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Oaths, Blood & Coin #1
Oaths: A Progression Fantasy Epic
An action-packed new Progression Fantasy Adventure from J.M. Clarke, the bestselling author of Mark of the Fool.
Challenge the world. Take it for all it's worth.
Betrayed and left with a life-crushing debt by a treacherous business partner, Wurhi is left with little choice — break into a palace haunted by sorcery and plunder it's mysterious riches for all they're worth.
Wurhi has the lock picking and burglary down as an experienced Rogue, but it'll take more than that to survive. Wits, speed, and a tumultuous partnership with a penniless, hellfire-wielding, demon-slayer named Kyembe the Spirit Killer.
From burning desert city-states, to ogre-infested forests and haunted mountains, Wurhi and Kyembe will face a world of tyrants, monstrous cultists, power-mad merchant princes, and ambitious wizards to win an ever growing pile of treasure.
Wealth beyond wildest dreams awaits.
…and woe to any enemy that stands in the way, as long as they can find a way to work together, that is...
Don't miss the next action-packed Progression Fantasy series from J.M. Clarke, bestselling author of Mark of the Fool and Rune Seeker. It's perfect for fans of Unbound, Wraithblade, Rage of Dragons, and The Witcher!
Challenge the world. Take it for all it's worth.
Betrayed and left with a life-crushing debt by a treacherous business partner, Wurhi is left with little choice — break into a palace haunted by sorcery and plunder it's mysterious riches for all they're worth.
Wurhi has the lock picking and burglary down as an experienced Rogue, but it'll take more than that to survive. Wits, speed, and a tumultuous partnership with a penniless, hellfire-wielding, demon-slayer named Kyembe the Spirit Killer.
From burning desert city-states, to ogre-infested forests and haunted mountains, Wurhi and Kyembe will face a world of tyrants, monstrous cultists, power-mad merchant princes, and ambitious wizards to win an ever growing pile of treasure.
Wealth beyond wildest dreams awaits.
…and woe to any enemy that stands in the way, as long as they can find a way to work together, that is...
Don't miss the next action-packed Progression Fantasy series from J.M. Clarke, bestselling author of Mark of the Fool and Rune Seeker. It's perfect for fans of Unbound, Wraithblade, Rage of Dragons, and The Witcher!
- GenresFantasy
616 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2025
394 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 12, 2026
Not great, not terrible. I probably won't read any more in the series, mainly because I didn't connect with or care about any of the characters. But that's not why I'm reviewing it.
Why is this literally called "A Progression Fantasy Epic?" Unless I'm just dumb, I figured it would either be straight up litrpg where there are visible levels and skill increases, or something like Cradle where there were noticeable milestones that the characters "progressed" through in order to become stronger. Am I taking crazy pills with those expectations?
Nothing like that happened at all in this book. In fact, two of the three main characters were vastly overpowered (and kinda boring) already. If they "progress" any further, they will be fighting gods soon after.
This is way more in the line of what I would call classic fantasy, reminiscent of Conan, Fafhrd and The Grey Mouser, Elric, etc. (just not as life-altering as those books were). In fact, I feel fairly certain F&GM are influences on the author. There is nothing wrong with being that style, it was popular for a reason.
So where is the progression fantasy part of this novel?
Why is this literally called "A Progression Fantasy Epic?" Unless I'm just dumb, I figured it would either be straight up litrpg where there are visible levels and skill increases, or something like Cradle where there were noticeable milestones that the characters "progressed" through in order to become stronger. Am I taking crazy pills with those expectations?
Nothing like that happened at all in this book. In fact, two of the three main characters were vastly overpowered (and kinda boring) already. If they "progress" any further, they will be fighting gods soon after.
This is way more in the line of what I would call classic fantasy, reminiscent of Conan, Fafhrd and The Grey Mouser, Elric, etc. (just not as life-altering as those books were). In fact, I feel fairly certain F&GM are influences on the author. There is nothing wrong with being that style, it was popular for a reason.
So where is the progression fantasy part of this novel?
January 1, 2026
focus on who
I couldn’t connect with this book. Who are the main characters? Does this story have main characters? It opens not focused on a main character and continues off and on in like manner. To make matters worse, the author often refers to characters not by name but by some made up nationality I have no knowledge of to which I have even less of a connection to. Many times I had no idea who the book was referring to. Plus, the annoying rat character’s best and most helpful ability was to uselessly curse and swear over and over. I kept hoping they would die and I would have some peace. I did not enjoy the author’s disconnected style. The book was of a good and proper length and the action and adventure was also good.
I couldn’t connect with this book. Who are the main characters? Does this story have main characters? It opens not focused on a main character and continues off and on in like manner. To make matters worse, the author often refers to characters not by name but by some made up nationality I have no knowledge of to which I have even less of a connection to. Many times I had no idea who the book was referring to. Plus, the annoying rat character’s best and most helpful ability was to uselessly curse and swear over and over. I kept hoping they would die and I would have some peace. I did not enjoy the author’s disconnected style. The book was of a good and proper length and the action and adventure was also good.
May 6, 2026
DNF 75%. I was looking for an excuse to drop it.
I don't think Clarke, or perhaps his editor, put as much effort into this as they did for the "Fool" series. What turned out to be two back-to-back novellas failed to develop any truly interesting central characters. Each of them were paper thin.
The world-building and magic system seemed okay, if loosely defined, and the action was plentiful and well paced. I just couldn't generated the necessary enthusiasm. This wasn't helped by the lack-lustre prose. E.g. "She remained still like a small animal, listening." [Start rant] When a simile only makes sense by using the context of the preceding, supposedly redundant, verb, e.g. "still", then it is a failure. What are the prime attributes of small animals? Is stillness even on the list? Contrast that with Doyles' "His mind was like a vast spider’s web, quivering at every touch." [End rant]
I don't think Clarke, or perhaps his editor, put as much effort into this as they did for the "Fool" series. What turned out to be two back-to-back novellas failed to develop any truly interesting central characters. Each of them were paper thin.
The world-building and magic system seemed okay, if loosely defined, and the action was plentiful and well paced. I just couldn't generated the necessary enthusiasm. This wasn't helped by the lack-lustre prose. E.g. "She remained still like a small animal, listening." [Start rant] When a simile only makes sense by using the context of the preceding, supposedly redundant, verb, e.g. "still", then it is a failure. What are the prime attributes of small animals? Is stillness even on the list? Contrast that with Doyles' "His mind was like a vast spider’s web, quivering at every touch." [End rant]
December 13, 2025
Well this is a book. There are characters, they're doing things, there's a path...I just couldn't finish it. I love the author's Mark of the Fool which is full of great characters and a fun progression series. This book... had none of that. I don't particularly care for either of the main characters, the situations happened and adventures went on just were a bore to me. I was just tired of not enjoying the book about 2/3rds the way through and stopped. I dunno, I wasn't expecting much and barely read the blurb, I just like the author, but I didn't find anything to like in this story.
January 25, 2026
Good writing but more of a collection than an epic
The author writes well -- I learned at least 2 new words from this book. The editors are also top notch as I only found d a couple of errors. As for the book and characters, I enjoyed the other series by J.M.Clarke better. The characters here are a little stilted, and not natural in their dialogue at all. However, I still enjoyed it but it took twice as long to read as it should have.
The author writes well -- I learned at least 2 new words from this book. The editors are also top notch as I only found d a couple of errors. As for the book and characters, I enjoyed the other series by J.M.Clarke better. The characters here are a little stilted, and not natural in their dialogue at all. However, I still enjoyed it but it took twice as long to read as it should have.
May 5, 2026
I really liked "Mark of the Fool" and "Rune Seeker", but this one, not so much. I don't know why, it may be the narrator (yes I listened to the audio), or it may be the "Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser" feel of the book. I read those when I was much younger, and while they were good, after forty years I'm still not sure I'd read them again. So, it's all on me - not the author. I'll continue to read and enjoy his stories.
September 28, 2025
A modern Sword and Sorcery Adventure
Harkens back to the old Sword and Sorcery adventures. Like reading a Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser book. I’m hoping the future books follow more of a long form format vs the shorter stories at the beginning of the book, even if short form is more in line with the Sword and Sorcery genre.
Harkens back to the old Sword and Sorcery adventures. Like reading a Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser book. I’m hoping the future books follow more of a long form format vs the shorter stories at the beginning of the book, even if short form is more in line with the Sword and Sorcery genre.
September 29, 2025
Fun read! The short story format did a good job for character development. Wurhi and Kyembe were both fascinating and deep characters. Since I listened to the book I did struggle initially to not hear a Stone Eater and Herdazian speaking. That is one downfall of getting a bigger narrator. Fun story telling.
October 4, 2025
World building that reminded me of Scott Lynch
An incredible book, I recommend you do not miss this one. While it started a bit slow for my tastes, the characters were unforgettable, the world building immersive, and the story was extremely satisfying. Again, do not miss this one!!
An incredible book, I recommend you do not miss this one. While it started a bit slow for my tastes, the characters were unforgettable, the world building immersive, and the story was extremely satisfying. Again, do not miss this one!!
March 21, 2026
Thieves, knights and shapeshifters!
Great adventure story. Fast paced and wildly creative!! Who knew that a small woman who can shapeshift into a rat could become a hero with magic-welding swordsmen as teammates? Killing demons and "rescuing" valuables are just the beginning. Couldn't put it down and can't wait for the next book.
Great adventure story. Fast paced and wildly creative!! Who knew that a small woman who can shapeshift into a rat could become a hero with magic-welding swordsmen as teammates? Killing demons and "rescuing" valuables are just the beginning. Couldn't put it down and can't wait for the next book.
September 28, 2025
I think writing Conan is like doing Kermit the Frog, in that the originals make it look so effortless that everyone thinks they can do it. I haven't seen anyone actually manage it, though. The flowery language can't hide how joyless this is. Maybe they'll get better as they settle in?
October 4, 2025
A series of short stories. They each have strengths (interesting characters) and weaknesses (not enough time to fully build up a storyline).
The third story is the strongest, it is also the longest so able to fully develop into an effective hook but that’s not enough for me to continue on.
The third story is the strongest, it is also the longest so able to fully develop into an effective hook but that’s not enough for me to continue on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2025
A Rush!!!!
From one breath to the next this was an adventure. The depth of the characters, the vastness of the world, melded together seamlessly to transport you into a world of giants, Gods and shifters. Absolutely breathtaking and quite hilarious!
From one breath to the next this was an adventure. The depth of the characters, the vastness of the world, melded together seamlessly to transport you into a world of giants, Gods and shifters. Absolutely breathtaking and quite hilarious!
October 21, 2025
It's good read it
Great book by the Mark of the Fool author involving some side characters from that series. Read it if you liked that, but read it even if you never read that series, this is worth it on its own.
Great book by the Mark of the Fool author involving some side characters from that series. Read it if you liked that, but read it even if you never read that series, this is worth it on its own.
January 13, 2026
Fun read
I've been reading LitRphs, and took a break with this series. Glad I did, it was a fun read. The fights were epic, good plot, and the characters were unique. Truly a fun read!
I've been reading LitRphs, and took a break with this series. Glad I did, it was a fun read. The fights were epic, good plot, and the characters were unique. Truly a fun read!
September 25, 2025
Great!
Thank you for another great read . Looking forward to more adventures through your work in this fresh series .
Thank you for another great read . Looking forward to more adventures through your work in this fresh series .
October 2, 2025
A Satisfying Fantastic Roguish Adventure
A great read, plenty of action and adventure in a rich fantasy setting following an unlikely pair of roguish comrades.
A great read, plenty of action and adventure in a rich fantasy setting following an unlikely pair of roguish comrades.
November 1, 2025
Great Read
I throughly enjoyed this book. It had a good story line and kept me interested throughout the entire story. I recommend reading this book.
I throughly enjoyed this book. It had a good story line and kept me interested throughout the entire story. I recommend reading this book.
December 28, 2025
Great read
Loved the characters and the building of the story. Thought it would not be worth reading but I hung in there and was sorry to see the end.
Loved the characters and the building of the story. Thought it would not be worth reading but I hung in there and was sorry to see the end.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews