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The Dark Band
What happens when you’re betrayed by your people…
Weeks before her 23rd birthday and what should have been her ensuing wedding, Liviana Peat is wrongfully accused of treacherous crimes against men in her conservative community of Heimoor and is sentenced to death. When a mysterious stranger intervenes and offers to buy her from her father and the town instead, he spares her life but condemns her to exile from the only home she’s ever known. Still reeling from her trauma, the mysterious stranger introduces her to his traveling companions, collectively known as The Dark Band. She has no choice but to travel with this group of men on the next phases of their journey.
…and banished from the only life you’ve ever known?
But Liviana is keeping a secret, one that she feels might hold more danger for her if the men find out. As they continue on, Liviana begins to heal and grows closer to the men with each passing day, but darker forces and magical mysteries are at there is a violent death in the woods and dark myths are whispered to be wandering about. When Liviana and the Dark Band stumble upon something straight out of folklore, they will do whatever they can to survive.
And forced to face the darkness…within and without?
Weeks before her 23rd birthday and what should have been her ensuing wedding, Liviana Peat is wrongfully accused of treacherous crimes against men in her conservative community of Heimoor and is sentenced to death. When a mysterious stranger intervenes and offers to buy her from her father and the town instead, he spares her life but condemns her to exile from the only home she’s ever known. Still reeling from her trauma, the mysterious stranger introduces her to his traveling companions, collectively known as The Dark Band. She has no choice but to travel with this group of men on the next phases of their journey.
…and banished from the only life you’ve ever known?
But Liviana is keeping a secret, one that she feels might hold more danger for her if the men find out. As they continue on, Liviana begins to heal and grows closer to the men with each passing day, but darker forces and magical mysteries are at there is a violent death in the woods and dark myths are whispered to be wandering about. When Liviana and the Dark Band stumble upon something straight out of folklore, they will do whatever they can to survive.
And forced to face the darkness…within and without?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2025
7 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 14, 2025
More like a 4.5, but only due to the writing being not yet as fully polished as a more experienced writer with the benefit of many ARC readers to help out. I thoroughly enjoyed this. The story is well imagined and engaging. The main characters are interesting and likable, the band a type of found family, one of my favorite tropes. The magic is of the small magic sort, which I also enjoy. I look forward to reading the next book to learn what happens next!
May 22, 2025
Fantastic start to the series!
This book had me hooked from the very beginning, I loved how it kept me intrigued the whole way through. The FMC grew up in a male-dominated society where she had no voice, and watching her journey as she begins to reclaim her power was incredibly satisfying. Her growth throughout the book is one of my favorite aspects, and I can’t wait to see how she continues to find her voice and purpose in the larger story.
I haven’t fully connected with her companions yet, but I have a feeling that will change in the next books.
It’s hard to talk about the plot without spoiling anything, but just know: this is a rich magical world, filled with legends, secrets, and dark forces lurking in the shadows. Definitely worth the read!
Tropes:
❤️Found family
❤️Dark past/secret identity
❤️Training montage
❤️Magic is feared/illegal
*Title provided by NetGalley, all opinions are my own
This book had me hooked from the very beginning, I loved how it kept me intrigued the whole way through. The FMC grew up in a male-dominated society where she had no voice, and watching her journey as she begins to reclaim her power was incredibly satisfying. Her growth throughout the book is one of my favorite aspects, and I can’t wait to see how she continues to find her voice and purpose in the larger story.
I haven’t fully connected with her companions yet, but I have a feeling that will change in the next books.
It’s hard to talk about the plot without spoiling anything, but just know: this is a rich magical world, filled with legends, secrets, and dark forces lurking in the shadows. Definitely worth the read!
Tropes:
❤️Found family
❤️Dark past/secret identity
❤️Training montage
❤️Magic is feared/illegal
*Title provided by NetGalley, all opinions are my own
February 19, 2025
Step into adventure and a bond of friendship with these characters! I loved the loyalty of the Dark Band and the ties that bind them together. Secrets, magic, and possible betrayal leave you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. Rachel has created a story you won’t want to put down! Looking forward to the next book!
May 23, 2025
I've read The Dark Band by Rachel Oslin Bradford.
An adventurous fantasy, careful written, easy to understand and for everyone available.
The story is about a girl Liviana, who lives in a little town called Heimoor, where women are nothing, men are everything. She is turning 23 and is soon to be wed to a guy with high standing. But it's not to his standards so he and his friends will try to assault her. She fights back, and that's the reason she will be called for treason with death as her punishment... but...
Mayes, a merchant, will buy her off and Liviana will be accepted with him and his friends. They are called The Black Band. Together they will go on an adventure.
I think it's a nice story, a perfect relaxing storyline.
I definitely will read the sequel! For me it's a 3,5-4 star read.
Also a special thank you to Netgalley znd the author for giving me this arc for an honest review.
An adventurous fantasy, careful written, easy to understand and for everyone available.
The story is about a girl Liviana, who lives in a little town called Heimoor, where women are nothing, men are everything. She is turning 23 and is soon to be wed to a guy with high standing. But it's not to his standards so he and his friends will try to assault her. She fights back, and that's the reason she will be called for treason with death as her punishment... but...
Mayes, a merchant, will buy her off and Liviana will be accepted with him and his friends. They are called The Black Band. Together they will go on an adventure.
I think it's a nice story, a perfect relaxing storyline.
I definitely will read the sequel! For me it's a 3,5-4 star read.
Also a special thank you to Netgalley znd the author for giving me this arc for an honest review.
August 16, 2025
I really loved the characters in this book. Normally, I struggle to keep track of who’s who, but this time I never had that problem. Each character was distinct and memorable in a way that stuck with me.
I’ll admit, I often find fantasy overwhelming. Too often the worldbuilding becomes so dense that I get lost in names, places, and groups. If I need to build a whodunit wall and channel my inner Charles-Haden Savage just to keep up, I’m going to be miserable. But this book was different. It struck the perfect balance of being fun, exciting, and immersive without ever burying me in details. And for that, I say thank you.
I’m genuinely excited to dive into the next installment and see where this author’s imagination goes next.
I’ll admit, I often find fantasy overwhelming. Too often the worldbuilding becomes so dense that I get lost in names, places, and groups. If I need to build a whodunit wall and channel my inner Charles-Haden Savage just to keep up, I’m going to be miserable. But this book was different. It struck the perfect balance of being fun, exciting, and immersive without ever burying me in details. And for that, I say thank you.
I’m genuinely excited to dive into the next installment and see where this author’s imagination goes next.
January 1, 2026
Fabulous
What a wonderful intriguing story. Characters fully developed and story line flows smoothly. Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. I finished it in four hours. Unlike any other book that I have read.
What a wonderful intriguing story. Characters fully developed and story line flows smoothly. Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. I finished it in four hours. Unlike any other book that I have read.
April 27, 2025
This was a great debut novel! I loved the story and characters. I am excited to see more in book 2!
June 18, 2025
2.5 stars.
Dnfed at 57%
Great prose and loveable characters but pacing was rushed and the structure needed adjusting. Lots of potential, it just needed more work.
Dnfed at 57%
Great prose and loveable characters but pacing was rushed and the structure needed adjusting. Lots of potential, it just needed more work.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews