The Crown of Oaths and Curses by J. Bree is the first book in The Mortal Fates series. It’s a story that is quite different from The Bonds That Tie series, a series from this author that was big on BookTok a few years ago. This book is an epic romantasy with fated mates and an intense, wartorn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
Rookesbane Eveningstar has spent the last two hundred years in the Northern Lands of the Seelie Court, a soldier and healer fighting in the Fate War. But now the war is over, and it’s time for the witch to travel south to the Unseelie Court to face the fate she escaped centuries ago.
The state of the Southern Lands is worse than Rooke could have imagined. The war between a deranged cult of witches and the high fae has left the land desolate, and the people starving and suffering. Witches, regardless of their innocence, are killed on sight, blamed for the war and the dark curse placed on the high fae by the cult.
It is dangerous for Rooke to return, but not as dangerous as the consequences for defying the fates.
Prince Soren Celestial waited a thousand years for his mate, longing for her. He cannot claim his throne without a mate, and his uncle reigns as regent, fueling the war and doing nothing to ease the suffering of the kingdom’s people.
When Soren finally meets his mate, he is horrified to discover she’s a witch, a member of the race who has cursed his realm. The fates have spoken, and as much as Rooke and Soren fight against their destiny, there is no fighting fate, and their union is the only way to save the kingdom.
It was hard for me to get invested in The Crown of Oaths and Curses, especially in the first half of this lengthy book. Many of the events were a little predictable and formulaic, and the characters are classic romantasy archetypes. It takes some time for the reader to really get to know these characters.
There is a very compelling magical system at play here, though, with world building that is easy to understand. I found myself drawn to the magic in this story, despite my initial issues.
When I say this book is a slow burn, it is an understatement. This may be the slowest burn I have ever read. Not a single kiss occurs, or even really a moment of tenderness, which makes sense given the very visceral hatred that exists between these characters.
As a result, there is absolutely no spice in this book, which was surprising based on my experience reading her past work, but I’m assuming the steamy parts will factor into the rest of the series.
A Crown of Oaths and Curses had a very slow start, but I have high hopes for the rest of this series. I’m intrigued by this world and its magic, and I look forward to finding out what’s next for Rooke and Soren.
Leave a Reply