OATH OF BETRAYAL
BY OLENA NIKITIN
Published: 12th September 2024
Independent
Only men could bond with dragons. Until a massive black beast spoke to her…
Annika knelt to no one, but when an enemy attack killed those she loved, she ran faking her death to vanished into obscurity. Years later, a chance encounter with a dragon shatters her quiet life, exposing her to the Lord Commander of the Dragon Riders.
His touch rekindles her magic and the feelings she thought she’d buried, but helping him would mean sacrificing the one thing she has left—her freedom.
When a devastating attack forces her hand, Annika makes a desperate choice, bonding herself to his beast and unleashing its fury upon their enemies. But bearing a shard of its soul comes at a steep price—the dragon’s fire cannot be contained by one Anchor alone.
Now, she must choose another.
Torn between two men—the Commander, who ignites her power, and his Necromancer, who tempers its roaring inferno—Annika must trust her heart or watch the world she swore to protect fall into darkness.
She may be the ultimate weapon, but even if she sacrifices what’s left of her soul, can the last conduit mage save her fractured kingdom?
To say this book captured my imagination would be a huge understatement. From the outset, conduit mage Ani’s beguiling character drew me in. She is powerful, sassy, and isn’t afraid to speak her mind.
Having hidden for a decade after the devastating loss of the men in her life, she is thrust back into life from the time she connects with Orm, Alaric (Ari), and Vahin, Orm’s dragon, and the banter between the quartet is absolutely blissful. I’m positive I snorted with laughter several times, what with Vahin hearing his rider’s inappropriate thoughts, and dark fae Ari’s mischievous flirting. The nicknames Vahin, Ari and Orm had for Ani are adorable, too. Aside from our cosy foursome, there are a few other notable characters that add something special: Agnes, half-orc Bryna, and herbalist Katja.
This book is wonderfully written, the authors’ attention to detail and impressive world building is superb, the monsters terrifying, missions deadly, and there’s an underlying sense of unease that skitters up your spine.
There is trauma, despair, grief, and loss so profound, but it is captured with such a delicate rawness. Everything in this book feels so very real. The characters are utterly believable. I pretty much read this through in one sitting, and if I’d have looked up to see a dragon flying over my garden instead of some ducks, I don’t think I’d have been surprised! I will be on the edge of my seat waiting for book two!
Huge thanks to Olena Nikitin for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC; this is my honest review.
5 / 5
Everything I want and need in a romantasy!