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The Game of Oaths
In this heart-pounding fantasy, young trapeze artist Falan fights to win a deadly tournament set amid the glamour and illusions of a magical circus. But she needs more than to survive—she wants revenge.
Seventeen-year-old Falan performs with the Cirque des Ombres, Paris’s famous magical circus, led by ringmaster and enchanteur Jean-Pierre. But behind the dazzling spectacles, the circus performers are bound by enchanted contracts—which also make them potential contestants in the Game of Oaths, a secret bloodthirsty tournament watched by the wealthy elite. Twelve will compete. Eleven will die. Last year, Falan’s sister was one of the unlucky eleven. This year, Falan has been chosen—and she’s out for revenge against Jean-Pierre and the whole brutal system. She’s not above playing dirty and forging unlikely alliances. But whom can she rely on? Her circus roommates, who are contestants themselves, or Bellamy, a young thief who preys on the bourgeoisie? What about Ronan, her trapeze partner? They trust each other in the air, but on the ground, they have never clicked. Falan must depend on her gut, her wits, and her aim if she is to have any hope of success, for in games like this, the house always wins. A richly imagined, thrilling fantasy set during the lush Belle Epoque.
Seventeen-year-old Falan performs with the Cirque des Ombres, Paris’s famous magical circus, led by ringmaster and enchanteur Jean-Pierre. But behind the dazzling spectacles, the circus performers are bound by enchanted contracts—which also make them potential contestants in the Game of Oaths, a secret bloodthirsty tournament watched by the wealthy elite. Twelve will compete. Eleven will die. Last year, Falan’s sister was one of the unlucky eleven. This year, Falan has been chosen—and she’s out for revenge against Jean-Pierre and the whole brutal system. She’s not above playing dirty and forging unlikely alliances. But whom can she rely on? Her circus roommates, who are contestants themselves, or Bellamy, a young thief who preys on the bourgeoisie? What about Ronan, her trapeze partner? They trust each other in the air, but on the ground, they have never clicked. Falan must depend on her gut, her wits, and her aim if she is to have any hope of success, for in games like this, the house always wins. A richly imagined, thrilling fantasy set during the lush Belle Epoque.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
S.C. Bandreddi
1 book38 followersS.C. Bandreddi is a writer best known for the YA historical fantasy The Game of Oaths. She hails from California's Bay Area, where she grew up scribbling stories deep into the night and hasn’t stopped since. When she’s not putting words on paper, she’s usually gaming, rewatching her favorite movies, or at an arcade trying to win as many plushies as she can.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
December 13, 2025
Game of Oaths is a book that left me feeling a bit torn. The story has genuinely strong bones: an alluring circus setting, a dangerous magical competition, and high stakes that should make this impossible to put down. At its best, especially during the game days themselves, the tension and pacing really worked for me. Those chapters were easily the strongest parts of the book and where the story felt most alive.
That said, I struggled with the execution. Much of the dialogue felt stilted, and the transitions between scenes were often choppy. Some character motivations, particularly Ronan’s, didn’t fully land for me, which made it harder to stay emotionally invested. The romance was very light, and the payoff never quite materialized in a satisfying way.
I also found myself wishing the magic played a larger role. Falan’s abilities felt like they should be central to the story, but they largely stayed in the background. I kept expecting a moment where her magic would truly manifest or help her escape a dire situation, but that euphoric breakthrough never really came.
Where the book surprised me was in the flashbacks. I don’t usually gravitate toward memory-heavy storytelling, but Falan’s recollections of her “sister” Lavanya were genuinely charming and added much needed emotional depth. Those moments helped ground the story and made the characters feel more human.
Overall, Game of Oaths shines brightest in its gameplay and world concept, but the setup and ending felt like the weakest points. With tighter dialogue, more believable motivations, and a stronger payoff, this could have easily gone from a 3 to a 5 star.
Thank you to Candlewick press and Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
That said, I struggled with the execution. Much of the dialogue felt stilted, and the transitions between scenes were often choppy. Some character motivations, particularly Ronan’s, didn’t fully land for me, which made it harder to stay emotionally invested. The romance was very light, and the payoff never quite materialized in a satisfying way.
I also found myself wishing the magic played a larger role. Falan’s abilities felt like they should be central to the story, but they largely stayed in the background. I kept expecting a moment where her magic would truly manifest or help her escape a dire situation, but that euphoric breakthrough never really came.
Where the book surprised me was in the flashbacks. I don’t usually gravitate toward memory-heavy storytelling, but Falan’s recollections of her “sister” Lavanya were genuinely charming and added much needed emotional depth. Those moments helped ground the story and made the characters feel more human.
Overall, Game of Oaths shines brightest in its gameplay and world concept, but the setup and ending felt like the weakest points. With tighter dialogue, more believable motivations, and a stronger payoff, this could have easily gone from a 3 to a 5 star.
Thank you to Candlewick press and Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 9, 2026
Carval meets the hunger games in this amazingly dark twisted adorable world!
Every page reeked of magic in a world of forbidden magic and betrayal.
Ps. Not much romance, barely even a kiss
Every page reeked of magic in a world of forbidden magic and betrayal.
Ps. Not much romance, barely even a kiss
May 31, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and to the author for an advanced copy in exchange for a review.
The Game Of Oaths 4.5/5 ⭐️
I'm still gasping to this moment.
Don't forget to follow me on YouTube, where I post all about my favorite clean books! https://www.youtube.com/@ItsRenity
✨Plot✨
Caraval meets Hunger Games in an underground circus set in Paris✨
It’s 1896. Beneath a hotel in the heart of Paris is the famed le Cirque des Ombres, led by ringmaster and Enchanteur Jean-Pierre. But behind the dazzling spectacles, the circus performers are bound by magical contracts, also making them potential players in the annual Game of Oaths, an underground, bloodthirsty tournament watched by the wealthy elite. Twelve will compete. Eleven will die.
Seventeen-year-old trapeze artist Falan Sunkara is out for revenge. After her sister ended up as one of the unlucky eleven last year, Falan wants nothing more than to make Jean-Pierre pay for her death. When she’s chosen to compete in this year’s tournament, Falan is not above playing dirty and forging unlikely alliances. But to be the last one standing, she has to determine whom to trust and whose motives to question. Vengeance on top of survival is a dangerous gamble—and in games like this, the house always wins.
✨Characters✨
⚔️Falan⚔️
Falan is the ruthless FMC we have ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! While she was a bit coldhearted at times, it was so cool to follow a character who is mentally strong and not a softy who gives up etc etc. She was such a fun FMC, and I really hope more books are made about this world!
🔪Bellemay🔪
Imma be honest, I wasn't rooting for Bellamy in the love triangle because he was just kind of there most of the time, but it was still so cute to see how protective he got of Falan!
🖤Ronan🖤
I have no words. Wait, I have one: WHYYYYYYYYYYY
ok that's it.
🌹Channary🌹
I feel so bad for this girl's trauma and the back and forth, never knowing who to trust, and she is so young! Loved her!
✨Writing Style✨
Really magical, and I could clearly picture each and every setting perfectly! The third person confused me at times, but in the end, I loved this book and could not put it down! It kept me on the edge of my seat, and I never knew what was coming next!
✨⚔️Action⚔️✨
The action was INSANE! Also, the Game of Oaths games were crazy! I was on the edge of my seat internally gasping the entire time! I loved all the action, and there really wasn't a dull moment!
✨Would I Recommend It?✨
YESSSS! PLEASE READ THIS! If you love Caraval and Hunger games read this!! It's like if Hunger Games had magic and it was amazing!!
The Game Of Oaths 4.5/5 ⭐️
I'm still gasping to this moment.
Don't forget to follow me on YouTube, where I post all about my favorite clean books! https://www.youtube.com/@ItsRenity
✨Plot✨
Caraval meets Hunger Games in an underground circus set in Paris✨
It’s 1896. Beneath a hotel in the heart of Paris is the famed le Cirque des Ombres, led by ringmaster and Enchanteur Jean-Pierre. But behind the dazzling spectacles, the circus performers are bound by magical contracts, also making them potential players in the annual Game of Oaths, an underground, bloodthirsty tournament watched by the wealthy elite. Twelve will compete. Eleven will die.
Seventeen-year-old trapeze artist Falan Sunkara is out for revenge. After her sister ended up as one of the unlucky eleven last year, Falan wants nothing more than to make Jean-Pierre pay for her death. When she’s chosen to compete in this year’s tournament, Falan is not above playing dirty and forging unlikely alliances. But to be the last one standing, she has to determine whom to trust and whose motives to question. Vengeance on top of survival is a dangerous gamble—and in games like this, the house always wins.
✨Characters✨
⚔️Falan⚔️
Falan is the ruthless FMC we have ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! While she was a bit coldhearted at times, it was so cool to follow a character who is mentally strong and not a softy who gives up etc etc. She was such a fun FMC, and I really hope more books are made about this world!
🔪Bellemay🔪
Imma be honest, I wasn't rooting for Bellamy in the love triangle because he was just kind of there most of the time, but it was still so cute to see how protective he got of Falan!
🖤Ronan🖤
I have no words. Wait, I have one: WHYYYYYYYYYYY
ok that's it.
🌹Channary🌹
I feel so bad for this girl's trauma and the back and forth, never knowing who to trust, and she is so young! Loved her!
✨Writing Style✨
Really magical, and I could clearly picture each and every setting perfectly! The third person confused me at times, but in the end, I loved this book and could not put it down! It kept me on the edge of my seat, and I never knew what was coming next!
✨⚔️Action⚔️✨
The action was INSANE! Also, the Game of Oaths games were crazy! I was on the edge of my seat internally gasping the entire time! I loved all the action, and there really wasn't a dull moment!
✨Would I Recommend It?✨
YESSSS! PLEASE READ THIS! If you love Caraval and Hunger games read this!! It's like if Hunger Games had magic and it was amazing!!
September 22, 2026
3.5 stars. Solid teen fantasy; however, I do wish that there was better exploration of the magic system. The social commentary and the grittiness of the novel were great and I definitely see space for their to be a sequel or a companion novel.
September 27, 2026
wow just wow
full review:
13+ due to a lot of violence, but romance wise it is clean!
this story took me to an amazing world set in France with magic and enchanteurs! I was so fascinated by this world and it just sucked me in and refused to spit me out. I finished this book in less than 24 hours because I just wanted to know what happened next. There were SO MANY plot twists to the point where I felt like I could trust no one, which is honestly the best feeling to have in a book because it means the author really did their job. This felt like a very fall/winter book honestly, with the twists and turns. I loved the magic system in this book, it is super unique and different to anything I've read before. The whole concept of this book was amazing and though I borrowed this from the library, I definitely want to buy a copy for myself so I can reread this whenever I want!
full review:
13+ due to a lot of violence, but romance wise it is clean!
this story took me to an amazing world set in France with magic and enchanteurs! I was so fascinated by this world and it just sucked me in and refused to spit me out. I finished this book in less than 24 hours because I just wanted to know what happened next. There were SO MANY plot twists to the point where I felt like I could trust no one, which is honestly the best feeling to have in a book because it means the author really did their job. This felt like a very fall/winter book honestly, with the twists and turns. I loved the magic system in this book, it is super unique and different to anything I've read before. The whole concept of this book was amazing and though I borrowed this from the library, I definitely want to buy a copy for myself so I can reread this whenever I want!
April 17, 2026
First, i would like to thank NetGalley, Candlewick Press, and S. C. Bandreddi for the opportunity to read and review this book early!
This book was a fun one, and kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what twist or shocking event would happen next. In The Game of Oaths, we follow Falan Sunkara, a young trapeze artist who is out for the revenge of her sister’s death. As part of a magical circus group, Falan has no choice but to work for Enchanteur Jean-Pierre, a sadistic ringmaster who enjoys the tremendous power he has within French society in 1896. and every year, a deadly competition takes place between 12 unlucky competitors from Jean-Pierre’s contracted performers. but this year? Falan is chosen to compete—but it’s okay, because she’s taking Jean-Pierre down with her if it’s the last thing she does
I actually really liked Falan’s character, even if she was definitely unexpectedly bloodthirsty. she is set on getting revenge for her sister’s death in last year’s Game of Oaths, and nothing will stop her. But I also like that she had a bit of a soft side that she showed to almost no one, as she was not very social with others and liked to keep to herself. And the other POV characters were interesting too, because most of them were Falan’s accomplices, and it was cool to see how they felt about Sunkara and her actions
I also liked the glamour of a circus setting in 1896 France! I’ve learned I really enjoy historical settings or time periods for fantasy books, and this one was no exception. The glamour of old circus performances coupled with extravagant parties for the rich held my attention from the start, and made for a good read overall.
This book was a fun one, and kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what twist or shocking event would happen next. In The Game of Oaths, we follow Falan Sunkara, a young trapeze artist who is out for the revenge of her sister’s death. As part of a magical circus group, Falan has no choice but to work for Enchanteur Jean-Pierre, a sadistic ringmaster who enjoys the tremendous power he has within French society in 1896. and every year, a deadly competition takes place between 12 unlucky competitors from Jean-Pierre’s contracted performers. but this year? Falan is chosen to compete—but it’s okay, because she’s taking Jean-Pierre down with her if it’s the last thing she does
I actually really liked Falan’s character, even if she was definitely unexpectedly bloodthirsty. she is set on getting revenge for her sister’s death in last year’s Game of Oaths, and nothing will stop her. But I also like that she had a bit of a soft side that she showed to almost no one, as she was not very social with others and liked to keep to herself. And the other POV characters were interesting too, because most of them were Falan’s accomplices, and it was cool to see how they felt about Sunkara and her actions
I also liked the glamour of a circus setting in 1896 France! I’ve learned I really enjoy historical settings or time periods for fantasy books, and this one was no exception. The glamour of old circus performances coupled with extravagant parties for the rich held my attention from the start, and made for a good read overall.
June 14, 2026
A little bit of this a little bit of that ahh book.
I did really want to like this book the premise sounded fun but the execution was poor and unoriginal. I think the magic system is fun for the most part, a bit underdeveloped in some areas but relatively original. For me this is about where my praise stops. Before I even read the summary i knew exactly which books had “inspired” this story and by “inspired” i mean ripped from with hardly any changes.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀! The characters were all poor imitations of far better characters from far better books. Jean-Pierre is Legend without the mystery. Jules is Wylan Van Eck without a personality. Ary is Rue. Ronan was Gale Hawthorne, dead sister and all. The whole concept of “lilies” are just the Careers. Have I made my point clear? This author doesn’t take a character she likes and create something original out of it, she just strips that character of anything interesting, leaving sad husks of an ensemble case you can’t connect to. The fmc is insanely devoid of anything interesting, she doesn’t connect with any characters (or the reader) and she’s just generally angsty and insufferable. Also shes just constantly getting beat up, absolutely torn to shreds for plot convince and then she’s just… fine?? No adrenaline is letting you RUN AND FIGHT the beating you just took off. I don’t think there was a single fight she survived because she was strong or smart. She was saved by someone else nearly every damn time. She’s not interesting to follow whatsoever. It’s also so painfully obvious she wanted a jude duarte horn hair moment with how many times falans “fox ear” hair style was mentioned, so cringe to read.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆! If i wanted to read the hunger games i would have. If i wanted to read six of crows i would have. i wanted to read something original and this was not it. the plot twists were painfully predictable and unsatisfying. Sooo much of this book could be cut out and it would make no difference whatsoever to the outcome. The experiences the fmc goes through do not change her, they do not develop bonds between the ensemble cast, they have no real impact whatsoever. All it felt like was a big waste of time. The actual games were not that long or interesting and that was like.. the whole draw of the book? Don’t even get me started on the time period/whatever date it’s set in becuase it literally does not matter. This book could be set in the 2020s and i wouldn’t bat an eye if you told me that becuase the dialogue, clothes, etc do not read as some old timey crap. And did it have to be in France? My two years of french in high school were put to the test here because there is a random french word at least twice a chapter and, hehe HALF THE TIME THERES NO TRANSLATION. It’s not hard to use context clues and my extremely rudimentary knowledge of the french language to get what she’s going for but that does not matter. I would loooove to know what i’m reading. If you’re using a language other than the one you’re writing in, offer a translation. I would’ve been happier if this was set in some other world in some country called like Fraq or something stupid. France has nothing to do with this book other than to throw a random french word in there or dabble in some race/class dynamics which are poorly explored and developed. This is nitpicky but it’s honestly pretty unclear what language the characters are even speaking to each other in . We’re in france but not everyone can speak or read french? some people speak english? some people speak other indian languages? WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERS SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER IN??? Does everyone just know english? unless i missed the memo on this one im lost. There are discussions about racism’s this book is trying to have but it just falls soooo flat. like yes the white people are exploiting the pocs yes this is a very real world issue so go into that explore that, break that down. it just feels like an excuse throughout the book rather than a meaningful mirror to real world issues.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲! There wasn’t next question. Pathetic little love triangle which almost could’ve been good. for a while i was genuinely stumped on who falon was gonna end up with, not that’s she had chemistry with either of them, but then the plot started favoring one and that’s when you know the other guy stands no change and is probably evil. Not even getting into the romance becuase there was nothing. There’s some flirting here and there and some ooh but i care about you so much even though i have no reason to. oh shuuut upppp. assss. hard to have chemistry between your characters when not a single one has a personality.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀! The ending of this book is wrapped up in a nice little bow, until the epilogue where evil man is being evil. It’s so painfully pushing for another book. But why would i want to read another book with shitty characters and shitty dialogue and shitty storytelling? it should stay a standalone becuase it think with better writing it could be a great standalone. not ever hung has to be a series. There’s so much i found frustrating throughout this book from little discrepancies to big ones but if i rattle them all off my thumbs just might start loosing feeling. This book could’ve been so good im just kind of sad.
TLDR: i want my ten hours and sixteen dollars back
I did really want to like this book the premise sounded fun but the execution was poor and unoriginal. I think the magic system is fun for the most part, a bit underdeveloped in some areas but relatively original. For me this is about where my praise stops. Before I even read the summary i knew exactly which books had “inspired” this story and by “inspired” i mean ripped from with hardly any changes.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀! The characters were all poor imitations of far better characters from far better books. Jean-Pierre is Legend without the mystery. Jules is Wylan Van Eck without a personality. Ary is Rue. Ronan was Gale Hawthorne, dead sister and all. The whole concept of “lilies” are just the Careers. Have I made my point clear? This author doesn’t take a character she likes and create something original out of it, she just strips that character of anything interesting, leaving sad husks of an ensemble case you can’t connect to. The fmc is insanely devoid of anything interesting, she doesn’t connect with any characters (or the reader) and she’s just generally angsty and insufferable. Also shes just constantly getting beat up, absolutely torn to shreds for plot convince and then she’s just… fine?? No adrenaline is letting you RUN AND FIGHT the beating you just took off. I don’t think there was a single fight she survived because she was strong or smart. She was saved by someone else nearly every damn time. She’s not interesting to follow whatsoever. It’s also so painfully obvious she wanted a jude duarte horn hair moment with how many times falans “fox ear” hair style was mentioned, so cringe to read.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆! If i wanted to read the hunger games i would have. If i wanted to read six of crows i would have. i wanted to read something original and this was not it. the plot twists were painfully predictable and unsatisfying. Sooo much of this book could be cut out and it would make no difference whatsoever to the outcome. The experiences the fmc goes through do not change her, they do not develop bonds between the ensemble cast, they have no real impact whatsoever. All it felt like was a big waste of time. The actual games were not that long or interesting and that was like.. the whole draw of the book? Don’t even get me started on the time period/whatever date it’s set in becuase it literally does not matter. This book could be set in the 2020s and i wouldn’t bat an eye if you told me that becuase the dialogue, clothes, etc do not read as some old timey crap. And did it have to be in France? My two years of french in high school were put to the test here because there is a random french word at least twice a chapter and, hehe HALF THE TIME THERES NO TRANSLATION. It’s not hard to use context clues and my extremely rudimentary knowledge of the french language to get what she’s going for but that does not matter. I would loooove to know what i’m reading. If you’re using a language other than the one you’re writing in, offer a translation. I would’ve been happier if this was set in some other world in some country called like Fraq or something stupid. France has nothing to do with this book other than to throw a random french word in there or dabble in some race/class dynamics which are poorly explored and developed. This is nitpicky but it’s honestly pretty unclear what language the characters are even speaking to each other in . We’re in france but not everyone can speak or read french? some people speak english? some people speak other indian languages? WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERS SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER IN??? Does everyone just know english? unless i missed the memo on this one im lost. There are discussions about racism’s this book is trying to have but it just falls soooo flat. like yes the white people are exploiting the pocs yes this is a very real world issue so go into that explore that, break that down. it just feels like an excuse throughout the book rather than a meaningful mirror to real world issues.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲! There wasn’t next question. Pathetic little love triangle which almost could’ve been good. for a while i was genuinely stumped on who falon was gonna end up with, not that’s she had chemistry with either of them, but then the plot started favoring one and that’s when you know the other guy stands no change and is probably evil. Not even getting into the romance becuase there was nothing. There’s some flirting here and there and some ooh but i care about you so much even though i have no reason to. oh shuuut upppp. assss. hard to have chemistry between your characters when not a single one has a personality.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀! The ending of this book is wrapped up in a nice little bow, until the epilogue where evil man is being evil. It’s so painfully pushing for another book. But why would i want to read another book with shitty characters and shitty dialogue and shitty storytelling? it should stay a standalone becuase it think with better writing it could be a great standalone. not ever hung has to be a series. There’s so much i found frustrating throughout this book from little discrepancies to big ones but if i rattle them all off my thumbs just might start loosing feeling. This book could’ve been so good im just kind of sad.
TLDR: i want my ten hours and sixteen dollars back
Did Not Finish
June 9, 2026DNF at 28%. Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me.
July 6, 2026
I still don’t know what an affinity is and how you get one, was I supposed to guess? Does everyone have an affinity? Who knows because NOTHING WAS EXPLAINED!
August 2, 2026
5 stars!
Okay so this book was so good!? I was not a big fan of Caraval and this is similar in some ways to that, but then add in Hunger Games. I think that is why I loved it so much. Sucker for deadly trials!
I just have one thing to say: Ronan, WHY!? Okay, I am done.
If you are looking for complex characters, high stakes, and what feels like impossible odds, this is the one! It has a French flair to it which bothered me at times (I am SO BAD with French words for some reason) but it did not deter me from loving this book!
Okay so this book was so good!? I was not a big fan of Caraval and this is similar in some ways to that, but then add in Hunger Games. I think that is why I loved it so much. Sucker for deadly trials!
I just have one thing to say: Ronan, WHY!? Okay, I am done.
If you are looking for complex characters, high stakes, and what feels like impossible odds, this is the one! It has a French flair to it which bothered me at times (I am SO BAD with French words for some reason) but it did not deter me from loving this book!
Want to Read
May 2, 2025you promise me a vengeful mc and i come running. also, the hunger games meets the night circus
August 5, 2026
Within The Game of Oaths, the author builds an elaborate world centered on a circus and a high-stakes competition in which the circus performers become competitors in a brutal, deadly fight. I definitely felt strong Hunger Games vibes with patrons who sponsor contestants, essential equipment provided to help them to survive, prizes for winning, and the betting on who will come out on top. There were even hints of Six of Crows in the roof top jumping and the overarching theme of chance.
Jean Pierre, the ringmaster, is both the creator and orchestrator of the game. He never plays fair, changing rules on a whim and deciding whether a competitor survives or suffers a "mishap" during the game. His ruthlessness in unmistakable, and I found myself eagerly waiting for his downfall.
Falan is blunt, cool, scrawny and initially comes across as sulky. It took me a bit to warm up to her, but her size and attitude never seemed to limit her, she's far tougher than she appears. As the game progresses, she's swept up in a bloodlust for revenge, often putting herself in greater danger more times than I would have liked. Each character has their own goals and strategy to playing the game and their actions and underhanded tactics kept me riveted till the end.
The story is divided into five parts, each opening with a quote from Guillaume Gallien's Origins of the Arcane, offering a brief background on the history and abilities of enchanteurs. In every round, participants are pitted against one another while also completing the ringmaster's tasks. When a player falls, there are moments to pause and reflect, gain new information, make plans for the next game, try to recover from their injuries and losses. The pacing strikes a nice balance, intense violence during the game followed by a slower, thoughtful rebuild before the next brutal challenge. It avoids becoming relentlessly heart wrenching, instead creating a nice rhythm and pace toward the final outcome.
I'm always a sucker for books set in France, and adding a circus, a deadly competition, magic and epic fight scenes had me hooked immediately. The reader is quickly swept up in the glamour of the ring, with the acrobats and knife throwers, the spectacle, and the thrill and danger of the competition. Overall, this was an exciting story and despite its similarities to the Hunger Game, it offers enough unique elements that also sets it apart. If either of the previous books mentioned interest you, I'd eagerly recommend you check this one out.
**A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the hardcover in exchange for an honest review.**
Jean Pierre, the ringmaster, is both the creator and orchestrator of the game. He never plays fair, changing rules on a whim and deciding whether a competitor survives or suffers a "mishap" during the game. His ruthlessness in unmistakable, and I found myself eagerly waiting for his downfall.
Falan is blunt, cool, scrawny and initially comes across as sulky. It took me a bit to warm up to her, but her size and attitude never seemed to limit her, she's far tougher than she appears. As the game progresses, she's swept up in a bloodlust for revenge, often putting herself in greater danger more times than I would have liked. Each character has their own goals and strategy to playing the game and their actions and underhanded tactics kept me riveted till the end.
The story is divided into five parts, each opening with a quote from Guillaume Gallien's Origins of the Arcane, offering a brief background on the history and abilities of enchanteurs. In every round, participants are pitted against one another while also completing the ringmaster's tasks. When a player falls, there are moments to pause and reflect, gain new information, make plans for the next game, try to recover from their injuries and losses. The pacing strikes a nice balance, intense violence during the game followed by a slower, thoughtful rebuild before the next brutal challenge. It avoids becoming relentlessly heart wrenching, instead creating a nice rhythm and pace toward the final outcome.
I'm always a sucker for books set in France, and adding a circus, a deadly competition, magic and epic fight scenes had me hooked immediately. The reader is quickly swept up in the glamour of the ring, with the acrobats and knife throwers, the spectacle, and the thrill and danger of the competition. Overall, this was an exciting story and despite its similarities to the Hunger Game, it offers enough unique elements that also sets it apart. If either of the previous books mentioned interest you, I'd eagerly recommend you check this one out.
**A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the hardcover in exchange for an honest review.**
September 27, 2026
I truly adored this book! It was such an easy reading but wasn't boring in the slightest.
If there was one way I would describe this book, it would be if Hunger Games was set in a Circus in Paris.
I loved all of the characters and how they progressed throughout. I loved the main character, Falan. She was far from a push over and I relate to her in some ways, which is probably a big reason as to why I liked her. I love how, sort of like Jude, she was willing to step into the role of the villain for the perspectives of the audience, in order to win and get what she truly wanted. Though the trope of avenging a sister is used quiet a lot, I still felt like this book was unique in it's own way. I loved the circus aspect and how each character had their own skill which helped them as well.
The plot was simple, but still enjoyable. The plot twists at the end were unexpected as well. I found it to be just as Falan described, 'It was expected. But I was not surprised.' I felt that was when I really felt like I understood Falan and how she thought.
The idea's for the different games was also interesting and creative, honestly, the joker, despite the death, did feel like a fun game and I loved the idea of it.
There was a love triangle, though it isn't heavily implied, you can definitely sense it. I felt this added complex to the characters, even though I know this wasn't Falan's main priority (Girl was a player in a deadly games, I can't blame her.), and I don't think she really realised to later, I still felt like it was a nice touch.
Overall, I was good for a standalone book, and I did read through it quite quickly (for me). It was one of those books that as soon as I started reading it, I would read it for hours. The switch between the different perspectives was also nice, it helps add layers and importance to the other characters so you get to see the story from their perspective, while also not taking away from the fact the Falan is the main character.
I would defiantly rate this 4.5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ + 1/2
Recommended to: Harry Potter and Hunger Games fans who like a Circus twist. 🎪
If there was one way I would describe this book, it would be if Hunger Games was set in a Circus in Paris.
I loved all of the characters and how they progressed throughout. I loved the main character, Falan. She was far from a push over and I relate to her in some ways, which is probably a big reason as to why I liked her. I love how, sort of like Jude, she was willing to step into the role of the villain for the perspectives of the audience, in order to win and get what she truly wanted. Though the trope of avenging a sister is used quiet a lot, I still felt like this book was unique in it's own way. I loved the circus aspect and how each character had their own skill which helped them as well.
The plot was simple, but still enjoyable. The plot twists at the end were unexpected as well. I found it to be just as Falan described, 'It was expected. But I was not surprised.' I felt that was when I really felt like I understood Falan and how she thought.
The idea's for the different games was also interesting and creative, honestly, the joker, despite the death, did feel like a fun game and I loved the idea of it.
There was a love triangle, though it isn't heavily implied, you can definitely sense it. I felt this added complex to the characters, even though I know this wasn't Falan's main priority (Girl was a player in a deadly games, I can't blame her.), and I don't think she really realised to later, I still felt like it was a nice touch.
Overall, I was good for a standalone book, and I did read through it quite quickly (for me). It was one of those books that as soon as I started reading it, I would read it for hours. The switch between the different perspectives was also nice, it helps add layers and importance to the other characters so you get to see the story from their perspective, while also not taking away from the fact the Falan is the main character.
I would defiantly rate this 4.5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ + 1/2
Recommended to: Harry Potter and Hunger Games fans who like a Circus twist. 🎪
May 14, 2026
A storyline that, on the surface, has similarities to The Hunger Games, but a depth that is further reminiscent of the Paris circus scene of a bygone century, with magic involved of course.
Locations are skilfully described, giving the reader the full experience of both the beauty and danger involved, woven with the magic that surrounds it. Costumes are eye-catching and the death-defying events will have you holding your breath.
The cast is large and as varied as you could possibly get, with the main protagonist being Falan, a troubled teenage trapeze artist, hellbent on staying alive to exact her revenge on those that have wronged her.
This one had me guessing all along. Trying to guess intentions, secrets, motives and of course, outcomes, but I will admit that there were many well executed twists and turns that like a great magic show, kept me totally entertained, out of my depth, and in a state of shock when it came to the events unfolding at the end.
A remarkable book with a magical storyline that will have you captivated and glad you didn’t get selected to be part of the Game of Oaths.
Thank you Better Reading and Walker Books Australia for my #gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date | 4 June 2026 | 14+ years
#BRPreview
#thegameofoaths
#scbandreddi
#tightropesandtrials
#walkerbooksaustralia
#walkerbooksuk
#walkerbooksya
Locations are skilfully described, giving the reader the full experience of both the beauty and danger involved, woven with the magic that surrounds it. Costumes are eye-catching and the death-defying events will have you holding your breath.
The cast is large and as varied as you could possibly get, with the main protagonist being Falan, a troubled teenage trapeze artist, hellbent on staying alive to exact her revenge on those that have wronged her.
This one had me guessing all along. Trying to guess intentions, secrets, motives and of course, outcomes, but I will admit that there were many well executed twists and turns that like a great magic show, kept me totally entertained, out of my depth, and in a state of shock when it came to the events unfolding at the end.
A remarkable book with a magical storyline that will have you captivated and glad you didn’t get selected to be part of the Game of Oaths.
Thank you Better Reading and Walker Books Australia for my #gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date | 4 June 2026 | 14+ years
#BRPreview
#thegameofoaths
#scbandreddi
#tightropesandtrials
#walkerbooksaustralia
#walkerbooksuk
#walkerbooksya
June 11, 2026
solid 4 this was good. it took me a while to read though because it wasnt super riveting. also i liked the other games but the finale being a maze like COME ON this has been copied from harry potter four too many times. otherwise very creative and the world was very put together and unique and i could imagine it in my head well
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2026
This is my favorite ya to date. I don't want to compare it to anything but if I HAD to, it would be Hunger Games or Inheritance Games. It is based in Paris in the late 1800s, with magic, and manipulation, strategy, and found family. It was evenly paced and kept me guessing the whole time! I do hope there will be a 2nd!
September 9, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
June 16, 2026
All in all, this was an entertaining read. But I think I just wanted more.
In the beginning chapters, I wasn’t really feeling the multiple POVs. As time went on, they grew on me and I understood why the author chose to have more than one POV. But I still think we could’ve narrowed it down to only two or three tops.
The characters were pretty good for the most part, with a couple of exceptions (which I talk about more in the spoilers section). I liked Falan enough as the main girl we’re following, and I understand why she was angry a lot of the time… but I feel like she only had one emotion, and that was rage. Even when she was in the wrong about something, it felt like she never expressed one ounce of guilt. (That’s not to say I think she should regret all of her actions; but there were some moments where I wish we saw more emotions from her besides anger.)
I also didn’t feel like the romances in this novel were very fleshed out, for any of our POV characters to be honest.
Additionally, I wish there had been at least one consistently positive female friendship in this book that I could root for. But that didn’t really happen, which was a bummer.
As far as the plot goes, the Game of Oaths competition started off being really exciting with the first round! Then as the rounds went on, the games got more and more boring, in my opinion. Also, despite this being a multiple POV book (where anything can happen in terms of character deaths), I never truly felt like our main characters were in serious danger.
I also thought that the magic system was really cool from the start! But by the end, I was left with more questions than answers in terms of how certain elements worked.
Ultimately I found this book to be a good (not great) read. And I could see myself reading more from this author in the future.
NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING:
In the beginning chapters, I wasn’t really feeling the multiple POVs. As time went on, they grew on me and I understood why the author chose to have more than one POV. But I still think we could’ve narrowed it down to only two or three tops.
The characters were pretty good for the most part, with a couple of exceptions (which I talk about more in the spoilers section). I liked Falan enough as the main girl we’re following, and I understand why she was angry a lot of the time… but I feel like she only had one emotion, and that was rage. Even when she was in the wrong about something, it felt like she never expressed one ounce of guilt. (That’s not to say I think she should regret all of her actions; but there were some moments where I wish we saw more emotions from her besides anger.)
I also didn’t feel like the romances in this novel were very fleshed out, for any of our POV characters to be honest.
Additionally, I wish there had been at least one consistently positive female friendship in this book that I could root for. But that didn’t really happen, which was a bummer.
As far as the plot goes, the Game of Oaths competition started off being really exciting with the first round! Then as the rounds went on, the games got more and more boring, in my opinion. Also, despite this being a multiple POV book (where anything can happen in terms of character deaths), I never truly felt like our main characters were in serious danger.
I also thought that the magic system was really cool from the start! But by the end, I was left with more questions than answers in terms of how certain elements worked.
Ultimately I found this book to be a good (not great) read. And I could see myself reading more from this author in the future.
NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING:
September 30, 2026
4.5 stars :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ
this was SO FREAKING COOL!!!!!!!!!!!! picture the hunger games x caraval x the night circus and you have this book. i was so incredibly invested in the plot and i was GASPING at some of these plot twists!!!! and i'm really satisfied with how the book wrapped up in the end. would absolutely recommend!!
this was SO FREAKING COOL!!!!!!!!!!!! picture the hunger games x caraval x the night circus and you have this book. i was so incredibly invested in the plot and i was GASPING at some of these plot twists!!!! and i'm really satisfied with how the book wrapped up in the end. would absolutely recommend!!
June 4, 2026
The story follows Falan Sunkara, a seventeen-year-old trapeze artist performing at the Cirque des Ombres. After losing her beloved sister in the previous year's Game of Oaths, Falan is determined to get revenge against the cruel ringmaster Jean-Pierre and the entire system that destroyed her family. When she is chosen as one of the twelve competitors in the next tournament, she sees it as her chance to finally make those responsible pay.
The Game of Oaths had everything I normally love in a fantasy novel: a magical circus, a deadly competition, revenge and betrayal. A perfect combination of The Hunger Games and Caraval. I actually liked Falan a lot. She isn't the kind of heroine who spends chapters questioning her motives. She's angry, stubborn, reckless, and completely driven by vengeance. Sometimes her obsession made her difficult to connect with emotionally, but it also made her feel real.
Aside from that, the circus setting of this book in enchantingly beautiful. The author paints a vivid picture of glittering performances, illusion magic, extravagant costumes, wealthy spectators, and dangerous secrets lurking behind the curtains. Paris in 1896 felt alive on the page. Every performance, every underground gathering, and every game felt cinematic. Once the competition starts, I found myself to be curious on finding out who could be trusted and what secrets everyone’s hiding.
Unfortunately, while I enjoyed parts of it, the execution didn't fully live up to the incredible concept. The pacing of this book felt uneven, especially in the beginning. It took me a while to be invested in this book. Even the characters are a little underdevelop. I wish to understand more of their desires but it barely scratching on the surfaces. Though I was captivated by the setting, I wish there were more exploration on how the magic system worked.
Overall, it was a fun read for me. Thank you #Pansing @definitelybooks for sending me this ARC in exchange for a review. This book is now available at all good bookstores.
The Game of Oaths had everything I normally love in a fantasy novel: a magical circus, a deadly competition, revenge and betrayal. A perfect combination of The Hunger Games and Caraval. I actually liked Falan a lot. She isn't the kind of heroine who spends chapters questioning her motives. She's angry, stubborn, reckless, and completely driven by vengeance. Sometimes her obsession made her difficult to connect with emotionally, but it also made her feel real.
Aside from that, the circus setting of this book in enchantingly beautiful. The author paints a vivid picture of glittering performances, illusion magic, extravagant costumes, wealthy spectators, and dangerous secrets lurking behind the curtains. Paris in 1896 felt alive on the page. Every performance, every underground gathering, and every game felt cinematic. Once the competition starts, I found myself to be curious on finding out who could be trusted and what secrets everyone’s hiding.
Unfortunately, while I enjoyed parts of it, the execution didn't fully live up to the incredible concept. The pacing of this book felt uneven, especially in the beginning. It took me a while to be invested in this book. Even the characters are a little underdevelop. I wish to understand more of their desires but it barely scratching on the surfaces. Though I was captivated by the setting, I wish there were more exploration on how the magic system worked.
Overall, it was a fun read for me. Thank you #Pansing @definitelybooks for sending me this ARC in exchange for a review. This book is now available at all good bookstores.
September 15, 2026
At times, I felt the same sense of dread I experienced while reading "The Hunger Games"—which is one of the highest compliments I can pay a book. I was distressed by the violent moments, and even more so by the gratuitous way they were depicted on the page. I don't mean the book used violence without reason, but rather that the universe itself employs violence senselessly—which is clearly one of the work's critiques. Yet, at the same time, I unfortunately didn't fear for any of the characters; a major flaw of the book was its failure to deeply develop interpersonal relationships, leaving me with the feeling that no death would truly impact me. In other words, I was more affected by the descriptions of violence and death than I was concerned about the people suffering through it—which was a real shame.
I say all this while making it clear that I was incredibly excited about this book. *Incredibly* so! The premise was exactly what I wanted to read at the time, and I thought Falan’s motivation would be deeply compelling, but I didn't find as much depth as I had initially expected. To be honest, I think the synopsis might have raised my expectations too high (just look at the books it’s compared to), though seeing that synopsis should have actually made me more cautious and tempered my expectations. After all, I hadn't liked "Caraval"—one of the books mentioned—so I should have anticipated that there might be aspects of "The Game of Oaths" that wouldn't appeal to me.
That said, I have to say that the setting was one of the things I liked most about the book. A magical circus in 1896 Paris—blending that Belle Époque aesthetic with illusions, magical contracts, and a competition to the death—makes for a fantastic combination. The book successfully conveys an atmosphere that is both beautiful and quite dark, especially as we begin to realise the extent to which the spectacle exists at the expense of the people trapped within it. I also really liked the way the story handles the divide between the so-called Lilies and the Boarders. Issues of class—and especially race—are deeply embedded in the circus's structure, and I found it interesting that this wasn't merely a background detail but integral to how that world functioned. To me, this is one of the strongest aspects of the concept, as it illustrates how elite entertainment relies directly on the exploitation of people who lack the same opportunities.
The games themselves also had some really great moments. The first challenge was probably my favourite because that was when I truly felt the tension I had expected to find throughout the entire book. The concept of turning the artists' various skills into advantages and disadvantages during the challenges works really well, and some of the situations are truly brutal. I just wish that feeling had carried over into the subsequent challenges; I felt that some of them became less interesting and, more importantly, less tense as the story went on.
Switching perspectives mid-plot might not have been the best choice, especially since not all the characters were actually experiencing that rush of adrenaline. It completely broke the immersion and drained some of the urgency that Falan’s adventure initially had. To be honest, I found myself wanting to skip any chapter that didn't focus on Falan or wasn't directly related to the game.
I understand why the author chose a multi-POV narrative. Certain flashbacks—particularly those regarding Falan’s relationship with Lavanya—really helped me understand the protagonist better and added some of the emotional depth I felt was missing elsewhere in the story. The problem was the sheer number of characters; not all of them managed to be equally compelling. At times, I simply had to remind myself who was narrating and why that part of the story mattered at that moment.
That also somewhat detracted from Falan for me. I liked the idea of a revenge-driven protagonist willing to do morally questionable things to uncover what happened to her sister. She is far more ruthless than many YA protagonists in this genre, and that could have been a fascinating trait. However, I wanted to see more emotional consequences stemming from her choices. For instance, when she kills someone for the first time, I felt there should have been a more significant reaction. She seemed to move past the violence too quickly, making it difficult to understand who Falan was beyond her anger.
I also thought it was a shame that her magic took such a backseat. From the start, I was curious to understand why Falan didn't experience the sensation the other characters associated with their affinities, and what the true nature of her powers actually was. The reveal is interesting, but I wanted much more than just to find out what she could do. I wanted to see her using that ability, developing it, and understanding her own power throughout the story.
The relationships between the characters could also have been much more developed. I liked some of them and think there was potential to create a truly strong group, but I missed that "found family" feeling that would have made every death truly painful. The relationship between Falan and Lavanya was one of the few that managed to make me feel something, precisely because we had time to get to know them both better. In contrast, some of the other relationships seemed to exist mainly to drive the plot forward.
The romance also ended up taking a backseat for me. I actually liked the possibilities presented, but I didn't feel there was enough development for any of the romantic relationships to have the impact they could have had. At times, it felt more like a matter of deciding who Falan would end up with rather than actually building a relationship between the characters.
And unfortunately, the ending was another part that left me a bit frustrated. I liked some of the reveals and think there were good ideas behind them, but several were quite predictable. Some solutions also seemed too convenient, especially considering how much the story tried to portray Jean-Pierre as an intelligent and dangerous villain. The sheer number of events packed into the final pages also made everything feel like it was happening too fast.
Overall, "The Game of Oaths" had an excellent premise and, at times, delivered exactly the kind of tension I was looking for. The circus atmosphere, the violence of the games, the critique of exploitation, and the divisions among the competitors were elements that really worked for me. But I wanted more character depth, more relationship development, more room for Falan's magic, and—above all—a slightly more focused narrative.
I think this is one of those books where I can clearly see the potential of the story and the author, but I felt there were too many ideas trying to fit into a single book. It was an entertaining read at times and definitely not a bad experience, but it fell well short of what I expected when I started.
Thank you to NetGalley and Walker Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I say all this while making it clear that I was incredibly excited about this book. *Incredibly* so! The premise was exactly what I wanted to read at the time, and I thought Falan’s motivation would be deeply compelling, but I didn't find as much depth as I had initially expected. To be honest, I think the synopsis might have raised my expectations too high (just look at the books it’s compared to), though seeing that synopsis should have actually made me more cautious and tempered my expectations. After all, I hadn't liked "Caraval"—one of the books mentioned—so I should have anticipated that there might be aspects of "The Game of Oaths" that wouldn't appeal to me.
That said, I have to say that the setting was one of the things I liked most about the book. A magical circus in 1896 Paris—blending that Belle Époque aesthetic with illusions, magical contracts, and a competition to the death—makes for a fantastic combination. The book successfully conveys an atmosphere that is both beautiful and quite dark, especially as we begin to realise the extent to which the spectacle exists at the expense of the people trapped within it. I also really liked the way the story handles the divide between the so-called Lilies and the Boarders. Issues of class—and especially race—are deeply embedded in the circus's structure, and I found it interesting that this wasn't merely a background detail but integral to how that world functioned. To me, this is one of the strongest aspects of the concept, as it illustrates how elite entertainment relies directly on the exploitation of people who lack the same opportunities.
The games themselves also had some really great moments. The first challenge was probably my favourite because that was when I truly felt the tension I had expected to find throughout the entire book. The concept of turning the artists' various skills into advantages and disadvantages during the challenges works really well, and some of the situations are truly brutal. I just wish that feeling had carried over into the subsequent challenges; I felt that some of them became less interesting and, more importantly, less tense as the story went on.
Switching perspectives mid-plot might not have been the best choice, especially since not all the characters were actually experiencing that rush of adrenaline. It completely broke the immersion and drained some of the urgency that Falan’s adventure initially had. To be honest, I found myself wanting to skip any chapter that didn't focus on Falan or wasn't directly related to the game.
I understand why the author chose a multi-POV narrative. Certain flashbacks—particularly those regarding Falan’s relationship with Lavanya—really helped me understand the protagonist better and added some of the emotional depth I felt was missing elsewhere in the story. The problem was the sheer number of characters; not all of them managed to be equally compelling. At times, I simply had to remind myself who was narrating and why that part of the story mattered at that moment.
That also somewhat detracted from Falan for me. I liked the idea of a revenge-driven protagonist willing to do morally questionable things to uncover what happened to her sister. She is far more ruthless than many YA protagonists in this genre, and that could have been a fascinating trait. However, I wanted to see more emotional consequences stemming from her choices. For instance, when she kills someone for the first time, I felt there should have been a more significant reaction. She seemed to move past the violence too quickly, making it difficult to understand who Falan was beyond her anger.
I also thought it was a shame that her magic took such a backseat. From the start, I was curious to understand why Falan didn't experience the sensation the other characters associated with their affinities, and what the true nature of her powers actually was. The reveal is interesting, but I wanted much more than just to find out what she could do. I wanted to see her using that ability, developing it, and understanding her own power throughout the story.
The relationships between the characters could also have been much more developed. I liked some of them and think there was potential to create a truly strong group, but I missed that "found family" feeling that would have made every death truly painful. The relationship between Falan and Lavanya was one of the few that managed to make me feel something, precisely because we had time to get to know them both better. In contrast, some of the other relationships seemed to exist mainly to drive the plot forward.
The romance also ended up taking a backseat for me. I actually liked the possibilities presented, but I didn't feel there was enough development for any of the romantic relationships to have the impact they could have had. At times, it felt more like a matter of deciding who Falan would end up with rather than actually building a relationship between the characters.
And unfortunately, the ending was another part that left me a bit frustrated. I liked some of the reveals and think there were good ideas behind them, but several were quite predictable. Some solutions also seemed too convenient, especially considering how much the story tried to portray Jean-Pierre as an intelligent and dangerous villain. The sheer number of events packed into the final pages also made everything feel like it was happening too fast.
Overall, "The Game of Oaths" had an excellent premise and, at times, delivered exactly the kind of tension I was looking for. The circus atmosphere, the violence of the games, the critique of exploitation, and the divisions among the competitors were elements that really worked for me. But I wanted more character depth, more relationship development, more room for Falan's magic, and—above all—a slightly more focused narrative.
I think this is one of those books where I can clearly see the potential of the story and the author, but I felt there were too many ideas trying to fit into a single book. It was an entertaining read at times and definitely not a bad experience, but it fell well short of what I expected when I started.
Thank you to NetGalley and Walker Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2026
3.5 stars rounded to 4; an ambitious debut set in late 1800s Paris with influences from The Hunger Games, Six of Crows, and The Night Circus. I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Candlewick Press and NetGalley.
Falan is driven by revenge to participate in this year's Cirque des Ombres, a magical fight-to-the-death competition every year that has the winner set with riches and fame. She's not interested in riches or fame however, her sister was in last year's competition and she knows that her death wasn't a mere casualty of the competition, but a deliberate murder from the ringmaster in charge of the competition, Jean-Pierre. But Falan can't defeat Jean-Pierre alone, and hatches a plan for vengeance that involves her sometimes-accomplice Bellamy, and inadvertantly also brings in the previous winner of the competition, the competition venue's owner's son, and even Falan's acrobat partner. Falan has to decide how much she can trust her helpers as she fights and strategizes her way through the deadly rounds trying to avoid former friends and foes.
While I recognize a lot of influences from other works in this story, I think S.C. Bandreddi has done well in making their setting, characters, and plot truly their own thing. You may see traces of Six of Crows in the characters, some The Hunger Games in how the structure of the competition is set up, and of course, the circus setting somewhat reminiscent of The Night Circus. But Falan is a more ruthless protagonist, and the other characters have their own backstories and perspectives too that you can't help but feel for almost everyone who is trapped in some way or another by this competition. This actually might have been one of the weaker parts of the book however, since every chapter was another perspective and everyone was doing something different, it was hard to focus and remember what was going on with the other characters. I also thought the racial divide between the underdog and the more successful competitors had too much telling and not enough showing, it's possible it had to be more plainly mentioned since this is a YA novel but as an adult, it is very clearly mentioned over and over again.
The worldbuilding was interesting but felt limited in scope. People may have an innate magical ability, but upon signing a magical contract, their abilities are magnified and even exponentially increase in power. Magical abilities are also feared by the general public and those under contract are supposed to be held in check and is why the competition is made up of magic users in the first place. However, the story is only really focused on Paris and it's unclear if the rest of the world operates this way. We learn a bit about where our protagonists are from, but there isn't a lot of detail about their abilities from their countries of origin. The book ends with a possible thread for a sequel, and I hope there's more we can learn about this world that this first book didn't cover.
Finally, a smaller thing that bothered me was that while Falan is a gifted acrobat, we rarely see her use her skills in the competition and I thought that was a missed opportunity as we rarely see any acrobatic main characters in (young adult) fantasy. Despite my concerns with the book, I do think this is a solid debut with a unique setting, and would encourage anyone interested in the premise to check it out!
Falan is driven by revenge to participate in this year's Cirque des Ombres, a magical fight-to-the-death competition every year that has the winner set with riches and fame. She's not interested in riches or fame however, her sister was in last year's competition and she knows that her death wasn't a mere casualty of the competition, but a deliberate murder from the ringmaster in charge of the competition, Jean-Pierre. But Falan can't defeat Jean-Pierre alone, and hatches a plan for vengeance that involves her sometimes-accomplice Bellamy, and inadvertantly also brings in the previous winner of the competition, the competition venue's owner's son, and even Falan's acrobat partner. Falan has to decide how much she can trust her helpers as she fights and strategizes her way through the deadly rounds trying to avoid former friends and foes.
While I recognize a lot of influences from other works in this story, I think S.C. Bandreddi has done well in making their setting, characters, and plot truly their own thing. You may see traces of Six of Crows in the characters, some The Hunger Games in how the structure of the competition is set up, and of course, the circus setting somewhat reminiscent of The Night Circus. But Falan is a more ruthless protagonist, and the other characters have their own backstories and perspectives too that you can't help but feel for almost everyone who is trapped in some way or another by this competition. This actually might have been one of the weaker parts of the book however, since every chapter was another perspective and everyone was doing something different, it was hard to focus and remember what was going on with the other characters. I also thought the racial divide between the underdog and the more successful competitors had too much telling and not enough showing, it's possible it had to be more plainly mentioned since this is a YA novel but as an adult, it is very clearly mentioned over and over again.
The worldbuilding was interesting but felt limited in scope. People may have an innate magical ability, but upon signing a magical contract, their abilities are magnified and even exponentially increase in power. Magical abilities are also feared by the general public and those under contract are supposed to be held in check and is why the competition is made up of magic users in the first place. However, the story is only really focused on Paris and it's unclear if the rest of the world operates this way. We learn a bit about where our protagonists are from, but there isn't a lot of detail about their abilities from their countries of origin. The book ends with a possible thread for a sequel, and I hope there's more we can learn about this world that this first book didn't cover.
Finally, a smaller thing that bothered me was that while Falan is a gifted acrobat, we rarely see her use her skills in the competition and I thought that was a missed opportunity as we rarely see any acrobatic main characters in (young adult) fantasy. Despite my concerns with the book, I do think this is a solid debut with a unique setting, and would encourage anyone interested in the premise to check it out!
June 5, 2026
“After all, somebody told Jean-Pierre of Lavanya’s intentions to leave. And Falan only confided in one person.”
Falan Sunkara signed a contract magically tied to her body that forces her to serve the wealthy elite in France under the control of the Ringmaster Jean-Pierre. Every year, the Game of Oaths is held, where twelve individuals bound by similar contracts compete in deadly games. The sole winner earns their contract’s dissolution after one year, along with a large cash prize. After witnessing her sister Lavanya’s suspicious death during the first round of the Game of Oaths, Falan spends the next year plotting and searching for answers. When she is unexpectedly chosen by the panel to compete in the Game of Oaths herself, she sees it as the perfect opportunity to get her revenge. As the games grow more dangerous and the elites begin targeting her, Falan must decide who she can trust if she wants to survive.
I definitely had to dust off my French-to-English dictionary while reading, but S.C. Bandreddi balanced the language well enough that it never felt overwhelming. Between the map of Paris at the beginning, the descriptions of the late 1800s inspired architecture, and the French language woven throughout the story, the setting was easy to visualize. The world-building honestly became one of my favorite aspects of the book because it made everything feel immersive without slowing the story down. During the first couple of chapters, I understood Falan’s cold demeanor since she was willing to kill anyone to survive. However, I was frustrated when more people began helping her and learning her secrets yet she continued to keep everyone at arm’s length. I wanted to see her trust others a little more, especially considering how much was at stake. By the end though, I completely understood why she struggled to let people in once one of her supposed friends and allies revealed their true intentions. Overall, the intensity of the challenges and the violence kept me completely hooked. There were moments where I genuinely thought Falan wasn’t making it out alive, which made the story even more unpredictable. I also loved the divide between the elite “Lilys” and the overlooked “Boarders” along with how each participant used their own talents to survive. It gave the book a very Hunger Games style atmosphere while remaining unique. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys high stakes survival stories with intense competition. You won’t be disappointed!
The Game of Oaths releases on June 2nd, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Candlewick for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Falan Sunkara signed a contract magically tied to her body that forces her to serve the wealthy elite in France under the control of the Ringmaster Jean-Pierre. Every year, the Game of Oaths is held, where twelve individuals bound by similar contracts compete in deadly games. The sole winner earns their contract’s dissolution after one year, along with a large cash prize. After witnessing her sister Lavanya’s suspicious death during the first round of the Game of Oaths, Falan spends the next year plotting and searching for answers. When she is unexpectedly chosen by the panel to compete in the Game of Oaths herself, she sees it as the perfect opportunity to get her revenge. As the games grow more dangerous and the elites begin targeting her, Falan must decide who she can trust if she wants to survive.
I definitely had to dust off my French-to-English dictionary while reading, but S.C. Bandreddi balanced the language well enough that it never felt overwhelming. Between the map of Paris at the beginning, the descriptions of the late 1800s inspired architecture, and the French language woven throughout the story, the setting was easy to visualize. The world-building honestly became one of my favorite aspects of the book because it made everything feel immersive without slowing the story down. During the first couple of chapters, I understood Falan’s cold demeanor since she was willing to kill anyone to survive. However, I was frustrated when more people began helping her and learning her secrets yet she continued to keep everyone at arm’s length. I wanted to see her trust others a little more, especially considering how much was at stake. By the end though, I completely understood why she struggled to let people in once one of her supposed friends and allies revealed their true intentions. Overall, the intensity of the challenges and the violence kept me completely hooked. There were moments where I genuinely thought Falan wasn’t making it out alive, which made the story even more unpredictable. I also loved the divide between the elite “Lilys” and the overlooked “Boarders” along with how each participant used their own talents to survive. It gave the book a very Hunger Games style atmosphere while remaining unique. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys high stakes survival stories with intense competition. You won’t be disappointed!
The Game of Oaths releases on June 2nd, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Candlewick for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Walker books for the arc!
I loved this book so much, this was such a fun read with an amazing concept that was executed so well and had me gripped from the start. The plot is so intriguing and I absolutely loved the backdrop of the era and circus setting which is one of my favourites. The authors descriptions always made it so easy to visualise everything whilst also fully immersing you within this world and era. The world building was really well thought out and I loved the authors magic system. I really liked the rounds and thought each game was so intriguing. They always had such a unique feeling to them and I found myself thoroughly invested in each one, not knowing which way it would go. The stakes always felt high and had me wanting to keep reading to see what would happen next. There were twists I never saw coming which I loved as you never knew which way it was going to go or who to trust and I felt the author managed to put so much individuality within this book that, despite there being a lot of books out there with games/ trials, this still felt fresh and unique.
I really liked all of the characters and thought the whole group went together so well. Each had a distinct personality and so everyone brought something different to the group and it was really fun seeing them interact with one another. Falan was an amazing lead character, she was so strong and I loved how her goal was always clear and you could understand how clearly driven by revenge she was and root for her from the start. She had so many layers and I really felt I got to know her throughout the book. I loved the flashbacks as they added a lot of background and depth to the characters and storyline as a whole and I would love if there was another book featuring these characters. Despite Falan being the main character, the others were just as important and crucial to the plot and I loved how it switched focus to the different characters as it made them all feel equally relevant and just as strongly developed. There isn’t much romance which doesn’t bother me at all but the romance that is there is so cute and I loved how it was subtly evident throughout through even the smallest interactions.
The authors writing style is so captivating and flows so well throughout. There was never a dull moment and the pacing for me was perfect. I’d definitely be interested in reading more by this author and 100% would recommend this book!
I loved this book so much, this was such a fun read with an amazing concept that was executed so well and had me gripped from the start. The plot is so intriguing and I absolutely loved the backdrop of the era and circus setting which is one of my favourites. The authors descriptions always made it so easy to visualise everything whilst also fully immersing you within this world and era. The world building was really well thought out and I loved the authors magic system. I really liked the rounds and thought each game was so intriguing. They always had such a unique feeling to them and I found myself thoroughly invested in each one, not knowing which way it would go. The stakes always felt high and had me wanting to keep reading to see what would happen next. There were twists I never saw coming which I loved as you never knew which way it was going to go or who to trust and I felt the author managed to put so much individuality within this book that, despite there being a lot of books out there with games/ trials, this still felt fresh and unique.
I really liked all of the characters and thought the whole group went together so well. Each had a distinct personality and so everyone brought something different to the group and it was really fun seeing them interact with one another. Falan was an amazing lead character, she was so strong and I loved how her goal was always clear and you could understand how clearly driven by revenge she was and root for her from the start. She had so many layers and I really felt I got to know her throughout the book. I loved the flashbacks as they added a lot of background and depth to the characters and storyline as a whole and I would love if there was another book featuring these characters. Despite Falan being the main character, the others were just as important and crucial to the plot and I loved how it switched focus to the different characters as it made them all feel equally relevant and just as strongly developed. There isn’t much romance which doesn’t bother me at all but the romance that is there is so cute and I loved how it was subtly evident throughout through even the smallest interactions.
The authors writing style is so captivating and flows so well throughout. There was never a dull moment and the pacing for me was perfect. I’d definitely be interested in reading more by this author and 100% would recommend this book!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book was brilliant! Set in a richly imagined 1896 Belle Époque France, it centres on a deadly competition known as The Game of Oaths. This brutal tournament is staged for the entertainment of the upper classes, and those forced to enter are fighting for freedom from their contracts with the dark circus ringmaster and Enchanteur, Jean-Pierre.
Think The Hunger Games meets The Night Circus, and that is exactly what you get. The circus element is woven in beautifully, with trials tailored to each performer’s strengths, giving them both advantages and disadvantages throughout the deadly games.
The writing was excellent, the pacing strong, the trials genuinely frightening, and the sense of danger constant. I really loved the main characters, and even the side characters had purpose and depth, which made me care for all of their fates.
What to expect:
🎪 1800s Belle Époque Paris
🩸 YA fantasy
🗡️ Multiple POVs
🎪 Revenge
🩸 Illusion magic
🗡️ Deadly tournament
🎪 Circus setting
🩸 High stakes
🗡️ Historical France
Although marketed as young adult, this book leans into darker themes, particularly in the horror and violence of the trials. So check the content warnings before giving it to a younger reader! There are clear similarities to The Hunger Games in the structure of the deadly challenges, but it brings a fresh twist by using a deck of cards and the circus as the backbone. There is blood, danger, and gore, with countless moments that had me on edge, wondering who could truly be trusted.
Fans of deadly trials, subtle romantic undertones, revenge driven FMCs, and a beautifully dark reimagining of a glittering eighteenth century French circus setting will devour this whole.
A huge thank you to the absolute legends at Walker Books Australia for my gifted proof copy. I’m so grateful, I am very happily leaving this review ❤️✨
Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Facebook | My Books
Think The Hunger Games meets The Night Circus, and that is exactly what you get. The circus element is woven in beautifully, with trials tailored to each performer’s strengths, giving them both advantages and disadvantages throughout the deadly games.
The writing was excellent, the pacing strong, the trials genuinely frightening, and the sense of danger constant. I really loved the main characters, and even the side characters had purpose and depth, which made me care for all of their fates.
What to expect:
🎪 1800s Belle Époque Paris
🩸 YA fantasy
🗡️ Multiple POVs
🎪 Revenge
🩸 Illusion magic
🗡️ Deadly tournament
🎪 Circus setting
🩸 High stakes
🗡️ Historical France
Although marketed as young adult, this book leans into darker themes, particularly in the horror and violence of the trials. So check the content warnings before giving it to a younger reader! There are clear similarities to The Hunger Games in the structure of the deadly challenges, but it brings a fresh twist by using a deck of cards and the circus as the backbone. There is blood, danger, and gore, with countless moments that had me on edge, wondering who could truly be trusted.
Fans of deadly trials, subtle romantic undertones, revenge driven FMCs, and a beautifully dark reimagining of a glittering eighteenth century French circus setting will devour this whole.
A huge thank you to the absolute legends at Walker Books Australia for my gifted proof copy. I’m so grateful, I am very happily leaving this review ❤️✨
Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Facebook | My Books
July 2, 2026
Falan Sunkara is a young trapeze artist in le Cirque des Ombres. Each year every performer in le Cirque is in contention to participate in a tournament where twelve of them will be pitted against one another with the sole winner surviving to have their contract at le Cirque terminated, allowing for them to start their life over again. Ringmaster Jean-Pierre and hotelier Blanchet unite to host the event and they play dirty. Falan has had a grudge against Jean-Pierre ever since her sister died in last year’s game, feeling as though the man rigged a ladder to break. In order to exact her revenge and set her fellow performers free from Jean-Pierre and his magical hold on them, Falan is determined to win this year’s Game of Oaths - no matter the cost. The Game of Oaths may be reminiscent of The Hunger Games, but this battle of wits is a war all on its own and one you will turn every page for, eager to find out who survives this fight.
It is 1896 in Paris and Falan Sunkara, a seventeen-year-old, is a trapeze artist working in le Cirque des Ombres. Each year twelve of the circus performers are pitted against one another in The Game of Oaths, a tournament where only one will survive - a secret event serving entertainment for the wealthy elite. Enchanteur/Ringmaster Jean-Pierre uses his magical hold (“le Lien”) on the performers to keep them in line while they are bound to him by contracts. Falan is fed up with Jean-Pierre as she is certain he played a hand in the death of her sister, Lavanya, in last year’s Game of Oaths. This rage fuels a plan to take him down by any means necessary. Reluctantly, she must enlist the aid of fellow trapeze artist Ronan Allaire, last year’s game winner Lucien Trichet, fellow thief/casino dealer Bellamy (possibly the only person she has left to trust in this world) and the extremely reluctant, hidden Enchanteur Jules - the [illegitimate] son of fellow game host Blancett - who is on the board that determines the game played each round. Can Falan survive long enough to take down the megalomaniacs that host The Game of Oaths and make them pay for her sister’s death? You will eagerly turn the pages of this read to find out.
Author S.C. Bandreddi completely captivates from page one. You are quickly invested in Falan’s mission, biting your nails and on the edge of your seat with every bloodthirsty round. You desperately want her alliances to work out for her so that she can bring down Jean-Pierre and remove his hold on those he has conned into taking part in le Cirque. Be prepared to realize when you come to the end of a chapter that you have been holding your breath the entire time.
The Game of Oaths is an action-packed story that will keep readers deeply invested from start to finish. Your need to protect Falan at all costs will have you wishing your screams and gasps along the way can be heard by her so she knows she is not alone in this battle. Pick up this fascinating and magical read that will keep you whispering “Chance” to Falan and her helpers.
It is 1896 in Paris and Falan Sunkara, a seventeen-year-old, is a trapeze artist working in le Cirque des Ombres. Each year twelve of the circus performers are pitted against one another in The Game of Oaths, a tournament where only one will survive - a secret event serving entertainment for the wealthy elite. Enchanteur/Ringmaster Jean-Pierre uses his magical hold (“le Lien”) on the performers to keep them in line while they are bound to him by contracts. Falan is fed up with Jean-Pierre as she is certain he played a hand in the death of her sister, Lavanya, in last year’s Game of Oaths. This rage fuels a plan to take him down by any means necessary. Reluctantly, she must enlist the aid of fellow trapeze artist Ronan Allaire, last year’s game winner Lucien Trichet, fellow thief/casino dealer Bellamy (possibly the only person she has left to trust in this world) and the extremely reluctant, hidden Enchanteur Jules - the [illegitimate] son of fellow game host Blancett - who is on the board that determines the game played each round. Can Falan survive long enough to take down the megalomaniacs that host The Game of Oaths and make them pay for her sister’s death? You will eagerly turn the pages of this read to find out.
Author S.C. Bandreddi completely captivates from page one. You are quickly invested in Falan’s mission, biting your nails and on the edge of your seat with every bloodthirsty round. You desperately want her alliances to work out for her so that she can bring down Jean-Pierre and remove his hold on those he has conned into taking part in le Cirque. Be prepared to realize when you come to the end of a chapter that you have been holding your breath the entire time.
The Game of Oaths is an action-packed story that will keep readers deeply invested from start to finish. Your need to protect Falan at all costs will have you wishing your screams and gasps along the way can be heard by her so she knows she is not alone in this battle. Pick up this fascinating and magical read that will keep you whispering “Chance” to Falan and her helpers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars TL;DR - Equal parts tense and dangerous while still feeling mystical and beautiful. This was an incredible debut with an immersive atmosphere, and this is definitely an author to keep your eye on.
My Thoughts:
This was such a cool story. I was genuinely surprised to learn this was a debut, and I’m already eager to see what the author writes next.
The author described it as The Hunger Games meets Caraval, and that is indeed a great comparison. The games were brutal and constantly pushed the players into k!ll-or-be-k!lled situations. At the same time, the magic and illusion elements added so much atmosphere, making the setting feel equally mystical and dangerous.
(I’d also throw in a slight Six of Crows vibe because of the group dynamics and the somewhat heist-like direction we get near the end.)
Overall, I do think the development could have used a little more depth for my personal taste, and the last quarter lost me a bit. There’s a point where all the characters come together and everything starts getting overexplained in a very “villain monologue explains the plot” kind of way. It felt clunky and pulled me out of the story. The ending overall also felt somewhat rushed, and I’m not sure it left me fully satisfied.
That said, this was still a really solid read for me. I gave it a 3.5 because every time I picked it up, I was completely sucked in. It was quick to get through, easy to immerse myself in, and the world felt unique, beautiful, and atmospheric. If this one has already caught your eye, I’d definitely recommend giving it a shot.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book
My Thoughts:
This was such a cool story. I was genuinely surprised to learn this was a debut, and I’m already eager to see what the author writes next.
The author described it as The Hunger Games meets Caraval, and that is indeed a great comparison. The games were brutal and constantly pushed the players into k!ll-or-be-k!lled situations. At the same time, the magic and illusion elements added so much atmosphere, making the setting feel equally mystical and dangerous.
(I’d also throw in a slight Six of Crows vibe because of the group dynamics and the somewhat heist-like direction we get near the end.)
Overall, I do think the development could have used a little more depth for my personal taste, and the last quarter lost me a bit. There’s a point where all the characters come together and everything starts getting overexplained in a very “villain monologue explains the plot” kind of way. It felt clunky and pulled me out of the story. The ending overall also felt somewhat rushed, and I’m not sure it left me fully satisfied.
That said, this was still a really solid read for me. I gave it a 3.5 because every time I picked it up, I was completely sucked in. It was quick to get through, easy to immerse myself in, and the world felt unique, beautiful, and atmospheric. If this one has already caught your eye, I’d definitely recommend giving it a shot.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book
July 10, 2026
Game of Oaths is a power, vengeance driven story that wears its inspiration proudly on its sleeves.
I struggled with the concept. 12 performers every year take part in the games where 11 will die. But during the selection process we learn there are only 40 odd people in the circus. So you are telling me that they lose a whole quarter of the show every year? And yet the newest member had been in the show for seven months, so less than half a year every year to find and train recruits? I know its showcasing how expendable these people are considered but the sheer time needed to find, recruit and train makes this hard to swallow.
what I did really lime was the way in which racism was explored within this book. This is not just a book about class but about colour, about "lower" boarders who are all coloured and the "Lilies" who are almost all white and treated better because of it. This inequality runs through the whole book but its never treated clumsily. It is a key part of the plot without overwhelming it and done very well.
It is, lets just be upfront here, very heavily inspired by the Hunger Games but unlike so many it does it in a good way and manages to mostly make these games feel like their own thing.
I loved the games within the Game, the list of a dwindling cast and the show style of each one although none could match the chill and creep factor of the first game which was the stand out to me.
I wish more had been done with Falan's talent, I still do not really get what she could do.
I liked the romances that developed here, and if we return to this world I would read more.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
I struggled with the concept. 12 performers every year take part in the games where 11 will die. But during the selection process we learn there are only 40 odd people in the circus. So you are telling me that they lose a whole quarter of the show every year? And yet the newest member had been in the show for seven months, so less than half a year every year to find and train recruits? I know its showcasing how expendable these people are considered but the sheer time needed to find, recruit and train makes this hard to swallow.
what I did really lime was the way in which racism was explored within this book. This is not just a book about class but about colour, about "lower" boarders who are all coloured and the "Lilies" who are almost all white and treated better because of it. This inequality runs through the whole book but its never treated clumsily. It is a key part of the plot without overwhelming it and done very well.
It is, lets just be upfront here, very heavily inspired by the Hunger Games but unlike so many it does it in a good way and manages to mostly make these games feel like their own thing.
I loved the games within the Game, the list of a dwindling cast and the show style of each one although none could match the chill and creep factor of the first game which was the stand out to me.
I wish more had been done with Falan's talent, I still do not really get what she could do.
I liked the romances that developed here, and if we return to this world I would read more.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
September 13, 2026
A magical circus where the performers are bound by blood contracts and twelve of them are forced into a deadly tournament? Yeah, I was immediately intrigued.
This was SO atmospheric and unsettling. I really loved the contrast between the beautiful, almost magical circus and the darker reality underneath it, especially the divide between the people with power and the people who have none. The further I got into the story, the more disturbing it became seeing just how far people were willing to go to survive.
I also really liked the idea of the performers having affinities that make them exceptionally talented at their craft, while that same magic is also part of what keeps them tied to the circus. It made the whole setting feel so much more sinister because these people aren't simply trapped by circumstance. There's actual magic keeping them there.
And honestly, there wasn't an easy person to blame. Everyone had their own motivations, which made all the betrayals and questionable decisions so much more interesting. I was constantly wondering who I could actually trust.
The bloodshed and danger were WILD, too. I definitely found myself getting way too excited whenever certain contestants were eliminated 😂 especially when it was someone I wasn't rooting for.
Dark, eerie, bloody, and full of betrayals. This was such a fun read, and the circus setting made it feel different from your typical deadly tournament story.
This was SO atmospheric and unsettling. I really loved the contrast between the beautiful, almost magical circus and the darker reality underneath it, especially the divide between the people with power and the people who have none. The further I got into the story, the more disturbing it became seeing just how far people were willing to go to survive.
I also really liked the idea of the performers having affinities that make them exceptionally talented at their craft, while that same magic is also part of what keeps them tied to the circus. It made the whole setting feel so much more sinister because these people aren't simply trapped by circumstance. There's actual magic keeping them there.
And honestly, there wasn't an easy person to blame. Everyone had their own motivations, which made all the betrayals and questionable decisions so much more interesting. I was constantly wondering who I could actually trust.
The bloodshed and danger were WILD, too. I definitely found myself getting way too excited whenever certain contestants were eliminated 😂 especially when it was someone I wasn't rooting for.
Dark, eerie, bloody, and full of betrayals. This was such a fun read, and the circus setting made it feel different from your typical deadly tournament story.
July 30, 2026
The Game of Oaths has an interesting premise—a magical competition to the death—but unfortunately it fell flat for me.
This book did have a lot of cool and even unique ideas, but the execution just wasn’t quite there. Perhaps it was a bit too ambitious as a debut. I’d be interested in reading something from this author after she’s written a few more books.
The writing came across too structured and predictable for me; I wanted more feeling behind it. The games themselves were creative, but the prose and characters were dry, so I ended up a bit bored even as I was interested in how the competition would play out. Even as someone who normally doesn’t care much about setting description, I’d say this story suffers from white room syndrome.
Similarly, the magic system had some fun elements, but ultimately didn’t add much to the world building. It felt like you could’ve completely removed the magic from the story and not changed much. Same goes for the romance/love triangle situation.
The Game of Oaths reminded me a lot of the 2010s post-Hunger Games era. If you miss those days, you might enjoy this one for the vibes. But personally, it was a bit tooo similar to some books from that time but without the emotional payoff.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the free review copy.
This book did have a lot of cool and even unique ideas, but the execution just wasn’t quite there. Perhaps it was a bit too ambitious as a debut. I’d be interested in reading something from this author after she’s written a few more books.
The writing came across too structured and predictable for me; I wanted more feeling behind it. The games themselves were creative, but the prose and characters were dry, so I ended up a bit bored even as I was interested in how the competition would play out. Even as someone who normally doesn’t care much about setting description, I’d say this story suffers from white room syndrome.
Similarly, the magic system had some fun elements, but ultimately didn’t add much to the world building. It felt like you could’ve completely removed the magic from the story and not changed much. Same goes for the romance/love triangle situation.
The Game of Oaths reminded me a lot of the 2010s post-Hunger Games era. If you miss those days, you might enjoy this one for the vibes. But personally, it was a bit tooo similar to some books from that time but without the emotional payoff.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the free review copy.
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