Oath of War by Olena Nikitin

Thanks to NetGalley for gifting me this ARC.

This is the epic conclusion to the Cursed Bonds duology, releasing February 11th, and it is available for preorder now.

This dark romantasy follows Annika, a conduit mage, and her two men in a perfectly executed why choose romance. I didn’t realize how incredible this trope could be until I read these books.

What I loved about this book was its unique and exciting magic system. There were Fascinating creatures and a great villain in an evil lich king. This book has Plenty of spice (but don’t forget to check the trigger warnings). One of my favorite things about this book was the refreshingly original world.

The first book, Oath of Betrayal, hooked me, and Oath of War was a satisfying conclusion. It delivers some emotional damage, but it all works out in the end.

If you love dark, spicy romantasy, this is a must-read. I gave it four stars and highly recommend it. Start with book one and get ready to dive into this incredible world.

Title: Oath of WarAuthor: Olena Nikitin

Summary:

Oath of War is the second installment in Olena Nikitin's "The Broken Bonds" series, following the events of Oath of Betrayal. This novel dives deeper into the intricate world of Slavic-inspired dark fantasy, blending epic storytelling with elements of romance and political intrigue. The story continues to follow Annika, a mage whose power is both her greatest asset and her heaviest burden. After the dramatic conclusion of the first book, Annika finds herself at the center of a brewing war, her magic bound to a dragon and her heart torn between two men: the dark fae necromancer Alden and the Lord Commander of the Dragon Riders, Vahin. As alliances shift and betrayals loom, Annika must navigate through a world on the brink of collapse, where her decisions could either save or doom the kingdom.

Main Characters:

Annika: A conduit mage whose magical abilities are tied to her emotional state, particularly her connections with others. She struggles with her past loss and her current responsibilities.
Vahin: The Lord Commander of the Dragon Riders, a strategic and charismatic leader whose bond with Annika through the dragon complicates their relationship.
Alden: A dark fae necromancer with a mysterious past, offering Annika power but at a potential cost to her soul.
Katja: An herbalist and confidant to Annika, providing wisdom and comic relief in dire times.
Bryna: A half-orc blacksmith with a bold personality, adding depth to the narrative with her unique perspective and strength.
Ian: An ex-dragon rider now barkeeper, whose insights into the magic system and life add layers to the story.

Significant Passages:

"I will give you my all—my fire, my magic, and my life. Just stay with me. I don't want to dwell in the dark again." - This quote from Alden to Annika highlights his deep, albeit complicated, attachment, illustrating the theme of sacrifice and dark romance.
"Sheer panic choked me as I fought the mind-numbing spell, but in the end, I lost ... And everything went black." - Annika's struggle with her magic and control reflects her internal battle and the external threats she faces.
"My dragoness with broken wings ... there was no light in her eyes—and I was the man who had crushed her soul." - Vahin's introspection shows his guilt and the burden of leadership, adding emotional depth to his character.
"If I wanted a man to tell me what to do, I'd take a husband." - Annika's assertion of independence underlines her character's strength and the feminist undertones of the narrative.
"One day I will take you to the stars if you'd like ... whatever you need to tell them will be heard by the gods themselves." - A romantic and hopeful promise from Alden, suggesting a complex relationship that transcends mere physical attraction.

Ratings Breakdown (out of 5):

Plot: 4.5 - The plot is dense with twists and turns, maintaining the high stakes and epic feel of the fantasy genre while advancing character arcs.
Characters: 4 - Characters are well-developed with clear motivations and growth, though some could benefit from deeper exploration.
World-Building: 5 - Nikitin's world is richly detailed, drawing from Slavic mythology to create a unique backdrop that feels both familiar and fresh.
Writing Style: 4 - The narrative style effectively conveys emotion and action, though some might find the pacing uneven at times.
Romance: 4.5 - The romance is complex, with a slow-burn tension that adds to the story's allure, though it might not satisfy those looking for instant gratification in romantic plots.
Magic System: 5 - The magic system is intricate, logical, and deeply integrated into the plot, offering both wonder and rules.

Overall Rating: 4.5

Conclusion:

Oath of War by Olena Nikitin is a compelling continuation of a promising series that blends the darkness of high fantasy with the heat of romantic tension. The novel excels in its world-building and the depth of its magic system, providing readers with a satisfyingly immersive experience. While the pacing might occasionally falter under the weight of its expansive narrative, the character development and the emotional stakes more than compensate. Fans of fantasy who enjoy stories with strong, conflicted characters, detailed mythology, and a touch of romance will find much to love here. The book sets up numerous plot threads for subsequent volumes, leaving readers both satisfied by its rich storytelling and eager for the next chapter in this saga. If you're seeking a fantasy series that marries epic scope with intimate character studies, Oath of War is a must-read.

3-3.5/5⭐️ this is the second book in the Broken Bonds duology. This book picks right up where Oath of Betrayal left off! I absolutely loved the characters and the journey of this story. The battle scenes were awesome and very well written! I loved the addition of the footnotes to describe some of the creatures and terms, it was so helpful and I haven’t seen many books include this right at the end of the chapters. Loved the alternating POV’s it definitely kept it interesting. The spice wasn’t doing much for me and I could have done without the romance, that’s probably my only critique. Overall a great book! Thank you so much to Olena Nikitin and Viper Dawn Press for allowing me to read this book early!

There will be spoilers below becuase there's no way I can do this book justice without mentioning specifics.

***

I was lucky enough to ARC read Oath of War and Olenas writing and world sucked me in, it was also one of the first why chose romantasys I had really delved into and has now sold me on that genre.

I do not understand how Olena was able to get so much packed into this book. Honestly. I'm lost.

This was the definition of a rollercoaster read. One minute I was kicking my feet with joy over romance, fanning myself at the spicy scenes and the next I was sobbing my heart out.

The growth that Ani has is just Beautiful, this book has once of the best descriptions of internalised guilt I have read, how she feels over Katja is heartbreaking and so chaotic and overwhelming I felt right there with her.

Orms acceptance of his own sexuality and love for Ari was amazing to read, the confusion, uncertainty and taking that step felt so realistic of taking a chance on love not knowing the outcome.

And my poor sweet Ari, he absolutely went through it in this book, and we got to learn so much more about his culture, the depths of his love, his fears. And actually seeing him as a baddass necomancer!!

And the true love of this duology. Vahin. This amazing charecter once again stole my heart. Most of my highlighted quotes from this read have been from him. And the most scared I was during this read was for him aswell.

If I could give this book more stars I could, Olena you have knocked it out the park!

One of my favourite quotes.
"I will come for you, Little Flame, even if I have to tear down the sun, I will come for you"