Oath Breaker

by Shelley Wilson

Will she follow the pack…
Or will she destroy them?

A dead mother.
A violent father.
A missing brother.

When Mia’s father is murdered, it’s her estranged uncle that comes to the rescue, but what he offers her in return for his help could be worse than the life she is leaving behind.

Taken to Hood Academy, a unique school deep in the forest, she discovers friendships, love, and the courage to stand on her own.

As she trains hard, Mia takes the oath that seals her future as a werewolf hunter, but not everyone wants Mia to succeed.

Screams in the night. Secret rooms. Hidden letters. Mia becomes an important piece in a game she doesn’t want to play.

Will the truth set her free, or will it destroy her?

**Medallist Winner in the 2017 New Apple Summer E-Book Awards**

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2017

About the author

Shelley Wilson is a genre straddling English author of romance, historical fiction, motivational self-help titles, and young adult fantasy/supernatural fiction.

She's published nine non-fiction self-help books including her bestseller - How I Changed My Life in a Year - eight young adult (YA) novels. Book one of her werewolf series was a finalist in the RONE YA Book of the Year Awards and has been combined and re-released with book two under the new title - Hood Academy. Her debut romance was an RNA Awards Finalist 2025

Shelley lives in the West Midlands, UK, with her three children. She has a crazy black cat called Luna and is obsessed with vampires, Tudor and Viking history, and exploring castles.

Find her on:
Facebook www.facebook.com/FantasyAuthorSLWilson
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@shelleywilson...
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorslwil...

Reviews

[Martha Dunlop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been on a reading slump, and this is the book that broke me out of it. It’s a Young Adult werewolf story, packed with plot twists and surprises, and once I’d started I couldn’t put it down.

When Mia’s abusive father is killed before her eyes by a giant wolf, she is taken by her uncle to live at the boarding school he runs. When she finds out that she has arrived at a training academy for werewolf hunters, her first instinct is to make a run for it, but her uncle persuades her to stay and give the training a go.

There is a school bully, a mysterious and gorgeous stranger in the woods, a loyal best friend and a mysterious basement. The book is also packed full of characters who make you want to keep reading, as well as a dark undercurrent that deepens the unfolding crisis and pushes Mia towards a destiny she never expected.

Oath breaker is a fast and pacey read, and I’m really hoping there’s a sequel on the way.

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*
A compelling opening scene finds sixteen year old Mia witness to the violent death of her abusive father at the hands, or should I say fangs, of a werewolf. With no immediate family to look after her, she is taken in by her uncle, Sebastian Roberts, who runs Hood Academy, a boarding school for gifted girls. Girls who are being taught to hunt werewolves.

Mia’s main intention is to find her brother, Zak, who she believes went to Scotland when he left home. A strange encounter with a boy called Terry leads her to believe Zak is nearer than she thinks. It’s not long before Mia realises all is not as it seems at Hood Academy, or with her uncle. With the help of her new best friend, Lizzie, a sympathetic teacher, and despite the efforts of the school bully and her cohorts, secrets are uncovered, some of which are shocking for Mia, and put her and her friends in terrible danger.

Shelley Wilson hits all the right notes with this book, and I love the cover. It has all the necessary elements for the perfect YA story. The take on the boarding school approach is unconventional and imaginative and there’s danger and mystery involved, with suspect behaviour from certain characters. An irresistibly attractive stranger adds a hint of romance and spine chilling noises from the locked basement ramp up the suspense. Not to mention the not altogether as he seems guardian. All these factors, plus another surprise revelation, send Mia into whirl and make her revise her opinions on werewolves.

Written and paced well, with defined characterisations, there are twists, action and enough tension to keep the reader engaged. I love the way Mia evolves from her initial vulnerability and wish to disappear into the background, discovering her capabilities as the story progresses. Great read!

[J.W. Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oath Breaker is a compelling read, and from its opening sentences it draws you in and doesn’t let go. As the story begins to unfold you find there are many complicated relationships in Mia’s life – her brother, “uncle,” her boyfriend. It’s an intricate coming of age story where a teenager is truly finding out who she is and the strong stuff she’s made of. Her triumphs are fun to behold along the way as she comes into her own. Danger, intrigue, mystery, friendship and family all play a significant part in this enjoyable read. The ending is truly satisfying as one plot line is closed… But you’ll want to come back for more as there is a cliff hanger. I’m sure after reading you’ll be waiting for the sequel as I am—for the rest of Mia’s story!

[Sacha Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's no question this fast paced, YA werewolf book is pure awesome. I loved the characters because they were full of depth and gritty too. Even the minor characters were full of personality and each one was fully developed and leapt off the page. I really loved Mia and the way she portrayed her thoughts and how she developed as the book progressed. It had the perfect ending because I was totally satisfied yet I'm desperate for more and I want to know what happens next. If I had a criticism its that I'd have liked more! If only the book was twice as long, I think it could have been, but perhaps Wilson will give us more by writing more books in the series.... GO WRITE NOW WILSON NOW!

[Elizabeth Ducie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After seeing her father die in violent circumstances, Mia is taken by her mysterious Uncle Sebastian to an unusual school where she finds friends and allies, but also makes enemies among the other pupils. So far, so J K Rowling. But this is no Hogwarts; this is not a school for wizards, and there are no potions, charms or magic wands.

Shelley Wilson brings a unique spin to the mythology of werewolves. Mia, trainee wolf hunter, realises things are not as they should be in Hood Academy and she sets out to put things right.

This is a well-written, relatively short, easy read, full of twists and tension, which will appeal to fans both of Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Highly recommended.

[Elizabeth Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a while since I read a YA book although they used to be my first choice of genre. I was a little unsure of the werewolf theme but the text of the first page enthralled me.
Mia finds herself orphaned after the violent death of her father and is surprised at the sudden appearance of Sebastian Roberts, saying he is her uncle. A smart, arrogant man, resembling her cruel father, he whisks her away to Hood Academy, his private boarding school, and begins to seem kind and considerate. But Mia longs to find her elder brother, Zak, who has disappeared after running away from their home. She begins to encounter others who warn her to be careful who she trusts.
There is something reassuring about the boarding school setting, where Mia finds a reliable friend, Elizabeth and a caring teacher, Miss Ross. There is even a school bully, Felicity, but in this school the danger is life-threatening. The girls have been chosen to train as werewolf hunters and Mia is surprised to discover she has fighting skills. But there are mysterious goings-on behind locked doors and she begins to wonder if the werewolves are all bad.
In addition to the mystery and daredevil adventure there is burgeoning romance and loyal friendship which make this novel heartening to read as well as thrilling. I am now tempted to sample Shelley Wilson’s Guardian series.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Oath Breaker" begins with an action-packed opening scene that will grab readers by the throat — and the pace doesn't let up until the very last page!

Read full review in the 2017 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[J.E. Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read!

I adored this book from the very first page. Oath Breaker opens with Mia's abusive father murdered before her eyes. She wants her older brother, but Mia's uncle, who she hasn't seen in a long time, shows up to take her in. Her uncle takes her to a school he manages and Mia soon discovers there are werewolf hunters in the world.

This book is a coming of age story where Mia is forced to discover her place in the world. Her brother disappeared years ago and left her with an abusive father. Her uncle never did anything to help her despite knowing about the abuse and her mother died from a car accident... or did she? A mysterious underground lab, secret files, and strange pictures cause Mia to question everything she's ever been told.

Can't wait for the sequel!

[Lucy Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! It has to be one of my 2017 favs. I got so drawn into this story about Mia who finds herself orphaned after her father was killed by a werewolf. She is taken to the Hood Academy by her strange uncle Sebastian and starts her training towards becoming a werewolf hunter. Mia is desperate to find her brother Zac and understand what happened to her mother. The school is full of mystery and secrets. Thank goodness she has the support of Elizabeth her school friend! Mia starts to uncover the truth about her family and the link between her uncle and her mother. I really enjoyed this addictive read and I am now praying there is a sequel.

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine living a life of fear, and then watching the object of your fear, gruesomely murdered in front of your eyes?
Then being whisked away to an unfamiliar world, filled with mythical creatures, secrets and betrayals?
That was Mia's life.
I have to say I loved this book and was pulled into the story of Mia's life from the off.
There's love, hate, friendship, hardship, and mystery... All great ingredients for a novel of this genre.
I was rooting for Mia from the off, and my support for her never waned. Not wanting to give any spoilers away, I was thrilled with the ending, and it's left me thirsty for more.

[Sam Peet · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, another fantastic book. I love fantasy books and if they can take me away to that magical land then all the better.
I loved the story line and the nice twists to just throw you off course slightly, beautifully done.
If your into werewolves then this will be a great read.

[Noelle Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Werewolves, hunters and the most awesome opening scene


I'm a big fan of YA novels and after reading a few too many adult books, I was delighted to go back to the YA world. The opening scene is one of the best I've ever read and it drew me in immediately.
This was fun and action packed, with lively characters, and plenty of twists. I really enjoyed this, I love werewolves and was intrigued by the idea of a werewolf Hunter school.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next instalment, I'm hoping there'll be a follow-up??

[Robin Goodfellow · Rating 4 out of 5]

-I received this book from Reader's Favorites. This is my honest opinion.

Oath Breaker, by Shelley Wilson, is a supernatural story about uncovering the secrets behind your past, and learning where you belong, even amongst a sea of lies.

Mia had just recently lost her abusive father at the hands of a werewolf. After she is found by police, she is taken in by her uncle, Sebastian Roberts, and enrolls in Ravenshood, a school that specializes in exterminating werewolves. One day, when she gets lost in a forest near the school, she meets a boy named Cody, who helps her get back. However, he warns her to be careful who she trusts. It isn’t long before Mia begins to see that her parents weren’t as they appeared, and that the real dangers lie within the school. In this Gothic tale, Wilson delves into the mysteries behind the war between the werewolves and the humans, and shows that sometimes, a family legacy is better off staying buried.

I liked reading about Mia. She went through the pain of being motherless, of being abused by her father, of being lied to by her uncle. Even so, she kept going. Through friends like Elizabeth and Adam, she managed to find her home at last, no matter how many heartbreaks she had to go through. I admire her compassion as well. She freed Terry though he was a werewolf, and had even accepted her brother, now that she learned more about how her mother died. Despite everything that’s happened, she found her home in the end.

The war between the werewolves and the humans was incredibly interesting as well. Fueled by the wolves’ desire to be left alone, and the humans’ unquenchable hatred, the war was bred by centuries of paranoia and fear. Unfortunately, Mia’s mother and Sebastian were caught in the middle. It’s a tragic end that managed to affect the war’s entire outcome, and the reason why Mia’s story was so horrific. However, she was able to go back home to where she belonged. Still, I can’t help but wonder how her training, and her time with humans, would affect her amongst her own pack.

The book certainly leaves a lot to be desired. From the romance that became a turning point for the war, to a young girl struggling to find her home, Wilson cultivates a Gothic novel that shows the hazy boundary between good and evil. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.0 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend this book to fans of the Evernight series by Elliot McKay, and Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber.

[Debbie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read!

This was a real treat to read. I enjoyed the building of suspense, the characters, the story and the different take on werewolves. Although written for a young adult audience, and I'm well out of that age group, I really liked the way Shelley wrote this in such a way it didn't matter your age. Great fun.

[Barb Taub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost by definition, a YA novel is a coming of age story. But author Shelley Wilson adds a twist, both to its Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale roots and to the genre itself. What if the Big Bad Wolf is just misunderstood? And what if the ones who look like you are actually… well, bad in a big way?

All her life, Mia Roberts has only wanted to fit in, to belong. In her almost seventeen years, Mia was on the outside, growing up without a mother, victim of an abusive father, abandoned by the big brother she idolized. Her story in Book 1 began with, “Did you see who killed your dad?” Her father Frank’s horrifying death—his throat ripped out by a giant wolf—is only the beginning of Mia’s new search for a place she belongs. An uncle she never knew becomes her guardian, and Mia attempts to fit in at an extraordinary school–for werewolf hunters.

Of course, you could skip Book 1 and get the quick summary in the three extraordinary paragraphs of the Prologue. Don’t go there. To understand the nuances of the relationships between Mia, her best friend Elizabeth, boyfriend Cody, and most of all the two men she’s most closely related to—her uncle Sebastian and brother Zak—you owe it to yourself to read Book 1. Oath Keeper picks up Mia’s story only to have her once again an outsider. This time she’s left her fellow student Hunters to join her brother Zak’s werewolf pack. Only…Mia hasn’t changed into a wolf, something most pack member manage at early adolescence. Once again, she feels others are judging her, undermining her relationship with boyfriend Cody, and questioning her right to remain with the pack.

Then her best friend is taken prisoner, and in trying to rescue her, Mia uncovers a horrific conspiracy that undermines both Hunters and Wolves. Everyone and everything she loves is at stake, but this is a much different Mia from the girl we met at the beginning of Book 1. “I didn’t want them to think I was weak in any way because I wasn’t . I’d survived so much, and none of them ever gave me the credit I deserved…” The lesson Mia learns is that sometimes what makes you different becomes your strength.

There are so many things I loved about this book. Instead of embracing Joseph Campbell’s iconic steps of the hero’s journey, author Shelley Wilson’s approach is much closer to the female heroine’s path described by Maureen Murdock. Mia does, in fact, begin her journey by entering the masculine worlds dominated first by her uncle, and then by her brother. But success in those worlds is empty, and Mia must reconnect with her feminine core. Instead of the hero’s “Luke, I am your father” moment, Mia connects both with a long-dead mother and a mother-figure mentor in Miss Ross from the Hunter’s school.

As Mia finally embraces her differences—“My skills were unique, and I took a tremendous amount of pride in being different”—she steps into an adult world where she finally belongs. In her Oath series, author Shelley Wilson also comes full circle as a writer, creating a confident and believable world for Mia’s heroic coming of age journey.

[Terry Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I discovered this book: I know the author from the Twitter writers community but had never read her books. I had, however, seen a few very good reviews for this one, and decided to cut my YA Fantasy teeth on it.

I told Shelley that if I found that it was totally not my thing then I would let her know, because I'm totally against dishonest reviews just because the writer is a friend. As it happened, although I doubt this will ever become a favourite genre (something to do with being over 40 years older than the target market, I imagine), I thought Oath Breaker was jolly good!

The story starts with motherless Mia's horrible father having been killed by a werewolf, Mia being shipped off with the cold, distant Uncle Sebastian, and madly missing her beloved brother, Zak. Mia is most surprised to discover that Uncle Sebastian runs a school for werewolf hunters. Enter evil bitch Felicity, new pals Lizzie and Adam, and a total hottie called Cody who Mia meets when out running a marathon.

She uncovers a truth about the (life and) death of her mother, hears strange rumours about what is really going on at the Hood Academy (and the odd mysterious scream), and know she must take the oath to become a fully-fledged werewolf hunter...

So why did I like this, much to my surprise? I'm not au fait with the werewolf world (being more of a zombie sort of girl), but I was most interested to find out what it's all about! Shelley Wilson writes in a great style that's so readable, and the characters all came to life with ease; I wanted to know about them. Most of all, though, the atmosphere really worked. There are no great pages of description, but this book is real proof that writing can be descriptive without being chock-full of adjectives and metaphors. I could feel the still, dense, damp wood where Mia met Cody, see the quiet village with its tea shop, imagine the dark halls of the Hood Academy (not sure if they were meant to be dark, but they felt so to me!). I wanted to be in the story ~ and any book that provokes that reaction gets a tick v.g from me!

Yes, I liked it. And I imagine that if I was a YA who was into werewolves, I would LOVE it. 😀

[Graeme Cumming · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became aware of Oath Breaker because I follow Shelley Wilson’s blogs. It’s classed as YA fiction, so I’m hardly her target market. But I enjoy her writing on the blog and was curious to see what her fiction was like.
Three things struck me about the story. The first was that it had elements reminiscent of Buffy in it. That’s not to say this is a copy, far from it. And I don’t say that just because werewolves are involved instead of vampires. But elements there could well attract Buffy fans.
The second was the alternative view of werewolves that was taken. I don’t intend to include spoilers, so I’ll say no more, but it was certainly a different take on them than I’ve ever seen.
The third was its setting – my home county of Nottinghamshire, giving added ambiguity to the names of the fictional school and the nearby town. This is a part of the world that doesn’t feature enough in stories, so it was refreshing to see it being used, and effectively.
Atmospheric, and dealing with issues way beyond the obvious subject matter, this was well written and I can see why it would appeal to the target market.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from LibraryThing in return for a honest review.

Mia's abusive father has just been murdered...by a wolf. Her uncle Sebastian suddenly appears and whisks her off to the girl's school he runs, Hood Academy. Hood Academy isn't your normal boarding school. It trains women to become werewolf hunters. But there is something her uncle isn't telling her. What is going on in the locked room? And why didn't the wolf hurt her?

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It sucks you in right away and I did not want to put it down!

[Iza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review coming soon.