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The Warlord Chronicles #1
Oath of Ruin
"The game of court is one I refuse to lose."
Oath of Ruin is the first in a dark, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of Anathema, The Knight and the Moth, and Gild.
Raelys was born in a prison. To outsiders, it looks like a palace. But after a decade of war, even gilded walls begin to look like iron bars. Caged by politics and her father’s ambitions, Raelys has spent years sharpening her wit, yearning for the world outside the castle and a chance to fight this war on her own terms.
When her father forces her into an arranged marriage for his political gain, Raelys seizes control the only way she can: by striking a dangerous deal with Wrath, the ruthless enemy king. In exchange for her new kingdom, he grants her freedom, or so she believes. Bound to the King by a magic mark and trapped in the enemy kingdom, Raelys is forbidden to betray him—an impossibility when the fate of the realm depends on her doing just that.
Raelys must unravel Wrath’s kingdom from within, navigating a web of deception and desire that could cost her everything. And despite his reputation, Raelys finds her hatred for the king blurring into something far more dangerous. One distraction could destroy not only her heart, but the realm itself.
Now, Raelys has a choice to make: end the war or let it consume them all.
----------------------------------------------------------
Oath of Ruin is for readers seeking a story with detailed world-building, magic systems, court politics, and growth arcs.
Tropes you’ll love:
Enemies to lovers
Morally gray characters
Slow burn romance
Fated mates with a twist
Forced proximity
Unique magic systems
Oath of Ruin is the first in a dark, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of Anathema, The Knight and the Moth, and Gild.
Raelys was born in a prison. To outsiders, it looks like a palace. But after a decade of war, even gilded walls begin to look like iron bars. Caged by politics and her father’s ambitions, Raelys has spent years sharpening her wit, yearning for the world outside the castle and a chance to fight this war on her own terms.
When her father forces her into an arranged marriage for his political gain, Raelys seizes control the only way she can: by striking a dangerous deal with Wrath, the ruthless enemy king. In exchange for her new kingdom, he grants her freedom, or so she believes. Bound to the King by a magic mark and trapped in the enemy kingdom, Raelys is forbidden to betray him—an impossibility when the fate of the realm depends on her doing just that.
Raelys must unravel Wrath’s kingdom from within, navigating a web of deception and desire that could cost her everything. And despite his reputation, Raelys finds her hatred for the king blurring into something far more dangerous. One distraction could destroy not only her heart, but the realm itself.
Now, Raelys has a choice to make: end the war or let it consume them all.
----------------------------------------------------------
Oath of Ruin is for readers seeking a story with detailed world-building, magic systems, court politics, and growth arcs.
Tropes you’ll love:
Enemies to lovers
Morally gray characters
Slow burn romance
Fated mates with a twist
Forced proximity
Unique magic systems
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2026
About the author
Kaley Kae
2 books32 followersKaley Kae is a born-and-raised California girl whose love of reading developed into a passion for storytelling. She is obsessed with coffee, video games, and electronic music. When she's not writing, she is a full-time DJ at major clubs and festivals worldwide.
Connect with Kaley Kae on social media!
• Instagram: @kaleykae
• TikTok: @kaleykae
• Facebook: @kaleykae
Connect with Kaley Kae on social media!
• Instagram: @kaleykae
• TikTok: @kaleykae
• Facebook: @kaleykae
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
April 28, 2026
Holy shit… I genuinely don’t even know where to start with this one. I could not put it down. The kind of book where you say, “just one more chapter” and suddenly you’re done.
It reads incredibly fast and effortlessly, but at the same time delivers a story packed with intrigue, political tension, and twists that keep you hooked the entire way through. This is a true slow burn — like, actually slow — paired with a badass FMC who doesn’t rely on physical strength, but instead plays the long game through strategy, intelligence, and political maneuvering.
And then there’s the MMC… morally grey, cold on the surface, but with just enough glimpses of softness to completely pull you in.
Oh — and that ending? That cliffhanger had me gasping. I need book two immediately.
📚 What It’s About (No Spoilers)
This story follows Raelys, a highly strategic and politically skilled princess living a caged life within the walls of her father’s palace. Despite being deliberately kept out of court affairs, she quietly plays a role behind the scenes — her brother Valentin, the Commander, often seeks her advice on the ongoing war shaped by power, alliances, and conflict.
Her world shifts completely when she is suddenly promised in marriage to an older, already-married king to strengthen a political alliance. Determined to escape a future she never chose, Raelys takes a risk and makes a dangerous deal with the most feared king of all — King Wrath — in a desperate attempt to save her life and claim her freedom.
As tensions between territories rise and hidden forces begin to stir, Raelys is pulled deeper into a web of political games, secrets, and power struggles. With alliances shifting, whispers of rebellion growing louder, and something darker lurking beneath the surface, the story unfolds into a high-stakes game where trust is fragile… and every move matters.
🖤 What I Loved
Characters
As much as I love a physically strong FMC, it was honestly so refreshing to read from the perspective of someone whose strength lies in strategy rather than combat.
Raelys is that girl — smart, calculating, stubborn, and always thinking ten steps ahead. She’s playing the long game in a way that feels intentional and powerful, and I loved seeing that kind of intelligence take center stage.
And Wrath… yeah, I’m obsessed. He’s mysterious, distant, and hard to read at first, but the more you get to know him, the more you start to see the subtle hints of loyalty and softness underneath that cold exterior. A king who would burn everything down for her? Exactly my type.
The side characters and subplots were also really well done. Nothing felt unnecessary — every character had a purpose, and the story does a great job of making you care about them (whether that’s love, hate, or somewhere in between).
Romance / Relationships
This is a very slow burn. Like… very.
Maybe just a tiny bit too slow for my personal taste, but at the same time, it makes the yearning so much stronger, so I can’t even be mad about it. I do wish there had been a bit more tension, teasing, or interaction between Raelys and Wrath throughout the book.
That said, once it starts to build toward the end… you really feel it.
Writing Style
Super easy to read and follow, while still being descriptive enough to fully pull you into the world. It strikes a really nice balance — not too heavy, not too simple.
There are quite a few names, places, courts, and territories introduced, which can feel a little overwhelming at times, but it also adds depth and richness to the world.
Pacing / Plot
The pacing is honestly so well done. It never feels rushed, but it also never drags.
It keeps you engaged the entire time — always giving you just enough to stay curious and wanting more.
The worldbuilding really stood out to me as well. Everything feels intentional and immersive, from the political structure to the landscape and the magic system. It’s creative without feeling confusing, which is not always easy to pull off in this genre.
💭 What Didn’t Fully Work for Me
There were moments where keeping track of all the names, territories, and dynamics felt a bit overwhelming. I eventually got used to it, but it did take some time to fully settle into the world.
And while I love a slow burn, the romance felt slightly out of sync with the rest of the story for me. I would have personally liked to see just a bit more progression between Raelys and Wrath by the end — but that could very much come down to personal preference.
🔥 Tropes & Elements
- Slow burn
- Enemies to lovers
- Found family / new alliances / Friends
- Political intrigue & war
- Strategic FMC
- Morally grey MMC
⚠️ Content Notes
There are mentions of abuse and implied sexual violence, though not described in graphic detail.
💔 Emotional Impact
Emotional damage level: 1/5
Not super emotionally heavy, but definitely gripping and intense.
👀 Who Should Read This?
If you love fantasy with strong political elements, strategic main characters, and a very slow-burning enemies-to-lovers romance, this will absolutely be your thing.
Especially if you enjoy:
- smart, calculating FMCs
- morally grey love interests
- immersive worldbuilding
- tension that builds slowly but hits hard
🫶 Final Thoughts
I had such a great time reading this. It completely pulled me in, kept me hooked, and left me wanting more.
If you’re into slow-burn, politically driven fantasy with layered characters and high stakes, I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
And yeah… I’ll be impatiently waiting for book two.
📢 Disclosure
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and Kaley Kae for the gifted ARC! All opinions are my own.
It reads incredibly fast and effortlessly, but at the same time delivers a story packed with intrigue, political tension, and twists that keep you hooked the entire way through. This is a true slow burn — like, actually slow — paired with a badass FMC who doesn’t rely on physical strength, but instead plays the long game through strategy, intelligence, and political maneuvering.
And then there’s the MMC… morally grey, cold on the surface, but with just enough glimpses of softness to completely pull you in.
Oh — and that ending? That cliffhanger had me gasping. I need book two immediately.
📚 What It’s About (No Spoilers)
This story follows Raelys, a highly strategic and politically skilled princess living a caged life within the walls of her father’s palace. Despite being deliberately kept out of court affairs, she quietly plays a role behind the scenes — her brother Valentin, the Commander, often seeks her advice on the ongoing war shaped by power, alliances, and conflict.
Her world shifts completely when she is suddenly promised in marriage to an older, already-married king to strengthen a political alliance. Determined to escape a future she never chose, Raelys takes a risk and makes a dangerous deal with the most feared king of all — King Wrath — in a desperate attempt to save her life and claim her freedom.
As tensions between territories rise and hidden forces begin to stir, Raelys is pulled deeper into a web of political games, secrets, and power struggles. With alliances shifting, whispers of rebellion growing louder, and something darker lurking beneath the surface, the story unfolds into a high-stakes game where trust is fragile… and every move matters.
🖤 What I Loved
Characters
As much as I love a physically strong FMC, it was honestly so refreshing to read from the perspective of someone whose strength lies in strategy rather than combat.
Raelys is that girl — smart, calculating, stubborn, and always thinking ten steps ahead. She’s playing the long game in a way that feels intentional and powerful, and I loved seeing that kind of intelligence take center stage.
And Wrath… yeah, I’m obsessed. He’s mysterious, distant, and hard to read at first, but the more you get to know him, the more you start to see the subtle hints of loyalty and softness underneath that cold exterior. A king who would burn everything down for her? Exactly my type.
The side characters and subplots were also really well done. Nothing felt unnecessary — every character had a purpose, and the story does a great job of making you care about them (whether that’s love, hate, or somewhere in between).
Romance / Relationships
This is a very slow burn. Like… very.
Maybe just a tiny bit too slow for my personal taste, but at the same time, it makes the yearning so much stronger, so I can’t even be mad about it. I do wish there had been a bit more tension, teasing, or interaction between Raelys and Wrath throughout the book.
That said, once it starts to build toward the end… you really feel it.
Writing Style
Super easy to read and follow, while still being descriptive enough to fully pull you into the world. It strikes a really nice balance — not too heavy, not too simple.
There are quite a few names, places, courts, and territories introduced, which can feel a little overwhelming at times, but it also adds depth and richness to the world.
Pacing / Plot
The pacing is honestly so well done. It never feels rushed, but it also never drags.
It keeps you engaged the entire time — always giving you just enough to stay curious and wanting more.
The worldbuilding really stood out to me as well. Everything feels intentional and immersive, from the political structure to the landscape and the magic system. It’s creative without feeling confusing, which is not always easy to pull off in this genre.
💭 What Didn’t Fully Work for Me
There were moments where keeping track of all the names, territories, and dynamics felt a bit overwhelming. I eventually got used to it, but it did take some time to fully settle into the world.
And while I love a slow burn, the romance felt slightly out of sync with the rest of the story for me. I would have personally liked to see just a bit more progression between Raelys and Wrath by the end — but that could very much come down to personal preference.
🔥 Tropes & Elements
- Slow burn
- Enemies to lovers
- Found family / new alliances / Friends
- Political intrigue & war
- Strategic FMC
- Morally grey MMC
⚠️ Content Notes
There are mentions of abuse and implied sexual violence, though not described in graphic detail.
💔 Emotional Impact
Emotional damage level: 1/5
Not super emotionally heavy, but definitely gripping and intense.
👀 Who Should Read This?
If you love fantasy with strong political elements, strategic main characters, and a very slow-burning enemies-to-lovers romance, this will absolutely be your thing.
Especially if you enjoy:
- smart, calculating FMCs
- morally grey love interests
- immersive worldbuilding
- tension that builds slowly but hits hard
🫶 Final Thoughts
I had such a great time reading this. It completely pulled me in, kept me hooked, and left me wanting more.
If you’re into slow-burn, politically driven fantasy with layered characters and high stakes, I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
And yeah… I’ll be impatiently waiting for book two.
📢 Disclosure
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and Kaley Kae for the gifted ARC! All opinions are my own.
May 11, 2026
Oath of Ruin felt like stepping into a glittering dagger of a fantasy world where every smile hides a secret and every alliance tastes a little bit poisonous. 🖤⚔️
Raelys was such a compelling FMC. She’s clever, trapped, emotionally guarded, and constantly trying to survive a game that was rigged long before she entered it. Watching her navigate court politics, betrayal, and the dangerous pull toward Wrath kept me completely invested. Their dynamic absolutely carried this book for me. The tension? Immaculate. The slow burn? Agonizing in the best way possible. Every interaction felt like a chess match wrapped in silk and sharpened steel.
The world-building was rich without feeling overwhelming, and I loved the darker romantasy atmosphere. The magical bond element added so much tension because neither character could fully trust the other, yet the chemistry kept crackling anyway. Wrath is the kind of morally gray MMC who walks into a scene and immediately changes the temperature of the room. 🌙
The pacing in the middle slowed a bit for me, which is why this landed at 4 stars instead of 5, but the political intrigue and ending definitely hooked me enough to continue the series.
If you love:
✨ enemies-to-lovers
✨ arranged marriage tension
✨ morally gray characters
✨ court politics
✨ slow burn romance that hurts a little
…then Oath of Ruin deserves a spot on your TBR immediately.
Raelys was such a compelling FMC. She’s clever, trapped, emotionally guarded, and constantly trying to survive a game that was rigged long before she entered it. Watching her navigate court politics, betrayal, and the dangerous pull toward Wrath kept me completely invested. Their dynamic absolutely carried this book for me. The tension? Immaculate. The slow burn? Agonizing in the best way possible. Every interaction felt like a chess match wrapped in silk and sharpened steel.
The world-building was rich without feeling overwhelming, and I loved the darker romantasy atmosphere. The magical bond element added so much tension because neither character could fully trust the other, yet the chemistry kept crackling anyway. Wrath is the kind of morally gray MMC who walks into a scene and immediately changes the temperature of the room. 🌙
The pacing in the middle slowed a bit for me, which is why this landed at 4 stars instead of 5, but the political intrigue and ending definitely hooked me enough to continue the series.
If you love:
✨ enemies-to-lovers
✨ arranged marriage tension
✨ morally gray characters
✨ court politics
✨ slow burn romance that hurts a little
…then Oath of Ruin deserves a spot on your TBR immediately.
July 10, 2026
This was a straight game of chess...and what happens in chess the QUEEN is end game. Raelys is tired and rightly so of being used as a pawn in everyone else's game, she realizes and builds her strength quietly and in the end flips the game on it head and makes it her bitch. Love her personality and perseverance I do want to see where book 2 goes from here.
April 7, 2026
This was a pretty good fantasy read, even if I struggled sometimes to keep the kingdoms/dukedoms straight. To start off, Raelys is an absolutely fantastic FMC. Usually, when you have a main character who is kind of a badass, it's because she's really good with a sword or fighting. Raelys is 100% incompetent as a fighter, but politically, she is an agent of chaos who was never allowed to be unleashed under her father's roof.
After a surprise engagement to an absolutely ancient king (who already has a wife too btw), Rae strikes a magical deal with Wrath, an enemy king to sneak his soldiers into her fiancé's kingdom, resulting in the mass slaughter of everyone except her. Left with no other options, she returns with Wrath to his home kingdom, where she not only learns more about her own history but gets to make some additional underhanded moves of her own. I think my favorite thing about her is, no matter how much Raelys makes friends or becomes connected to her current home she feels absolutely NO guilt for all the insanity she unleashes on the kingdom. Additionally, despite having not been given the opportunity to ever leave her home palace growing up, Raelys throws herself into society, even getting a job as a server at a tavern notorious for fighting as well as becoming part owner of a courtesan house which she uses for information and blackmail.
While the political maneuvering in the story was great, the romantic plot fell somewhat flat for me. Despite some fiery dialogue popping up much later in the book, I did not really feel the intensity or prior action to back it up making it not make as much sense. While Wrath is the type of character I would normally love, I honestly find myself more interested in Sebastian, one of the Dukes who seemed to have much better chemistry with Raelys.
There are a few other things in the book that seemed like maybe they were dropped or with the way they were written I feel like I missed something. There is one point where Raelys intercepts a letter that appears to be pretty important, and she is enraged by its contents, but we are never told what those contents are. It appears that the letter would be somewhat relevant to what happens at the end of this book, but then if it does, Raelys herself seems to have forgotten about the letter and her rage. So that left me a little bit confused.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend if you are a fan of the Plated Prisoner series. There are enough similarities that it will definitely mesh with your tastes, but not so many that it feels like it is a copy. I look forward to seeing where this goes in the next book!
Thanks to NetGalley and Kaley Kae for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
After a surprise engagement to an absolutely ancient king (who already has a wife too btw), Rae strikes a magical deal with Wrath, an enemy king to sneak his soldiers into her fiancé's kingdom, resulting in the mass slaughter of everyone except her. Left with no other options, she returns with Wrath to his home kingdom, where she not only learns more about her own history but gets to make some additional underhanded moves of her own. I think my favorite thing about her is, no matter how much Raelys makes friends or becomes connected to her current home she feels absolutely NO guilt for all the insanity she unleashes on the kingdom. Additionally, despite having not been given the opportunity to ever leave her home palace growing up, Raelys throws herself into society, even getting a job as a server at a tavern notorious for fighting as well as becoming part owner of a courtesan house which she uses for information and blackmail.
While the political maneuvering in the story was great, the romantic plot fell somewhat flat for me. Despite some fiery dialogue popping up much later in the book, I did not really feel the intensity or prior action to back it up making it not make as much sense. While Wrath is the type of character I would normally love, I honestly find myself more interested in Sebastian, one of the Dukes who seemed to have much better chemistry with Raelys.
There are a few other things in the book that seemed like maybe they were dropped or with the way they were written I feel like I missed something. There is one point where Raelys intercepts a letter that appears to be pretty important, and she is enraged by its contents, but we are never told what those contents are. It appears that the letter would be somewhat relevant to what happens at the end of this book, but then if it does, Raelys herself seems to have forgotten about the letter and her rage. So that left me a little bit confused.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend if you are a fan of the Plated Prisoner series. There are enough similarities that it will definitely mesh with your tastes, but not so many that it feels like it is a copy. I look forward to seeing where this goes in the next book!
Thanks to NetGalley and Kaley Kae for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2026
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and Author for the ARC Opportunity!
Oath of Ruin by Kaley Kae was one of those books that had me saying, "Just one more chapter"… and suddenly I was halfway through the book.
The pacing never lets up, making this such a fun and addictive read. Between the enemies-to-lovers tension, witty banter, court politics, hidden secrets, and betrayals I never saw coming, I was completely invested from start to finish.
And can we talk about the MMC? I love a morally grey man, especially when the slow burn keeps you waiting for every little moment. Add in a found family that you can't help but love, and this book checked so many of my favorite boxes.
If you love romantasy that's fast-paced, full of intrigue, and impossible to put down, Oath of Ruin deserves a spot on your TBR.
Tropes: ⚔️ Enemies to Lovers 🩶 Morally Grey MMC 🔥 Slow Burn 👑 Court Politics 🗡️ Secrets & Betrayal ❤️ Found Family ✨ Banter
Espanol: Oath of Ruin de Kaley Kae fue de esos libros que te dices: "Solo un capítulo más"... y de repente ya llevas medio libro leído.
El ritmo nunca baja, haciendo que la historia sea divertida, emocionante y completamente adictiva. Entre la tensión de enemigos a amantes, el banter, las intrigas de la corte, los secretos y las traiciones, estuve enganchada de principio a fin.
Y el protagonista? Ya saben que los MMC moralmente grises son mi debilidad, y este no fue la excepción. El slow burn hizo que cada interacción valiera la pena, y la familia encontrada terminó conquistándome por completo. Si disfrutas las romantasy llenas de acción, intriga política y personajes que te mantienen pasando páginas, Oath of Ruin definitivamente merece un lugar en tu TBR.
Tropos: ⚔️ Enemigos a amantes 🩶 MMC moralmente gris 🔥 Slow Burn 👑 Intrigas de la corte 🗡️ Secretos y traiciones ❤️ Familia encontrada ✨ Banter
April 29, 2026
This was a good first book in a series and every ending of a chapter made me want to keep reading. The world building was perfect, the banter and tension were great, but I wasn’t entirely sold on the romance between the main characters (I found myself more interested in another character lmao). Still def recommend and will be waiting for book 2 to see if some things I was confused about come to light. Thank you to the nerd fam and the author for the arc.
April 15, 2026
NETGALLEY -
I LOVED this book. Reading from the point of view of the Princess who finds herself is so good, especially when other fantasy books are often the other way around! The writing is fantastic and I really like the strong relationships Raelys makes for herself in the North. The tension between her and Wrath was palpable and so well written, Raelys is a force to be reckoned with! I really want to read the rest of the series.
I LOVED this book. Reading from the point of view of the Princess who finds herself is so good, especially when other fantasy books are often the other way around! The writing is fantastic and I really like the strong relationships Raelys makes for herself in the North. The tension between her and Wrath was palpable and so well written, Raelys is a force to be reckoned with! I really want to read the rest of the series.
June 1, 2026
4⭐️ no this was actually so fun and bingeable and i love how this was an actual slow burn!! The romance in this really does happen slowly and when it did hit i was highlighting like CRAZYYY! i was here for itttt, especially because the plot is so fast paced and so well flushed out, i was so sat omg. That cliffhanger was diabolical and i will be back for book 2! I need more of them!!
May 10, 2026
4 ⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok
This debut romantasy completely pulled me in. The worldbuilding was rich and magical.
Princess Raelys was raised to be silent, obedient, and forgotten behind palace walls. When she’s forced into a political marriage with an older king, Raelys refuses to accept the future chosen for her. Desperate to escape, she makes a dangerous deal with the most feared ruler in the realm: King Wrath.
But escaping her fate only drags into a world of war, political intrigue, rebellion, and dark secrets.
Raelys was such a strong FMC — smart, strategic, and impossible not to root for. And our MMC Wrath? He is morally grey, mysterious and so incredibly down bad for her.
The story was fast-paced, full of twists, and had moments that genuinely shocked me. The side characters were great and I loved the found family. The ending leaves on a crazy cliff— so of course I need book 2 immediately.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥ Book 1 / Romantasy Series
➳❥ Rivals to Lovers
➳❥ Found Family
➳❥ Forced Proximity
➳❥ Secrets
➳❥ Slow Burn
➳❥ Political Intrigue
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼
"You make me feel many things. Hatred is not one of them.”
"You are the bane of my existence. And no matter how fiercely I try to resist, you are everything I desire."
"Wrath...we shouldn't be doing this."
"Then stop me."
“I will wage this war until my very last breath before I live in a world without you in it."
"You drive me to a level of madness no one else has dared to reach."
"You are etched into my skin and bound to my soul, Raelys. No distance, nor time, nor magic could ever sever you from me, even in death.”
“She is a fuel that burns hotter than the sun, and I would let that fire consume me if she allowed me to.”
July 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️ 2 peppers spicy
Oath of Ruin by Kaley Kae was such a strong start to this dark romantasy series.
This book follows Princess Raelys Valantis, who has spent her life trapped inside palace walls and treated more like a political object than a person. When she is pushed toward a forced marriage, she makes a dangerous deal with the enemy king, Wrath. What she thinks will give her freedom quickly becomes something much more complicated, especially once magic binds them together.
I loved Raelys’s character growth. She starts out sheltered, but she is not weak. She is smart, observant, and learns how to use information as power. Watching her become more cunning and willing to play the political game was one of my favorite parts of the story.
The romance is slow burn, tense, and full of danger. Wrath is morally gray, intense, and exactly the kind of character who makes the enemies-to-lovers tension hit harder. I also really enjoyed the court politics, the magic, the secrets about Raelys’s lineage, and the way the story blurs the line between hero and villain.
This ends on a high-stakes cliffhanger, and I am definitely ready for the next book.
Perfect for readers who enjoy dark romantasy, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, magical bonds, morally gray characters, political intrigue, and a heroine who becomes her own weapon.
Check trigger warnings before reading.
🌶️🌶️ 2 peppers spicy
Oath of Ruin by Kaley Kae was such a strong start to this dark romantasy series.
This book follows Princess Raelys Valantis, who has spent her life trapped inside palace walls and treated more like a political object than a person. When she is pushed toward a forced marriage, she makes a dangerous deal with the enemy king, Wrath. What she thinks will give her freedom quickly becomes something much more complicated, especially once magic binds them together.
I loved Raelys’s character growth. She starts out sheltered, but she is not weak. She is smart, observant, and learns how to use information as power. Watching her become more cunning and willing to play the political game was one of my favorite parts of the story.
The romance is slow burn, tense, and full of danger. Wrath is morally gray, intense, and exactly the kind of character who makes the enemies-to-lovers tension hit harder. I also really enjoyed the court politics, the magic, the secrets about Raelys’s lineage, and the way the story blurs the line between hero and villain.
This ends on a high-stakes cliffhanger, and I am definitely ready for the next book.
Perfect for readers who enjoy dark romantasy, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, magical bonds, morally gray characters, political intrigue, and a heroine who becomes her own weapon.
Check trigger warnings before reading.
June 8, 2026
* 4.5 stars! *
“You are the bane of my existence. And no matter how fiercely I try to resist, you are everything I desire.”
I absolutely fell in love with this book! From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
My heart broke for Raelys and the way she was treated by her father. All she wanted was to help him in any way she could, yet she was met with cruelty instead of appreciation. The pain she endured pushed her to seek an escape, which ultimately led her into the arms of the enemy.
Wrath, their ruthless leader, immediately captivated me. Despite his cold and merciless reputation, Raelys chose to enter into a binding agreement with him to ensure her safety. The tension and yearning between them had me completely invested, and when they finally kissed, I was cheering for them. I loved their dynamic, Wrath is strong, grumpy, and ruthless, while Raelys is clever, sassy, and more than capable of holding her own against him.
I was also dying to know what Sebastian's missive said and why it made Raelys so angry. From the beginning, I had a feeling he wasn't someone she could trust, and I wasn't surprised when that proved to be true.
Now comes the hardest part, waiting for book two!
“You are the bane of my existence. And no matter how fiercely I try to resist, you are everything I desire.”
I absolutely fell in love with this book! From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
My heart broke for Raelys and the way she was treated by her father. All she wanted was to help him in any way she could, yet she was met with cruelty instead of appreciation. The pain she endured pushed her to seek an escape, which ultimately led her into the arms of the enemy.
Wrath, their ruthless leader, immediately captivated me. Despite his cold and merciless reputation, Raelys chose to enter into a binding agreement with him to ensure her safety. The tension and yearning between them had me completely invested, and when they finally kissed, I was cheering for them. I loved their dynamic, Wrath is strong, grumpy, and ruthless, while Raelys is clever, sassy, and more than capable of holding her own against him.
I was also dying to know what Sebastian's missive said and why it made Raelys so angry. From the beginning, I had a feeling he wasn't someone she could trust, and I wasn't surprised when that proved to be true.
Now comes the hardest part, waiting for book two!
May 5, 2026
This was a book I didn't expect to drop into my inbox (thank you to the author and Book Funnel)!
I was kicking my feet at "you make me feel many things. Hatred is not one of them". This feeling is one that I worried was leaving me in this big book world, so I'm so happy to have found that whimsical joy in this read. I enjoyed the chemistry and the world building felt easy and natural throughout the book. The FMC was someone I wanted to root for and while the relationships were sometimes complicated, I wanted to stay and unpack it.
I have some questions that I'm hoping are answered by book 2. Safe to say I will be lingering and looking forward to reading this again in anticipation of its release!
Perfect for readers who love tension, betrayal, and characters that blur the line between right and the grey 👀🫢
I was kicking my feet at "you make me feel many things. Hatred is not one of them". This feeling is one that I worried was leaving me in this big book world, so I'm so happy to have found that whimsical joy in this read. I enjoyed the chemistry and the world building felt easy and natural throughout the book. The FMC was someone I wanted to root for and while the relationships were sometimes complicated, I wanted to stay and unpack it.
I have some questions that I'm hoping are answered by book 2. Safe to say I will be lingering and looking forward to reading this again in anticipation of its release!
Perfect for readers who love tension, betrayal, and characters that blur the line between right and the grey 👀🫢
July 3, 2026
4.5⭐/5
I LOVED this FMC! Realys was so intellectual and strong with all the political manipulations happening around her, and she made moves and saw everyone else doing the same. When she made her deal with King Wrath to try to outmaneuver the political play she was about to be forced into and gain her freedom, it made for so much tension and slow slow burn that was really fantastic. This story was a page-turner for me and the world building was intense (I kept detailed notes!) and the characters were so good. I really enjoyed watching Realys rely on her smarts and try to out-smart everyone else. Wrath was intense, full of mystery, morally grey, and of course we started to see his softness only for her. I hope to see their romance get more intense going into book two.
Thank you to the author and the NerdFam for the advanced reading copy, this review was given voluntarily.
I LOVED this FMC! Realys was so intellectual and strong with all the political manipulations happening around her, and she made moves and saw everyone else doing the same. When she made her deal with King Wrath to try to outmaneuver the political play she was about to be forced into and gain her freedom, it made for so much tension and slow slow burn that was really fantastic. This story was a page-turner for me and the world building was intense (I kept detailed notes!) and the characters were so good. I really enjoyed watching Realys rely on her smarts and try to out-smart everyone else. Wrath was intense, full of mystery, morally grey, and of course we started to see his softness only for her. I hope to see their romance get more intense going into book two.
Thank you to the author and the NerdFam for the advanced reading copy, this review was given voluntarily.
May 26, 2026
Thank you to @thenerdfam and Kaley Kae for the Arc of Oath of Ruin
This book is a slow burn full of tension, political intrigue, hidden magic, and war.
The story starts with Raelys who has spent her life locked in the castle. There is a war going on between the 7 kingdoms and Raelys is being married to one of the kings to form an alliance but the thought of going from one confinement to another breaks her.
Raelys isn't sitting around. She forms unexpected alliances and formulates her own plots.
For a fantasy, slow burn, this book is well paced. The author gave us just enough to keep us engaged and then hooked us at the very end with a cliffhanger.
This book is a slow burn full of tension, political intrigue, hidden magic, and war.
The story starts with Raelys who has spent her life locked in the castle. There is a war going on between the 7 kingdoms and Raelys is being married to one of the kings to form an alliance but the thought of going from one confinement to another breaks her.
Raelys isn't sitting around. She forms unexpected alliances and formulates her own plots.
For a fantasy, slow burn, this book is well paced. The author gave us just enough to keep us engaged and then hooked us at the very end with a cliffhanger.
June 5, 2026
A dark, mesmerizing romantasy with political intrigue and agonizingly delicious slow burn. And a debut novel no less!
High stakes court politics, complex/unique magic systems, and a fiercely intelligent FMC (claps) who uses strategy rather than just brute force.
🤬 Enemies to lovers
⏳ True slow burn romance
🪙 Morally gray characters
🐺 Fated mates with a twist
🔒 Forced proximity
🏛️ Court intrigue & arranged marriage
👥 Found family
4.5 rounded up for GR.
High stakes court politics, complex/unique magic systems, and a fiercely intelligent FMC (claps) who uses strategy rather than just brute force.
🤬 Enemies to lovers
⏳ True slow burn romance
🪙 Morally gray characters
🐺 Fated mates with a twist
🔒 Forced proximity
🏛️ Court intrigue & arranged marriage
👥 Found family
4.5 rounded up for GR.
June 5, 2026
This was IT! Fantastic!! I am really looking forward to the next!!!!!!!
🖕Enemies - lovers❤️
🩶Morally grey🩶
🤵Arranged marriage👰
👀Tension👀
❣️Slow burn🔥
♟️Political games♟️
🖕Betrayal🖕
Absolutely well written masterpiece! Acotar and plated prisoner fans, you'll love this!
🖕Enemies - lovers❤️
🩶Morally grey🩶
🤵Arranged marriage👰
👀Tension👀
❣️Slow burn🔥
♟️Political games♟️
🖕Betrayal🖕
Absolutely well written masterpiece! Acotar and plated prisoner fans, you'll love this!
January 26, 2026
I have been blessed to receive an ARC of Oath of Ruin. This is a political fantasy, with a slow burn romance, and where both the MMC and FMC are equally morally gray. 🤭 Please heed the trigger warnings as there are ATTEMPTED sexual assault and violence. There are a few spicy scenes but are brief. 🌶️ I was CAPTIVATED by this book! The writing was authentic to the social status that’s depicted. Which I have found to be few and far between when reading lately. I was on the edge of my seat, wanting more, throughout the entire book. The pace was the same from start to finish, surprising me. (recently books feel rushed towards the end) This book is left on a cliff hanger and the series is not finished yet, but I honestly encourage you to read it anyways as this book was such a breath of fresh air compared to what has been published the last few years. This is one of those series that I will be getting every special edition that’s published and MARK MY WORDS… this author will be HUGE this year. ✨ very excited to see what she has in store for us in the future!
May 2, 2026
Thank you Kaley Kae, boom funnel and Nerd Fam for the ARC read opportunity! This book started at a little cookie cutter fae court for me but progressively got more interesting! The FMC stragetic thinking is a wonderful pivot from the classic battle training. Definitely leaves you on a cliff, can't wait for the next book!!
April 29, 2026
The vibes of this book were so good, but the execution was just not there. I wanted to love this book. The characters were engaging, but that was about it.
I feel like everything in this book was so rushed. Every time something interesting happened it was just glossed over and we moved on. There were so many moments I wanted to scream to stay with the moment even a breath longer.
I also feel like the dialogue was choppy and unnatural. During so many conversations I had to stop and wonder how we got to this point, because dialogue seemed to come without any reason to direct the conversation where it needed to go.
I really liked the FMC and her scheming, but I still after finishing am not clear on what exactly she was doing everything for.
Again the vibes were there, but I wish there was more.
I feel like everything in this book was so rushed. Every time something interesting happened it was just glossed over and we moved on. There were so many moments I wanted to scream to stay with the moment even a breath longer.
I also feel like the dialogue was choppy and unnatural. During so many conversations I had to stop and wonder how we got to this point, because dialogue seemed to come without any reason to direct the conversation where it needed to go.
I really liked the FMC and her scheming, but I still after finishing am not clear on what exactly she was doing everything for.
Again the vibes were there, but I wish there was more.
June 18, 2026
Thank you to the author Kaley Kae and The Nerd Fam for the opportunity to read this!
This was a fun time. It is also a quick read while simultaneously being a jam packed story.
What a unique FMC!! I blew through this book!!
This story follows our FMC who is basically used politically by the kingdoms and treated less than. She is traded by her father to a neighboring kingdom to an old man (who is already married by the way) to help him produce an heir.
This does not sit well with our FMC…she is accidentally intercepted by chance by a fae king and makes a deal with him to gain her freedom by allowing him access to overthrow the kingdom she is being traded to.
Annnnd that’s all I’m going to give you on the plot because I don’t want to spoil it.
I really like that the FMC is different than a lot of the FMCs we encounter. She relies on her wit and strategic ability rather than brute force or physical abilities. She is cunning and conniving, playing the courts to her favor throughout the book. She is often overlooked and underestimated because she is a woman and is bound and determined to prove everyone wrong.
This story has a lot of terminology, geography, and history that you have to accept and learn as you go. Also with that being said, it takes a bit to get to know our characters and surroundings to really get to enjoy the story, but once you become acquainted with the terms and world building you get into the fun stuff!!
(This is normal for fantasy and Romantasy btw… world building is the foundation for a good fantasy/romantasy)
This is also a true slow burn! You have to realize how many pages there are in this book and the heat doesn’t truly start until well into 75%ish in. I live for a slow burn so that’s my jam.
One thing I thought was unique about this story that stood out particularly was the “day to day.”
By this I mean a lot of stories only give you the main event… I felt like I understood our FMC in her day-to-day life and activities with not just our MMC but all the characters. We see her working and even doing simple tasks like shopping. There is a lot of character development throughout the story, especially in our FMC and at times it’s even hard to tell who our MMC might be 👀
There are some heavy topics in this book so check your triggers ( SA and such.)
I think the only thing that would have put this over the top for me would have been a bit more banter with our MMC during the build up, but that could just be a me thing and I enjoy the bickering lol 😂
This ends on a huge cliffhanger and I will definitely be continuing the series and adding to my shelf trophies!!!
Bravo 👏🏻
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes
“You make me feel many things. Hatred is not one of them,”
✨Tropes✨
🔥Enemies to lovers
🔥Morally gray characters
🔥Slow burn romance
🔥Fated mates with a twist
🔥Forced proximity
🔥Unique magic systems
This was a fun time. It is also a quick read while simultaneously being a jam packed story.
What a unique FMC!! I blew through this book!!
This story follows our FMC who is basically used politically by the kingdoms and treated less than. She is traded by her father to a neighboring kingdom to an old man (who is already married by the way) to help him produce an heir.
This does not sit well with our FMC…she is accidentally intercepted by chance by a fae king and makes a deal with him to gain her freedom by allowing him access to overthrow the kingdom she is being traded to.
Annnnd that’s all I’m going to give you on the plot because I don’t want to spoil it.
I really like that the FMC is different than a lot of the FMCs we encounter. She relies on her wit and strategic ability rather than brute force or physical abilities. She is cunning and conniving, playing the courts to her favor throughout the book. She is often overlooked and underestimated because she is a woman and is bound and determined to prove everyone wrong.
This story has a lot of terminology, geography, and history that you have to accept and learn as you go. Also with that being said, it takes a bit to get to know our characters and surroundings to really get to enjoy the story, but once you become acquainted with the terms and world building you get into the fun stuff!!
(This is normal for fantasy and Romantasy btw… world building is the foundation for a good fantasy/romantasy)
This is also a true slow burn! You have to realize how many pages there are in this book and the heat doesn’t truly start until well into 75%ish in. I live for a slow burn so that’s my jam.
One thing I thought was unique about this story that stood out particularly was the “day to day.”
By this I mean a lot of stories only give you the main event… I felt like I understood our FMC in her day-to-day life and activities with not just our MMC but all the characters. We see her working and even doing simple tasks like shopping. There is a lot of character development throughout the story, especially in our FMC and at times it’s even hard to tell who our MMC might be 👀
There are some heavy topics in this book so check your triggers ( SA and such.)
I think the only thing that would have put this over the top for me would have been a bit more banter with our MMC during the build up, but that could just be a me thing and I enjoy the bickering lol 😂
This ends on a huge cliffhanger and I will definitely be continuing the series and adding to my shelf trophies!!!
Bravo 👏🏻
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes
“You make me feel many things. Hatred is not one of them,”
✨Tropes✨
🔥Enemies to lovers
🔥Morally gray characters
🔥Slow burn romance
🔥Fated mates with a twist
🔥Forced proximity
🔥Unique magic systems
August 20, 2026
4 stars! I really enjoyed this one!! FRTC
—
Overall, I really enjoyed Oath of Ruin. It had enough familiar romantasy elements to hook me pretty quickly, but never felt so cliché that I knew exactly where everything was going.
Raelys was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. I loved her resolve and the fact that what makes her dangerous isn’t that she’s an expert swordsman or brimming with insanely powerful magic—at least not yet. It’s her intelligence. She’s smart, determined, and knows how to use her wit to get what she needs, which made her such a fun FMC to follow.
I also really enjoyed watching Raelys slowly build friendships and alliances around herself. After growing up essentially held captive within her own castle, there was something really satisfying about watching her find people she could trust and creating this sort of found family for herself.
I liked Wrath as well, although I do wish we’d gotten a little more of his backstory. I think I would have connected more strongly to the romance if I’d felt more connected to him individually. That being said, I LOVED the reveal that he was the one who wrote the book Raelys has loved and used to guide herself for so long. It gave their relationship a deeper connection outside of just their attraction to one another and really highlighted how, despite being on opposing sides, the two of them are almost two sides of the same coin.
The intrigue was another highlight for me. For much of the book, it was genuinely difficult to tell exactly what everyone’s motivations were or who could actually be trusted. I definitely had my suspicions about Sebastian, and let’s just say I was RIGHT to have them.
My biggest complaint is probably that I wanted the worldbuilding to be a little more immersive. We know these lands are at odds with one another, but I wanted a stronger sense of who everyone is, how the different kingdoms fit together, what they’re fighting for, and what makes each place distinct. There’s an interesting world here—I just wanted to feel more immersed in it.
I also liked the ending and the cliffhanger, but I wish it had been just a little punchier. I was intrigued and absolutely interested enough to continue the series, but I wasn’t quite at the “I NEED THE NEXT BOOK RIGHT NOW” level by the final chapters.
Overall, though, this was a very enjoyable read and a strong start to the series. It felt familiar enough to scratch that romantasy itch while still having enough of its own identity to keep it from feeling repetitive.
Definitely recommend for romantasy readers who love enemies-to-lovers, espionage and political intrigue, found family, and strong-willed FMCs who use their brains as their greatest weapon.
Thank you to NerdFam and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!
—
Overall, I really enjoyed Oath of Ruin. It had enough familiar romantasy elements to hook me pretty quickly, but never felt so cliché that I knew exactly where everything was going.
Raelys was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. I loved her resolve and the fact that what makes her dangerous isn’t that she’s an expert swordsman or brimming with insanely powerful magic—at least not yet. It’s her intelligence. She’s smart, determined, and knows how to use her wit to get what she needs, which made her such a fun FMC to follow.
I also really enjoyed watching Raelys slowly build friendships and alliances around herself. After growing up essentially held captive within her own castle, there was something really satisfying about watching her find people she could trust and creating this sort of found family for herself.
I liked Wrath as well, although I do wish we’d gotten a little more of his backstory. I think I would have connected more strongly to the romance if I’d felt more connected to him individually. That being said, I LOVED the reveal that he was the one who wrote the book Raelys has loved and used to guide herself for so long. It gave their relationship a deeper connection outside of just their attraction to one another and really highlighted how, despite being on opposing sides, the two of them are almost two sides of the same coin.
The intrigue was another highlight for me. For much of the book, it was genuinely difficult to tell exactly what everyone’s motivations were or who could actually be trusted. I definitely had my suspicions about Sebastian, and let’s just say I was RIGHT to have them.
My biggest complaint is probably that I wanted the worldbuilding to be a little more immersive. We know these lands are at odds with one another, but I wanted a stronger sense of who everyone is, how the different kingdoms fit together, what they’re fighting for, and what makes each place distinct. There’s an interesting world here—I just wanted to feel more immersed in it.
I also liked the ending and the cliffhanger, but I wish it had been just a little punchier. I was intrigued and absolutely interested enough to continue the series, but I wasn’t quite at the “I NEED THE NEXT BOOK RIGHT NOW” level by the final chapters.
Overall, though, this was a very enjoyable read and a strong start to the series. It felt familiar enough to scratch that romantasy itch while still having enough of its own identity to keep it from feeling repetitive.
Definitely recommend for romantasy readers who love enemies-to-lovers, espionage and political intrigue, found family, and strong-willed FMCs who use their brains as their greatest weapon.
Thank you to NerdFam and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2026
I originally picked up this book because of the amazingly gorgeous cover. Seriously, isn't it pretty? I'm a sucker for pretty books.
The story did not disappoint. It wasn't super detailed with the worldbuilding. The different houses and kingdoms weren't talked about as much as just introduced, which left me with some confusion. I would have liked a little more story and introduction on them.
The FMC surprised me. She kinda snuck up and turned pretty badass. I can say I didn't see it coming. She knew what she wanted and how to get it. She didn't pull any punches. I like that. She wasn't afraid of hurting feelings so didn't need to play games. I love her caring heart especially mixed with her idgaf attitude.
The relationship between Raelys and Wrath was one of those "I know they'll get together eventually" type of things. The enemies to lovers vibe combined with deep yearning and a bit of spice is rarely a bad thing.
The story had some twists and turns and left me wanting more. Please tell me that the rest of the trilogy won't be too long off. Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read Oath and Ruin. It was a pleasure.
I originally picked up this book because of the ridiculously gorgeous cover. Seriously - look at it. I’m a sucker for pretty books, and this one is definitely it.
The story didn’t disappoint either. The worldbuilding wasn’t super detailed; the different houses and kingdoms were introduced more than explored, which left me wishing for a bit more info. A little more grounding would have helped with that.
The FMC surprised me. She snuck up on me and turned pretty badass. I didn’t see it coming. She knows what she wants, goes after it, and doesn’t pull punches. I loved that mix of a caring heart and an IDGAF attitude - she doesn’t play games with people - she's just herself.
Raelys and Wrath had that “we all know where this is going” type of relationship from the start. The enemies‑to‑lovers vibe, the yearning, the little peeks of spice, that's a combo that's rarely a bad thing.
The story had twists and turns, action, and enough mystery to leave me wanting more. I need to know what happens! Please tell me the rest of the trilogy isn’t too far away. Huge thank‑you to the author for the chance to read Oath of Ruin — it was a pleasure.
The story did not disappoint. It wasn't super detailed with the worldbuilding. The different houses and kingdoms weren't talked about as much as just introduced, which left me with some confusion. I would have liked a little more story and introduction on them.
The FMC surprised me. She kinda snuck up and turned pretty badass. I can say I didn't see it coming. She knew what she wanted and how to get it. She didn't pull any punches. I like that. She wasn't afraid of hurting feelings so didn't need to play games. I love her caring heart especially mixed with her idgaf attitude.
The relationship between Raelys and Wrath was one of those "I know they'll get together eventually" type of things. The enemies to lovers vibe combined with deep yearning and a bit of spice is rarely a bad thing.
The story had some twists and turns and left me wanting more. Please tell me that the rest of the trilogy won't be too long off. Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read Oath and Ruin. It was a pleasure.
I originally picked up this book because of the ridiculously gorgeous cover. Seriously - look at it. I’m a sucker for pretty books, and this one is definitely it.
The story didn’t disappoint either. The worldbuilding wasn’t super detailed; the different houses and kingdoms were introduced more than explored, which left me wishing for a bit more info. A little more grounding would have helped with that.
The FMC surprised me. She snuck up on me and turned pretty badass. I didn’t see it coming. She knows what she wants, goes after it, and doesn’t pull punches. I loved that mix of a caring heart and an IDGAF attitude - she doesn’t play games with people - she's just herself.
Raelys and Wrath had that “we all know where this is going” type of relationship from the start. The enemies‑to‑lovers vibe, the yearning, the little peeks of spice, that's a combo that's rarely a bad thing.
The story had twists and turns, action, and enough mystery to leave me wanting more. I need to know what happens! Please tell me the rest of the trilogy isn’t too far away. Huge thank‑you to the author for the chance to read Oath of Ruin — it was a pleasure.
June 2, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)
A huge thank you to The Nerd Fam and Kaley for the ARC opportunity!
Raelys has spent her entire life trapped inside a gilded prison, a palace that after a decade of war, feels no different from a cage. When her father tries to auction her off through an arranged marriage for political gain, she does what any sharp minded woman would do: she strikes a deal with the enemy. Specifically, with Wrath the ruthless king on the other side of the war. What follows is a slow burning, magic laced story of power, freedom, and two people who probably shouldn't be falling for each other.
The characters absolutely carry this book. Raelys isn't your typical "strong female character" she's not defined by her combat skills, but by her intelligence, her stubborn streak, and her constant forward thinking. She's always three steps ahead, and reading her navigate impossible situations was genuinely refreshing. Wrath, meanwhile, presents a morally grey exterior that gradually peels back to reveal something far more compelling. I went from wary of him to fully rooting for him, which is no easy feat.
The world building deserves its own round of applause. Fantasy can sometimes take a while to click that adjustment period where you're still trying to figure out the rules of the world but Oath of Ruin felt like home almost immediately. The writing is beautiful, and the magic system? Chef's kiss. It's unique and woven into the story in a way that feels purposeful rather than decorative.
Now, about that slow burn when the tropes list says slow burn, it means it. We're talking glacial. There were moments I was practically yelling at my Kindle, willing the characters to just do something. That said, the payoff is absolutely worth it, and looking back, I actually appreciated the patience the author had with the romance. It earned its ending.
Despite the pace of the romance, I devoured this entire book in a single sitting. The world pulled me in, the characters kept me there, and I genuinely couldn't put it down until I knew what happened. And then that cliffhanger. I need book two immediately.
If you love enemies to lovers with real tension, morally complex characters, and a fantasy world that wraps around you like a second skin, this one is absolutely worth your time.
A huge thank you to The Nerd Fam and Kaley for the ARC opportunity!
Raelys has spent her entire life trapped inside a gilded prison, a palace that after a decade of war, feels no different from a cage. When her father tries to auction her off through an arranged marriage for political gain, she does what any sharp minded woman would do: she strikes a deal with the enemy. Specifically, with Wrath the ruthless king on the other side of the war. What follows is a slow burning, magic laced story of power, freedom, and two people who probably shouldn't be falling for each other.
The characters absolutely carry this book. Raelys isn't your typical "strong female character" she's not defined by her combat skills, but by her intelligence, her stubborn streak, and her constant forward thinking. She's always three steps ahead, and reading her navigate impossible situations was genuinely refreshing. Wrath, meanwhile, presents a morally grey exterior that gradually peels back to reveal something far more compelling. I went from wary of him to fully rooting for him, which is no easy feat.
The world building deserves its own round of applause. Fantasy can sometimes take a while to click that adjustment period where you're still trying to figure out the rules of the world but Oath of Ruin felt like home almost immediately. The writing is beautiful, and the magic system? Chef's kiss. It's unique and woven into the story in a way that feels purposeful rather than decorative.
Now, about that slow burn when the tropes list says slow burn, it means it. We're talking glacial. There were moments I was practically yelling at my Kindle, willing the characters to just do something. That said, the payoff is absolutely worth it, and looking back, I actually appreciated the patience the author had with the romance. It earned its ending.
Despite the pace of the romance, I devoured this entire book in a single sitting. The world pulled me in, the characters kept me there, and I genuinely couldn't put it down until I knew what happened. And then that cliffhanger. I need book two immediately.
If you love enemies to lovers with real tension, morally complex characters, and a fantasy world that wraps around you like a second skin, this one is absolutely worth your time.
July 3, 2026
Thank you to Nerd Fam and Kaley Kae for the early eARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️ 5/5
Oath of Ruin was such a fun surprise for me, especially if you love political fantasy with a true slow burn enemies to lovers.
Raelys is an FMC I really enjoyed following. Growing up surrounded by luxury but still feeling completely trapped by her horrid father's expectations and nasty treatment towards her that it added depth to her development. I loved that she wasn't content to sit back and let others decide her future, even if the choices she made came with difficult consequences. And she wasn't your typical fantasy FMC where they are either feeble or have powers. She is smart and cunning and can get through any situation with her words.
The deal she makes with Wrath completely shifts everything, and I found myself so invested in watching her navigate an enemy kingdom while taking on the responsibility of divided loyalties. The magical bond between them added an interesting tension that kept me on my toes, especially because neither of them could fully trust the other.
Wrath was and MMC that was hard to figure out, he definitely kept me guessing his motives. His reputation paints one picture, but getting glimpses beneath that ruthless exterior made their relationship even more compelling. This is a true slow burn. Had me on edge onsomeparts and left me aching for them to do something but of course it's always worth it once we finally reach it.
I also really appreciated the political aspects of the story and the true fantasy elements of detailed worldbuidling. There were plenty of aspects and situations that kept me guessing. There was never a time where the stakes didn't feel high and I was constantly wondering how Raelys was going to balance her own freedom with the future of the realm.
The ending leaves us in a cliffhanger and because this is a true slow burn, we finally get something towards the end so this absolutely leaves you hungry for book 2. Overall, this was an engaging fantasy debut with a favorite heroine, great romantic tension, and a world that I definitely want to continue to spend more time in.
⭐️ 5/5
Oath of Ruin was such a fun surprise for me, especially if you love political fantasy with a true slow burn enemies to lovers.
Raelys is an FMC I really enjoyed following. Growing up surrounded by luxury but still feeling completely trapped by her horrid father's expectations and nasty treatment towards her that it added depth to her development. I loved that she wasn't content to sit back and let others decide her future, even if the choices she made came with difficult consequences. And she wasn't your typical fantasy FMC where they are either feeble or have powers. She is smart and cunning and can get through any situation with her words.
The deal she makes with Wrath completely shifts everything, and I found myself so invested in watching her navigate an enemy kingdom while taking on the responsibility of divided loyalties. The magical bond between them added an interesting tension that kept me on my toes, especially because neither of them could fully trust the other.
Wrath was and MMC that was hard to figure out, he definitely kept me guessing his motives. His reputation paints one picture, but getting glimpses beneath that ruthless exterior made their relationship even more compelling. This is a true slow burn. Had me on edge onsomeparts and left me aching for them to do something but of course it's always worth it once we finally reach it.
I also really appreciated the political aspects of the story and the true fantasy elements of detailed worldbuidling. There were plenty of aspects and situations that kept me guessing. There was never a time where the stakes didn't feel high and I was constantly wondering how Raelys was going to balance her own freedom with the future of the realm.
The ending leaves us in a cliffhanger and because this is a true slow burn, we finally get something towards the end so this absolutely leaves you hungry for book 2. Overall, this was an engaging fantasy debut with a favorite heroine, great romantic tension, and a world that I definitely want to continue to spend more time in.
March 6, 2026
“You make me feel many things. Hatred is not one of them.”
First of all, I would like to say thank you to the author - for writing this book and for the ARC. This book is for those who enjoy a good enemies to lovers slowburn, political intrigue, and witty, morally gray characters.
I was truly hooked from the first chapter - Raelys was a character that I was able to root for from start to finish. It was refreshing to see an FMC that moves the story along herself - she was a go-getter, resourceful, smart, and cunning. It also meant a lot that she was focused on way more things than just love - she had her own goals and plans that did not simply revolve around pleasing the MMC. She is truly a badass at heart and it was cool to go on that journey of personal growth and self-discovery with her. The beginning really sort of reminded me a bit of Rapunzel, unsure if that was on purpose, but I could definitely draw similarities with Raelys and her gilded cage.
This book is very much a slowburn romance - which I am personally a sucker for - as it makes the characters feel more real. Wrath and Raelys had a more natural buildup, filled with banter and intrigue. The tension and will they/won’t they between them kept things interesting and their relationship really blossomed throughout the book. Wrath wasn’t just your typical brooding MMC - but rather, a clean cut Warlord that respects her.
The worldbuilding in this book was great - the characters and the landscape of this book were definitely well planned. It felt as though I was really there with her in that world. The magic system also felt very realistic and creative. It can be hard to create something fresh in this genre, and yet, I feel this book accomplished that.
The side characters and subplots kept me going as well. I enjoyed meeting all the other characters and it felt like they were all their own person, not just there for the sake of the main characters. They felt real and fleshed out well, which was appreciated.
That being said, I do feel like it was hard to keep up with all the names and territories at times. There was a lot to try and remember throughout the book. I got the hang of it by the end but it definitely felt a little convoluted and confusing. This book is also a bit fast paced for being such a slow burn - which I was okay with - but there was a lot happening throughout the book, a lot of subplots and things to keep up with. However, I was definitely not bored and I kept on wanting to read more.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I will stay tuned for the upcoming books in the series. This was a fun read and I’m excited to see where the story goes - the cliffhanger really makes you want the next book ASAP!
First of all, I would like to say thank you to the author - for writing this book and for the ARC. This book is for those who enjoy a good enemies to lovers slowburn, political intrigue, and witty, morally gray characters.
I was truly hooked from the first chapter - Raelys was a character that I was able to root for from start to finish. It was refreshing to see an FMC that moves the story along herself - she was a go-getter, resourceful, smart, and cunning. It also meant a lot that she was focused on way more things than just love - she had her own goals and plans that did not simply revolve around pleasing the MMC. She is truly a badass at heart and it was cool to go on that journey of personal growth and self-discovery with her. The beginning really sort of reminded me a bit of Rapunzel, unsure if that was on purpose, but I could definitely draw similarities with Raelys and her gilded cage.
This book is very much a slowburn romance - which I am personally a sucker for - as it makes the characters feel more real. Wrath and Raelys had a more natural buildup, filled with banter and intrigue. The tension and will they/won’t they between them kept things interesting and their relationship really blossomed throughout the book. Wrath wasn’t just your typical brooding MMC - but rather, a clean cut Warlord that respects her.
The worldbuilding in this book was great - the characters and the landscape of this book were definitely well planned. It felt as though I was really there with her in that world. The magic system also felt very realistic and creative. It can be hard to create something fresh in this genre, and yet, I feel this book accomplished that.
The side characters and subplots kept me going as well. I enjoyed meeting all the other characters and it felt like they were all their own person, not just there for the sake of the main characters. They felt real and fleshed out well, which was appreciated.
That being said, I do feel like it was hard to keep up with all the names and territories at times. There was a lot to try and remember throughout the book. I got the hang of it by the end but it definitely felt a little convoluted and confusing. This book is also a bit fast paced for being such a slow burn - which I was okay with - but there was a lot happening throughout the book, a lot of subplots and things to keep up with. However, I was definitely not bored and I kept on wanting to read more.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I will stay tuned for the upcoming books in the series. This was a fun read and I’m excited to see where the story goes - the cliffhanger really makes you want the next book ASAP!
March 16, 2026
Wow! This book really surprised me. The plot sounded a little similar to some other romantic fantasy books I have read at first, but this one FELT different.
A human princess is forced to marry a king she doesn’t love, so she makes a deal with a man to save herself from it. Only she ends up getting more than she bargained for.
The writing was more formal than some books in this genre but I found it to be just right given that we are talking about royals and court politics. It was not overly formal to make it hard to understand. There were a lot of introductions to different characters that felt a little overwhelming at times. However, you need this in order to fully experience the payoffs of the reveals as the book goes on. The plot and action really pick up towards the end and you can tell the next book is going to be amazing. The plot here is definitely the main point with the romance being important but secondary through this book, at least.
This is a true slow burn IMO, which I love. The main characters chemistry built in a way that felt really organic. It takes time to have them grow into their respect for one another. I also am a huge fan of one POV during the tension building stages of a slow burn. This one doesn’t drop the MMCs POV until the end of this book. It does end on a cliffhanger so if you’re not a fan of that maybe wait until it is completed. I don’t mind that and I can’t wait for the next one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kelsie Kae for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
A human princess is forced to marry a king she doesn’t love, so she makes a deal with a man to save herself from it. Only she ends up getting more than she bargained for.
The writing was more formal than some books in this genre but I found it to be just right given that we are talking about royals and court politics. It was not overly formal to make it hard to understand. There were a lot of introductions to different characters that felt a little overwhelming at times. However, you need this in order to fully experience the payoffs of the reveals as the book goes on. The plot and action really pick up towards the end and you can tell the next book is going to be amazing. The plot here is definitely the main point with the romance being important but secondary through this book, at least.
This is a true slow burn IMO, which I love. The main characters chemistry built in a way that felt really organic. It takes time to have them grow into their respect for one another. I also am a huge fan of one POV during the tension building stages of a slow burn. This one doesn’t drop the MMCs POV until the end of this book. It does end on a cliffhanger so if you’re not a fan of that maybe wait until it is completed. I don’t mind that and I can’t wait for the next one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kelsie Kae for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 30, 2026
Arc Read! (without spoilers below!)
Let's just start with the cover... UHM GORGEOUS HELLO!!! I had such a fun and easy time reading this first book in the series, I genuinely did not want to put this book down because it felt so captivating and easy to understand that I just wanted "one more chapter" until I finished the book. The FMC is very different than other FMCs in fantasy stories because she showcases her strength through intellect and it's so fun getting to read how she navigates the politics of court while making the best of her situations. The enemies to lovers between our two main characters is very much there from the start along with the extremely slow tension. They have a lot of banter between each other and never stop trying to get on each other's nerves which had me giggling and laughing while reading this.
I will say plot wise, it was good. The world building isn't complicated to understand, and the plot keeps you wanting to learn more as it's told from the FMC's POV. - there were some plot holes and questions I had reading because it felt like some things might have been glossed over or purposely left out which could have helped the ending of the story and overall plot for readers to understand better. However, I think the big reason for that is because since it is a first book in the series it was done so on purpose to leave readers guessing what happens until the next books is out. Definitely hope that the unanswered questions and plot holes get covered in the next book!
Let's just start with the cover... UHM GORGEOUS HELLO!!! I had such a fun and easy time reading this first book in the series, I genuinely did not want to put this book down because it felt so captivating and easy to understand that I just wanted "one more chapter" until I finished the book. The FMC is very different than other FMCs in fantasy stories because she showcases her strength through intellect and it's so fun getting to read how she navigates the politics of court while making the best of her situations. The enemies to lovers between our two main characters is very much there from the start along with the extremely slow tension. They have a lot of banter between each other and never stop trying to get on each other's nerves which had me giggling and laughing while reading this.
I will say plot wise, it was good. The world building isn't complicated to understand, and the plot keeps you wanting to learn more as it's told from the FMC's POV. - there were some plot holes and questions I had reading because it felt like some things might have been glossed over or purposely left out which could have helped the ending of the story and overall plot for readers to understand better. However, I think the big reason for that is because since it is a first book in the series it was done so on purpose to leave readers guessing what happens until the next books is out. Definitely hope that the unanswered questions and plot holes get covered in the next book!
May 3, 2026
This book did not disappoint! From the very first chapter, we jumped right in to the action and got a fast paced romantasy that felt easy to read and enjoy yet was still full of politics, rebellion, and tension.
Our FMC, Raelys, is definitely outside the box of our normal Romantasy FMC too! In the words of Wrath, “she is an architect of chaos” and it was really fun watching her strategize from the very beginning - never letting her current situations hold her back.
And Wrath of course gets bonus points because he was the perfect mix of broody and mysterious but could also make you laugh with his little remarks.
But I have to be honest, even though I loved the slow burn, the connection did feel off between our main characters. I’m not gonna lie, there’s another gentleman that I’m a little more interested in and I’m curious to see how things might play out more between him and Raelys moving forward.
I would have also loved to have maybe 100-150 more pages of this book too! Not just because I couldn’t put it down and was reading it every free second of my day, but because I would’ve loved to see more moments or characters flushed out. There were just some times where things felt rushed or we didn’t get to know characters on as deep of a level as I personally would’ve liked.
All in all, I had the best time with this book, and I cannot wait to see what happens next after that ending! I will eagerly be waiting for book two!
And of course, thank you so much Kaley Kae for the gifted copy of Oath of Ruin!
Our FMC, Raelys, is definitely outside the box of our normal Romantasy FMC too! In the words of Wrath, “she is an architect of chaos” and it was really fun watching her strategize from the very beginning - never letting her current situations hold her back.
And Wrath of course gets bonus points because he was the perfect mix of broody and mysterious but could also make you laugh with his little remarks.
But I have to be honest, even though I loved the slow burn, the connection did feel off between our main characters. I’m not gonna lie, there’s another gentleman that I’m a little more interested in and I’m curious to see how things might play out more between him and Raelys moving forward.
I would have also loved to have maybe 100-150 more pages of this book too! Not just because I couldn’t put it down and was reading it every free second of my day, but because I would’ve loved to see more moments or characters flushed out. There were just some times where things felt rushed or we didn’t get to know characters on as deep of a level as I personally would’ve liked.
All in all, I had the best time with this book, and I cannot wait to see what happens next after that ending! I will eagerly be waiting for book two!
And of course, thank you so much Kaley Kae for the gifted copy of Oath of Ruin!
May 3, 2026
Oath of Ruin was such a pleasant surprise.
It’s a really easy read, fast-paced, clear, and hard to put down. The world-building gives you enough to picture everything properly without overloading you with detail, which made it easy to stay immersed the whole way through. The story leans heavily into political tension, with shifting loyalties and plenty of turns that kept things interesting.
What I enjoyed most was how character-focused it felt. Raelys was a strong lead, she’s kind, thoughtful, and very aware of the people around her. That sense of care made her feel real, and her growth over the course of the book was satisfying to follow. Seeing her move from being sheltered within the castle to someone capable of strategy and political manoeuvring felt natural, and I liked that her strength came from her mind rather than physical power.
The relationship is definitely a slow burn, which I really enjoyed. It builds gradually and never feels forced. Wrath, in particular, is kept at a bit of a distance, he’s morally grey, controlled, and not fully understood. You don’t get all the answers with him, but it works for where the story is at.
The side characters were another highlight. They weren’t just there in the background, they each had a role to play, and I found myself getting attached to quite a few of them.
The only thing I struggled with slightly was the number of characters introduced and the different Kingdoms. It took a bit of time to keep track.
I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes in book two.
It’s a really easy read, fast-paced, clear, and hard to put down. The world-building gives you enough to picture everything properly without overloading you with detail, which made it easy to stay immersed the whole way through. The story leans heavily into political tension, with shifting loyalties and plenty of turns that kept things interesting.
What I enjoyed most was how character-focused it felt. Raelys was a strong lead, she’s kind, thoughtful, and very aware of the people around her. That sense of care made her feel real, and her growth over the course of the book was satisfying to follow. Seeing her move from being sheltered within the castle to someone capable of strategy and political manoeuvring felt natural, and I liked that her strength came from her mind rather than physical power.
The relationship is definitely a slow burn, which I really enjoyed. It builds gradually and never feels forced. Wrath, in particular, is kept at a bit of a distance, he’s morally grey, controlled, and not fully understood. You don’t get all the answers with him, but it works for where the story is at.
The side characters were another highlight. They weren’t just there in the background, they each had a role to play, and I found myself getting attached to quite a few of them.
The only thing I struggled with slightly was the number of characters introduced and the different Kingdoms. It took a bit of time to keep track.
I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes in book two.
February 19, 2026
I’m so incredibly grateful that I got the opportunity to read this book. Thank you!
From the very first sentence, I was hooked. Truly.
Raelys is such an incredible FMC. Watching her grow throughout the story was one of my favorite parts. Her development felt powerful and real, and I especially loved how cunning and strategic she could be. She’s not just strong, she’s smart and calculating. The kind of FMC that makes you want to stand up and applaud.
I can NOT forget about the writting. absolutely beautiful. The author truly has a stunning writing style that I found myself constantly admiring. I highlighted so many passages.
One of my favorite quotes:
“If I am the bane of your existence, then you are the plague of my peace.”
This line??? Your Honor, they’re obsessed. I am obsessed!
And then:
“I will wage this war until my last breath before I live in a world without you.”
Sir??? Ma’am??? The devotion?? This is “burn the world for you” core. I was unwell. Screaming internally. 10/10 dramatic war romance behavior.
The romance between Raelys and Wrath was everything I hoped for. Intense, emotional, full of tension and that delicious push-and-pull energy. Their dynamic had me kicking my feet one moment and staring at the wall the next.
The ending was amazing. Tense, gripping, and exactly the kind of cliffhanger I adore. I truly hope this book gets a sequel because I am not ready to leave this world yet. My bookish heart needs more. 📖✨
From the very first sentence, I was hooked. Truly.
Raelys is such an incredible FMC. Watching her grow throughout the story was one of my favorite parts. Her development felt powerful and real, and I especially loved how cunning and strategic she could be. She’s not just strong, she’s smart and calculating. The kind of FMC that makes you want to stand up and applaud.
I can NOT forget about the writting. absolutely beautiful. The author truly has a stunning writing style that I found myself constantly admiring. I highlighted so many passages.
One of my favorite quotes:
“If I am the bane of your existence, then you are the plague of my peace.”
This line??? Your Honor, they’re obsessed. I am obsessed!
And then:
“I will wage this war until my last breath before I live in a world without you.”
Sir??? Ma’am??? The devotion?? This is “burn the world for you” core. I was unwell. Screaming internally. 10/10 dramatic war romance behavior.
The romance between Raelys and Wrath was everything I hoped for. Intense, emotional, full of tension and that delicious push-and-pull energy. Their dynamic had me kicking my feet one moment and staring at the wall the next.
The ending was amazing. Tense, gripping, and exactly the kind of cliffhanger I adore. I truly hope this book gets a sequel because I am not ready to leave this world yet. My bookish heart needs more. 📖✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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