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Tenets
In a war-ravaged world of shifting alliances, mercenary Duncan hunts society’s deadliest threats with brutal resolve. He serves no side, but with each kill, the darkness within him grows, pulling him further from his own humanity.
Elisa, an aspiring politician, wants peace, but her past drags her into conflict with the insurgent Night Hawks and her own inner demons threaten to consume her. As the civil war threatens to consume everything, she can only hope the warring factions don’t destroy each other first. When she crosses paths with Duncan, their unexpected alliance forces them to navigate the chaos together.
Caught between duty and survival, they must confront the darkness within themselves – and decide if they’ll rise as heroes or fall as something darker.
Elisa, an aspiring politician, wants peace, but her past drags her into conflict with the insurgent Night Hawks and her own inner demons threaten to consume her. As the civil war threatens to consume everything, she can only hope the warring factions don’t destroy each other first. When she crosses paths with Duncan, their unexpected alliance forces them to navigate the chaos together.
Caught between duty and survival, they must confront the darkness within themselves – and decide if they’ll rise as heroes or fall as something darker.
562 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 23, 2026
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
This is one of those books that makes you forget that you are even reading. Because the action is done in a way that just hits in all the right places that just make you want to know what is going to happen next because of how addictive that it is. If you love your main characters that are traumatized yet somehow still morally grey then this is one of those books for you.
The dynamic between Duncan and Elisa was honestly really great to read about. Because the more that the book goes on the more that you learn about them as people as well as their past. Including things like what happens to Duncan's dad and Elisa’s sister, due to the fact that those are two defining moments that help define our characters and who they end up turning out to be. It does feel like even though this is a Duncan heavy book, you still get those insights of who he is as a person and how he became the way he is within this story. Him and Elisa still have a lot to learn about each other but throughout this book you learn just how traumatic Duncan's job is and how he needs someone like Elisa to remind him that he doesn’t need to carry that burden alone that it does feel that he has been carrying for the better part of a decade.
I really enjoyed the dialogue within this book and thought that it brought out the best in these characters. Because as much as we see someone like Duncan struggle with things that have happened to him within this book and even prior, it is that dialogue that helps him become a believable character and honestly one of my favorites to read about. I loved the fact that it was the part that not only broke my heart due to how devastating some of this book is, but also made me laugh at times which I feel like is needed when you have a book that is so focused on trauma and war. So I believe that these two balance each other out in a way that makes sense. You had an idea that it was going to be intense from the very beginning, but you didn’t know it would be this heavy. You can tell how much these characters are feeling by their dialogue.
I loved the pacing of this book. It does feel like part of the reason is because you literally get plopped into this world and the war that is currently going on. I will say the first 25% of the book was kind of slow but that is what I do expect when it comes to the fantasy genre, but it does feel like when you do get past the 25% mark that is when things start happening and when you will have a hard time putting the book down because of how invested everything does become. Because it did feel like once you are in it then you will be wanting to read this book till 1 am. It did also seem like the action did help with the pacing. Because when it comes to action in a fantasy that is when I really do get invested in what is happening. Especially when the action is related to the things that are happening within the world. It does feel like the action of this book does match with the political themes that the author was trying to achieve.
I loved the twists and turns within this book. Because there were things that I was not expecting but yet somehow worked within the context of the story. It’s just I was not expecting the real reason why Elisa is the only one left of her family or how she survived or the traumatic situation scenarios that Duncan does tend to find himself in because he is so focused on finding out who hurt his father and who took his father away from him.
I really did enjoy the flashbacks within the story. It did feel like it added that extra layer to the overall story. But it did feel like when it came to the flashbacks that there was no way to tell what was then and what is in the now timeline. Since it does seem to all run together, I honestly did think that some of the past timeline was the now.
Also, I was not the biggest fan of that elves were introduced only to be dropped shortly after Duncan and Elisa drop a half elf back off where he lived. This was something that I would have liked to see as the story progressed but I can understand if the author does expand upon the magical creatures within this world the more that the series goes on.
If you are looking for a fantasy that has you hooked from the beginning then this is the book for you. Because I promise that you will not be disappointed and will be left wanting more from this world by the time that you reach the end.
This is one of those books that makes you forget that you are even reading. Because the action is done in a way that just hits in all the right places that just make you want to know what is going to happen next because of how addictive that it is. If you love your main characters that are traumatized yet somehow still morally grey then this is one of those books for you.
The dynamic between Duncan and Elisa was honestly really great to read about. Because the more that the book goes on the more that you learn about them as people as well as their past. Including things like what happens to Duncan's dad and Elisa’s sister, due to the fact that those are two defining moments that help define our characters and who they end up turning out to be. It does feel like even though this is a Duncan heavy book, you still get those insights of who he is as a person and how he became the way he is within this story. Him and Elisa still have a lot to learn about each other but throughout this book you learn just how traumatic Duncan's job is and how he needs someone like Elisa to remind him that he doesn’t need to carry that burden alone that it does feel that he has been carrying for the better part of a decade.
I really enjoyed the dialogue within this book and thought that it brought out the best in these characters. Because as much as we see someone like Duncan struggle with things that have happened to him within this book and even prior, it is that dialogue that helps him become a believable character and honestly one of my favorites to read about. I loved the fact that it was the part that not only broke my heart due to how devastating some of this book is, but also made me laugh at times which I feel like is needed when you have a book that is so focused on trauma and war. So I believe that these two balance each other out in a way that makes sense. You had an idea that it was going to be intense from the very beginning, but you didn’t know it would be this heavy. You can tell how much these characters are feeling by their dialogue.
I loved the pacing of this book. It does feel like part of the reason is because you literally get plopped into this world and the war that is currently going on. I will say the first 25% of the book was kind of slow but that is what I do expect when it comes to the fantasy genre, but it does feel like when you do get past the 25% mark that is when things start happening and when you will have a hard time putting the book down because of how invested everything does become. Because it did feel like once you are in it then you will be wanting to read this book till 1 am. It did also seem like the action did help with the pacing. Because when it comes to action in a fantasy that is when I really do get invested in what is happening. Especially when the action is related to the things that are happening within the world. It does feel like the action of this book does match with the political themes that the author was trying to achieve.
I loved the twists and turns within this book. Because there were things that I was not expecting but yet somehow worked within the context of the story. It’s just I was not expecting the real reason why Elisa is the only one left of her family or how she survived or the traumatic situation scenarios that Duncan does tend to find himself in because he is so focused on finding out who hurt his father and who took his father away from him.
I really did enjoy the flashbacks within the story. It did feel like it added that extra layer to the overall story. But it did feel like when it came to the flashbacks that there was no way to tell what was then and what is in the now timeline. Since it does seem to all run together, I honestly did think that some of the past timeline was the now.
Also, I was not the biggest fan of that elves were introduced only to be dropped shortly after Duncan and Elisa drop a half elf back off where he lived. This was something that I would have liked to see as the story progressed but I can understand if the author does expand upon the magical creatures within this world the more that the series goes on.
If you are looking for a fantasy that has you hooked from the beginning then this is the book for you. Because I promise that you will not be disappointed and will be left wanting more from this world by the time that you reach the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW:
Tenets by A.O. Ambali, the first volume of the Vagabond series, is a lot of things, but at its core are two heavily traumatized people: Duncan and Elisa. Both of them are products of their world, a world ravaged by war and violence. If you look at the cover of the book, which I honestly loved, you would go in hoping for some sort of romance between the two.
Duncan is a mercenary and looks cool when he kills. Elisa is an aspiring politician working for peace. Both of them have suffered losses in their lives. Duncan has lost his father, while Elisa has lost her friend. While she can't kill, he kills like John Wick. And as for their romance, the tension between them could be cut with a knife. By the way, the first time they met, she had a gun pointed at him. Their relationship is also marked by helping each other deal with trauma:
"You cared for him deeply, Mr Saul, and that speaks volumes about your character. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, circumstances are beyond our control. It is important to acknowledge the love and care you gave rather than dwelling on what you cannot change."
Elisa is a shy and often easily embarrassed girl who shows a quiet strength, at times easily making her my favorite character. For Duncan, one of his endearing qualities (when you read this book, you will know it's an allusion to a very specific scene) is his relationship with his mother:
"She didn’t even hesitate. She wrapped her arms around him like she was afraid he’d vanish. He held her tight, letting himself breathe in her warmth—the scent of old perfume and tea and stubborn love."
Unlike most other books, I found this one a bit too dense in prose. Sometimes, the scenes get slowed down by excessive description. In a dialogue, for example, there can be two or three paragraphs between what one person says and what the other replies. There are times when dialogue would be enough for readers to guess what was going on in the minds of characters, and these descriptions only slow down the writing. It is annoying, especially if you are loving the conversation itself. Yet, when it works, it works wonders:
“Duncan couldn’t deny the beauty of the scene unfolding before him: the sun’s descent, the picturesque village, and the vast expanse of the sea. It was a sight he rarely allowed himself to enjoy, and he found himself appreciating it more in Elisa’s presence. Her enthusiasm and the nostalgia she shared added a layer of warmth to the moment, making it all the more precious.”
The world is complex but built gradually, and the characters are well-written. Highly recommended to lovers of fantasy fiction with a seasoning of romance. I would myself be eager to get my hands on the second volume.
Tenets by A.O. Ambali, the first volume of the Vagabond series, is a lot of things, but at its core are two heavily traumatized people: Duncan and Elisa. Both of them are products of their world, a world ravaged by war and violence. If you look at the cover of the book, which I honestly loved, you would go in hoping for some sort of romance between the two.
Duncan is a mercenary and looks cool when he kills. Elisa is an aspiring politician working for peace. Both of them have suffered losses in their lives. Duncan has lost his father, while Elisa has lost her friend. While she can't kill, he kills like John Wick. And as for their romance, the tension between them could be cut with a knife. By the way, the first time they met, she had a gun pointed at him. Their relationship is also marked by helping each other deal with trauma:
"You cared for him deeply, Mr Saul, and that speaks volumes about your character. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, circumstances are beyond our control. It is important to acknowledge the love and care you gave rather than dwelling on what you cannot change."
Elisa is a shy and often easily embarrassed girl who shows a quiet strength, at times easily making her my favorite character. For Duncan, one of his endearing qualities (when you read this book, you will know it's an allusion to a very specific scene) is his relationship with his mother:
"She didn’t even hesitate. She wrapped her arms around him like she was afraid he’d vanish. He held her tight, letting himself breathe in her warmth—the scent of old perfume and tea and stubborn love."
Unlike most other books, I found this one a bit too dense in prose. Sometimes, the scenes get slowed down by excessive description. In a dialogue, for example, there can be two or three paragraphs between what one person says and what the other replies. There are times when dialogue would be enough for readers to guess what was going on in the minds of characters, and these descriptions only slow down the writing. It is annoying, especially if you are loving the conversation itself. Yet, when it works, it works wonders:
“Duncan couldn’t deny the beauty of the scene unfolding before him: the sun’s descent, the picturesque village, and the vast expanse of the sea. It was a sight he rarely allowed himself to enjoy, and he found himself appreciating it more in Elisa’s presence. Her enthusiasm and the nostalgia she shared added a layer of warmth to the moment, making it all the more precious.”
The world is complex but built gradually, and the characters are well-written. Highly recommended to lovers of fantasy fiction with a seasoning of romance. I would myself be eager to get my hands on the second volume.
April 20, 2026
A dark, character-driven fantasy with slow-burn tension and a world that feels brutally real.
From the start, you’re dropped into a war-torn world that feels gritty, tense, and constantly on edge. The world-building stands out straight away, not just in the setting itself, but in how everything feels lived-in. The conflict, the factions, the prejudice, the aftermath of violence, it all adds layers that make the story feel immersive rather than just a backdrop.
What kept me hooked the most was the character journey. Duncan isn’t your typical hero, he’s rough, morally grey, and clearly carrying a lot beneath the surface. Watching that internal struggle play out alongside everything happening around him made his character feel complex and interesting the whole way through. Elisa’s journey adds a completely different dynamic. She starts from a place of vulnerability, but there’s a quiet strength in her that builds as the story goes on, and I found myself really invested in how she handles everything thrown at her.
Their dynamic is where the story really comes together. There’s a strong sense of tension and contrast between them, and the way their relationship develops feels natural within the chaos around them. The romance leans more slow-burn, building through shared moments, trust, and survival rather than anything rushed, which worked really well for the tone of the book.
Genre-wise, this sits firmly in dark fantasy with strong dystopian elements. It doesn’t shy away from the harsher side of that either; there’s real weight to the violence, the trauma, and the moral choices the characters have to make. It gives the story an edge that keeps it engaging the whole way through.
Overall, this is one of those books that pulls you into its world and keeps you there through its characters. If you enjoy darker fantasy, morally complex leads, and slow-burn character-driven stories with depth, this is definitely one to pick up.
From the start, you’re dropped into a war-torn world that feels gritty, tense, and constantly on edge. The world-building stands out straight away, not just in the setting itself, but in how everything feels lived-in. The conflict, the factions, the prejudice, the aftermath of violence, it all adds layers that make the story feel immersive rather than just a backdrop.
What kept me hooked the most was the character journey. Duncan isn’t your typical hero, he’s rough, morally grey, and clearly carrying a lot beneath the surface. Watching that internal struggle play out alongside everything happening around him made his character feel complex and interesting the whole way through. Elisa’s journey adds a completely different dynamic. She starts from a place of vulnerability, but there’s a quiet strength in her that builds as the story goes on, and I found myself really invested in how she handles everything thrown at her.
Their dynamic is where the story really comes together. There’s a strong sense of tension and contrast between them, and the way their relationship develops feels natural within the chaos around them. The romance leans more slow-burn, building through shared moments, trust, and survival rather than anything rushed, which worked really well for the tone of the book.
Genre-wise, this sits firmly in dark fantasy with strong dystopian elements. It doesn’t shy away from the harsher side of that either; there’s real weight to the violence, the trauma, and the moral choices the characters have to make. It gives the story an edge that keeps it engaging the whole way through.
Overall, this is one of those books that pulls you into its world and keeps you there through its characters. If you enjoy darker fantasy, morally complex leads, and slow-burn character-driven stories with depth, this is definitely one to pick up.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews