Format: Kindle, 317 pages
Release Date: May 23, 2019
Publisher: Starfall Press
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Light magic is forbidden.
Dark magic spells death.
Haven has both.
After the Prince of Penryth saved her from captivity, seventeen-year-old Haven Ashwood spends her days protecting the kind prince and her nights secretly fighting the monsters outside the castle walls.
When one of those monsters kidnaps Prince Bell, Haven must ally with Archeron Halfbane and his band of immortals to rescue her friend.
Her quest takes her deep into the domain of a warped and vicious queen where the rules are simple: break her curse or die.
Lost in a land of twisted magic and fabled creatures, Haven finds herself unprepared, not just for the feelings she develops for Archeron, but for the warring powers raging inside her.
Her rare and forbidden type of magic may be their only hope . . . but mixing light and dark comes with a steep price.
Haven’s soul.
Faced with impossible love, heartbreaking betrayals, and a queen intent on destroying the realm, only one thing remains certain.
Haven must shatter the curse or it will devour everything she loves.
Oath Taker, by author Audrey Grey, is the first installment in the authors Kingdom of Runes series. Haven Ashwood lives in the land of Penryth where she is companion guard to the Crown Prince Bellamy. When she isn't protecting Bell, she is out hunting and killing shadowlings in the forest surrounding the castle. It has been 9 years since Bell found Haven and chose her to be his companion. Penryth is a land filled with shadowlings, and harbingers that feast on powerful magic as well as a certain Shadelord who has been watching Haven bravely take out his beasts.
Thanks to a curse that happened when a mortal prince killed the Queen Morgyrath's daughter Ravenna, those who show any inclination of having magic in their blood are given to the Queen's daughter. The Shade Queen has rights to demand a curse-price be paid if anyone shows any hints of magic. Ravenna has survived by feeding off common mortals for years. Nobody knows how to break the curse, but there are those who are searching for ways to do just that. There are also wishes involved for each curse breaker.
After a show of magic by Bell, Stolas, Lord of the Underground, spirits Bell away to the home of the dreaded queen. Haven joins a group of Solis including Bjork, Surai, Archeron, and Rook to find clues as to how they can break the curse and thus get Bell back from imminent death. Haven is a curious character. She is fearless, and doesn't back down from a fight with anyone. That includes beasts, Gods, and humans. She has access to both dark and light magic, and it might have been her mistake that cost Bell's his fate.
But, what we, as readers don't know, is where she came from and who her parents were. The author makes hints that she may have been stolen from her parents and ended up a slave. Haven's twisted connection with Archeron as well as Stolas is one that will definitely continue into the next installment. While Archeron is reluctant to teach Haven about her light side, Stolas is almost eager to find out what Haven is capable of and whether or not she one of the legendary Effendier. In this world, Noctis and Solis are still fighting a war that has been going on since the Goddess Freya gave humankind Runemagick.
I'll finish this review by saying there are some good things and some things that make you go Hmmmm. It's fair to say that Bell's point of view was the most twisted since he is in a bad place with little or no hope. Meanwhile, Haven could have been a whole lot better if she actually knew what she was capable of and not just winging it as she went along. Alas, another flaw in this story is the quick change of narrative without any sort of warning. Bad deal. One could also say that the story is a bit on the repetitive side. Yes, we know what color Raven's hair is (Rose) since the author has to remind us nearly constantly. I think Stolas is a whole lot more than meets the eyes, so yes, I will most likely read the sequel when it releases.
lovin that strong cover and it looks like one i would enjoy.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental