BookTok community from seeing him audibly reading aloud random blurb readings for other indie authors. Upon further research, it turns out this author is quite active for doing this as a hobby, being an advocate to hundreds of indie authors on BookTok to get more eyes on their work. He is a major supporter of the indie author community for all genres, and ask for nothing in return. This alone merits who he is as a person to the highest of esteem in my perspective.
WHO THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR:
- Need some graphic violence in your battles, or spice in your story? Need any romance at all? Need some Rated R grit? This is not for you. This is PG-13, and honestly perfect for all ages (including teens), but you won’t get that raw dark fantasy feel, no romance, and no spice if that’s your scene.
- Need true high fantasy? This isn’t it. In fact, this is basic classic fantasy to a T. The Darwish are dwarves with a different name, but without any unique pivot from classic LOTR dwarves (and if there are differences, the author omitted it from the story). Same in the aspect that Elvian are elves in all essence. An orc is an orc, and dark magic is a loose concept we don’t learn much about and is barely grazed on, other than finding out “its bad and bad guys do it.”
- Ready to immerse yourself into some new fantasy concepts? Other than the introduction of what Dhula is, that seems to be the only original aspect the author brought to the table in his first novel.
WHAT TOOK AWAY FROM MY READING EXPERIENCE:
- While I appreciate world-building more than most authors I believe, I will say that I feel Cantleberry took a few too many side quests on elaborating on the “this” and the “that” about the semantics of his politics and regional operations that were just entirely irrelevant to the story. I experienced my reading through his audible version and at times I found myself taken out of the story when he did this.
- I hate to say this but … I felt no connection with the protagonist Cal. I am all about a “reluctant and mundane hero” of the story, but there was just nothing that stuck with me about his character or entire arc.
- The character work in general did not resonate with me. I feel that the author spent more energy on explaining the intricacies of a township rather than where I wanted it the most … character emotions, character backstories, just raw feelings and ambitions … And then several POVs kept being reverted back towards his intended deplorable characters such as Kenneth. I kept trying to find one I wanted to root for but just never got there, and we only got a marginal teaser into the one intriguing character I enjoyed which was Clydes, and sometimes Su’ca.
- The author has clearly spent so much time creating an awesome and believable culture with these cities and regions, and even more areas are teased at in the final chapters. I would love to see him include a map for geographical references in future editions.
PLOT:
Seemingly possessed raiders are razing the Mid, which is the region of our protagonists. The locals don’t know where they came from, what their purpose is, or what the dark powers are that seem to control them. An unlikely candidate, a simple woodsman named Cal, somehow finds himself chosen as a scout leading a small group of specialists that navigate to discover the truth while war is looming closer as an immediate threat.
All the while, the Par’sha, a nomadic tribal culture, is also experiencing the same threat, dealing with it in their own way. Fates coincide the trajectory of Su’ca and her Par’sha to ally with the militia army of the Mid to combat this evil that seems to have forbidden magic involved.
GENRE DEFINED:
This is “low fantasy” and realistic medieval fantasy. By low fantasy, I mean do not be fooled by the book cover. Yes, there are obscure warriors with green glowing eyes who fight atop mountain rams. But that’s the extent of the entire fantasy element, other than the sorcerer who has the power to possess. This is a human story all the way. This is a practical story. This is a very realistic story. There are no far-fetched fantasy concepts going on, no deep dive into other fantasy race cultures, no explanation of magic systems, no complicated or unique fantasy-related information coming your way.
Cantleberry’s “The Oath” is ideal for non-fantasy readers to dip their toes into the genre and get a mild taste for it. Every chapter is written with practicality, realism, decisions you can digest. It is also great for fantasy lovers who want a break from some of the more intense and eccentric high fantasy stories, and yearn for a more grounded world.
WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR:
- Not a fan of elaborately crazy fantasy names? This author has you covered. Names like Cal, Bill, Kenneth, Malcolm, and Gregory is what you will find. (Other than when dabbling into his barbarian culture of the Par’sha.)
- As stated above — if you are new to fantasy, and not ready to plunge into high fantasy or graphic dark fantasy, this novel sprinkles just enough mild fantasy elements in to draw you (while sticking to the known classics — elves, dwarves, orcs, dark magic)
- Sheer realism, if you are looking for that type of thing. The characters behave in mature and believable ways. The societies function in ways you can process. The gears turn and you understand them without having to stretch your brain to learn something new.
- Safe PG-13 Rated Fantasy (no spice or trigger warnings).
- The author writes clear and straightforward. There is no flowery exposition or going off the rails into explaining backstories or concept origins. It stays centralized about what the issue is (possessed raiders attacking the “good guys homeland”), and doesn’t divert from there.
WHAT ENHANCED MY READING EXPERIENCE:
- Cantleberry has created a believable, functioning world (at least in the regional segment he chose to dive into with his first novel thus far). The politics are well thought out. The cultures are thoroughly fleshed out. It is evident in the writing that the author has clearly established all the fine details of each region and culture, down to a science. I, for one, absolutely love intricate world-building to this level, as long as it does not interfere with the pacing.
- This is intelligent writing. The level of pragmatism is appreciated as well compared to many other fantasy works that become a little unhinged with ridiculousness, in which Cantleberry avoids like the plague.
- Very intense climax finale that was gripping and page-turning, and the book ended on some nice cliffhangers that allude to a plot twist for more intrigue to come.
- I enjoyed the character Clydes and the minor plot twist about who/what he was, and wanted to know more about his background.
- This final pro goes out to the author, Henry Cantleberry, himself. I discovered this author in the BookTok community from seeing him audibly reading aloud random blurb readings for other indie authors. Upon further research, it turns out this author is quite active for doing this as a hobby, being an advocate to hundreds of indie authors on BookTok to get more eyes on their work. He is a major supporter of the indie author community for all genres, and ask for nothing in return. This alone merits who he is as a person to the highest of esteem in my perspective.
WHO THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR:
- Need some graphic violence in your battles, or spice in your story? Need any romance at all? Need some Rated R grit? This is not for you. This is PG-13, and honestly perfect for all ages (including teens), but you won’t get that raw dark fantasy feel, no romance, and no spice if that’s your scene.
- Need true high fantasy? This isn’t it. In fact, this is basic classic fantasy to a T. The Darwish are dwarves with a different name, but without any unique pivot from classic LOTR dwarves (and if there are differences, the author omitted it from the story). Same in the aspect that Elvian are elves in all essence. An orc is an orc, and dark magic is a loose concept we don’t learn much about and is barely grazed on, other than finding out “its bad and bad guys do it.”
- Ready to immerse yourself into some new fantasy concepts? Other than the introduction of what Dhula is, that seems to be the only original aspect the author brought to the table in his first novel.
WHAT TOOK AWAY FROM MY READING EXPERIENCE:
- While I appreciate world-building more than most authors I believe, I will say that I feel Cantleberry took a few too many side quests on elaborating on the “this” and the “that” about the semantics of his politics and regional operations that were just entirely irrelevant to the story. I experienced my reading through his audible version and at times I found myself taken out of the story when he did this.
- I hate to say this but … I felt no connection with the protagonist Cal. I am all about a “reluctant and mundane hero” of the story, but there was just nothing that stuck with me about his character or entire arc.
- The character work in general did not resonate with me. I feel that the author spent more energy on explaining the intricacies of a township rather than where I wanted it the most … character emotions, character backstories, just raw feelings and ambitions … And then several POVs kept being reverted back towards his intended deplorable characters such as Kenneth. I kept trying to find one I wanted to root for but just never got there, and we only got a marginal teaser into the one intriguing character I enjoyed which was Clydes, and sometimes Su’ca.
- The author has clearly spent so much time creating an awesome and believable culture with these cities and regions, and even more areas are teased at in the final chapters. I would love to see him include a map for geographical references in future editions.
May 15, 2026
The Oath Delivers Everything I Love About Epic Fantasy
Henry Cantleberry’s The Oath: Kingdom of the Crescent is one of those debut fantasy novels that reminds you why you fell in love with epic fantasy in the first place. What stood out most to me was how well the story balances strong pacing with rich worldbuilding. The plot keeps moving with great action, political maneuvering, palace intrigue, and genuinely exciting battle sequences, but the world never feels dumped on the reader. Instead, the setting unfolds naturally through the characters, their loyalties, fears, and relationships.
One of the things that really pulled me into the story was the mystery surrounding the enemy and what was actually happening to the kingdom. Henry does a great job slowly unfolding the truth piece by piece, letting the reader discover things alongside Cal, Alec, and the rest of the party. It created this constant sense that there was always something larger hiding beneath the surface, and I found myself wanting to keep reading just to understand who was really pulling the strings and what the true danger actually was.
One of the strangest and coolest coincidences for me personally was that Henry and I were both writing fantasy novels around the same time, and both stories ended up involving scepters and magical stones. There was a weird sense of creative serendipity reading this book unfold. Beyond that though, The Oath absolutely stands on its own strengths. The fight scenes are sharp and cinematic, the wizard battles are genuinely fun to read, and the found family dynamic gives the story a lot of emotional weight.
What I especially appreciated was that beneath the fantasy adventure, there are strong moral themes running through the novel. The story wrestles with duty, loyalty, power, and what it means to do the right thing when loyalty itself becomes unreasonable or dangerous. The political power plays and tensions between factions gave the story an almost historical feel at times, grounding the fantasy elements in believable human conflict.
By the end, it feels clear that the kingdom is far from safe, and that Cal, Alec, and the rest of the party are only beginning to uncover the deeper mysteries lurking beneath the surface. There is this lingering feeling that something bigger is still moving in the shadows, and honestly thats what made me want to keep reading the series.
A very strong debut epic fantasy with heart, intrigue, action, and the promise of something even bigger ahead.
Henry Cantleberry’s The Oath: Kingdom of the Crescent is one of those debut fantasy novels that reminds you why you fell in love with epic fantasy in the first place. What stood out most to me was how well the story balances strong pacing with rich worldbuilding. The plot keeps moving with great action, political maneuvering, palace intrigue, and genuinely exciting battle sequences, but the world never feels dumped on the reader. Instead, the setting unfolds naturally through the characters, their loyalties, fears, and relationships.
One of the things that really pulled me into the story was the mystery surrounding the enemy and what was actually happening to the kingdom. Henry does a great job slowly unfolding the truth piece by piece, letting the reader discover things alongside Cal, Alec, and the rest of the party. It created this constant sense that there was always something larger hiding beneath the surface, and I found myself wanting to keep reading just to understand who was really pulling the strings and what the true danger actually was.
One of the strangest and coolest coincidences for me personally was that Henry and I were both writing fantasy novels around the same time, and both stories ended up involving scepters and magical stones. There was a weird sense of creative serendipity reading this book unfold. Beyond that though, The Oath absolutely stands on its own strengths. The fight scenes are sharp and cinematic, the wizard battles are genuinely fun to read, and the found family dynamic gives the story a lot of emotional weight.
What I especially appreciated was that beneath the fantasy adventure, there are strong moral themes running through the novel. The story wrestles with duty, loyalty, power, and what it means to do the right thing when loyalty itself becomes unreasonable or dangerous. The political power plays and tensions between factions gave the story an almost historical feel at times, grounding the fantasy elements in believable human conflict.
By the end, it feels clear that the kingdom is far from safe, and that Cal, Alec, and the rest of the party are only beginning to uncover the deeper mysteries lurking beneath the surface. There is this lingering feeling that something bigger is still moving in the shadows, and honestly thats what made me want to keep reading the series.
A very strong debut epic fantasy with heart, intrigue, action, and the promise of something even bigger ahead.
July 17, 2026
This book gets you into the action right away! It is an epic fantasy adventure, with lots of fighting, and war. The characters are well written, as is the world building. Loved the character of Su’ca! Full of intrigue and battles. Gave me Lord of the Rings vibes.
This is a good book if you like epic high fantasy!
This is a good book if you like epic high fantasy!
September 17, 2026
This was such a good high fantasy read. If you're looking for a Brandon Sanderson-esque novel with epic fights, good vs evil, political betrayal, and the darkest forbidden magic, then you need to read this novel! I happened across The Oath while scrolling through fantasy authors on TikTok and this felt like a book that I would enjoy as a fantasy reader. I loved the mystery of the Horde attacking the villages, I loved the bravery of the main character, the allies and enemies he made, and I loved the multiple POVs and expansive world building that really immersed me into the story.
Hoping to read more of this series and I would high recommend you do as well!
Hoping to read more of this series and I would high recommend you do as well!
March 2, 2026
This feels like a return to classic fantasy. Mysterious magic, an army raised in defense, smarmy politicians, and surprise allies from the plains. This book has it all.
I found this book via TikTok, and the author is an incredibly kind and uplifting fellow. This was a great read, and the adventure is top-tier.
I found this book via TikTok, and the author is an incredibly kind and uplifting fellow. This was a great read, and the adventure is top-tier.
April 2, 2026
Quick moving epic adventure
The Oath is a fast-paced epic fantasy that wastes no time pulling you into its world. The story moves with purpose, balancing action with meaningful character development, so you’re not just watching events unfold—you’re actually invested in the people driving them.
One of the standout strengths is the variety of cultures woven into the story. Each feels distinct and adds depth to the world, giving the narrative a broader, more immersive scope than your typical single-kingdom fantasy.
The pacing is tight, the stakes stay high, and the characters evolve in ways that feel earned rather than forced. It’s an easy book to get through, but still delivers enough substance to stick with you after you finish.
If you’re looking for a quick, engaging epic fantasy with strong momentum and solid character work, The Oath is definitely worth the read.
The Oath is a fast-paced epic fantasy that wastes no time pulling you into its world. The story moves with purpose, balancing action with meaningful character development, so you’re not just watching events unfold—you’re actually invested in the people driving them.
One of the standout strengths is the variety of cultures woven into the story. Each feels distinct and adds depth to the world, giving the narrative a broader, more immersive scope than your typical single-kingdom fantasy.
The pacing is tight, the stakes stay high, and the characters evolve in ways that feel earned rather than forced. It’s an easy book to get through, but still delivers enough substance to stick with you after you finish.
If you’re looking for a quick, engaging epic fantasy with strong momentum and solid character work, The Oath is definitely worth the read.
September 16, 2026
The Oath has everything I want from classic epic fantasy: strong world-building, compelling characters, political intrigue, and a threat that continues to grow as the story unfolds. I especially enjoyed the way the world and characters develop together rather than feeling rushed. There is a real sense that something much larger is being set in motion. An impressive debut and a great start to what feels like it could become a very big story.
March 28, 2026
An epic adventure to save their people. Multiple POV epic fantasy that helps us to see and explore the world from different angles as they all come together for one amazing conclusion.
I knew the second I saw that cover and started following the author on TikTok I knew this was going to be a great read for me.
This is a high-stakes, low magic, dark adventure. I hope there will be more in this series and cannot wait for more from Henry Cantleberry.
I knew the second I saw that cover and started following the author on TikTok I knew this was going to be a great read for me.
This is a high-stakes, low magic, dark adventure. I hope there will be more in this series and cannot wait for more from Henry Cantleberry.
August 13, 2026
I liked this book. I think for a debut novel its really impressive in its scale and quality. I just couldn't get behind some of the major characters.
May 6, 2026
A strong entry into indie sword-and-sorcery, The Oath feels like a deliberate throwback to classic mid-20th-century fantasy, in the best way. It carries what could be a simplistic go-on-quest-to-fight-the-bad-guy story, but layers in political tension and a touch of mystery that give it more depth than you expect.
The story begins with Cal, a young man whose life is upended when his home is set ablaze. From there, we follow him into the chaos of war, through encounters with power-hungry lords, and into relationships with allies, some of them magical, that gradually expand the scope of the world. It’s a classic structure, but executed with enough flair to keep it engaging.
One of the standout elements for me was Su’ca, a 'warrior princess' from a nomadic, horse-riding culture. Her sections and glimpses into her culture were fantastic, and I felt like the strongest parts of the novel.
There are a few rough edges. Some formatting issues and phrasing choices stand out, and you can tell a traditional publishing pass might have tightened certain sections. But instead of detracting, it seemed to enhance the experience, like you were being told a story by a close friend.
If I had one critique, it’s that for all the world-building present, I wanted more of the world itself. That said, it feels intentional. This is clearly laying the groundwork for a larger story. And it worked, because I’ll absolutely be back for the next installment.
The story begins with Cal, a young man whose life is upended when his home is set ablaze. From there, we follow him into the chaos of war, through encounters with power-hungry lords, and into relationships with allies, some of them magical, that gradually expand the scope of the world. It’s a classic structure, but executed with enough flair to keep it engaging.
One of the standout elements for me was Su’ca, a 'warrior princess' from a nomadic, horse-riding culture. Her sections and glimpses into her culture were fantastic, and I felt like the strongest parts of the novel.
There are a few rough edges. Some formatting issues and phrasing choices stand out, and you can tell a traditional publishing pass might have tightened certain sections. But instead of detracting, it seemed to enhance the experience, like you were being told a story by a close friend.
If I had one critique, it’s that for all the world-building present, I wanted more of the world itself. That said, it feels intentional. This is clearly laying the groundwork for a larger story. And it worked, because I’ll absolutely be back for the next installment.
May 7, 2026
A great adventure fantasy with quests of people banning together to protect their kingdom against an imposing threat!
It's got your classic fantasy tropes: different races of fantasy people--who don't go by the usual names, like Elves and Dwarves--nomadic people, farmboy who lives in a remote country village (but he's not your typical Chosen One; he's more a reluctant hero), older mentor, etc. No princesses stuck in towers under a curse or romances that take away from battles. (I kinda thought the political sabotage/espionage did, but not much.) But it doesn't slow down the pace with an overuse of descriptions or backstory. A little bit may be given here and the story keeps moving. Descriptions/backstory should never completely halt or derail a story as it's playing out, and The Oath does a great job of not taking you out of a story.
EVERYONE who likes fantasy should read this book; there's a fantastic wizard battle to look forward to!
It's got your classic fantasy tropes: different races of fantasy people--who don't go by the usual names, like Elves and Dwarves--nomadic people, farmboy who lives in a remote country village (but he's not your typical Chosen One; he's more a reluctant hero), older mentor, etc. No princesses stuck in towers under a curse or romances that take away from battles. (I kinda thought the political sabotage/espionage did, but not much.) But it doesn't slow down the pace with an overuse of descriptions or backstory. A little bit may be given here and the story keeps moving. Descriptions/backstory should never completely halt or derail a story as it's playing out, and The Oath does a great job of not taking you out of a story.
EVERYONE who likes fantasy should read this book; there's a fantastic wizard battle to look forward to!
August 30, 2026
This was a fun read with a nice classic fantasy feel. Immediately we catch a glimpse of the evil sweeping through the land. From there we follow the hero (Cal) as he retreats to the safety of the Mid along with other refugees from the north.
Cal joins the army of the Mid and vows to find the source and help stop the evil who surrounds themselves in an unnatural darkness. If you're looking for a fast paced action adventure with a large cast, check it out.
Cal joins the army of the Mid and vows to find the source and help stop the evil who surrounds themselves in an unnatural darkness. If you're looking for a fast paced action adventure with a large cast, check it out.
March 2, 2026
I was overall very excited and pleased to read The Oath. After coming off a really strong read in January, I was hesitant to pick up something new because I worried my expectations would be skewed. This book did not disappoint. From the very beginning, I messaged the author to say it gave me strong Lord of the Rings vibes, and as I continued, I also picked up hints of Game of Thrones in the political tension and shifting loyalties.
This epic fantasy follows four separate POVs, which gives us a full perspective of what is happening across the realm as their kingdom faces the threat of raiders. The very first chapter is gruesome in the best way and immediately pulled me in emotionally. As the story unfolds, we get layered conflict on all sides. While an outside army looms, the characters are also at war with each other in their interests, ambitions, and personal goals. That internal friction added depth to the larger threat.
I loved the turns the story took, the gradual discoveries about the enemy, and the hints of the world’s magical prowess. By the end, I genuinely did not expect the twist to unfold the way it did. The author handled it carefully, keeping key information hidden without making it feel random or unearned. The ending was clean and satisfying. It did not rely on a dramatic cliffhanger, yet it left enough threads open to make me excited for book two, which I am now impatiently waiting for.
I am fully invested in the rise of this kingdom, in what comes next with the remaining enemies, and in whatever else this world has in store.
There are a few critiques I can share, though none of them hindered my enjoyment or my overall rating.
At times, I struggled to determine whether we were in third person omniscient or third person limited. The perspective occasionally felt fluid in a way that blurred the lines. It never pulled me out of the story entirely, but there were moments of confusion about narrative distance.
Additionally, the author clearly prioritizes emotional and political tension surrounding the war over the war itself. Because of that focus, some battle scenes felt lighter and more straightforward than they could have been. The stakes were present, yet the physical danger sometimes resolved quickly. I understand this as a stylistic choice to emphasize the tension around the war rather than the brutality within it. The battles were still immersive and enjoyable to read.
Lastly, I do feel that a few off-page deaths might have carried more emotional weight if they had happened on page. As a reader who loves sitting in the nuance of grief and sacrifice, I wanted to feel those moments more directly. Some characters, especially those with meaningful page time, felt like they deserved a fuller farewell. That said, this is purely personal preference, and I understand why certain decisions were made.
All in all, this is still a five-star read for me. I love epic fantasy, especially when it is crafted with enough care and scope to sustain multiple books while holding my attention. Fantastic job to this author. I will absolutely be picking up the next installment.
This epic fantasy follows four separate POVs, which gives us a full perspective of what is happening across the realm as their kingdom faces the threat of raiders. The very first chapter is gruesome in the best way and immediately pulled me in emotionally. As the story unfolds, we get layered conflict on all sides. While an outside army looms, the characters are also at war with each other in their interests, ambitions, and personal goals. That internal friction added depth to the larger threat.
I loved the turns the story took, the gradual discoveries about the enemy, and the hints of the world’s magical prowess. By the end, I genuinely did not expect the twist to unfold the way it did. The author handled it carefully, keeping key information hidden without making it feel random or unearned. The ending was clean and satisfying. It did not rely on a dramatic cliffhanger, yet it left enough threads open to make me excited for book two, which I am now impatiently waiting for.
I am fully invested in the rise of this kingdom, in what comes next with the remaining enemies, and in whatever else this world has in store.
There are a few critiques I can share, though none of them hindered my enjoyment or my overall rating.
At times, I struggled to determine whether we were in third person omniscient or third person limited. The perspective occasionally felt fluid in a way that blurred the lines. It never pulled me out of the story entirely, but there were moments of confusion about narrative distance.
Additionally, the author clearly prioritizes emotional and political tension surrounding the war over the war itself. Because of that focus, some battle scenes felt lighter and more straightforward than they could have been. The stakes were present, yet the physical danger sometimes resolved quickly. I understand this as a stylistic choice to emphasize the tension around the war rather than the brutality within it. The battles were still immersive and enjoyable to read.
Lastly, I do feel that a few off-page deaths might have carried more emotional weight if they had happened on page. As a reader who loves sitting in the nuance of grief and sacrifice, I wanted to feel those moments more directly. Some characters, especially those with meaningful page time, felt like they deserved a fuller farewell. That said, this is purely personal preference, and I understand why certain decisions were made.
All in all, this is still a five-star read for me. I love epic fantasy, especially when it is crafted with enough care and scope to sustain multiple books while holding my attention. Fantastic job to this author. I will absolutely be picking up the next installment.
April 11, 2026
An exciting adventure!
This is Henry Cantelberry's debut novel, and it hits hard right out of the gate. The Oath: Kingdom of the Crescent throws you right into the action, as a black fog rolls in, bringing with it something dark and dangerous.
You follow multiple POVs across the world, offering glimpses into different walks of life.
You have Cal, Bill, Alec, and a group of misfits. You also follow Su'ca and the nomads battling to keep their lands free, while the ruling class of aristocrats and council members fight for supremacy of the kingdom.
With twists and turns that pay off big, and an ending, you won't see them coming. This Oath may save you or kill you.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to book two. Grab the Oath: The Kingdom of the Crescent today!
Tropes: found family, wise mentor, reluctant hero, dark lord, band of heroes, the quest, and corrupting magic.
This is Henry Cantelberry's debut novel, and it hits hard right out of the gate. The Oath: Kingdom of the Crescent throws you right into the action, as a black fog rolls in, bringing with it something dark and dangerous.
You follow multiple POVs across the world, offering glimpses into different walks of life.
You have Cal, Bill, Alec, and a group of misfits. You also follow Su'ca and the nomads battling to keep their lands free, while the ruling class of aristocrats and council members fight for supremacy of the kingdom.
With twists and turns that pay off big, and an ending, you won't see them coming. This Oath may save you or kill you.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to book two. Grab the Oath: The Kingdom of the Crescent today!
Tropes: found family, wise mentor, reluctant hero, dark lord, band of heroes, the quest, and corrupting magic.
August 22, 2026
A healthy mixture of story and world building
An epic fantasy indeed. This was an extraordinarily amazing tale. The pacing of this book was exactly spot on. I am a believer in a healthy mixture of story and world building, and Henry absolutely delivered. He did a superb job of maintaining the world and the readers understanding of it, while introducing necessary characters according to what roles they were playing within this story of political intrigue, shadows, very misunderstood magic, and unexpected, and sometimes questionable allies.
The narrators' abilities to bring multiple voices to life was VERY enjoyable. Absolutely amazing job Erin Moore and Matt Iaquinta! Spectacular, honestly. The emotion, the different accents across a vast and dark new world... true talent, honestly.
An epic fantasy indeed. This was an extraordinarily amazing tale. The pacing of this book was exactly spot on. I am a believer in a healthy mixture of story and world building, and Henry absolutely delivered. He did a superb job of maintaining the world and the readers understanding of it, while introducing necessary characters according to what roles they were playing within this story of political intrigue, shadows, very misunderstood magic, and unexpected, and sometimes questionable allies.
The narrators' abilities to bring multiple voices to life was VERY enjoyable. Absolutely amazing job Erin Moore and Matt Iaquinta! Spectacular, honestly. The emotion, the different accents across a vast and dark new world... true talent, honestly.
November 12, 2024
4.3/5. Debut author leaves his mark on the fantasy genre. "The Oath" is a fantastic start. The worldbuilding is believable yet never feels like a slog to get through. The characters are all likeable, even the dastardly ones, and their motivations are easy to understand and see their natural progression as events in the story play out. A few twists to keep readers on their toes yet they never feel like the author wrote himself into a corner. If you're looking for a more military-style fantasy adventure with plenty of battles, death, and heroics, then give "The Oath" a read today!
September 2, 2026
I enjoyed the strong start of The Oath: The Kingdom of the Crescent. The looming threat, combined with political tension and ancient magic, creates a rich and immersive world. The mix of reluctant heroes, shifting alliances, and high-stakes choices makes it an engaging read for fans of epic fantasy.
March 16, 2026
The Oath: Kingdom of the Crescent is a solid fantasy novel that brings strong characters, good world building, and a well flushed out plot. The writing is very cohesive and easy to read. There's political intrigue, large scale battles, and individual adventure. It falls somewhere in with a simplified Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, and will have you rooting for the protagonist and company as they uncover the mysteries of what has befallen the realm. It is involved, with twists and evolution of the story, but not heavy reading, which should make it enjoyable for all fantasy readers. I will enjoy delving deeper into the series when the subsequent volumes are released.
March 9, 2025
Very solid fantasy. Interesting twists on the classic mythos of dwarves and elves. The subplots of Master Gregory and the Par'sha are by and large the best parts of the story as a whole. A little back and forth on the pacing, but it was never too big of a deal. All in all, a very good, solid debut. I look forward to reading the second one!
Also, the intrigue in this story is the best while it lasts. It'll be interesting to see how Cantleberry tops that aspect in the subsequent books.
Also, the intrigue in this story is the best while it lasts. It'll be interesting to see how Cantleberry tops that aspect in the subsequent books.
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