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The Broken Bonds #2
Oath of War
She set the world ablaze… and paid the ultimate price.
Every prison has a weakness, and Annika must find it before the enemy bends her to his will. But time is a luxury she no longer has, and freedom demands a cost few would dare to pay.
As treacherous alliances shift, everything she knows unravels before her eyes.
The Barrier is broken.
The king is dead.
And war has come to the kingdom… but how do you fight Death itself?
The gripping conclusion to The Cursed Bonds duology, where Annika’s fate—and the destiny of her kingdom—hangs by a thread.
---------------------------------------------------------
Oath of War is a slow-burn, second-chance, forced-proximity high fantasy with a complex magic system and Slavic mythology-inspired world-building. It is dark romantasy with fae, mages, and dragon riders, and no choosing required.
Every prison has a weakness, and Annika must find it before the enemy bends her to his will. But time is a luxury she no longer has, and freedom demands a cost few would dare to pay.
As treacherous alliances shift, everything she knows unravels before her eyes.
The Barrier is broken.
The king is dead.
And war has come to the kingdom… but how do you fight Death itself?
The gripping conclusion to The Cursed Bonds duology, where Annika’s fate—and the destiny of her kingdom—hangs by a thread.
---------------------------------------------------------
Oath of War is a slow-burn, second-chance, forced-proximity high fantasy with a complex magic system and Slavic mythology-inspired world-building. It is dark romantasy with fae, mages, and dragon riders, and no choosing required.
448 pages, Hardcover
Published February 5, 2025
279 people are currently reading
1104 people want to read
About the author
Olena Nikitin
13 books496 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 13, 2025
╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
Olena, this second book was amazing and everything I could have hoped for!
I loved these characters so much😭😭
I'm so sad it's over!!
Oath of War is a powerful, emotionally charged finale to The Cursed Bonds duology, picking up right where book one left off. The Lich King’s threat is growing. Annika, Ari, Orm, and my favourite loyal dragon Vahin; face war, betrayals, devastating losses, and impossible choices. Yet, through all this, their love and unshakable bonds remain.
Annika is truly something else; she comes into her own during this book, fierce and battle-hardened but still carrying her grief. She channels her rage and pain into her magic, fully stepping into her role as a Battle Mage. I especially loved the growth between Orm and Alaric! Honestly, I loved the poly romance between the characters, the camaraderie, and the unshakable platonic devotion of Vahin, who absolutely stole my heart.
And once again, we get to experience Olena's rich and immersive world-building, steeped in Slavic folklore, with a magic system that feels fresh and exciting. No one does world-building like this author! I always feel like I'm right there with the characters.
The pacing keeps the tension high with twists, dangerous bargains, monster attacks, and high-stakes political intrigue, yet still makes room for quiet, intimate moments of connection. Honestly, this book is the best of both worlds.
Overall, this duology was EVERYTHING!! Epic battles, layered politics, unique magic, deep emotional bonds, and characters who feel like family. Saying goodbye to these characters is bittersweet. And I will miss them! I'll have to do a reread sometime. Olena's writing is beautiful!
But, if you love a slightly darker, spicy romantasy with intricate lore, dragons with personality, and relationships that feel soul-deep, The Broken Bonds duology is an absolute must-read.
────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥touch her & die
❥magic & banter
❥light v. dark
❥reverse harem
❥dragons
❥dragon bonding
❥bonded mates
❥badass FMC
❥grumpy MMC
❥necromancy
❥dark Fae
❥spicy
❥MM - MFM - MF
❥hurt/comfort/angst
❥grief/loss
❥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 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛𝚜, 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚢, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚜, 𝙸 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙸’𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛: 𝚊 𝚜𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚢.
Olena, this second book was amazing and everything I could have hoped for!
I loved these characters so much😭😭
I'm so sad it's over!!
Oath of War is a powerful, emotionally charged finale to The Cursed Bonds duology, picking up right where book one left off. The Lich King’s threat is growing. Annika, Ari, Orm, and my favourite loyal dragon Vahin; face war, betrayals, devastating losses, and impossible choices. Yet, through all this, their love and unshakable bonds remain.
Annika is truly something else; she comes into her own during this book, fierce and battle-hardened but still carrying her grief. She channels her rage and pain into her magic, fully stepping into her role as a Battle Mage. I especially loved the growth between Orm and Alaric! Honestly, I loved the poly romance between the characters, the camaraderie, and the unshakable platonic devotion of Vahin, who absolutely stole my heart.
And once again, we get to experience Olena's rich and immersive world-building, steeped in Slavic folklore, with a magic system that feels fresh and exciting. No one does world-building like this author! I always feel like I'm right there with the characters.
The pacing keeps the tension high with twists, dangerous bargains, monster attacks, and high-stakes political intrigue, yet still makes room for quiet, intimate moments of connection. Honestly, this book is the best of both worlds.
Overall, this duology was EVERYTHING!! Epic battles, layered politics, unique magic, deep emotional bonds, and characters who feel like family. Saying goodbye to these characters is bittersweet. And I will miss them! I'll have to do a reread sometime. Olena's writing is beautiful!
But, if you love a slightly darker, spicy romantasy with intricate lore, dragons with personality, and relationships that feel soul-deep, The Broken Bonds duology is an absolute must-read.
────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥touch her & die
❥magic & banter
❥light v. dark
❥reverse harem
❥dragons
❥dragon bonding
❥bonded mates
❥badass FMC
❥grumpy MMC
❥necromancy
❥dark Fae
❥spicy
❥MM - MFM - MF
❥hurt/comfort/angst
❥grief/loss
❥complex magic system
❥extensive world-building
Thank you for the ARC Olena♡
_________________________________
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
May 10, 2025
This is the epic conclusion to the Cursed Bonds duology.
This dark romantasy follows Annika, a conduit mage, and her two men in a perfectly executed why choose romance. I didn’t realize how incredible this trope could be until I read these books.
What I loved about this book was its unique and exciting magic system. There were Fascinating creatures and a great villain in an evil lich king. This book has Plenty of spice (but don’t forget to check the trigger warnings). One of my favorite things about this book was the refreshingly original world.
The first book, Oath of Betrayal, hooked me, and Oath of War was a satisfying conclusion. It delivers some emotional damage, but it all works out in the end.
If you love dark, spicy romantasy, this is a must-read. I gave it four stars and highly recommend it. Start with book one and get ready to dive into this incredible world. I was an ARC reader for this book.
This dark romantasy follows Annika, a conduit mage, and her two men in a perfectly executed why choose romance. I didn’t realize how incredible this trope could be until I read these books.
What I loved about this book was its unique and exciting magic system. There were Fascinating creatures and a great villain in an evil lich king. This book has Plenty of spice (but don’t forget to check the trigger warnings). One of my favorite things about this book was the refreshingly original world.
The first book, Oath of Betrayal, hooked me, and Oath of War was a satisfying conclusion. It delivers some emotional damage, but it all works out in the end.
If you love dark, spicy romantasy, this is a must-read. I gave it four stars and highly recommend it. Start with book one and get ready to dive into this incredible world. I was an ARC reader for this book.
February 9, 2025
I am devastated this is the end as I have loved these characters so much, but it was a perfect ending for this duology!
Annika's sass and wit makes a stunning return and although she's in enemy hands she won't sit quietly waiting to be rescued. She is fierce, powerful and a force of nature with unique powers.
I adored seeing Ari and Orm grow closer and embrace their bond, they are utterly petrified of losing Ani, but together they will burn the world to get their woman home, and protect each other along the way.
The writing is vivid, fast paced, and helps you easily paint a picture of the devastation, chaos, victories and challenges they all face. Not only are they up against the deadly Lich King and his minions, but tackling Fae mind games, monster attacks, betrayals, and dangerous quests and bargains.
Every moment feels important and relevant to events unfolding, the characters face grief, uncertainty, guilt and doubts, and the acceptance of their bond together was beautiful.
I loved the unexpected drama, jealousy and competition to woo Ani, all the spice and charming declarations of love, the lore and range of mythical creatures, and how protective everyone is of each other.
And what I wouldn't give to have a loyal dragon like Vahin.
Definitely a must read fantasy duology!
⚔️ "If they want to watch, they can. I'm not harbouring affection - I'm obsessed with you to the very core of my being"
⚔️"Who did this, Little Flame? Who made you bleed?"
⚔️"While Orm is happiest by your side, I am happiest kneeling at your feet"
⚔️"I'm yours until time stops and even the oceans turn to dust"
Annika's sass and wit makes a stunning return and although she's in enemy hands she won't sit quietly waiting to be rescued. She is fierce, powerful and a force of nature with unique powers.
I adored seeing Ari and Orm grow closer and embrace their bond, they are utterly petrified of losing Ani, but together they will burn the world to get their woman home, and protect each other along the way.
The writing is vivid, fast paced, and helps you easily paint a picture of the devastation, chaos, victories and challenges they all face. Not only are they up against the deadly Lich King and his minions, but tackling Fae mind games, monster attacks, betrayals, and dangerous quests and bargains.
Every moment feels important and relevant to events unfolding, the characters face grief, uncertainty, guilt and doubts, and the acceptance of their bond together was beautiful.
I loved the unexpected drama, jealousy and competition to woo Ani, all the spice and charming declarations of love, the lore and range of mythical creatures, and how protective everyone is of each other.
And what I wouldn't give to have a loyal dragon like Vahin.
Definitely a must read fantasy duology!
⚔️ "If they want to watch, they can. I'm not harbouring affection - I'm obsessed with you to the very core of my being"
⚔️"Who did this, Little Flame? Who made you bleed?"
⚔️"While Orm is happiest by your side, I am happiest kneeling at your feet"
⚔️"I'm yours until time stops and even the oceans turn to dust"
January 10, 2025
What an ending to an incredible journey - absolute perfection. The way Annika’s character developed in this duology to culminate in this book is amazing - we love a perfectly imperfect fmc - that is still in her head sometimes, but accepts help and love to heal and soar 😍 our MMCs are as always incredible, selfless, protective and well… 👀 you’ll see! I loved how everything came together perfectly!
Also, nothing is repetitive. We have war, games and trials, personal challenges and heartbreaking moments (grab tissues!)
The magic itself and the mythology is fantastic and the world building is clear and well explained, there’s no confusion of what’s happening where, it was literally like watching a movie in my head. The betrayal, the grief, the sacrifice, the sheer power… I absolutely loved this book! Masterfully written!
Also, nothing is repetitive. We have war, games and trials, personal challenges and heartbreaking moments (grab tissues!)
The magic itself and the mythology is fantastic and the world building is clear and well explained, there’s no confusion of what’s happening where, it was literally like watching a movie in my head. The betrayal, the grief, the sacrifice, the sheer power… I absolutely loved this book! Masterfully written!
April 14, 2025
“𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠.”
This was a good conclusion to the Cursed Bonds Duology. I love the unique magic system with conduit mages having to ‘anchor’ with someone to help control their power.
I loved all of the dragons as well as the creatures throughout the book. (I thank The Witcher for knowing what more than half of them were without the definitions that are so nicely provided throughout both books.)
The love story got to be a bit much for me though. The characters with their constant “my woman” “my dragon” “my this” “my that” etc. In that aspect, it was a bit repetitive. I have learned that the “Why Choose” trope probably isn’t for me though. However, I wasn’t going to let that affect my rating since that’s a me thing and not so much the book.
Thank you so much to the author for the gifted book and PR box!
March 18, 2025
What a powerful and emotionally charged conclusion to The Cursed Bonds duology! This sequel takes everything that made the first book compelling—rich world-building, political intrigue, strong characters (that are adults), and complex relationships—and raises the stakes even further.
It balances epic fantasy elements with intimate, character-driven moments. The world feels expansive, steeped in Slavic folklore. On the action side, the book does not hold back. With war looming, alliances shifting, and the looming presence of the Lich himself, there is no shortage of twists and tension. The pacing keeps things moving, with jaw-dropping reveals that keep you on edge until the final pages. Yet, despite the large-scale conflict, the heart of the story remains in its themes of grief, family complexities, and the unwavering devotion between these characters.
The relationships—whether romantic, platonic, or forged through battle—shine even brighter in this book. The quiet moments of connection between characters were some of my favorites, highlighting the strength of their bonds. Orm and Annika developed most strongly in the first book, but this expands upon that and gives time for the other relationships to hold their own space. I adore poly relationships in romantasy. And I still love the platonic devotion of Vahin.
As much as I love a duology for its tight, satisfying storytelling, I know I’m going to miss these characters. Oath of War is exactly the kind of romantasy I adore—one that treats its world, politics, and characters with equal care. If you love dark fantasy with intricate magic, adult characters, and a perfect blend of action and emotion, this is a duology worth diving into.
Thanks so, so much to the author and MTMC Tours for the complimentary copy and opportunity to read and review. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
It balances epic fantasy elements with intimate, character-driven moments. The world feels expansive, steeped in Slavic folklore. On the action side, the book does not hold back. With war looming, alliances shifting, and the looming presence of the Lich himself, there is no shortage of twists and tension. The pacing keeps things moving, with jaw-dropping reveals that keep you on edge until the final pages. Yet, despite the large-scale conflict, the heart of the story remains in its themes of grief, family complexities, and the unwavering devotion between these characters.
The relationships—whether romantic, platonic, or forged through battle—shine even brighter in this book. The quiet moments of connection between characters were some of my favorites, highlighting the strength of their bonds. Orm and Annika developed most strongly in the first book, but this expands upon that and gives time for the other relationships to hold their own space. I adore poly relationships in romantasy. And I still love the platonic devotion of Vahin.
As much as I love a duology for its tight, satisfying storytelling, I know I’m going to miss these characters. Oath of War is exactly the kind of romantasy I adore—one that treats its world, politics, and characters with equal care. If you love dark fantasy with intricate magic, adult characters, and a perfect blend of action and emotion, this is a duology worth diving into.
Thanks so, so much to the author and MTMC Tours for the complimentary copy and opportunity to read and review. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
January 18, 2025
There will be spoilers below becuase there's no way I can do this book justice without mentioning specifics.
***
I was lucky enough to ARC read Oath of War and Olenas writing and world sucked me in, it was also one of the first why chose romantasys I had really delved into and has now sold me on that genre.
I do not understand how Olena was able to get so much packed into this book. Honestly. I'm lost.
This was the definition of a rollercoaster read. One minute I was kicking my feet with joy over romance, fanning myself at the spicy scenes and the next I was sobbing my heart out.
The growth that Ani has is just Beautiful, this book has once of the best descriptions of internalised guilt I have read, how she feels over Katja is heartbreaking and so chaotic and overwhelming I felt right there with her.
Orms acceptance of his own sexuality and love for Ari was amazing to read, the confusion, uncertainty and taking that step felt so realistic of taking a chance on love not knowing the outcome.
And my poor sweet Ari, he absolutely went through it in this book, and we got to learn so much more about his culture, the depths of his love, his fears. And actually seeing him as a baddass necomancer!!
And the true love of this duology. Vahin. This amazing charecter once again stole my heart. Most of my highlighted quotes from this read have been from him. And the most scared I was during this read was for him aswell.
If I could give this book more stars I could, Olena you have knocked it out the park!
One of my favourite quotes.
"I will come for you, Little Flame, even if I have to tear down the sun, I will come for you"
***
I was lucky enough to ARC read Oath of War and Olenas writing and world sucked me in, it was also one of the first why chose romantasys I had really delved into and has now sold me on that genre.
I do not understand how Olena was able to get so much packed into this book. Honestly. I'm lost.
This was the definition of a rollercoaster read. One minute I was kicking my feet with joy over romance, fanning myself at the spicy scenes and the next I was sobbing my heart out.
The growth that Ani has is just Beautiful, this book has once of the best descriptions of internalised guilt I have read, how she feels over Katja is heartbreaking and so chaotic and overwhelming I felt right there with her.
Orms acceptance of his own sexuality and love for Ari was amazing to read, the confusion, uncertainty and taking that step felt so realistic of taking a chance on love not knowing the outcome.
And my poor sweet Ari, he absolutely went through it in this book, and we got to learn so much more about his culture, the depths of his love, his fears. And actually seeing him as a baddass necomancer!!
And the true love of this duology. Vahin. This amazing charecter once again stole my heart. Most of my highlighted quotes from this read have been from him. And the most scared I was during this read was for him aswell.
If I could give this book more stars I could, Olena you have knocked it out the park!
One of my favourite quotes.
"I will come for you, Little Flame, even if I have to tear down the sun, I will come for you"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2025
Oath of War by Olena Nikitin is the incredibly fantastic conclusion of Annika’s journey! If you loved Oath of Betrayal you better strap in for the ride of your life as we continue the journey! With the same amazing cast of characters, we can really see their development throughout this book, and I enjoyed that immensely.
The world-building was as good if not better than book one, I love any book that has its roots in lore/mythology and the Slavic aspects were the cherry on top. I would highly recommend Oath of War and The Broken Bonds duology to anyone who loves a good epic romantasy with a side of why choose romance, with A++ world-building.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Viper Dawn Press for providing the eARC.
The world-building was as good if not better than book one, I love any book that has its roots in lore/mythology and the Slavic aspects were the cherry on top. I would highly recommend Oath of War and The Broken Bonds duology to anyone who loves a good epic romantasy with a side of why choose romance, with A++ world-building.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Viper Dawn Press for providing the eARC.
February 11, 2025
This book - all I can say is wow.
Although I’m sad that this is the end of this series it is the perfect ending to this duology.
I absolutely love Ani. She is fierce, bold and definitely a force of nature. I love how she spent wait around to be looked after or rescued. She has the best wit going and such a foul mouth i love her.
I love how the relationship between Orm and Ari progressed and the way they love Ani and would watch the world burn to save her is just amazing.
The whole book and duology is face paced and everything written feels relevant and important.
The tri seem to be fighting monsters on all fronts and the interactions between them are perfect.
I love everything about this book and the whole duology. Definitely a 5 star read for me and one I won’t ever forget.
Although I’m sad that this is the end of this series it is the perfect ending to this duology.
I absolutely love Ani. She is fierce, bold and definitely a force of nature. I love how she spent wait around to be looked after or rescued. She has the best wit going and such a foul mouth i love her.
I love how the relationship between Orm and Ari progressed and the way they love Ani and would watch the world burn to save her is just amazing.
The whole book and duology is face paced and everything written feels relevant and important.
The tri seem to be fighting monsters on all fronts and the interactions between them are perfect.
I love everything about this book and the whole duology. Definitely a 5 star read for me and one I won’t ever forget.
February 11, 2025
”She was the miracle this world didn’t deserve, a woman of immense power with a heart full of scars.”
This is the conclusion to The Cursed Bonds duology and holy shit, what a ride this has been. Annika, Orm, and Ari, along with the dragon, Vahin, face so much in this book, but their love and bond with each other does not stray. This last part is full of betrayals and action and absolute heartbreak. It’s as beautiful as the first book and an amazing ending to a truly breathtaking story.
These are characters you will fall in love with and will make you cry and take your breath away in the most painful and exhilarating manner. This is one of those stories that is going to stay with you for a long time.
This is the conclusion to The Cursed Bonds duology and holy shit, what a ride this has been. Annika, Orm, and Ari, along with the dragon, Vahin, face so much in this book, but their love and bond with each other does not stray. This last part is full of betrayals and action and absolute heartbreak. It’s as beautiful as the first book and an amazing ending to a truly breathtaking story.
These are characters you will fall in love with and will make you cry and take your breath away in the most painful and exhilarating manner. This is one of those stories that is going to stay with you for a long time.
February 10, 2025
The biggest problem with duologies, is that sometimes, like in this instance, there is just not enough of it.
It was one of my most anticipated sequels of the year and didn't disappoint.
I really enjoyed the relationships in this book, mainly between the main characters, but also how we got to know more about the families and where they came from.
The action is ongoing and I wasn't bored for even a second during the story I reread Oath of Betrayal before starting this one and basically finished them both within two days.
One of the biggest upsides of this series are the footnotes about the creatures and the language that we get.
And while this part of their story was nicely tied up, I can't stop myself from wondering what their next adventure would have been.
It was one of my most anticipated sequels of the year and didn't disappoint.
I really enjoyed the relationships in this book, mainly between the main characters, but also how we got to know more about the families and where they came from.
The action is ongoing and I wasn't bored for even a second during the story I reread Oath of Betrayal before starting this one and basically finished them both within two days.
One of the biggest upsides of this series are the footnotes about the creatures and the language that we get.
And while this part of their story was nicely tied up, I can't stop myself from wondering what their next adventure would have been.
February 14, 2025
What an amazing conclusion to this duology! Again, the beautiful prose, wonderful characters, action and suspense had me hooked from the beginning! The way Olena tells a story is like having a vivid movie playing in your mind. There was so much emotion in these pages, and you just feel the love the MC's have for each other. I cannot recommend these books enough!
January 10, 2025
Loved this series ! , the series kept you entertained from the start plus the glossary and the little word descriptions throughout the book was great , sad that it’s over but also happy with how the duelogy has finished.
Dragons , mystical creatures , whychose romance , magic & strong FMCS & MMCS
Dragons , mystical creatures , whychose romance , magic & strong FMCS & MMCS
January 16, 2025
This book blew me away! I loved this whole story and all the characters. The journey the main characters took in this book, was perilous, exciting and wonderful all at the same time. The choices they are faced with are unexpected. The path that they choose to take, well, may not be what you with decide is the best choice. Definitely a great ride.
January 13, 2025
Oath of Betrayal left us wanting answers. Oath or War leaves us not wanting the Broken Bonds series to end.
Book 2 in the duology does not disappoint. Epic battles, a lesson in love (and war…) a tiny bit of hell hath no fury, and forget why choose…. The choice was made. Gorgeous artwork throughout and a dragon that I have more feelings for/about than should be normal for a written mythical creature.
Also, I appreciate the footnotes on the mythical creatures more than you know.
Book 2 in the duology does not disappoint. Epic battles, a lesson in love (and war…) a tiny bit of hell hath no fury, and forget why choose…. The choice was made. Gorgeous artwork throughout and a dragon that I have more feelings for/about than should be normal for a written mythical creature.
Also, I appreciate the footnotes on the mythical creatures more than you know.
March 16, 2025
I wish I could describe how much I adore this book but words would honestly fail me. My love for this duology is SOUL DEEP and I need everyone to pick up this book as soon as possible, because I need everyone to experience these books and fall in love with these characters like I have.
Oath of War (book 2) follows Annika as she navigates the threat of the Lich King with her lovers, Ormond and Alaric and their dragon, Vahin.
Ani herself is an absolute force to be reckoned (feared also) with. She’s fierce, powerful, sassy, full of rage and emotion but also SO funny, with magic just as unique as her.
Orm and Alaric are your VERY over protective, jealous and competitive MMC’s, they’re perfect in EVERY way. The banter and sass between them all, including Vahin, their old daddy dragon, had me GIGGLING.
This duology fully emerges you into an epic and beautifully built world. The fight scenes and battles were written so vividly and brilliantly that I felt I was actually in them as I reading along.
This book was full of deadly challenges and mind games, tricks and bargains, monster attacks and heart breaking betrayals with unexpected twists and turns that made the book quite literally impossible to put down.
Though this is a dark romantic fantasy, I LOVED that there is a major focus on the fantasy side rather than the plot mainly being romance/spice based, though the spicy scenes were expertly written and I loved them.
I loved that in this book Orm and Ari have the opportunity to develop their relationship without Ani too. Is gave their trio a whole new depth knowing that whilst they were both in love with Ani, the MMC’s were also in love with eachother too.
Don’t get me wrong, there were moments in this book that had me crying and gasping for breath and had me so emotionally unstable I had to pause, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I fell in love with every character and side character (Agnes and Ian I’m talking about you). Even the damn monsters and beasts. I adore everything about this duology and it won’t be one I forget about any time soon.
It’s safe to say I have about 80% of this book highlighted on my kindle. I basically loved every sentence. If that isn’t enough to convince you how incredible this duology is, I’m not sure what is.
These books are a MUST READ‼️
some tropes I think you’ll love:
🗡️ touch her & (literally) die (her mmcs don’t play)
🗡️ magic & banter
🗡️ reverse harem with MM, MFM
🗡️ dark fae, dragons, monsters
🗡️ unique take on bonded mates
🗡️ elemental magic
Some of my favourite quotes/moments:
“Please, show me the way to the kitchen before I start gnawing on Vahin's tail, I begged, causing both man and dragon to laugh.
'I see Orm is being neglectful. I will hunt something for you.
What game would you like, Little Flame?'”
“'Come, my lady. Let me care for you while this oaf undresses. Let's see how well his famous control holds with my hands on your body”
“While Orm is happiest by your side, I am happiest kneeling at your feet.”
“I don't duel— I kill. But for someone who insults my domina, I might make an exception. Perhaps I'll grant you a long, agonising existence instead.”
'Hrae! You overgrown, slow worm. There are two of us, you know,'
'One experience of your bathing antics was more than enough for this old dragon's mind.’
And one of my ultimate favourites:
“'Oh, but I do love her, Orm, he thought, unfolding his wings.
'Just because I can't be with her in the way you are, it doesn't make those feelings any less valid.'”
Oath of War (book 2) follows Annika as she navigates the threat of the Lich King with her lovers, Ormond and Alaric and their dragon, Vahin.
Ani herself is an absolute force to be reckoned (feared also) with. She’s fierce, powerful, sassy, full of rage and emotion but also SO funny, with magic just as unique as her.
Orm and Alaric are your VERY over protective, jealous and competitive MMC’s, they’re perfect in EVERY way. The banter and sass between them all, including Vahin, their old daddy dragon, had me GIGGLING.
This duology fully emerges you into an epic and beautifully built world. The fight scenes and battles were written so vividly and brilliantly that I felt I was actually in them as I reading along.
This book was full of deadly challenges and mind games, tricks and bargains, monster attacks and heart breaking betrayals with unexpected twists and turns that made the book quite literally impossible to put down.
Though this is a dark romantic fantasy, I LOVED that there is a major focus on the fantasy side rather than the plot mainly being romance/spice based, though the spicy scenes were expertly written and I loved them.
I loved that in this book Orm and Ari have the opportunity to develop their relationship without Ani too. Is gave their trio a whole new depth knowing that whilst they were both in love with Ani, the MMC’s were also in love with eachother too.
Don’t get me wrong, there were moments in this book that had me crying and gasping for breath and had me so emotionally unstable I had to pause, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I fell in love with every character and side character (Agnes and Ian I’m talking about you). Even the damn monsters and beasts. I adore everything about this duology and it won’t be one I forget about any time soon.
It’s safe to say I have about 80% of this book highlighted on my kindle. I basically loved every sentence. If that isn’t enough to convince you how incredible this duology is, I’m not sure what is.
These books are a MUST READ‼️
some tropes I think you’ll love:
🗡️ touch her & (literally) die (her mmcs don’t play)
🗡️ magic & banter
🗡️ reverse harem with MM, MFM
🗡️ dark fae, dragons, monsters
🗡️ unique take on bonded mates
🗡️ elemental magic
Some of my favourite quotes/moments:
“Please, show me the way to the kitchen before I start gnawing on Vahin's tail, I begged, causing both man and dragon to laugh.
'I see Orm is being neglectful. I will hunt something for you.
What game would you like, Little Flame?'”
“'Come, my lady. Let me care for you while this oaf undresses. Let's see how well his famous control holds with my hands on your body”
“While Orm is happiest by your side, I am happiest kneeling at your feet.”
“I don't duel— I kill. But for someone who insults my domina, I might make an exception. Perhaps I'll grant you a long, agonising existence instead.”
'Hrae! You overgrown, slow worm. There are two of us, you know,'
'One experience of your bathing antics was more than enough for this old dragon's mind.’
And one of my ultimate favourites:
“'Oh, but I do love her, Orm, he thought, unfolding his wings.
'Just because I can't be with her in the way you are, it doesn't make those feelings any less valid.'”
January 10, 2025
Can't wait for everyone to read this one!! 🫶
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
February 11, 2025
Epic conclusion
This book had me swooning, laughing, crying, and screaming.
The way all of these characters go through so much and come out better together is amazing. There is love, loss, and so many trials.
You get to learn more about Ari and the dark elves. We also see more of his family. The poor sweet necromancer goes through so much in this story. So much fear, uncertainty, and love is shown. We also see him confess his feelings to Orm.
As for the Lord Commander he must learn to accept the wild magic within himself. He also must deal with a lot of self doubt and fear. The war is happening and he doesn't know how to keep everyone safe.
We also get to learn some very interesting things about our sassy dragon. Discovering who Vahin really is and the lengths he will go to ensure his riders are safe is absolutely beautiful. This dragon is so very old but his love is so fierce.
Lastly we have our little peasant conduit mage. Annika goes through so much in this book. There were many times she almost broke but with the love of her men, her dragon, and her friends she finds a way. She also, has to deal with a very heavy dose of survivors guilt and this is portrayed so well. I laughed and cried so much with Ani. She is one of the strongest female characters I have seen. She doesn't even believe she is worth of living in book one and by the end her ties are so very strong and she is even stronger.
Also, I must give Reynard a shout out because this man is a planner. He saw what was happening in the land and knew he had to have a backup plan. I never expected what he had up his sleeve.
This was a fantastic ending to this duology. But I must say please please don't forget to grab the bonus wedding scene because that is so fantastic and gives so much more depth to this group.
This book had me swooning, laughing, crying, and screaming.
The way all of these characters go through so much and come out better together is amazing. There is love, loss, and so many trials.
You get to learn more about Ari and the dark elves. We also see more of his family. The poor sweet necromancer goes through so much in this story. So much fear, uncertainty, and love is shown. We also see him confess his feelings to Orm.
As for the Lord Commander he must learn to accept the wild magic within himself. He also must deal with a lot of self doubt and fear. The war is happening and he doesn't know how to keep everyone safe.
We also get to learn some very interesting things about our sassy dragon. Discovering who Vahin really is and the lengths he will go to ensure his riders are safe is absolutely beautiful. This dragon is so very old but his love is so fierce.
Lastly we have our little peasant conduit mage. Annika goes through so much in this book. There were many times she almost broke but with the love of her men, her dragon, and her friends she finds a way. She also, has to deal with a very heavy dose of survivors guilt and this is portrayed so well. I laughed and cried so much with Ani. She is one of the strongest female characters I have seen. She doesn't even believe she is worth of living in book one and by the end her ties are so very strong and she is even stronger.
Also, I must give Reynard a shout out because this man is a planner. He saw what was happening in the land and knew he had to have a backup plan. I never expected what he had up his sleeve.
This was a fantastic ending to this duology. But I must say please please don't forget to grab the bonus wedding scene because that is so fantastic and gives so much more depth to this group.
April 6, 2025
✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫
“𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦”
This world is dark and gritty, brimming with fae, mages, dragon riders, and monsters.
Tropes to expect:
💪🏻Strong FMC
💫Fantasy romance
✨Slavic mythology
🫂Forced proximity
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
🙌Why choose
🐉Fae, mages, dragons
🗺️Epic world building
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵.”
I loved the unique and precious bonds Annika forms with her males. What begins as tenuous alliances blossom into tender yet fortifying devotion between them. I would be remiss to not mention how much I adore the dragon in this book!
With an inspired blending of humor, heart-stopping action, and electrifying magic, Oath of War is a spellbinding conclusion to this dark fantasy why choose romance.
Huge thanks to the authors and MTMC Tours for the review copy opportunity. This is by honest and voluntary review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫
“𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦”
This world is dark and gritty, brimming with fae, mages, dragon riders, and monsters.
Tropes to expect:
💪🏻Strong FMC
💫Fantasy romance
✨Slavic mythology
🫂Forced proximity
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
🙌Why choose
🐉Fae, mages, dragons
🗺️Epic world building
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵.”
I loved the unique and precious bonds Annika forms with her males. What begins as tenuous alliances blossom into tender yet fortifying devotion between them. I would be remiss to not mention how much I adore the dragon in this book!
With an inspired blending of humor, heart-stopping action, and electrifying magic, Oath of War is a spellbinding conclusion to this dark fantasy why choose romance.
Huge thanks to the authors and MTMC Tours for the review copy opportunity. This is by honest and voluntary review.
March 17, 2025
This was such a great experience and way to end this duology. The writing was fast paced and captivating. Annika, our FMC, is such a strong and likable character. Her growing relationship with both Ormond and Alaric (and their relationship with each other) was done in a way that I really enjoyed. Not to mention, Vahin, who I adored as always (I’m a sucker for dragons obviously, but seriously when he calls her “little flame” 🥹💖). There were so many events in this book that tied the plot together so overall I really loved the storyline and following as the characters grappled with war, trials, death, and the destiny of the kingdom. Definitely give this duology a read!
Favorite Quote: 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝒽ℯ𝓃 𝒹𝓇𝒶ℊℴ𝓃𝓈 𝒻ℯ𝒶𝓇, 𝒹ℯ𝒶𝓉𝒽 𝒹𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ𝓈 ℴ𝓃 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒷ℴ𝓃ℯ𝓈 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓁𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃ℊ
Thank you MTMC Tours and the author for the review copy! ✨
Favorite Quote: 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝒽ℯ𝓃 𝒹𝓇𝒶ℊℴ𝓃𝓈 𝒻ℯ𝒶𝓇, 𝒹ℯ𝒶𝓉𝒽 𝒹𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ𝓈 ℴ𝓃 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒷ℴ𝓃ℯ𝓈 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓁𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃ℊ
Thank you MTMC Tours and the author for the review copy! ✨
March 5, 2025
Oath of war is the second and final book in the cursed bond duology, and it definitely did not disappoint!
Leaving off where the cliffhanger left us in path of betrayal, it took off running and never stopped.
So much action, intensity, emotion, love, rawness and growth, all in one. Each character develops beautifully, separately and as a whole.
The monsters are scary, the characters are fun, the story is amazing… must read!
Leaving off where the cliffhanger left us in path of betrayal, it took off running and never stopped.
So much action, intensity, emotion, love, rawness and growth, all in one. Each character develops beautifully, separately and as a whole.
The monsters are scary, the characters are fun, the story is amazing… must read!
January 28, 2025
A fantastic ending to an epic journey! This series is an incredible read. The world building is so rich and the characters are well written and easy to fall for. This series will go on the reread list for the future.
February 16, 2025
So sad this has ended , totally love the world building and character growth. Had so many emotions reading this
December 14, 2025
DNF- super powerful main character kept getting kidnapped and it got a little old.
February 14, 2025
"We have to endure because if the strongest refuse, the weakest will break." - Oath of War
The second and final book in the Broken Bonds series does NOT disappoint! Have this one ready as soon as you finish the first one. The action begins immediately and continues to hold your attention throughout the book. I love how the author is able to present an array of emotions and personal growth for the characters throughout the two books. Grieving, love, and loss are not shied away from and create a painfully beautiful balance to the action and betrayal.
This is a fast-passed book with spice to the 3rd! If you are not a fan of spice (and I mean SPICE) then there a couple chapters that you will probably overpass but the book is still completely worth it. Read & Enjoy!
The second and final book in the Broken Bonds series does NOT disappoint! Have this one ready as soon as you finish the first one. The action begins immediately and continues to hold your attention throughout the book. I love how the author is able to present an array of emotions and personal growth for the characters throughout the two books. Grieving, love, and loss are not shied away from and create a painfully beautiful balance to the action and betrayal.
This is a fast-passed book with spice to the 3rd! If you are not a fan of spice (and I mean SPICE) then there a couple chapters that you will probably overpass but the book is still completely worth it. Read & Enjoy!
February 16, 2025
Oath of War was a satisfying end to our Cursed Bonds duology. This book concluded with the perfect amount of amazing content. It was not drug out and every page had me engaged.
If you are a spicy romantasy girl or guy, this duology is a must!
We have magic, dragons, curses, bonds, trials, politics, romance, and war. War and politics can be sometimes difficult for me to follow or read but this was written in an easy and engaging manner.
It is a why choose romance with two very different but lovable men that makes you happy it was why choose. Usually I favor one over the other, but it was done beautifully where we know why our FMC wouldn’t choose and were thankful she didn’t. The spice was fun!
I’m so thankful to have been chosen for an ARC reader. I love this author’s writing style and will be checking out more from her!
If you are a spicy romantasy girl or guy, this duology is a must!
We have magic, dragons, curses, bonds, trials, politics, romance, and war. War and politics can be sometimes difficult for me to follow or read but this was written in an easy and engaging manner.
It is a why choose romance with two very different but lovable men that makes you happy it was why choose. Usually I favor one over the other, but it was done beautifully where we know why our FMC wouldn’t choose and were thankful she didn’t. The spice was fun!
I’m so thankful to have been chosen for an ARC reader. I love this author’s writing style and will be checking out more from her!
February 9, 2025
I absolutely loved this series!
I was absolutely drawn in with the beautiful world building and the plot with its twists and turns and magic what more could you want?
This has got to be one of the best series I have ever read!
Absolutely obsessed this was incredible you won't regret it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Booksirens! All opinions are of my own.
I was absolutely drawn in with the beautiful world building and the plot with its twists and turns and magic what more could you want?
This has got to be one of the best series I have ever read!
Absolutely obsessed this was incredible you won't regret it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Booksirens! All opinions are of my own.
February 17, 2025
Picking up immediately after the shocking twist in Oath of Betrayal, this finale hits the ground running and doesn’t stop. With the threat of the Lich King growing every day, it’s up to Annika, Ari, and Orm to fight against the rising evil.
One thing that I immediately appreciated about Oath of War was that Alaric and Orm got the chance to explore their own relationship. It’s near the end of the first book that Alaric admits his attraction, yet Orm is seemingly confused. I’m glad they had the chance to have such a touching moment of character development that then makes their bonding to Annika even stronger.
Annika is a force to be reckoned with! She’s full of rage and pain that she channels into her magic. This is her as the Battle mage. But there’s also so much emotion as she experiences the theatre of war.
Some fantasy books I’ve read only focus on the major battle for a moment. Over a third of Oath of War are the actual battle scenes which are written brilliantly, vividly coming to life. There were plenty of surprising moments as Annika, Ari and Orm try to defeat the Lich King. It almost felt like the triumphant final skirmish in a D&D campaign.
If you want to try reverse harem with a major focus on the fantasy world then this duet should be on your TBR!
✨Thank you to Olena Nikitin for providing an ARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own ✨
One thing that I immediately appreciated about Oath of War was that Alaric and Orm got the chance to explore their own relationship. It’s near the end of the first book that Alaric admits his attraction, yet Orm is seemingly confused. I’m glad they had the chance to have such a touching moment of character development that then makes their bonding to Annika even stronger.
Annika is a force to be reckoned with! She’s full of rage and pain that she channels into her magic. This is her as the Battle mage. But there’s also so much emotion as she experiences the theatre of war.
Some fantasy books I’ve read only focus on the major battle for a moment. Over a third of Oath of War are the actual battle scenes which are written brilliantly, vividly coming to life. There were plenty of surprising moments as Annika, Ari and Orm try to defeat the Lich King. It almost felt like the triumphant final skirmish in a D&D campaign.
If you want to try reverse harem with a major focus on the fantasy world then this duet should be on your TBR!
✨Thank you to Olena Nikitin for providing an ARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own ✨
January 25, 2025
An Advanced Review Copy was provided by the published in exchange for a review.
Title: Oath of WarAuthor: Olena Nikitin
Summary:
Oath of War is the second installment in Olena Nikitin's "The Broken Bonds" series, following the events of Oath of Betrayal. This novel dives deeper into the intricate world of Slavic-inspired dark fantasy, blending epic storytelling with elements of romance and political intrigue. The story continues to follow Annika, a mage whose power is both her greatest asset and her heaviest burden. After the dramatic conclusion of the first book, Annika finds herself at the center of a brewing war, her magic bound to a dragon and her heart torn between two men: the dark fae necromancer Alden and the Lord Commander of the Dragon Riders, Vahin. As alliances shift and betrayals loom, Annika must navigate through a world on the brink of collapse, where her decisions could either save or doom the kingdom.
Main Characters:
Annika: A conduit mage whose magical abilities are tied to her emotional state, particularly her connections with others. She struggles with her past loss and her current responsibilities.
Vahin: The Lord Commander of the Dragon Riders, a strategic and charismatic leader whose bond with Annika through the dragon complicates their relationship.
Alden: A dark fae necromancer with a mysterious past, offering Annika power but at a potential cost to her soul.
Katja: An herbalist and confidant to Annika, providing wisdom and comic relief in dire times.
Bryna: A half-orc blacksmith with a bold personality, adding depth to the narrative with her unique perspective and strength.
Ian: An ex-dragon rider now barkeeper, whose insights into the magic system and life add layers to the story.
Significant Passages:
"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." - This quote from Alden to Annika highlights his deep, albeit complicated, attachment, illustrating the theme of sacrifice and dark romance.
"Sheer panic choked me as I fought the mind-numbing spell, but in the end, I lost ... And everything went black." - Annika's struggle with her magic and control reflects her internal battle and the external threats she faces.
"My dragoness with broken wings ... there was no light in her eyes—and I was the man who had crushed her soul." - Vahin's introspection shows his guilt and the burden of leadership, adding emotional depth to his character.
"If I wanted a man to tell me what to do, I'd take a husband." - Annika's assertion of independence underlines her character's strength and the feminist undertones of the narrative.
"One day I will take you to the stars if you'd like ... whatever you need to tell them will be heard by the gods themselves." - A romantic and hopeful promise from Alden, suggesting a complex relationship that transcends mere physical attraction.
Ratings Breakdown (out of 5):
Plot: 4.5 - The plot is dense with twists and turns, maintaining the high stakes and epic feel of the fantasy genre while advancing character arcs.
Characters: 4 - Characters are well-developed with clear motivations and growth, though some could benefit from deeper exploration.
World-Building: 5 - Nikitin's world is richly detailed, drawing from Slavic mythology to create a unique backdrop that feels both familiar and fresh.
Writing Style: 4 - The narrative style effectively conveys emotion and action, though some might find the pacing uneven at times.
Romance: 4.5 - The romance is complex, with a slow-burn tension that adds to the story's allure, though it might not satisfy those looking for instant gratification in romantic plots.
Magic System: 5 - The magic system is intricate, logical, and deeply integrated into the plot, offering both wonder and rules.
Overall Rating: 4.5
Conclusion:
Oath of War by Olena Nikitin is a compelling continuation of a promising series that blends the darkness of high fantasy with the heat of romantic tension. The novel excels in its world-building and the depth of its magic system, providing readers with a satisfyingly immersive experience. While the pacing might occasionally falter under the weight of its expansive narrative, the character development and the emotional stakes more than compensate. Fans of fantasy who enjoy stories with strong, conflicted characters, detailed mythology, and a touch of romance will find much to love here. The book sets up numerous plot threads for subsequent volumes, leaving readers both satisfied by its rich storytelling and eager for the next chapter in this saga. If you're seeking a fantasy series that marries epic scope with intimate character studies, Oath of War is a must-read.
Title: Oath of WarAuthor: Olena Nikitin
Summary:
Oath of War is the second installment in Olena Nikitin's "The Broken Bonds" series, following the events of Oath of Betrayal. This novel dives deeper into the intricate world of Slavic-inspired dark fantasy, blending epic storytelling with elements of romance and political intrigue. The story continues to follow Annika, a mage whose power is both her greatest asset and her heaviest burden. After the dramatic conclusion of the first book, Annika finds herself at the center of a brewing war, her magic bound to a dragon and her heart torn between two men: the dark fae necromancer Alden and the Lord Commander of the Dragon Riders, Vahin. As alliances shift and betrayals loom, Annika must navigate through a world on the brink of collapse, where her decisions could either save or doom the kingdom.
Main Characters:
Annika: A conduit mage whose magical abilities are tied to her emotional state, particularly her connections with others. She struggles with her past loss and her current responsibilities.
Vahin: The Lord Commander of the Dragon Riders, a strategic and charismatic leader whose bond with Annika through the dragon complicates their relationship.
Alden: A dark fae necromancer with a mysterious past, offering Annika power but at a potential cost to her soul.
Katja: An herbalist and confidant to Annika, providing wisdom and comic relief in dire times.
Bryna: A half-orc blacksmith with a bold personality, adding depth to the narrative with her unique perspective and strength.
Ian: An ex-dragon rider now barkeeper, whose insights into the magic system and life add layers to the story.
Significant Passages:
"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." - This quote from Alden to Annika highlights his deep, albeit complicated, attachment, illustrating the theme of sacrifice and dark romance.
"Sheer panic choked me as I fought the mind-numbing spell, but in the end, I lost ... And everything went black." - Annika's struggle with her magic and control reflects her internal battle and the external threats she faces.
"My dragoness with broken wings ... there was no light in her eyes—and I was the man who had crushed her soul." - Vahin's introspection shows his guilt and the burden of leadership, adding emotional depth to his character.
"If I wanted a man to tell me what to do, I'd take a husband." - Annika's assertion of independence underlines her character's strength and the feminist undertones of the narrative.
"One day I will take you to the stars if you'd like ... whatever you need to tell them will be heard by the gods themselves." - A romantic and hopeful promise from Alden, suggesting a complex relationship that transcends mere physical attraction.
Ratings Breakdown (out of 5):
Plot: 4.5 - The plot is dense with twists and turns, maintaining the high stakes and epic feel of the fantasy genre while advancing character arcs.
Characters: 4 - Characters are well-developed with clear motivations and growth, though some could benefit from deeper exploration.
World-Building: 5 - Nikitin's world is richly detailed, drawing from Slavic mythology to create a unique backdrop that feels both familiar and fresh.
Writing Style: 4 - The narrative style effectively conveys emotion and action, though some might find the pacing uneven at times.
Romance: 4.5 - The romance is complex, with a slow-burn tension that adds to the story's allure, though it might not satisfy those looking for instant gratification in romantic plots.
Magic System: 5 - The magic system is intricate, logical, and deeply integrated into the plot, offering both wonder and rules.
Overall Rating: 4.5
Conclusion:
Oath of War by Olena Nikitin is a compelling continuation of a promising series that blends the darkness of high fantasy with the heat of romantic tension. The novel excels in its world-building and the depth of its magic system, providing readers with a satisfyingly immersive experience. While the pacing might occasionally falter under the weight of its expansive narrative, the character development and the emotional stakes more than compensate. Fans of fantasy who enjoy stories with strong, conflicted characters, detailed mythology, and a touch of romance will find much to love here. The book sets up numerous plot threads for subsequent volumes, leaving readers both satisfied by its rich storytelling and eager for the next chapter in this saga. If you're seeking a fantasy series that marries epic scope with intimate character studies, Oath of War is a must-read.
March 4, 2025
Wow. Just wow. "Leave them wanting more" they say.. This definitely left me wanting more. I didn't want it to end! I want to stay in this world with these characters forever.. I am so devastatingly heartbroken that this is the end (for now?). Although, if it MUST end, I do think it was beautifully done, especially after reading the Royal Wedding short story. Although, it only prolonged the slump a liiiiittle longer! I just want to say, I have never been on the verge of tears consistently more than I have in this world and with these incredibly written characters.
This book is such a great example to me of why I LIVE for high fantasy. The world-building and complex magic isn't thrown in your face, yet the elements at play (dragons, necromancers, mages, monsters, etc) are strongly written and highly shape the story. This series also made me realize how much I am obsessed with reverse harems, but don't tell anyone that part..
On another note, getting to see Orm and Ari explore their bond was such a beautifully added aspect of this story. I was happy for them and found myself rooting for them in the end, and when Orm recognized Ari as a leader alongside them, his reaction brought me to tears.. My heart felt so full and warm.
It was nice to see each character come into their own in this novel, Ani was able to act as more of a leader, Orm was able to show a softer side and some vulnerability, and Ari coming out of his shell and gaining some confidence and strength. I was so pleasantly pleased to see each characters growth and development and how they all fit and grew so well together (no pun intended)
As much as I can go on and on about the primary characters, I also really loved Valaram. Although at first I was a little wary (I didn't want him messing up the dynamic of the group, and 4 lovers miiiight be a little bit overkill for me personally..) I grew to really feel for him and respect him in the end. He really was such a well-developed and well-rounded secondary character.
Ani's bonds with each of the men (and dragon) is so beautiful and intricate. Before reading this type of why choose/reverse harem I thought there would be one main relationship and then some other smaller ones but you can tell the depths of which her heart beats for all three men and the lengths she goes to defend, protect, and empower each of them. She is simply powered and driven by their love. You can really see the eternal love they all share and the unbreakable bond they've developed as a family and it is absolutely beautiful and earth-shattering.
As much as I am broken that this story is over, I truly believe this was the ending they deserved and I wouldn't change a thing about it. Oath of Betrayal easily became my top 3 books after reading but after reading this second part of the duology, the series itself has easily become one of my top Epic Romantasy series' of all time.
Anyone interested in high-fantasy, why choose, beautifully written, magical worlds (with dragons of course) MUST read this ASAP. I will also add, whether you are into the black cat type or the golden retriever, there is someone in here for everyone..
Thank you to Olena for trusting me with this series and allowing me the absolute privilege of reading these in exchange for an honest and heartfelt review <3
This book is such a great example to me of why I LIVE for high fantasy. The world-building and complex magic isn't thrown in your face, yet the elements at play (dragons, necromancers, mages, monsters, etc) are strongly written and highly shape the story. This series also made me realize how much I am obsessed with reverse harems, but don't tell anyone that part..
On another note, getting to see Orm and Ari explore their bond was such a beautifully added aspect of this story. I was happy for them and found myself rooting for them in the end, and when Orm recognized Ari as a leader alongside them, his reaction brought me to tears.. My heart felt so full and warm.
It was nice to see each character come into their own in this novel, Ani was able to act as more of a leader, Orm was able to show a softer side and some vulnerability, and Ari coming out of his shell and gaining some confidence and strength. I was so pleasantly pleased to see each characters growth and development and how they all fit and grew so well together (no pun intended)
As much as I can go on and on about the primary characters, I also really loved Valaram. Although at first I was a little wary (I didn't want him messing up the dynamic of the group, and 4 lovers miiiight be a little bit overkill for me personally..) I grew to really feel for him and respect him in the end. He really was such a well-developed and well-rounded secondary character.
Ani's bonds with each of the men (and dragon) is so beautiful and intricate. Before reading this type of why choose/reverse harem I thought there would be one main relationship and then some other smaller ones but you can tell the depths of which her heart beats for all three men and the lengths she goes to defend, protect, and empower each of them. She is simply powered and driven by their love. You can really see the eternal love they all share and the unbreakable bond they've developed as a family and it is absolutely beautiful and earth-shattering.
As much as I am broken that this story is over, I truly believe this was the ending they deserved and I wouldn't change a thing about it. Oath of Betrayal easily became my top 3 books after reading but after reading this second part of the duology, the series itself has easily become one of my top Epic Romantasy series' of all time.
Anyone interested in high-fantasy, why choose, beautifully written, magical worlds (with dragons of course) MUST read this ASAP. I will also add, whether you are into the black cat type or the golden retriever, there is someone in here for everyone..
Thank you to Olena for trusting me with this series and allowing me the absolute privilege of reading these in exchange for an honest and heartfelt review <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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