Grey is a dying demon whose body can no longer consume the way his kind always has. Survival is slipping, and centuries of control are unraveling.
Then he meets Haven, a sheltered human he should have drained and forgotten. Instead, she steadies the hunger that’s killing him. Every moment near her burns away another layer of restraint, binding him to a world he was never meant to touch.
Haven becomes his weakness and his salvation, the one he should destroy and the one who teaches him what it costs to feel.
This book is a great read but it does end on a cliffhanger, be prepared! I am so ready to jump into the next book! When you need another arch reader I am here for it! I love that the morally grey (pun) MMC is changing himself… I will say the only thing that could help this book is the POV being labelled on each chapter as it’s a little confusing from time to time, especially since there isn’t a consistent flow of whose chapter is next. Hopefully book two will come out soon!!! Thank you for choosing me to be an arch reader!
I’m a sucker for demon stories, and Splintered Oaths delivered a slow-burn, emotionally driven take that lingered with me long after I put it down.
Grey is a fascinating MMC - restrained, deteriorating, and painfully aware of his own monstrosity. His inability to feed the way his kind always has creates a quiet desperation that underpins every interaction. Haven, raised under rigid expectations and control, becomes both his salvation and his undoing. Their dynamic isn’t about instant attraction; it’s about hunger, choice, and the terrifying pull of wanting something you were never meant to have.
The pacing is deliberate, and while it builds slowly, the tension steadily tightens until the final chapters deliver a sharp emotional payoff and a true cliffhanger. The multiple POVs work well, especially in highlighting the contrast between Grey’s internal struggle and Haven’s awakening rebellion.
This is a book for readers who value atmosphere, moral conflict, and emotional weight over spice or nonstop action. Dark, thoughtful, and quietly intense - I’m very much looking forward to the next book.
I love a good book with demons. I started this book and unfortunately life got in the way for me to finish it right away. However it was on my mind when I stopped reading it. To me this is a slow burn that picks up in the last couple chapters. I’m already antsy to start the next book. The first book does end in a cliffhanger. Grey is an interesting character and there’s more to him than you expected and I love his demonic character. His restraint and his enteral struggle with his own mortality and desire to have something for himself is compelling enough to read just to find out more about him only and his existence. However this book has multiple characters pov with the second main character being Haven. Poor woman raised in high society by grandparents after she lost her parents as a baby. She was told how to live her life and had it structured and decided by her grandmother. One night she breaks out of her gilded cage to go to a club and there her path crosses with Grey. The two are drawn to each other and for once Haven wants something that isn’t what is expected of her. She’s torn between the life she’s expected to live and the life her heart is trying to lead her too. Grey mirrors her dilemma but his life is on the line. I’m looking forward to the second book so I can find out what happens to Grey and Haven after the climax of the first book. I don’t want to give away too much so if you like old money, demon factions, power struggles, and getting a rebellious streak over following your heart, I’d give Splintered Oaths a read. Looking forward to the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Okay, there’s so much that I love about Splintered Oaths. When you start reading you’re gonna be immersed into the world ST has created. I love Haven, the FMC. For many reasons but the most being ST really creates a character we can relate to and she CHANGES, growing despite her circumstances and course of life that’s been set before her. And then… there’s Grey. Who despite being created for evil FIGHTS the pull to kill and destroy. For the most part lol. I’m really excited to see where this story will go because there’s a cliffhanger. I won’t lie, I’m sitting on my hands not emailing and demanding ST to give us book 2 now!
What an ending. And how I wish it didn’t. Every page had a pulsing, sinister feel. The book ended with so many questions left unanswered and waiting for the second book will feel like an eternity. Very well done. Not your typical dark fantasy romance.
I had some long flights so had time to read this arc read.
Splintered Oaths is a dual-world, multi-POV dark fantasy with strong romance and some political power themes. Primary focuses being Haven (wealthy, but detached), Grey (predatory, powerful), and Kali (more down-to-earth, working-class).
Romance: Yes. It's slow-burn. Power-balancing. I would consider this dark or gothic romance. If you're expecting a sweeping, soft romance with lots of traditional flirting in the beginning...this isn't it. For younger audiences, there are se*x acts, but the language is more explicit than...well, you know. haha Not suitable for YA. This is more for adult readers (18+).
Pros: Love the immediate character building. It's clear Haven doesn't feel connected with her life of wealth. Detaches into her art. She's 21, which is nice. Dialogue is easy to read. Short sentences. Quick reading, which some readers may like. Authors voice is confident. I like the multi-pov and don't feel overwhelmed by it. Voices are given well to the characters. No POV feels redundant. This is definitely slow-burn. Anticipation building, and I did feel a sense of inevitability, like something was coming before it arrived (no spoilers lol)
Neutral: Pacing was very slow in the beginning. Beginning acts felt more like an immersion over the plot, so I had to keep reading to figure out what was happening. Characters are emotionally guarded. I felt like Haven was simple, boring, at first. But to be fair, this can be real-life as we figure people out. But it can delay emotional attachment to characters, and I think can cause DNF for some readers. Kali's arc is more visceral. Her chapters feel alive and her connection takes time to make sense.
Cons: This could be a ME issue. I really struggled to get through the first Act. Very, very slow. I put my tablet down a few times and switched to other things while on the plane. There are some areas where we read the perspective/feelings of other side characters. For example, when being introduced to Grey and his POV, there's a sentence saying (about a side character), "Her heartbeat skipped in anticipation." How would Grey know that? How would he know how she feels? Can he sense her feelings? If he can, it'd be helpful for a bit of elaboration, such as "I could taste/sense the build of her anticipation." Took me some time to figure out what timeline we were in, until modern technologies and themes were introduced.
Grammar: Clear, concise. Like I said, short, to the point. Lots of, "I did not", "I will not", which can make some readers irritated. Grammar isn't an issue here.
Characters: Haven - raised in high-society. Suppressed. What makes her compelling is that she is aware of her upbringing and doesn't know how to escape it. Kali - all about survival. She lives in poverty, rent vs,. food. She's the funny, defensive, and cynical character. Grey - He starts out believing he's above consequence. Powerful, strong. He has discipline, authority, and can be seen as ruling without pleasure. Love him. Cameron: Almost the opposite of Grey? He indulges where Grey doesn't. Lots of charm. Enjoys playing the games and thrives on attention, but more for strategic value.
Overall: This is a morally complex romantic read. Each character is trapped in some different system of power (wealth, poverty, morality, etc.). This is a serious read. Tonal consistency. Dark in theme, with character-driven narratives. 4-stars because the beginning was very rough for me.
I received this as an ARC from the author. If I could give half stars, I would. The book is a strong 3.5 stars, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 3. I think with some refinement this could be a 5 star read.
A little about the plot: It's a tale as old as time. Girl is from the right side of the tracks if living in the world of elite old money can even be considered near the tracks. Boy is a demon elite (Superior) leading a faction of demons in soul destroying world domination. An unlikely combination of innocence and corruption. Will he set her world on fire or will they both go up in flames?
A little about my thoughts: I thought the prose itself was well written. There were several lines that made me stop and highlight, which I don't normally do.
I enjoy novels told from dual POV. Having the POV of Haven, the FMC, and Grey, the MMC, made sense. I didn't understand having Kali's or Cameron's POVs as their story arcs didn't really "go anywhere." It didn't put me off the book. I know this is the first book in a series, so I'm curious to see how/if they become more important in future books or if they were random side quests. (Is it the Nic connection?) Also, I want to know more about Grey. I wish we had more from him.
The only other issue, which became a nonissue, is the setting/time period. Haven is from the world of old money. However, the way the setting was introduced felt like I was being immersed in a more Victorian setting rather than something with a modern day setting. I understand Haven's character was being developed through her upbringing and feelings of being caged in a world that felt Victorian, but the time period could be written so readers would not question when the book is set.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I am looking forward to more books in the series. I NEED to know what happens next. So here is the obligatory cliff hanger warning.
I first want to say thank you to the author for allowing me to be one of the arc readers.
If you are a lover of detailed and descriptive encounters this is definitely your book. I want to start this by telling you what I loved about this book.... I love the slow burn (it felt like a slow burn), character growth, and the determination and grit of the female lead finding herself and cloaking it in a rebellious manner. I am also a sucker for male leads who ultimately have to face themselves and choose to believe what they see in the mirror or how the female lead sees them. Ultimately choosing better for themselves and the female leads. If you enjoy the same, then this is definitely a good book for you.
The author takes great care in the descriptions of the scenes and the general progression of the story. With that being said, the reason I only rated this story with 3 stars is due to the beginning. I found it very confusing and it took until the end of some of the chapters for me to piece together what was happening or the intention of the chapter (mostly in the beginning). It was also slightly confusing with the jump between descriptions of the 1900s and present day. I think this was what really lead to the general confusion for me at the opening of the book.
I am also someone who tends to be more emotionally lead when I read the characters point of views and although the author is very descriptive, I wasnt able to really connect in that emotional way that I longed to with the characters until I got closer to the end of the book.
I really enjoyed this read. In between the responsibilities of life I would find my mind drifting back to this story. The pace flowed nicely and didn’t have any sort of underlying rush or urgency. I did find the prologue to be lacking in grabbing the audience but I read on and immediately was drawn in.
In summary, the main characters go through this book trying to figure out where they belong. Haven is faced with life choices pertaining to her title as heir and grey is faced with choices in relation to his faction. They meet each other and start falling.
This is ment to be a Dark Romantasy. The series as a whole may develop to fit this description but currently it’s missing the mark for me. There was a splash of horror.
Grey is basically a “shadow daddy” although he features great restraint he is so mysterious that I found the lack of information regarding his kind and him as an individual character frustrating and confusing. There are still things about him that confuse me. Unfortunately, he ended up being my least favorite character.
I agree 1000% with those proclaiming it’s like a modern day Bridgerton with demons. I would recommend to all Bridgerton lovers whom also don’t mind Demons.
I noticed the book description mention that Grey was dying and Haven was basically his cure. I didn’t know this while reading the book and found no mention of it. Grey was not a forthcoming character and maybe it’s more implied. I still enjoyed it though.
I was a little late to pick up the ARC, meant to read it over the weekend but here I am submitting a review at 5 am… the first few chapters were a bit slow, as others mentioned the advanced copy doesn’t label povs so it was a little confusing until all the characters were introduced (first 10% perhaps). This will be addressed in full release per authors notes.
The writing is atmospheric and the story is set in urban modern day socialite society.
I loved that the side characters were fleshed out and it wasn’t solely focused on fmc/mmc. I am curious to see the fallout in the next book - the cliffhanger was criminal 😭.
I enjoyed seeing Haven begin to test the bounds of her gilded cage and become more self assured throughout the story.
Grey reads as the long suffering demon, fighting with his morality and to hold onto a position the doesn’t want. He’s giving fallen angel and I can’t wait to see how the final scene reforges him.
I like the themes of control - Haven’s lack of it over her own life and choices and Grey’s tight grip over his desires and impulses.
It’s not often that you get a villain POV and I’m curious to see if Cameron sink to new depths or if he has any kernel of humanity left to redeem.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Let me preface this by saying that I was selected as an ARC reader, which I am so fortunate to have been selected for.
My only real serious critique is that I wish the chapters were titled with who each chapter is about. Switching between characters in first person POV without signaling can be a touch confusing. A lesser critique being that I, personally, do not like when books are split into several books when they have less than 500 pages. This is just my own qualm, as a fast reader.
At first, it felt a bit slow, but well-paced. The story was written very well and I don’t believe I noticed any spelling or grammatical errors. Once I started getting to know the characters and the plot started to develop, I really became invested. With the introduction of Grey and Cameron, I was initial thinking that perhaps this would be a ‘why choose’ or maybe a love triangle between them, but that isn’t the case. I am very interested in learning more not only about Grey, but all of the demons and what their purpose/mission is. Additionally, I am intrigued to see how Kali plays into the story, as she is so opposite of the other characters.
I am very excited to see how this plays out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Honest review - I was extremely confused until halfway through this read as there are so many characters and every chapter is from a different characters point of view. I still am left confused over Kali and how she plays into the plot but maybe her role is explained more in the next book?
I wouldn’t necessarily call this a slow burn as I didn’t get any burn. Just when you think something is about to happen it’s all taken away leaving you frustrated and even more confused. Then more characters are added in and they don’t seem to really have a place.
The ending just ends and I wouldn’t necessarily call it a cliffhanger because I went to go to the next page and there wasn’t one. Perhaps it was for dramatic effect to leave you wanting more but again it just left me confused.
I don’t want to deter anyone because I will say that the writing style was executed well and if you’re one to re-read pages or books then this is definitely for you.
And the MMC and MFC are honestly amazing. I wanted more of them!! I think there is a lot of potential for them and perhaps the second book has their relationship blossoming?!
First off I would like to thank the author for giving me the opportunity for an ARC copy. I have many mixed opinions on this book. I did enjoy the multiple views especially for the FMC and MMC but I found no reason for there to be a POV chapter for Cameron or Kali. There are only chapter numbers and no character names when a different point of view (POV) is introduced so you have to figure out who the character is. The time period where the story is set had me very confused. From the beginning how the FMC's life at home and living her with grandparents is described as gives off 1900s vibes but then sneaks to a club to hang out with Nic giving present times. The main character's two different lifestyles never cross as if having a double identity. I would have wanted more scenes of Grey (MMC) and also POV chapters. The ending made me feeling empty and there is no closure. What happens to the FMC or MMC? Still sad about Nic tho.
This was definitely different but in a really good way. Both Grey and Haven are locked in cages so to speak. Grey is locked in a dilemma if being a demon who can no longer feed the way he needs to. Because of it he’s dying slowly. Haven is stuck being the perfect debutante that her grandmother raised her to be. But that’s not her and it’s but what she wants. She sneaks out to a club one night and it’s there that she meets Grey. He should’ve ended her but something about her settles him. The two connect in a way they’re unsure of. This book is dark but enticing. It hills you hostage while you’re reading. Engaging you in ways that you just can’t help yourself. You want more. Need more. I loved every dark aspect of this book. It was so well written with amazing characters. I can’t wait for the next book.
I personally got this ARC book from the author for an honest review of the book.
In all honesty, I thought from first glance that this would be one of my favourite books, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case here.
At the start of the book i felt like some of the pov were just what had already been rewritten in the previous chapter, but just from someone else point of view. I also found that the book has different pov of characters we haven't yet been introduced to, which did get confusing to me to figure out what these characters had to do with the story.
Overall i did think this book was okay and found myself enjoying it more towards the end of the book. I love grey's character and wish we did get more of his Pov, would like to know whats to happen next in the stroy as it did finish on a cliffhanger.
Splintered Oaths was the kind of book that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. Dark, addictive, and packed with tension, it has that perfect blend of danger, emotion, and “just one more chapter” energy. The writing pulls you straight into the atmosphere, and the character dynamics are so phenomenal —intense, layered, and impossible to look away from.
The pacing is sharp, the stakes feel high, and the vibes are immaculate if you love gritty fantasy romance with an edge.
And yes… it ends on a cliffhanger that should honestly be illegal. 😩
If you’re into romantasy, morally grey characters, high tension, and stories that feel dramatic, immersive, and slightly unhinged in the best way—this is absolutely for you.
Now excuse me while I go desperately wait for the next one because I need it. 📚🔥 Kudos S.T. Dire and thank you for my newest book obsession!
This was not a simple book. At times it was pretty heavy. At the beginning of this story it was a mystery to me as to what was really going on. This story was laid out in bits and pieces. But then, secret revealed, it made more sense. And, wow, was I surprised. I did not see that twist coming. There wasn’t much communication between most of the main characters. One main character, in particular, I really didn’t like, but the others were good. I was rooting for them. There was a lot of excitement, especially towards the end. This was a page-turner, for sure. It was certainly an interesting read. And, OMG! I did not expect it to end like that. Holy Smokes! What an ending. I loved this book and can’t wait for the next one! I would definitely recommend this book.
I feel so utterly disrespectful but unfortunately I had to DNF this book. To preface, this is a me problem and not the author's!!
I believe there was a small issue for my taste with pacing. It didn't flow and if I spent 30 seconds reading a page usually on average, I spent a minute reading this one because there were a lot of pauses. Isn't for example would be written as "is not" consistently. I also believe that the writing was very beautifully descriptive and had a vibe but I love fast paced books! This is just my opinion, I hope I didn't hurt anyone ❤️
It ends on a cliffhanger!!! Or I guess a pause. Lol Super slow burn but picks up in the last few chapters. Love that the MC is a monster and knows it and our FMC wants to rebel against her upbringing and find herself. It def takes a little while to get sucked into the story but you do eventually get there. I would not consider this a dark romance but maybe the next book will be so. We get POV of side characters that hopefully will be more included in the next chapter. I am waiting on it ASAP.
Well i have to say this was something different for me and it did take me a while to get into and was confused for at least 12 chapters lol and I nearly put it as a Dnf but I carried on and finished and was glad I did , I did enjoy the storyline once I got to grips with the style the author writes ✍️ although im still trying to figure out what grey actually is ..is he a vampire or just another type of demon ? Hope book 2 reveals 😅 all in all im giving ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ purely because im liking the whole grey and haven story 😍
This is a book I have to sit with for a bit. The lyrical writing had me rereading paragraphs to enjoy the word choices. Pacing was spot on. You could feel how the characters were stuck at times, wrestling with their places in the world. This book is fresh, enticing, and has complex characters. I cannot wait to see where the next book takes the characters and the readers. It was hard to put down, and I’m sad I can’t read it again for the first time.
Holy cliffhanger!!!! First off thank you for giving me the opportunity to ARC this for you. Demons, slow burn, intense plot COUNT ME IN!! Every page kept me engaged and wanting to read more. The ending left me begging for book 2! The only thing I see that might improve this would be making the POV in the chapters a little clearer (label the chapter for the POV). Otherwise definitely waiting on book 2!
This book was intriguing and mysterious with a few POVs. The FMC seems to be finding her inner strength and growing in confidence through this story. Our dark MMC has all the draw and mystery leaving me wanting even more. I truly look forward to the next books.
This was my first time reading this author, and frankly, it won't be my last.
I adored this, the writing? So elegant and matching to the story, the characters were well fleshed out. The story felt fresh and ancient, it was wonderful. I can't wait to buy a copy when it has physical versions. Also can’t wait for book 2!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you love slow burn, demons, & forbidden attraction, this book is for you! Absolutely love the FMC Haven & how all of the characters/POVs tie in together at one point or another. The slow burn tension was SO good & then in the last few chapters it SNAPPED & ended up on a MAJOR cliffhanger. PLEASE GIVE US BOOK TWO S.T!!!!!!
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this as an arc. I am new to arc reading as well newer to fantasy. I did find it a bit hard to follow in the first half but I think someone who reads more fantasy would have no problems. The ending was WILD and I am looking forward to the next book. I need answers!
The writing style Dire has locked me into this book from page 1. A true slow burn that continues to spark to the end, and I’m already waiting for more! I found myself sinking into this world, feeling like I was truly a part of it.
This isn’t the kind of vampire romance I typically go for, but it still managed to keep me engaged from start to finish. It was a refreshing twist on the usual style.
Troupes: slow-burn and love triangle(ish), ends on a cliffhanger, and multiple POVs.
This book, I would say, is Bridgerton meets demons. Haven is a debutante during the day (due to her grandmother), but rebellious by night. Luca, who is THE bachelor of the season that the grandmother approves of. Grey is the leader of his kind, where he is located. When they meet, it is kinda instant connection. Haven would sneak out of her house to be able to meet up with Grey.
I enjoyed this book a lot, but there were times when it was confusing because the author didn't dictate at the beginning of each chapter whose POV the chapter would be, but it should be fixed in the final copy, so this should not be an issue.