Oath Taker: Kingdom of Runes, Book 1

My book-mark is at just about halfway through this book, and I can't find the energy to care. On one hand, there is a "world" being developed in which the characters move and act. This world is described vaguely but is always infinitely distant and mysterious. In addition, there is nothing pleasant about it, and there is an ever-present directionless dark threat that is never identified and endlessly hinted at; some ancient occurrence that colors the whole world that none of the characters care about. Everything is dark and dirty, but not engaging; at every page I am hoping to turn a corner and see something worth seeing. There are an endless string of "places" where "something happens, but no place is vivid or significant. To use a comparison, In Harry Potter, the first-years always ride across the water in boats to get to Hogwarts their first year. So the place and the event are steeped in tradition and meaning. It takes very little to help us SEE the world and be engaged.On the other hand, all of the characters are utterly unlikable and uninteresting. The antagonist is mean-spirited and selfish, and there is no sense, ever, that this bad attitude is something to overcome or set right. The prince is flat and boring, his family is nasty, or threatening, or stupid. <<spoiler>> At one point, the prince is captured, and... who cares? We are given no reason to like him, or to feel for his plight, his family doesn't care, why should we? The "big event" at which he is captured has no significance to the reader. Oh yes, we are TOLD that it is important, but we have no idea why. No history, no context, it just happens. Then, the antagonist only wants to rescue him because she is sworn to protect him; something she ONLY did, against her will, because the prince had saved her from herself earlier in the timeline. <<End of spoiler>> The biggest problem with this book, for the first half, is that there is no hero, or heroine, to draw the reader into the story.There is epic good versus evil, sort of, but we don't know enough about why the evil exists to care. This evil is one dimensional, and the evil characters let you know it; "we are evil so we have the right and the power to kill you!" Which they do, inexplicably. Yawn. And the "good" characters, the "sunshine" characters are super powerful, but petty, salacious and indifferent. They "get on board" to rescue the prince because they have no choice, so there is no nobility or purpose or destiny.And finally, rather than describing what is going on, or what the power is, or, again, why we should care, just throw the word "rune" in front of anything to indicate, "yes, it has the word 'rune' in front, you should consider it important." We don't know what a "rune wall" does, but the word rune is in front. A "rune sword?" Same thing, trust me, the fact that the word "rune" is there means it is better or different from another sword. Can't you tell? The word "rune" is used.I bought this book in high hopes that I could find another fantasy series to read and I am sad to say that I won't even be able to finish it. Obviously this assessment of this book is only my opinion, I hope that other people like this story, and I would be happy to have my mind changed if someone else sees this book through different eyes.

This book. I don't even know how to accurately put into words how this book stole my every thought and brain cell. I was enraptured within the first couple of pages and I couldn't put it down until there was no more for me to read.I always feel skeptical when someone compares their book to SJM or Holly Black, but this story warrants ALL THE ATTENTION AND PRAISE! It got me out of a reading slump and I was absorbed entirely. I became one with the story and I'm #sorrynotsorry to my family for ignoring them.The world building is incredible. I felt like I could actively see each scene unfold and the more that was explored, the more I wanted to be transported into the world. These are some of the most fleshed out characters I've ever read and they're not just fleshed out, they're COMPLEX. As the story unfolds, dynamics stir and change and it feels effortless.I'm a super fan of Beauty and the Beast retellings, and this has to be my fave by far. It's gender-swapped and the MC, Haven, is Prince Bell's royal companion guard. A girl guarding a dude. YES PLEASE.Haven has been put through the ringer in her life, but she her wants are simple: protect Bell and find out where she came from. The first one trumps all others in her mind which makes her the most loyal friend ever. She's lived with hardship and endured discrimination at every turn, but she lets it drip off her like rain water.Prince Bell is taken by the Shadow Queen and Haven must fight tooth and nail to find him and bring him back. She has to wade the waters with a band of immortal Solis to break the curse that ravages the land and IT IS AMAZING!I wish I could give this story 10 stars. It will forever be a favorite and I'm salivating for book 2 like whoa. You'd be a fool to pass this up!

I love Audrey Grey's books so when I found out she had rewritten my favorite book to make it a longer series I was beyond excited. The rewrite had a lot to live up to since the original version was breath taking. I'll admit that I didn't love this one quite as much as the original but I can see where it's going and I know the next books will reach my expectations.So let's talk about what I loved. The world building and explanations are exactly what I was missing in the original version. I feel like I understand this world way more than I did before. I also loved all the little details that make it less of a story and more of an immersive experience. This whole world and the characters are just absolutely brilliant. I'm so happy that we got more depth and emotional attachment to the band of Solis traveling to break the curse.Ok, now I have to talk about what I don't like. I hate doing this but there were some changes that I didn't care for at all. The biggest change I disliked was Stolas' name. It used to be Allucard and it was so easy to remember but when it changed to Stolas I had trouble remembering it because the race of Sun Lords are known as Solis so Stolas just doesn't stand out. I also didn't like Haven as much in the middle of this book but I understand why she had to become a little less mature than she had been. If she was already perfect how could she have any character growth? And by the end of the book it's easy to see how much she learned and matured so I'm incredibly excited to see her in the future books. And honestly, if these are the worst things about this book that says a lot because these are just nit picky things that I see because I've been obsessed with this series for what feels like years.*I'll definitely reread this book and I absolutely recommend it to everyone!*Update*So I want to rescind some of the remarks I make about the naming issues I had. Audrey reached out to explain why the name had to change and now that I understand the reasoning behind it I completely agree with the changes she had to make and support her entirely. I struggled to decide if I should rewrite the review but decided that I needed to keep it the way it is for authenticity but I should update everyone with my new opinion.Now go and read all her books! *

Such a brilliant read with a funny, flawed and awesome MC who just happens to be a girl! The plot is full of twists (and dare I venture potential lovers?!?!) and the overall world is absolutely absorbing! Off to read number 2!

So joyed his book, enthralling characters who capture the imagination quickly. Can't wait to continue the story in book 2 Curse breaker.

Fantastic first read can't wait for the next

This beauty had been popping up in a couple of my book groups and being described as perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas and Holly Black I knew I had to try it and thank god I did 😂 the minute I finished this I pre-ordered the sequel.Yes. It's that good. If you like SJM, Holly Black and some badass females discovering their place and powers in the world then DEFINITELY at least give this a try.There are some cliches in terms of the struggle between light and darkness, discovery of magic powers and potential love triangles BUT they are well executed and unless you have a SERIOUS issue with these tropes I doubt it will effect you it's literally the only thing I could think of as a caveat 😂Otherwise the characters and their relationships are diverse and fun to read. The world building is fantastic and well thought out and the parallels that come into play are dark and delicious and I LOVE IT ❤TLDR: Imagine a Dark version of Throne of Glass and ACOTAR combined 👌❤

Oh wie hab ich mich auf das Buch gefreut und ich wusste aber nicht so recht, was auf mich zukommt ... oder wer :)Und was kann ich sagen? Ich war von Anfang an begeistert! Ein toller Auftakt einer großartigen Reihe! Und man hat alles dabei, was das Fantasy Herz braucht - eine starke Prota, die auf alle schaut, nur nicht auf sich, zwei sehr unterschiedliche, potentielle Bookboyfriends, die es Haven nicht immer leicht machen, und natürlich aber auch starke Freunde.Das Set-up, das Setting, der Verlauf der Geschichte ist spannend und ich konnte nicht aufhören zu lesen. Für mich ist Buch 1 sowas die der Einstieg in eine ganz großartige Geschichte. Hier gibt es noch so viel zu entdecken, zu erkunden und zu verstehen, denn was hier wirklich gespielt wird, das muss man mit Haven herausfinden.Toll fand ich auch, dass man auch manchmal die Sichtweise von Bell oder Acheron zu lesen bekam - somit hat man einfach mehr Einblick!Ich freu mich so auf Band 2.