A magical storm that rocked the supernatural world left Tara Knightley’s mother dying of a mysterious wasting ailment. No one understands the disease or how to cure it.
When her mother slips into a coma, Tara decides to take matters into her own hands. In the middle of the night, she sneaks away swearing she won’t return home until she’s found a cure.
Tara’s quest takes her into the dangerous world of the Fae, a world forbidden to her despite the trace Fae blood running through her veins. With the help of another part-Fae, she finds a way into Faerie and seeks out a man with Fae mob ties and a collection of rare magical things. He claims he can save her mother.
But the cure comes at a steep price. And in Faerie, words are weapons and promises are forever.
What will Tara have to sacrifice to save her mother’s life?
The events in Oath of Blood (Tara Knightley Prequel) take place 10 years before Edge of Magic (Tara Knightley Series Book 1). Oath of Blood is a novella approximately 150 pages long.
Hi there! I'm Jayne Faith, author of the urban fantasy Ella Grey Series and paranormal romance Sapient Salvation Series. When I'm not tapping away at my keyboard while swilling coffee and tea, I'm playing with my dog; eating, flipping through recipes online, fantasizing about food, dreaming up my next meal (you get the idea); doing yoga or Pilates; or watching TV. Connect with me on Facebook, just search "Jayne Faith" or go to facebook.com/AuthorJayneFaith
This prequel should be read, but not 100% necessary, after the first one in the series according to the author. I do agree that I think it would be better that way. This book had a much more strong impact on me since I had read the first one first. This short story shows how Tara came to be in a blood oath with Shaw and the many things that leads up to that fateful decision. I have to admit to a dread of short stories. I love to read books by authors I like, but I don’t particularly like short stories. This one was well-written, tied in very nicely to the first one by explaining many things, and kept my interest. I’m just so mad that Tara made such a stupid decision. LOL! Pick this up whether you’ve read the first on or not and give it a try! I highly recommend this title and was provided the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.
This prequel to Tara's story was sad for me. I felt on my skin every nasty word and every rebuff she received from those who should consider her her people. However, she was undeterred and kept fighting to get what she needed. I have to acknowledge this girl's bravery and love for her family. For them she risked everything to find a cure and save them, not knowing that she would end up chained to an unscrupulous being who would take advantage of her weakness to manipulate her and bring her into his ranks at great cost to her life. I hope to see her in her next books become a strong woman who, just as she fought and chained herself, is firm and manages to free herself from that contract.
You always have to be careful before swearing an oath (especially a blood oath) with a Fae. Tara is desperate and does acknowledge the future cost. It's a shorter story than some by the author.
I agree with the author that this ought to be the second book read in the series even though the events here take place first. It's just not going to be as meaningful without already knowing who these characters are and how they relate to each other. I enjoyed learning Tara's backstory and the beginnings of her relationship with Judah. It was a short book, one that I finished in just a day. Tara is just as relatable in this prequel as she is in the original novel, with the half-Fae raised in a magical community acting like a popular kid mean girl clique. Everyone's felt like her at some point in their lives. It made for some clever worldbuilding. I liked her magical realism version of Faerie society much better than the standard midieval fantasy version you get in a lot of fantasy series.
Got the “shattered magic beginnings” box set and this was in it.
Bit confusing in parts and brought in Jen from her other series (1st book in the set) and I don’t recall one major part in that book so guessing it’s farther in her series.
No idea if worth it or need for series but not bad for the start of Tara’s story She’s Part Fae and needing some way to save her ailing mother and her sister pregnant with twins is starting to suffer the same thing that’s killing her mother she makes some rash decisions and finds out just how much she’s out of the loop with that side of her heritage
I think I would have preferred this if I had read the books it is a prequel to 1st. It's not bad but it doesn't really stand alone too well. If I already knew and cared about the character I would be fascinated by this ba k story/ origin but it just didnt grab me.
I actually read the first book before the prequel and I suggest others to do the same. While as a stand alone this book is going to feel too short (it is a novella after all), as a more in-depth look into the complexity of Tara’s life it’s very helpful. Some people wrote for book one that they felt the main character had too many hardships or wasn’t strong enough etc. However this book fills in the gaps as to why Tara’s life is such a struggle.
As for the world as a whole - I definitely suggest reading the Ella Gray novels first. It’s in the same world and there’s a little cross over with some characters. I read the Ella gray novels over a year ago and actually didn’t connect the two series right away and had to check Goodreads to make sure I was remembering correctly. Definitely Ella Gray first (though not super required) and then book one, then this prequel.
Enjoyed this prequel introducing Tara, shifter Judah & the shady fae character, Mr Shaw! We learn how & why Tara finds herself at his beck & call 24/7, whilst struggling to hold down another job to enable her to keep a roof over her family's head. What has Tara let herself in for; has she made a dreadful mistake, was the dubious fae deal made at too much of a cost & what will happen to Judah? Look forward to finding out more in book 1 of this new magical & exciting series from the creator of the excellent Ella Gray books!