Title: Oaths & Vengeance
Author: Susan Illene
Series: Realm of Zadrya #1
Publication date: August 22, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- M/F
- Romantasy
- 1st person duel POV
- Fated mates
- Secret marriage
- Touch her and die
- First of a series
- Curses
- Political intrigue
- Slow burn
- True enemies to lovers
First Thoughts
I was about 30% into Oaths & Vengeance when I came to the abrupt realization that I was REALLY enjoying this book! I have to admit I wasn’t quite sure about it right away. My anger at the men in this book was what kept me reading in the beginning. So many of them are truly terrible. Surprisingly, the only man I really liked right away was the one with an inability to love. Go figure. But I had a good feeling about it as soon as I read the dedication.
This book is long, but in the best way. I couldn’t put it down. Aella and Darrow are the definition of enemies to lovers. They are from rival lands who constantly attack one another. When her cousin’s life is in jeopardy, she must, very reluctantly, go to Darrow for help. He agrees, with conditions. Ones that will change her life forever.
Minor spoilers ahead.
First Person Duel POV
In Oaths & Vengeance, we thankfully get the perspective of both the MFC and MMC, Aella and Darrow. This is my preference, so it just added to my love for this book! With Darrow’s curse in the mix, I appreciated being in his head because I could gauge how much he COULD feel and WHAT he felt.
The Story
The plot and worldbuilding were interesting enough to keep me reading while not completely overwhelming me with information. On the surface, we have two rival lands in an ages old fight against each other, but when we dig a little more into the politics and personal motivations things get pretty riveting. Some want curses broken. Some want power. And for some, it’s still a mystery at the end what their motivations were.
Be prepared for the infuriating misogyny in this story. The men in Aella’s life are horrible. It makes the ending pretty satisfying, though.
We were bound to him until we got married and became the property of our husbands, per fae law concerning highborn ladies.
Magic System
There is so much magic in Oaths & Vengeance! The most exciting in my opinion is Aella’s teleportation magic. For whatever reason, she has more power in that regard than anyone, thus making her the key to reaching other lands – and even perhaps other planets! She also has wind and light magic. Everyone has a very unique combination of powers and I was LOVING it.
The Romance
This is a slow burn. Because of that, don’t expect these characters to be head over heels right away. Darrow is cursed with the inability to love. He is trying to find a way to break the curse, but it’s a complicated process. Because of this, along with the fact that they are literal enemies, they are reluctant to start anything resembling romance. Due to a mate bond, though, feelings grow strong anyway. For him, because of the curse, it is more about being protective, caring in whatever ways he is capable, and of course lust.
“Anyone that lovely and powerful must be treacherous, especially from Therress. She’ll turn on us.”
It was frustrating knowing that Darrow’s curse would keep him from loving Aella (for however long it takes them to break the curse), but I was surprisingly okay with it. For now. Mainly because I feel like there is plenty more story to tell in the coming books, and I do love a slow burn. Also because of the way he already cares for her, even without the ability to fully love her. Once that curse breaks, I have no doubt the romance will be absolutely beautiful.
“But you were very tense when we arrived, and after our last meeting, I discovered my touch relaxes you.”
Final Thoughts
Oaths & Vengeance is the first book I’ve read in a while that has gotten me really excited about this genre. I can’t WAIT to read book 2 and am so grateful for the opportunity to read this one. Thanks so much to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
