This was a great conclusion to the Cursed Bonds duology, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed in this type of book and from the first book in the series. The characters were eveyrthing that I was looking for and enjoyed the use of Slavic mythology. Olena Nikitin wrote this perfectly and had that element that I was wanting in the genre and from the writing.

I was just drawn into this story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. I was so disappointed to turn the last page and I immediately wanted more. I can’t wait to see what's next from this author.

📚 ARC Review 📚

Oath of War by Olena Nikitin
The Cursed Bonds Book Two
Epic Slavic Dark Romantic Fantasy, published 11th February 2025

Massive thanks to Olena Nikitin for giving me access to an early ARC; this is my unbiased review.

✨️ Review ✨️
To be thrust into the dark fantastical world of The Cursed Bonds again was utterly compelling. Reuniting with Ani, as she absolutely refused to lay down and quit, was a pure delight. Her fierce and sassy personality remains unchanged despite the difficult situations she finds herself in, and I adore her character.

As in its predecessor, the writing is masterful, with vivid worldbuilding, epic battles, and tests of will. Romantic, tender, and heart-rending scenes add contrast and emotional depth.

Orm and Ari are a force to be reckoned with, as they would burn the world for Ani, and as they take their relationship with each other to new heights, the trio's bond is just beautiful to read. Discovering more about dark elf necromancer Ari's back story was revelatory! And Vahin. Oh, Vahin. What he wouldn't do for his riders. I have shed more tears over this dragon than I ever thought possible.

Also, there is a ton of wit and banter galore, and characters I thought I'd hate that completely redeem themselves (Reynard I'm looking at you!).
The Cursed Bonds has everything you could possibly want in a dark fantasy romance series, and it's addictive. It's one of the best duologies I have ever read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨️ Blurb ✨️
Every prison has a weakness, and Annika must find it before the enemy bends her to his will. But time is a luxury she no longer has, and freedom demands a cost few would dare to pay.

As treacherous alliances shift, everything she knows unravels before her eyes.

The Barrier is broken.

The king is dead.

And war has come to the kingdom… but how do you fight Death itself?

The gripping conclusion to The Cursed Bonds duology, where Annika’s fate—and the destiny of her kingdom—hangs by a thread.

#OathOfWar #OlenaNikitin #TheCursedBonds #FantasyFiction #DarkFantasyRomance #Romantasy #DarkRomantasy #NetGalley

Wow. Just wow. "Leave them wanting more" they say.. This definitely left me wanting more. I didn't want it to end! I want to stay in this world with these characters forever.. I am so devastatingly heartbroken that this is the end (for now?). Although, if it MUST end, I do think it was beautifully done, especially after reading the Royal Wedding short story. Although, it only prolonged the slump a liiiiittle longer! I just want to say, I have never been on the verge of tears consistently more than I have in this world and with these incredibly written characters.

This book is such a great example to me of why I LIVE for high fantasy. The world-building and complex magic isn't thrown in your face, yet the elements at play (dragons, necromancers, mages, monsters, etc) are strongly written and highly shape the story. This series also made me realize how much I am obsessed with reverse harems, but don't tell anyone that part..

On another note, getting to see Orm and Ari explore their bond was such a beautifully added aspect of this story. I was happy for them and found myself rooting for them in the end, and when Orm recognized Ari as a leader alongside them, his reaction brought me to tears.. My heart felt so full and warm.

It was nice to see each character come into their own in this novel, Ani was able to act as more of a leader, Orm was able to show a softer side and some vulnerability, and Ari coming out of his shell and gaining some confidence and strength. I was so pleasantly pleased to see each characters growth and development and how they all fit and grew so well together (no pun intended)

As much as I can go on and on about the primary characters, I also really loved Valaram. Although at first I was a little wary (I didn't want him messing up the dynamic of the group, and 4 lovers miiiight be a little bit overkill for me personally..) I grew to really feel for him and respect him in the end. He really was such a well-developed and well-rounded secondary character.

Ani's bonds with each of the men (and dragon) is so beautiful and intricate. Before reading this type of why choose/reverse harem I thought there would be one main relationship and then some other smaller ones but you can tell the depths of which her heart beats for all three men and the lengths she goes to defend, protect, and empower each of them. She is simply powered and driven by their love. You can really see the eternal love they all share and the unbreakable bond they've developed as a family and it is absolutely beautiful and earth-shattering.

As much as I am broken that this story is over, I truly believe this was the ending they deserved and I wouldn't change a thing about it. Oath of Betrayal easily became my top 3 books after reading but after reading this second part of the duology, the series itself has easily become one of my top Epic Romantasy series' of all time.

Anyone interested in high-fantasy, why choose, beautifully written, magical worlds (with dragons of course) MUST read this ASAP. I will also add, whether you are into the black cat type or the golden retriever, there is someone in here for everyone..

Thank you to Olena for trusting me with this series and allowing me the absolute privilege of reading these in exchange for an honest and heartfelt review <3

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book. I am not new to reading Olena's books. I have read and loved them before and i was expecting the same and i was not let down. I love love love this book. Definitely emotional in this book so check for trigger warnings but still it was amazing. Such a strong woman presence in this book which i love that woman are well represented in books. If i had to say one thing it would be some of the monsters needed to be described more or a type of art to see what they looked like. I thought the storyline got what it needed in this book i felt happy at how everything got wrapped up with the characters. I felt more fantasy then romance in reading this. TGhe romance was good but the fantasy part is what had me more intrigued. I would recommend in a heartbeat.

Oath of War by Olena Nikitin is for those who enjoy less tame spice but also high fantasy. The fantasy side of the read is not for newbies — probably not for a romance newbie either. Check the trigger list and then have a wonderful time with Annika and her men.

This is the second book in the Cursed Bonds series, a why choose epic fantasy romance. Tropes and themes include slowburn, why choose, dragons, banter, bada$$ FMC, grumpy MMCs, hurt/comfort/angst, past trauma and forced proximity. As this is a dark-ish, and spicy book (including MF, MM and MFM, please pay close attention to content warnings. I received an advance review copy and my thoughts are my own.

Tropes and themes include:

✨Light v. dark

✨Why choose

✨Dragons

✨Bonded mates

✨Banter

✨Bada$$ FMC

✨Grumpy MMC

✨Hurt/comfort/angst

✨Grief/loss

Rating: 5/5 Stars 3/5 Flames

Nicknames: Nivale, Little Flame, Domina

The Lovely: I sobbed - full on sobbed - at one point. And cried at other points. Wow this was an emotional roller coaster that I didn’t want to end. I love the relationships between the characters and how we see them grow beautifully over the course of the book (really, the duology). All three are struggling - with loss, with fear - and it hurt sometimes to experience it along with them.

Also Lovely: I also loved the world building, which is rooted in Slavic lore and mythology. There are dragons and monstrous, deadly creatures interwoven within a unique magic system. Even some of the names and words are other-worldly (with definitions provided), which led to an immersive experience.

Recommendation: This duology broke my heart, put it back together and then repeated the process several more times for good measure. I love a book that makes me feel and this book did that in an over the top manner. If you like why choose fantasy romance with a small group (two Ms, one F) with an intricate but understandable world, I think you would like this book.

I received an ARC of Oath of War through Victory Editing via NetGalley. Annika, Orm and Ari’s story had the perfect ending. The magic, characters, and world building is perfectly balanced. I love that the story was told through all three main characters in both books. The trio’s acceptance in each other and openness was beautiful. Both men were absolute simps for Annika! It was a great duology.

4.5/5 Stars
4/5 Spice

-Dark Romantasy
-Dragons
-Magic/Necromancy
-Why choose?

If you've made it to book two, it's probably safe to assume that you're comfortable with the content of this duology, but just be sure to double check the warnings.

What a roller coaster! I absolutely loved every second of Oath of War and the emotional rollercoaster it took me on. It's been a while since a book made me cry like this one did. There's something truly special about how they wrote every female character in these books. Even the most minor women in this story were vibrant and full of so much heart and emotional/mental strength.

As with the first book, I really enjoyed the character art sprinkled throughout. That said, I struggled at times to understand what some of the creatures were, even with the footnotes. Since the book already included art, I found myself wishing for visuals of the monsters they were fighting.

Overall, Oath of War is an amazing conclusion to Anni, Orm, and Ari's story. Nikitin packed so much story and adventure into just two books and while I selfishly wish I could spend more time with these characters, I'm also at peace with how the authors chose to conclude their story.

Epic conclusion

This book has me swooning, laughing, crying, and screaming.

The way all of these characters go through so much and come out better together is amazing. There is love, loss, and so many trials.

You get to learn more about Ari and the dark elves. We also see more of his family. The poor sweet necromancer goes through so much in this story. So much fear, uncertainty, and love is shown. We also see him confess his feelings to Orm.

As for the Lord Commander he must learn to accept the wild magic within himself. He also must deal with a lot of self doubt and fear. The war is happening and he doesn't know how to keep everyone safe.

We also get to learn some very interesting things about our sassy dragon. Discovering who Vahin really is and the lengths he will go to ensure his riders are safe is absolutely beautiful. This dragon is so very old but his love is so fierce.

Lastly we have our little peasant conduit mage. Annika goes through so much in this book. There were many times she almost broke but with the love of her men, her dragon, and her friends she finds a way. She also, has to deal with a very heavy dose of survivors guilt and this is portrayed so well. I laughed and cried so much with Ani. She is one of the strongest female characters I have seen. She doesn't even believe she is worth of living in book one and by the end her ties are so very strong and she is even stronger.

Also, I must give Reynard a shout out because this man is a planner. He saw what was happening in the land and knew he had to have a backup plan. I never expected what he had up his sleeve.

This was a fantastic ending to this duology. But I must say please please don't forget to grab the bonus wedding scene because that is so fantastic and gives so much more depth to this group.

I was excited to finish this series and find out what happened to Ani, Ari, and Orm after that ending of book 1. This sequel has lots of battles and fights as well as the continuation of the developing relationship between the trio. And lots of the dragon Vahin of course.

I enjoyed the world building and magic system in this completed duology. Annika goes through so much in both books and yet continues to love so strongly those she lets in. The realizations that Ormond finally makes were worth the wait while Alaric is so loyal to his promises that it hurts.

Thank you Viper Dawn Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

Oath of War by Olena Nikitin is the incredibly fantastic conclusion of Annika’s journey! If you loved Oath of Betrayal you better strap in for the ride of your life as we continue the journey! With the same amazing cast of characters, we can really see their development throughout this book, and I enjoyed that immensely.

The world-building was as good if not better than book one, I love any book that has its roots in lore/mythology and the Slavic aspects were the cherry on top. I would highly recommend Oath of War and The Broken Bonds duology to anyone who loves a good epic romantasy with a side of why choose romance, with A++ world-building.

Thank you to both NetGalley and Viper Dawn Press for providing the eARC.

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"