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The Forsworn Oath #2
Heartsworn
Do not fear the shadows, but what lives inside them.
While Ludo begins his unexpected search for a brother he thought he'd lost long ago, Bryony and a pair of unlikely allies set their course on unraveling the mysteries of Lostwood. In the heart of the forest, Perfidy and her motley crew of acolytes search for Cainan while rumors of the first ever dragon to inhabit Finfalla swirl from mouth to mouth, ear to ear.
Meanwhile, King Tomas Vedran marches to war against his own brother, Edward, who's planning an invasion of the fortress known as Stonewall. What Tomas and Edward discover about themselves while on the battlefield may very well change the twisting, turning course of history.
Overshadowing it all, the goddess Narcissi's blood continues to leak through Lostwood, providing untold power to the souls of those capable enough to wield it. And the next Blood Tide creeps ever closer to Finfalla's southern shores, a land ripe for destruction.
Fans of A Game of Thrones, The Stormlight Archives, The Kingfall Histories and The Fatemarked Epic will enjoy The Forsworn Oath. Start your 5,000+ page epic adventure today.
While Ludo begins his unexpected search for a brother he thought he'd lost long ago, Bryony and a pair of unlikely allies set their course on unraveling the mysteries of Lostwood. In the heart of the forest, Perfidy and her motley crew of acolytes search for Cainan while rumors of the first ever dragon to inhabit Finfalla swirl from mouth to mouth, ear to ear.
Meanwhile, King Tomas Vedran marches to war against his own brother, Edward, who's planning an invasion of the fortress known as Stonewall. What Tomas and Edward discover about themselves while on the battlefield may very well change the twisting, turning course of history.
Overshadowing it all, the goddess Narcissi's blood continues to leak through Lostwood, providing untold power to the souls of those capable enough to wield it. And the next Blood Tide creeps ever closer to Finfalla's southern shores, a land ripe for destruction.
Fans of A Game of Thrones, The Stormlight Archives, The Kingfall Histories and The Fatemarked Epic will enjoy The Forsworn Oath. Start your 5,000+ page epic adventure today.
818 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2024
209 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
David Estes
81 books2,681 followersGet a FREE short story from David Estes' #1 Amazon bestselling epic fantasy series, Fatemarked, when you sign up for his mailing list: https://www.subscribepage.com/b2v6v3
David Estes has written more than 50 science fiction and fantasy books. He loves chatting with his readers, all of whom he considers to be his friends. David lives in Hawaii with his Aussie wife, Adele, his moody cats, Bailey, Luna, and Ruby, and his rambunctious sons, Beau and Brody.
Join 3,000+ David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite in David Estes' official fan group at:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/7...
Books by David Estes:
-The Fatemarked Epic- For fans of A Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and The Way of Kings! Four kingdoms. A century-old war. One ancient prophecy that could change everything.
-The Kingfall Histories- a follow up series to the #1 Amazon bestselling series, The Fatemarked Epic
-The Forsworn Oath- the third series in the Fatemarked/Kingfall world
-Strings- “A wonderful retelling of the Pinocchio story…I simply couldn’t put this book down.”—Rysa Walker, bestselling author of TIMEBOUND
-The Dwellers Saga and the Country Saga. Voted books to read if you enjoyed the Hunger Games on Buzzfeed and Listopia.
-Salem's Revenge trilogy- the witch apocalypse begins!
-Slip Trilogy- "Someone must die before another can be born..."
-The Adventures of Nikki Powergloves- Kid superheroes? 'Nuff said.
David Estes has written more than 50 science fiction and fantasy books. He loves chatting with his readers, all of whom he considers to be his friends. David lives in Hawaii with his Aussie wife, Adele, his moody cats, Bailey, Luna, and Ruby, and his rambunctious sons, Beau and Brody.
Join 3,000+ David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite in David Estes' official fan group at:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/7...
Books by David Estes:
-The Fatemarked Epic- For fans of A Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and The Way of Kings! Four kingdoms. A century-old war. One ancient prophecy that could change everything.
-The Kingfall Histories- a follow up series to the #1 Amazon bestselling series, The Fatemarked Epic
-The Forsworn Oath- the third series in the Fatemarked/Kingfall world
-Strings- “A wonderful retelling of the Pinocchio story…I simply couldn’t put this book down.”—Rysa Walker, bestselling author of TIMEBOUND
-The Dwellers Saga and the Country Saga. Voted books to read if you enjoyed the Hunger Games on Buzzfeed and Listopia.
-Salem's Revenge trilogy- the witch apocalypse begins!
-Slip Trilogy- "Someone must die before another can be born..."
-The Adventures of Nikki Powergloves- Kid superheroes? 'Nuff said.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 22, 2025
Ludo, Bryony, Perfidy, Tomas, and so many others are back with Heartsworn, book 2 of the Forsworn series. Estes has surpassed himself yet again with his mad talent of giving us characters we care deeply about. And the world he's created is so complex with so many different storylines, although they all seem to crash together at some point.... Just magnificent! He kind of blows my socks off!
But... David does throw in some heartbreak as well. Of course! I'm not sure I've ever read any of his books without tears. Some happy tears, some very sad tears! He always seems to give me an emotional rollercoaster of feels. …And that ending. I may have ranted just a bit!
I am truly blown away at the depth of this remarkable epic fantasy. If you like fantasy, you will love David’s newest series!
*Thank you so much to the author for the early eGalley!*
But... David does throw in some heartbreak as well. Of course! I'm not sure I've ever read any of his books without tears. Some happy tears, some very sad tears! He always seems to give me an emotional rollercoaster of feels. …And that ending. I may have ranted just a bit!
I am truly blown away at the depth of this remarkable epic fantasy. If you like fantasy, you will love David’s newest series!
*Thank you so much to the author for the early eGalley!*
Read
October 28, 2024Heartsworn is out TODAY! This is the second book in my new Forsworn series, and picks up right where book 1 left off. For those who have read Fatemarked and/or Kingfall, this series is set in a different part of the same world, but will include cameos by some characters, and will also feature a character from Kingfall who we met right at the end of the series when she was just a child (Hint: now she's all grown up). If you love sprawling epic fantasy adventures with magic and dragons, heroes and villains and (possibly) the end of the world, then this series is perfect for you to sink your teeth into.
Thank you all for sticking with me for so many years, I'm lucky to get to write stories for you!
David Estes
Thank you all for sticking with me for so many years, I'm lucky to get to write stories for you!
David Estes
November 29, 2024
Wow, what a Epic in the making this is building to. Estes once again has expanded on an amazing creation, and thrown so much detail, emotion and adventure onto these pages that we can do nothing else but devour each chapter and beg for more! This chonker was chuck full of all of it and more! David my good man, don't ever stop!
"Heartsworn" book 2 of a planned 5 book set in Estes Foresworn Oath series takes an already sprawling story laid out in book 1, and kicks down the door with outstanding character depth, emotional toil and tension weaved into a ever expanding landscape ripe with lore and detail. Jumping back in right where the harrowing events of book 1 left us, Estes takes his multiple PoV's and really starts to flesh out the detail in each of these amazing characters story lines, creating a larger but more detailed explanation as to how these characters came to these places and events.
David does trim down the PoV's a bit this time around, and given the detail he is putting into each arc it works beautifully! The overall Epic continues at a brilliant pace and the twist, turns and betrayals spread faster the Lostwood itself! 😈 I have been particularly invested in the arcs for Ludo and Bronny... but I'll be damned if the arcs of Edward and Thomas didn't get wildly enthralling and New Dawn might just need a Novella for itself! Damn this amazing story of your David! 😋
A growing world to explore (with caution of course), characters that jump with off the pages and grab your soul, and battles that can make time itself just fly bye...yup, we have ourselves another Estes grand Epic! Boy is this getting wild, the ending will have you undoubtedly preordering book 3 and as always, the Postludes are absolute brilliant bonus content that continue to paint us a unbelievably beautiful broad view of our beloved characters and their inner toils and drive. 💪
Trust no one and remember, the wilds of this ever changing world have the teeth to set even the most deadly hunters, killers and magic capable on edge! The sweet taste of power can be invigorating...but don't overindulge, as with this story it will consume you...pace yourself. (Or don't 😏😈)
4.5⭐ again, this is what high fantasy is all about! For the love of the Five David, bring the "Storm" in book 3!!! 📚
"Heartsworn" book 2 of a planned 5 book set in Estes Foresworn Oath series takes an already sprawling story laid out in book 1, and kicks down the door with outstanding character depth, emotional toil and tension weaved into a ever expanding landscape ripe with lore and detail. Jumping back in right where the harrowing events of book 1 left us, Estes takes his multiple PoV's and really starts to flesh out the detail in each of these amazing characters story lines, creating a larger but more detailed explanation as to how these characters came to these places and events.
David does trim down the PoV's a bit this time around, and given the detail he is putting into each arc it works beautifully! The overall Epic continues at a brilliant pace and the twist, turns and betrayals spread faster the Lostwood itself! 😈 I have been particularly invested in the arcs for Ludo and Bronny... but I'll be damned if the arcs of Edward and Thomas didn't get wildly enthralling and New Dawn might just need a Novella for itself! Damn this amazing story of your David! 😋
A growing world to explore (with caution of course), characters that jump with off the pages and grab your soul, and battles that can make time itself just fly bye...yup, we have ourselves another Estes grand Epic! Boy is this getting wild, the ending will have you undoubtedly preordering book 3 and as always, the Postludes are absolute brilliant bonus content that continue to paint us a unbelievably beautiful broad view of our beloved characters and their inner toils and drive. 💪
Trust no one and remember, the wilds of this ever changing world have the teeth to set even the most deadly hunters, killers and magic capable on edge! The sweet taste of power can be invigorating...but don't overindulge, as with this story it will consume you...pace yourself. (Or don't 😏😈)
4.5⭐ again, this is what high fantasy is all about! For the love of the Five David, bring the "Storm" in book 3!!! 📚
October 29, 2024
Wow, Estes has done it again with Heartsworn! This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster that I wasn’t ready for—and I loved every second of it. From the richly developed characters to the unpredictable plot twists, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the world he’s created.
The characters continue to shine, each with their own distinct voice and compelling backstory. Perfidy is one of my favorites (for now!), but watching her lose some of her innocence throughout the book was tough. I can’t help but hope that what she’s going through isn’t permanent—her hard lump from godsblood especially. The way Estes makes me doubt everyone’s intentions, even the ones I want to trust, is honestly genius. It’s one of my favorite things about these books—you’re always second-guessing who is on whose side.
I also have to say, Ludo’s scenes stole my heart. I didn’t expect to get as emotional as I did during his speech . He has a kind of rawness to him that sneaks up on you. And speaking of sneaking up—there were moments that totally caught me off guard (Miss M and Tomas… what?!). Just when I think I have a handle on where the story is headed, Estes throws in these little surprises that make me question everything I thought I knew.
The dialogue is witty and natural, with some hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud. There’s a recurring joke about the word “voluptuous” that just never got old for me, adding a layer of humor that balanced out the heavier moments.
And Spiros. I can’t say much without spoilers, but…
Heartsworn is everything I hoped it would be and more. If you loved the first book, you’ll absolutely devour this one. I’m already counting down the days for the next because these cliffhangers are no joke.
This series has quickly become one of my favorites. It’s smart, emotional, funny, and filled with characters that you can’t help but fall in love with (even when you’re mad at them). I can’t recommend Heartsworn enough—bring on the next book!
The characters continue to shine, each with their own distinct voice and compelling backstory. Perfidy is one of my favorites (for now!), but watching her lose some of her innocence throughout the book was tough. I can’t help but hope that what she’s going through isn’t permanent—her hard lump from godsblood especially. The way Estes makes me doubt everyone’s intentions, even the ones I want to trust, is honestly genius. It’s one of my favorite things about these books—you’re always second-guessing who is on whose side.
I also have to say, Ludo’s scenes stole my heart. I didn’t expect to get as emotional as I did during his speech . He has a kind of rawness to him that sneaks up on you. And speaking of sneaking up—there were moments that totally caught me off guard (Miss M and Tomas… what?!). Just when I think I have a handle on where the story is headed, Estes throws in these little surprises that make me question everything I thought I knew.
The dialogue is witty and natural, with some hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud. There’s a recurring joke about the word “voluptuous” that just never got old for me, adding a layer of humor that balanced out the heavier moments.
And Spiros. I can’t say much without spoilers, but…
Heartsworn is everything I hoped it would be and more. If you loved the first book, you’ll absolutely devour this one. I’m already counting down the days for the next because these cliffhangers are no joke.
This series has quickly become one of my favorites. It’s smart, emotional, funny, and filled with characters that you can’t help but fall in love with (even when you’re mad at them). I can’t recommend Heartsworn enough—bring on the next book!
October 31, 2024
Another amazing book from David Estes. Ludo, Bryony, Perfidy. Tomas and more are back with another adventure! We also get to meet new characters in this installment of the Foresworn Oath series... Estes digs deeper into the magic of this complex world and we learn more about the characters and the trials they are going through. I love how David is able to weave so many storylines together to create a mind blowing tapestry of love, magic, pain, betrayal and so much more! Davids imagination knows no bounds!! Every book of his I read immediately becomes my new favorite, I am constantly blown away by his story telling, if you love epic fantasy then you'll love this book and every book David has written!!
*I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
*I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
January 20, 2025
The Finest Fantasy !
This is one of the finest fantasy series I have read . The author has created
a world rich in love , hate , courage, and betrayal . With a cast of heroes and evil ones fighting for the future of their world . Among them are dragons , men and women, and fantastical creatures . All are woven into a wonderful creation of the author's prose .
This is one of the finest fantasy series I have read . The author has created
a world rich in love , hate , courage, and betrayal . With a cast of heroes and evil ones fighting for the future of their world . Among them are dragons , men and women, and fantastical creatures . All are woven into a wonderful creation of the author's prose .
April 4, 2025
This series has some amazing world building. The characters are wonderful as well. The pacing is fairly quick, and the fight sequences are extremely well well written. You are transported fully into this world. David Estes has an incredible talent to make you really care about the consequences of each characters action. A fully enjoyable read for people who love to escape reality.
May 24, 2025
Getting Even Better
Heartsworn is a superb continuation of the David Estes series. Characters are more fleshed out and expanded upon. I really loved the ending stories that revealed some of the characters’ pasts.
Just more fantastic writing and world building. I have become invested in all of these characters. Can’t wait to read more.
Heartsworn is a superb continuation of the David Estes series. Characters are more fleshed out and expanded upon. I really loved the ending stories that revealed some of the characters’ pasts.
Just more fantastic writing and world building. I have become invested in all of these characters. Can’t wait to read more.
June 6, 2025
exciting
This whole series is a joy to read. The plots, the character connections, the intertwining of the multiple series is fascinating. I get so caught up I find it very hard to stop reading. Good Show!
This whole series is a joy to read. The plots, the character connections, the intertwining of the multiple series is fascinating. I get so caught up I find it very hard to stop reading. Good Show!
July 20, 2025
Awesome
Didn't expect much from this series. Just needed something to read. Pretty damn awesome. Love all the characters. All of them fleshed out perfectly. I have no idea what is going to happen in the next book. Perfect. Great job David Estes.
Didn't expect much from this series. Just needed something to read. Pretty damn awesome. Love all the characters. All of them fleshed out perfectly. I have no idea what is going to happen in the next book. Perfect. Great job David Estes.
August 13, 2025
This series has been a home run with every installment- I love all of the characters and I'm so happy to see their growth. There's one character in particular that had a pretty empowering moment and I loved that for her.
December 13, 2024
Picks up where Forsworn left off. Bigger roles for the twin kings in this one as their countries head to war. Excellent writing as always.
January 7, 2025
Amazing... I can't believe I have to wait for Stormsworn to come out!
April 21, 2025
Leaping
The story takes many twists and turns. Building the story takes expertise. To many jumps lose the reader while to few the story takes on a time that overlap.
The story takes many twists and turns. Building the story takes expertise. To many jumps lose the reader while to few the story takes on a time that overlap.
December 17, 2024
Another excellent book by David Estes!
I enjoyed this book. Strong characters, plenty of twists and turns, awesome magic, and intense action scenes. Also making good progress on the grander plot.
forward to Book 3!
I enjoyed this book. Strong characters, plenty of twists and turns, awesome magic, and intense action scenes. Also making good progress on the grander plot.
forward to Book 3!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews