"You can run away from me all you like, my subborn mage, but I promise I'll always find you."

Oath of Betrayal is a slow burn MMF fantasy romance with great banter and of course dragons! The book has immersive world building built around Slavic lore and is told from our 3 main characters.

Annika (Ani) - A conduit mage who is very independent and is not afraid to say what she thinks. She had been in hiding after a very painful past battle where she lost her previous two anchors and almost died herself before being saved by a dragon.

Ormond (Orm)- The Lord Commander at the fortress, dragon rider/commander to Vahin.

Alaric (Ari) - A dark fae necromancer mage of the fortress and Ormonds best friend with a curse bound to the Lich King.

This book was very slow and confusing with a backstory of battle and grief right from the very first page. However, after a few chapter became very immersive and hard to put down. I found myself laughing out loud at the banter between Ani and Ari and while this is a why choose romance I of course was rooting for one more than the other. This story left me in complete suspense as the ending was an intense cliffhanger with tons of unknowns.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viper Dawn Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oath of Betrayal is book one in The Broken Bonds series by Olena Nikitin.
Atmospheric, easy to read and ridiculously entertaining.
This book had me completely enthralled, and I couldn't put it down the whole time.
A captivating romantasy!

The beginning had me seriously questioning this book. Mostly because a lot of the terms are not my typical type of fantasy. By chapter 4/5 I was hooked!! Definitely push through to at least chapter 5 before you decide to give up if the beginning seems a little slow or confusing!

This book gave me dungeons and dragons or maybe even world of Warcraft vibes with magic system and mages vs witches.
Once I fully grasped the concept of mages and the magic system in place I was sold!

The cliff hanger was rough so be prepared!! Cant wait for book 2!

This story took me by surprise in the best way possible. I don’t even know where to begin..

When I started this novel I wasn’t sure what to think. At the beginning I truly felt as though I was thrust right into the world and the action and felt a little jolted. As I started gathering more information and context and the world began opening up to me, I started falling deeper and deeper into its clutches.

The characters in this story are so well developed by Olena and you can tell IMMENSE thought went into their scripting. I was hanging on every word and every scene. Usually, there are more monotonous moments in books where they’re travelling or living their day to day life, but I can honestly say I didn’t feel those moments in this book. I was so thoroughly engaged and entertained and mesmerized by their thoughts and desires that this book flew by in the blink of an eye.

It has been a while since I have had emotional reactions to the characters in a story and the characters in this story made me feel ALL the emotions. There were characters I wasn’t sure of in the beginning that I felt fierce protection and love for by the end and characters I really liked in the beginning that by the end my passion had fizzled for. I can NOT wait to see what happens next in this story and look forward to reading more of Olena’s work in the future.

Overall this was an absolute joy to read and I am so thankful for the opportunity.

I highly recommend this book to any lover of Romantasy or even High Fantasy as there are elements of both in this story.

RUN to preorder this book because this will easily become a best-seller.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC in return for an honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)

I was fortunate to receive an ARC copy of Oath of Betrayal and while this book ultimately won me over, it took some perseverance to get there. The first four chapters were a bit of a struggle for me, and I found myself putting the book down a couple of times before pushing through. However, once I hit chapters five and six, the story truly began to find its stride, and I became more invested.

One of the highlights for me was the female FMC Ani. I loved her strength and resilience—she didn’t put up with any nonsense and carried herself with so much determination. I also thoroughly enjoyed the dragon, Vahin, whose character added another layer to the story.

If you're a fan of fantasy with a touch of Slavic mythology, this book might be up your alley. There’s also a dash of romance and some spice/love triangle to keep things interesting. While it wasn't an immediate favorite for me, the story found its rhythm and offered a solid reading experience.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to dive into this world!

Thank you NetGalley and Olena for the opportunity to recieve this arc in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5.
Initially when I started this book I felt it difficult to follow the language used for the world building but as I continued to read it became a lot clearer and I was really hooked. I do feel however it started to lose its *ompf* the more I got into the story.
Personally I feel that plot in regards to the Lich King was put completely on the back burner and the focus was so much on Ani and her relationships between Orm and Ari and the need for anchors that I would forget about everything else going on.
This story had an unbelievable amount of potential and I was super excited to read and thoroughly enjoyed the first 50% however I feel that it became a bit repetitive, character changes in personality became pretty drastic and the plot was lost

Fantasy can be difficult to get into, but this book had me hooked straight away! It’s starts with a bang that gripped me immediately, as I had to know where it would go and how it would end.
This is a fun book that is full of world-building fantasy that moves quickly, which keeps me wanting more and more. (And at the end of the book, EVEN MORE!!)

***I Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

When this story starts off it has a WILD fight scene in the first chapter or prologue. After that we jump ahead in time to 10 years later where we are following someone completely different and the way the writing is, it's acting as if you should know exactly what they are saying, what this world is as if you've already read a prequel book.

I just couldn't get into the romance, it was forced (like just because you have maiden day doesn't mean the women should automatically say YES and have no say at all).

I had a hard time really being invested in the why choose romance with the different men. All around, I feel this was a miss for me.

The Oath of Betrayal jumps right into action of our final main character Annika (Ani). Ani is a strong, independent conduit mage, who is naturally selfless and wants to help others, even at her detriment. I found Ani to be a really relatable character. And that ending-what a cliff hanger and it allows so many different paths for book two that I can’t even give you an inference of what’s to come!

Shortly into the story we meet our other main characters, Ormond- Dragon Commander, Alaric- dark Fae necromancer, and Vahin- Ormonds bonded dragon. The author does a beautiful job a depicting heartbreak and experiences of betrayal throughout each of our main characters lives, and how they have chosen to fight the darkness to overcome the treachery. Even though this was clearly fantasy, I felt like actions like this made it very relatable to your average person and allowed me to connect with the characters. The relationships between the main characters left wanting to see the development and where the relationship would go. I would say this was a book that was easy to not want to put down and power though; I’d consider it a fast paced book.

My deduction of stars comes from I feel like some of the story development, I wish there was more time spent developing Ani feelings for the male characters and how she overcame the trauma of losing her previous soulmates. There also were moments where scenes just felt progress too quickly and it didn’t allow those intense emotions to develop.

Overall I enjoyed this story and would rank it 4⭐️’s. I look forward to picking up the second book to see the continued development of the story, characters and world.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Authors for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Oath of Betrayal" drew me in with its compelling start, plunging me into Annika’s world of grief and hidden power. I loved how her journey began—faking her death, escaping into seclusion, and discovering her connection with the dragon. The tension between her and the Lord Commander was intense, and the unique blend of mythology and slow-burn romance had me hooked. But as the story went on, it started to feel repetitive. The middle dragged, and I found myself wishing the book was shorter to keep the momentum going. Still, the ending had me on the edge of my seat.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

this series truly has so much potential! with clear inspiration from Slavic lore, the world is so intriguing with its excellent character chemistry, dragons, dark fae, mage magic with a mad king to overthrow before time runs out

while the fmc’s age is never specified, it’s ambiguously alluded to that she is older than your standard 18-25 year old featured in fantasy so i feel like this story could reach a broad demographic of readers!

the beginning chapters leaned a bit on the info-dumping side for me but it eventually picked up and delivered so much promise in character development, and a substantial plot to hold my interest! both the mmcs have fantastic personalities and deliciously flirty banter with their fmc counterpart, i was so enthralled by every interaction they had with each other!

towards the last 25%, i noticed a lot of repetition in dialogue which is a big frustration of mine when reading and i found the writing of the action scenes a bit lack-luster in comparison to earlier chapters.

the relationships between the three leads could definitely fall under the slow-burn category but with this being marketed as a why choose romance, i don’t personally feel like this trope was entirely delivered. the chemistry between them as individuals was very palpable throughout but towards the end, the why choose element was presented hastily and with clear bias towards one specific character in the writing which made it difficult to see genuity within the mcs all together.

my curiosity is definitely piqued enough to pick up the second book though, especially in light of the cliffhanger featured in this one!

read if you like:
— dark fantasy
— dragons
— politics
— slow burn
— why choose

comparable to:
— the witcher
— game of thrones
— when the moon hatched

Annika, a conduit mage, sees the loves of her life fall before her in battle and must do all she can to save herself. As a result, her powers creates the accidental destruction of the realm’s lost ridge, allowing the evil that lives beyond it to enter into their kingdom. Struck with grief and despair, Annika fakes her death in an effort to hide her powers so she never has to Anchor to another soul again. When a disturbance brings along a dragon and its rider, Annika’s world turns upside down and she must choose to let her suffering drown her or rise to the occasion to save the realm from the Lich King.
This book comes right out the gate with intense world building, inventive creatures, and unique magic systems. I was immediately trying to learn all of the magical beings and terms that I was unfamiliar with. Luckily this book provides the reader with a beautiful map showcasing the land, an extensive glossary in the back, and footnotes to guide the reader. This book as a whole is fast pace, and thrown right into the chaos in the first few chapters. I was constantly hooked and never knew how the story would unfold.
While this is heavy in fantasy, there is a beautiful, unconventional love story intertwined. Will they or won’t they? Annika struggles to determine which male would make the best match, but also contemplates why can’t she have both? To make the decision more difficult, as a conduit mage, Annika needs an Anchor to control her powers, as it is unsafe to be without an Anchor. Her magic craves the bonds between both males, and coupling is the safest, least painful way to join with an Anchor. Will she choose her Anchor based on love or necessity? We see how the love triangle plays out and from multiple points of view as this book is told from Annika, Ormond, and Alaric. The book also had beautiful chapter designs, each specially drawn for the character you are reading at the time. There are also character drawings throughout the chapters that I loved.
An important part of this story is how various characters struggle with unsurmountable grief and choosing to fight instead of succumbing to darkness. I really appreciated having a story include complex emotions like this, as it brings transparency of real life struggles people face every day. It made the characters more realistic and relatable, making me love and appreciate them more.
This story ends on a massive cliffhanger and I can’t believe I have to wait to see how this all unfolds. I highly recommend this story if you are interested in high fantasy, unique world building, and a story that keeps the reader on their toes. This is not for readers looking for a light read as there are heavy topics discussed within the pages.

Honestly such a good book. Originally, I was a little confused by all of the terms being used and the way the magic worked. E.g. aether and an Anchor bond (maybe just find a way to make this more obvious?) However, apart from that I found very little negative about it. I had a notes app that I was taking notes on what to review but shortly got too engrossed and forgot about it lol. The chemistry between the two males leads and Ani was perfection and so was Vahin being all protective. Honestly loved it so much and will definitely read the next when it’s out.

(That cliffhanger was criminal but i’m so hooked)

Oath of Betrayal is a fantasy with a why chose romance. I have to say that the start of the book felt like I was dropped in the middle of the book and was not enjoyable to me. In all fairness, the first four chapters were a bit hard to get through. After chapter four though, things did pick up. I highly enjoyed the slovic lore and think there was some excellent world building in this book. I did love how the female main character, Annika, was written. I particularly loved interactions with Annika and the dragon Vahin as I personally think of dragons as just big puppy dogs as well. I will say the development of sudden romantic feelings between Orm & Alaric seemed a bit random as they’d known each other for so long and felt a little forced. However things do end with quite the cliffhanger that left me wanting more!

I was drawn to this book because of the cover…I think it is beautifully done and it compliments the title beautifully. Well done to the publisher and author for their choice.

The story follows the heroine, grief stricken after losing her anchors for her magic, and her strive for redemption and purpose. Honestly, there was a lot of information dropped in the reader’s lap very quickly…and it took time to figure out what was going on. After that, the pace of the book and storyline was a bit all over the place. I didn’t connect with the characters like I would like. I am sure others will enjoy this dark fantasy book but it was not for me.

Thank you.

Slow start in the first few chapters, but that is where we meet Annika, Ormund and Alaric and a bit of backstory. I did think that we were starting mid chapter and maybe a prologue would have helped to understand the situation and lands, but like I wrote, it’ll get better after the first few chapters, hang in there!!

The rest of the book flows well and adds action, conflicted feelings, dragons, Necromancy, bad guys, good guys and love. It’s a slow build up when it comes to the romance, but there are little moments that tide you over. Not many side characters to steal the show, but they add a bit of life, as it feels like a longer book.

This book ends in a cliffhanger that was, obviously, going to happen, but it makes me want to immediately dive into the next book to see what Orm, Ari and Vahin do.

Oath of Betrayal follows Annika, a conduit maged who faked her death and is tormented by the grief of the loss of her two bonded lovers. Fate comes into play when dragon rider, Orm, and dark far, Alaric, stumble across the mage in hiding. After a strange soul connection and learning of her abilities, Orm and Alaric track down Ani to use her as the ultimate weapon in the war against the Lich King. This is the first book in a fantasy why choose romance series with dragons, monsters, soul bonds, and war.
This book started off in the thick of battle. While it did capture my attention, I have to admit it was a bit hard to digest at the beginning with all the terms, names, and just initial world building. After getting the hang of everything it became easier. Ani is a strong FMC who truly just wants to help people, and she’s a serious bad ass when it comes to her magic. Orm is a cold commander but is an absolute simp for Ani. Alaric is cheeky and a tortured soul that I’m dying to know more about. & who doesn’t love an exasperated soul bonded dragon who’s tired of having to take care of his riders?
Over all I enjoyed this book but I also felt like something was missing for me. It was medium paced in my opinion, some parts were over really quick that seemed important but others seemed to lag that could’ve been brushed over. I love soul bonds but I think there was a lack of build up, she just kind of automatically seriously considered if not agreed to bond with three others after suffering grief for over a decade. There were two open door scenes but I’d still rate it two chili peppers. The plot captured my attention and provides intrigue and mystery so I do plan on reading the next one. Especially to find out Orm and Ari’s reaction to that cliff hanger with Ani.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc!

From the very first pages, we are introduced to Annika, a powerful yet tormented mage who is grappling with the devastating loss of the men who anchored her magic. Faking her own death for solace, she retreats to a secluded town, hoping to find peace. Yet, as is the nature of fantasy, peace is fleeting. A chance encounter with a dragon, a being deeply tethered to her fate, shatters her carefully constructed facade, propelling her into a world filled with political intrigue and dark forces.
The story thrives on Annika's internal conflict, as she wrestles with her burgeoning powers and the weight of her past. Her reluctance to be controlled again by the Lord Commander, who sees her as a weapon, is palpable. Their complex relationship adds layers to the narrative, as does the introduction of the dark fae necromancer whose intentions remain shrouded in mystery. Nikitin excels at developing multi-dimensional characters whose motivations clash in thrilling ways, especially as the plot unfolds and stakes escalate.
Nikitin's writing is descriptive and evocative, vividly portraying both the breathtaking landscapes and the terrifying threats that loom over Annika’s world. The dragon—an ancient and formidable creature—becomes a symbol of Annika's own struggle: a fierce protector yet a reminder of her vulnerabilities. Their bond forces her to confront not only her grief but also a yearning for a connection that transcends the pain of loss.
Overall, Oath of Betrayal is a gripping and beautifully crafted fantasy novel that offers a fresh take on familiar tropes. Olena Nikitin has created a world that is as enchanting as it is treacherous, filled with characters that are as flawed as they are fierce. This book is a must-read for those seeking an immersive experience that balances heart-pounding action with profound emotional exploration.

3/5⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me with this arc!


I really wanted to love this book but unfortunately it wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped it would be :(. I absolutely loved the authors writing, and enjoyed following Annika on her journey and the characters she met along the way. I think what I couldn’t really grasp was the world building, I got really confused at times and felt like it may have been alot of info dumping at certain points in the story. However the glossary at the end was soo helpful on the authors part, it definitely helped me understand the terms better! Overall, while I struggled with this book at times, I can still say it was a great read and will most likely continue reading this series!!🫶🏽

*Oath of Betrayal* by Olena Nikitin is a captivating slow-burn, why-choose fantasy romance that had me hooked from the very beginning. I loved how the story masterfully weaves together Annika’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment, especially after the loss of her magic anchors. The introduction of Slavic mythology added a fascinating layer to the world-building, making the lore rich and immersive—something I hadn't encountered much in fantasy before, and it was super cool to read about!

The dynamic between Annika, the commander, and the necromancer kept me on the edge of my seat, and I appreciated how the story didn’t rush their relationships, letting the tension build naturally. The blend of magic, dragons, and the looming threat of war made for an exciting, unpredictable read. While the book leaves you craving more answers, it’s definitely a journey worth taking if you’re a fan of slow-burn, why-choose romances with a fresh mythological twist.

#OathOfBetrayal #FantasyRomance #SlavicMythology