Oath of Betrayal

'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.'


"Oath of Betrayal," book 1 of Olena Nikitin's new The Cursed Bonds duology, is a stunning entry into high fantasy, brimming with epic world-building, a unique magic system, and Nikitin's signature fascinating blend of Slavic mythology. The story centers around Annika Diavellar ("Ani"), a powerful yet broken mage, whose grief after losing her bonded mates is unmistakable and deeply resonant. The emotional depth of Ani's journey as she grapples with her past while being torn between two compelling men who just happen to also be friends—Ormond Erenhart ("Orm"), the formidable Commander of the Dragon Riders, and Alaric'va Shen'ra ("Ari"), a dark fae necromancer—adds layers of complexity to the narrative.

The world-building, as I mentioned, is fantastic, with a rich, immersive world where dragons soar and magic pulses with life as dark forces stir while the kingdoms’ defenses fall apart. The inclusion of Slavic mythology, as always, is particularly refreshing, adding a distinctive cultural texture that sets this book apart from other fantasy novels. The "why choose" romance also is handled with finesse, balancing the relationships between Ani, Orm, and Ari in a way that feels organic and authentic.

Orm's character is a delightful mix of strength and tenderness, his protective nature offset by moments of vulnerability that make him completely endearing (the man is a total cinnamon roll), on top of just being a hottie. On the other hand, Ari's dark and brooding persona is closely explored, giving readers insight into the motivations behind the actions of yet another beautiful, conflicted man. The interactions between these two and their developing bond with Ani are both intense and heartwarming.

The supporting characters are equally memorable, with characters like Vahin (Orm's dragon) and the various friends Ani makes along the way, each adding depth to the story. I particularly enjoyed Katja, a down-to-earth, no-nonsense herbalist; Bryna, a half-orc, promiscuous, and hilarious blacksmith; and Ian, an injured ex-dragon rider who serves as a barkeeper—though no one compares to Vahin (total Tarin vibes for those who've read "Fourth Wing," he's everything and I refuse to accept any other answer).

Finally, Nikitin skillfully handles the grim aspects of the tale (see list of content warnings below) with moments of levity and camaraderie, making for a well-rounded reading experience. And while the romance is a bit of a slow burn, the tension is palpable, making the spicy scenes worth the wait! The cliffhanger ending leaves you eager for the next installment, promising even more excitement and drama to come.

Overall, "Oath of Betrayal" is a must-read for fans of high fantasy and fantasy romance ... almost like a Sanderson novel with just a bit of *spice* added to it. Olena Nikitin has crafted a tale that is both epic and intimate, filled with heartache, passion, and the promise of redemption. I can't wait to see where the story goes next!

Content warnings include death, violence, domestic abuse, torture, the threat of war, and grief.

PLEASE NOTE: I am the editor of “Oath and Betrayal.” As such, I acknowledge my bias but have made every effort to remain objective in this review.

Expected publication date is 12 September 2024.

If it was possible to give more than 5 stars, this beautiful story would have gotten it! It was everything you could have imagined and so much more. I felt every single emotion that came across the page, my heart broke and slowly started to heal for “Ani”, the pain she felt losing her bonded was felt deep within her soul and mine.

Dealing with the loss of her mates, she is still trying to heal and truly move forward in life. All the while tension between two friends who both have sparked a light within her, that she thought was long diminished.

Ormond, our dragon commander, determined type, eye on the prize, he see Ani as a way to save his home, his people, just the tension between them is definitely real.

Alaric, our dark fae, is a walking temptation both physically and magically. Dangling power right in front her, will she be tempted to follow through…Their chemistry is off the damn charts!

*magic
*why choose
*loss mates
*growth development

Olena Nikitin was able to once again create an astonishing world full of magic and raw emotions. I was captivated from the first chapter. Nikitin has this ability to design such a complex web of storytelling, you forget you aren’t actually in it.