Susan Illene brings us a world full of politics and darkness in Oaths & Vengeance

What I liked:
I must start with the ages of our FMC and MMC, they are in their 30s/40s and I LOVE THAT. It's so hard to find a romantasy where the main characters aren't fresh out of high-school (or still in school). I commend the author for not going with the status quo 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

The sentient plants are an amazing addition. I really love sentient anything in books as it gives a little bit of humor to situations.

I can tell there was a ton of thought put into the world building and I loved all the details we got. The dynamics and history between Theress and Veronna and between Zadrya and the surrounding lands kept my attention. The constant fighting between the lands kept the excitement going.

The portal magic, and the FMC being so strongly powered, and already in complete control (thanks to her age!) was SO REFRESHING. Her additional power and savvy work with angry plants really rounded out her character well.

What I didn't like:
Though I loved many aspects of this book, I do feel that this book may do well with a little bit of editing when it comes to the dialogue and the inner monologues. There was quite a bit of repetition when it came to how Aella and Darrow communicate and think about each other. The words "wife" and "husband" appear far too frequently in my opinion. Some of their conversations, especially early on, were kind of cringy for their ages. I guess the chemistry just didn't come through the pages for me, as everything was kind of rushed and surface-level when it came to the relationship building for an enemies to lovers. That could be because of Darrow's curse playing into it, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I was missing the tension, and with the relationship being so forefront, it unfortunately knocked my rating down :(.

***Thank you Susan Illene and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for this ARC in exchange for my honest review***

If you want to get lost in a book and stay up way too late fighting your drooping eyes to keep reading, Oaths & Vengeance is definitely for you. Aella is the epitome of powerful when it comes to her abilities and the cultivator of a deadly garden!? I loved this fun take on a hobby that is usually portrayed as relaxing and peaceful. Darrow is your protective alpha that will make sure what belongs to him stays safe. The only downfall is he can't love... yet.

I will disclose I did have a few frustrations. The first being that certain discoveries and events occurred too easily or were too perfect. For example, the initial meeting between Darrow and Aella. She seems so intelligent and thoughtful, yet her approach to meeting Darrow came across as naive. Then, the whole discussion between them felt too effortless. I don't understand how two individuals on separate sides of a deadly, seemingly never-ending war aren't immediately attacking each other. Not necessarily to kill one another, but maybe an attempt to capture the other and use them as leverage?

My second frustration pertained to the back and forth between Darrow and Aella as they explored their relationship. They both could be so stubborn, which I do enjoy at times, but this felt a bit too much. One of them would be all in wanting the other, yet in the next instance be completely removed. They were never on the same page until much later in the book.

However, despite all my frustrations, or maybe even because of the emotions this book pulled from me, I was absolutely HOOKED. I could not put it down! I need the next installment of this series ASAP because my lingering questions need to be answered! Darrow, we need your secrets to come to light! And Darrow's "acquaintance" at the very end? (I don't want to say their name, so nothing gets spoiled.) There is more to them than meets the eye, I can tell.

Review Posting: Goodreads (7/29/2025)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Would give it 10 if I could!)
Holy smokes, this book delivered everything I love in a fantasy romance and more! Oaths & Vengeance is an absolute must-read. From the sizzling enemies-to-lovers dynamic to the tangled web of political intrigue, Susan Illene weaves a world teeming with danger, desire, and deadly magic. Think dark and light elves (High Fae), warring families, vicious flora and fauna, Druids, and lesser Fae—this book is packed with rich worldbuilding and tension.
The pacing was seamless; I devoured it in record time. And the spice? Let’s just say it brought the heat—🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ levels of hot! Illene balances character depth with action and romance like a pro, making this one of the best reads I’ve had all year.
If you love fantasy with bite and burn, Oaths & Vengeance should be at the top of your TBR. It hits shelves August 22nd—don’t miss it!
Thanks to #NetGalley and the author #SusanIllene for the opportunity to read this amazing ARC!
#FantasyRomance #OathsAndVengeance #SpicyReads #EnemiesToLovers #TBRAlert #RealmOfZadrya #Bookstagram #BookReview

I “Dare” you to read this book. Because you will not regret it. The little details like magic plants, the magic system that’s just different enough to be intriguing, and the cursed main characters kept me completely engulfed in this book. The amount of daily life tasks I didn’t do in order to read this book. So completely worth it. One of my top reads of the year and I’m ready for book 2! It is books like this one that are the reason I love romantasy.

This book had so many tiny details that really brought it all together. The back stories the side characters and the wild plants! All so perfectly written together to form such an amazing story!

I read this so fast because I absolutely loved this book. I loved the FMC and MMC, even though we shouldn't love him. But he is so well written that you cant help but rooting for him, as stated in the book he just makes you feel alive. The world building was incredible, you could imagine everywhere and just fully immersed yourself into this incredible story. The connection between the main characters was well done, with a good level of tense chemistry, banter and just the perfect amount of slow burn. This book will do amazing!

ARC REVIEW🌾🐦: Oaths and Vegence by Susan Illene!

So much to say in so little room! I recieved this ARC copy through Netgalley! Which I'm so grateful for! It's up there as one of my favorite reads and now I want book 2 state, the ending had me in a vice grip!

Oaths and Vegence
Susan Illene
5⭐
Man, I fell in love with this story hard while reading it. This book starts out slow, a good kind of slow that helps establish the characters and the story as a whole! The way the author delivered lore throughout the book was awesome and I never thought it was too jarring!
I love Aella and Darrow's relationship, gosh dang the enemies to lovers slow burn was slow burn. I could feel the energy from across the room. Both of their struggles were very real and like Aella I wanted to punch Darrow in the face several times, I know he can't help it (spoilers) but dang, did I almost tear up a few times with how frustrating he was!!

I despise Morgunn and Ulmar. You'll know why when you pick this up 😏

I loved the rest of the side characters in the books, and Aellas plants! Some of the funniest moments in the books! If you like political stuff this has it for you!

Please check out Oaths and Vegence when it comes out!!

I devoured this book.

From the very first page, Oaths & Vengeance pulled me into a world so rich, so vividly woven, that I was utterly mesmerized. The characters, the lore, the sweeping landscapes of Zadrya—all of it enveloped me in a way that few stories ever do. It wasn’t just reading; it was an experience.

Aella has completely stolen my heart—fierce, determined, and so beautifully human in her strength and struggles. And Darrow? He can do whatever he wants… and I’ll thank him for it. Their chemistry, their depth—it’s the kind of dynamic that stays with you long after the final page.

I couldn’t stop reading, but I also never wanted it to end. Now that I’ve finished, I feel both fulfilled and bereft. That bittersweet ache of turning the last page of something truly special.

To say I’m looking forward to Susan’s second book in this series is a massive understatement. I need more of this world. Of these characters. Of everything she’s created.

Highly recommend for fantasy lovers who crave immersive worldbuilding, fierce heroines, and emotional stakes that grip you to your core.

Excuse me?! What did I read?! How have I never heard of this author before? Why?! I feel absolutely slighted in life.

This was PHENOMENAL. I needed the rest of the series yesterday. Magic. Realms. Dragons. Hilarious Plants. Elves. Fae. Political discourse. Fated mates. Curses. There was every single thing I love in books in wrapped up and impeccably written in Oaths & Vengeance.

Bravo. Loved it. Can’t wait for the rest of the series. I need more Dare and Aella.

I need the next book, NOW!!

I have not been able to put this book down at all today! It has such a gripping story/plot; it has taken me by surprise! The hatred i have for some of the characters shows how well they're portrayed to the reader. The main characters are older too which is refreshing, in their 30's and 40's.

Darrow! I think he has made my book boyfriend list. I don't think he came off as too morally gray. I really love that he isn't unnecessarily an awful person to Aella in the beginning, like many of these types of MMC can be. Due to the dual POV, we know his thinking and reasoning. There were times when his words to her had me giggling to myself like a schoolgirl. I loved it. Each to their own, but i didn't find him irritating at all. Just swoon-worthy.

I didn't dislike Aella either. Usually the FMC gets on my last nerve. She wasn't stupid, or too stupid. She only ever had bad choices to choose between. She has had a terrible start in life and has made the best of what she has. She is a strong, compassionate person and I loved her development.

The world building is to die for. The fauna described in this sounds amazingly breathtaking. A lot of them being sentient and their own kind of side characters I feel really added depth to the world and Aella.

It's teasing, it's slow-burn, there's magic, there's touch her and die and most importantly, some spice! The spice could be on the rough side for some, but i liked it.

Book 2 please??! 🥺

I couldn't put it down, thank you to the author, Netgalley and the publishers for this masterpiece.

Aella, a powerful Fae, makes a desperate choice: an eternal, secret marriage to Darrow, a cursed dark fae and her sworn enemy. It’s the only way to save someone she loves—but the cost is steep. As ancient tensions resurface and war looms, Aella finds herself tied to a man with more secrets than she can untangle—and a bond more dangerous than she expected. What begins as a strategic alliance soon turns into something far more tangled, built on reluctant trust and sharp-edged tension.

Told through dual perspectives, the story explores characters who carry the weight of their pasts—and act their age, with battle-worn wisdom and layered emotional depth. Their chemistry unfolds slowly through banter, tension, and a reluctant companionship that grows into something electric. Both Aella and Darrow retain a strong sense of self even as their paths begin to intertwine, and the side characters are equally memorable, each leaving a lasting impact.

The worldbuilding here is exquisite. Illene doesn’t dump information—instead, she unveils her rich, magical world piece by piece, letting you discover its politics, creatures, and curses as naturally as the characters do. Sentient plants, long-buried oaths, and mysterious powers bring texture to a realm that feels both vast and alive. The pacing is tight, the stakes are high, and the plot strikes a strong balance between front story without ever overwhelming the core of the story. It’s plot-driven story—but grounded in its romance.

While the story delivers on many fronts, a few emotional connections are left underexplored—particularly Aella’s bond with the cousin she’s risking everything for. And though the romance arc simmers beautifully, I was hoping for a clearer revelation of the mating bond—something hinted at the start but not fully addressed. The ending, cleverly silent edged, too, holds back just enough to leave you wanting, setting the stage for an even more thrilling sequel.

With scenes that made me laugh, moments that pulled at my heart, and a realm I didn’t want to leave, this fae romantic fantasy is a quiet triumph. One I’ll be following into the next installment.

Ancient curses, forbidden bonds, and a war yet to come—this is only the beginning.

I was lucky enough to receive an arc for this story!

We meet Aella and Darrow who live in Paxia, they are seelie and the land is struggling!
Both of the MCs are cursed and I found both curses very interesting and I enjoyed seeing how they played out.

I liked the FMC and I especially enjoyed the plant life, I also liked the little snippets of other fae beings

I did enjoy the story, I think the world building was very very good. I also loved that the MCs were a little older. For me, the pacing was a little off at times and I think some decisions that were made felt a little forced and not organic. Somethings were too explicitly stated/explained.

Overall I would recommend this book, and I will read book 2

Thank you to Netgalley for this opportunity!

*** Grammar edit: Chapter 42: "He's unseelie...and you're brother." I think it should be "your" here. ***
3.25 stars. 4 stars for story and detailed plant lore which I loved as a gardener though I think there's something wrong if I feel more for the plants than Darrow.

This fantasy romance has a lot to love: a high-stakes quest, powerful fae with intriguing abilities, and a creative spin on the “marriage of convenience” trope that kept me turning the pages. The magical contract binding the two leads to never hurt each other sets up a fascinating dynamic, making her enemy the only one she can trust. Their banter is sharp, the action engaging, and the world has interesting layers of history that I hope will be explored more in later books.

That said, there are aspects that left me conflicted. The male lead’s behavior toward the heroine often disregards her expressed boundaries, which soured what could have been a beautifully tense enemies-to-lovers arc. And while the story hints at deeper issues of colonial history and its impact on the indigenous population of this world, it doesn’t seem to want to grapple with them — and that silence is noticeable.

If you’re looking for a fantasy romance with banter, creative magic, and a morally gray dynamic between leads, this might work for you. But if, like me, you value mutual respect between characters and prefer these kinds of stories to at least acknowledge their own world’s moral contradictions, you may find yourself frustrated.

--- Spoilers & Deeper Thoughts Below ---
What ultimately held this book back for me was Darrow’s manipulation and lack of respect for Aella’s boundaries. He repeatedly kissed her after she explicitly told him not to, justifying it to himself as “she didn’t really mean it”. This narrative is all too familiar in harmful real-world dynamics. That line he delivered (“A woman should never need to thank a man for respecting her wishes”) is so hollow when his behavior shows he actually didn’t. Similarly, his scheme to physically mingle their scents to deceive his family about the nature of their relationship, without being upfront with her, felt unnecessary and controlling. Yes, he’s written as a man who “can’t love,” but that’s no excuse for manipulation. Respect doesn’t require love, just basic decency.

The book also disappointed me with its handling of the fae’s colonization of the planet. When an indigenous character brings up the harm done to their people, Aella who fully aware of her people’s history simply stays quiet. That silence is frustratingly familiar to how privilege often behaves in the face of uncomfortable truths, and while I don’t expect a fantasy book to solve real-world issues, ignoring them altogether felt like a missed opportunity.

On the positive side, I really liked the magical “non-harm” contract dynamic, which forced them into vulnerability despite their animosity. I also enjoyed the moments of lightness and teamwork that came through later, and I see potential for growth in future books if the author chooses to address these deeper issues more directly.

This was a good book. A nice blend of classic fantasy (elves, druids, etc.) and enemies to lovers. Some things you could say perhaps went quickly, but the setup of it was believable. There was always an answer to a question asked. There's an element of mystery here that we're tagging along with one of the POVs on soon finding out. It does seem like introductions of the characters were like fill in the blanks, no matter the character. It was always he stood____tall and wore____. His ___hair was ____ A paragraph of the same words, just character traits replaced. Otherwise, the writing was good. The pacing was fine. I like the magic system a lot. I enjoy following the two main characters. The ending was a little quick for me. Not so much abrupt, but I didn't expect it to end where it did. I will be following this series and reading the next book.

I really enjoyed this book and am interested to see where it goes from here. As silly as it might sound, my favorite part was the fact that the main characters were in their 30s/40s! I feel like I see so many books even when they’re romantasy where the main characters are younger. The characters were easy to like (or dislike) and there was nothing super complicated that was hard to wrap my head around. The magical abilities were interesting, some of which I don’t really see used in a lot of fantasy stories. Very fun and easy read, exactly what I was looking for right now.

I had no idea what to expect from this book and it definitely exceeded my expectations.

The story primarily follows our FMC, Aella, whose portal ability puts her at the mercy of her uncle and his military ambitions. Despite living under her Uncle’s thumb and his mistreatment of her over the years, she remains fierce, determined and does her best to fight for what’s right.

In order to save her cousin, she beseeches our MMC, Darrow, which results in a marriage of convenience. But what begins as a tactical alliance born out of desperation, slowly shifts into something deeper and more meaningful. However, Darrow is bound by a curse that makes him incapable of love but even despite that, he finds himself drawn to her.

Initially it appears that the focus of the book is the two warring factions of elves but as the story develops, it becomes clear that it’s so much more than that.

This is a plot driven book with a side of romance in a high stakes world with rich world building and magical creatures, including some feisty plants.

The slow-burn romance is well executed as this is a true enemies-to-lovers but as the two characters get to know each other better, their relationship morphs into one of mutual respect and then something more.

We also get to experience some of Darrow’s POV which is nice and adds additional depth to his character.

The side characters were fun, there’s witty banter, tension and adventure, insuring there’s never a dull moment.

I can’t wait for book 2!

Tropes: other-world, elves, magic, literal-enemies, MFC is a softie, magical garden, powerful MFC, powerful MMC.

Aella is a powerful, magical elf and an orphan. She's 33 but still under the protection of her uncle, a sadistic elf who's leading the war against other elves. The story revolves around the war between the elves and their world slowly dying unless they find an artefact that gives life to their planet. This is book one.


1. The book took me a long time to read despite not being more than 400 pages long. I think it's because the author made a decent effort to make it action packed.

2. Good world building. I was not too invested in other magical creatures which don't play a role in the story. Wisps, centaurs... it didn't matter to me if they didn't move the plot in some way. I sort of skipped those paragraphs.

3. The story is intriguing. MFC who is under the control of her uncle by being cursed, she falls unconscious any time she leaves his territory. MFC who is cursed by not being able to fall in love.

4. The author allowed a world that allows both male and female elves to express themselves sexually without being judged. The rules are the same for both.

BUT
1. Despite a lot of action, I feel like the book could have been condensed. The number of times Aella went on portal trips but then nothing happened, could have been cut down.

2. The extra magical creatures didn't contribute much to the storyline. I think they could have been cut.

3. I kept thinking that according to the story, the MMC can't fall in love with the MFC, but then he was possessive of her, cared for her, craved her, listened to her limitations and followed them, allowed her liberty of his body, was gentle with her, missed her and lusted after her. What is love, if not this. I don't know what the author defines love as, but this is it.

4. Supposedly, the MFC could roam around wherever in the enemy kingdom without going unconscious so that really confused me.

I'll be anxiously waiting for the next installment when they try to reach earth.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-Star-Read

I didn’t expect to be quite so enthralled by this book—but it surprised me in the best possible way.
A layered romantasy with rich world-building and sharp emotional stakes

The story follows Aella, a half-fae, half-Druid young woman whose rare portal-travel ability makes her a strategic pawn in her uncle’s military ambitions. Secretly, Aella’s powers are far stronger than she lets on. In the aftermath of a battlefield encounter, fate forces her to beg Darrow—half-fae, half-dark elf, and heir to a cursed bloodline—for a healer to save her young cousin, the price is steep: a marriage of convenience, and use of her portals at his request.

What begins as a tactical alliance shifts—gradually, then all at once—into something deeper. Darrow, bound by a curse that supposedly renders him incapable of love, finds his carefully constructed emotional distance challenged by jealousy, longing, and Aella’s resilience.

The slow-burn romance is well executed, with a healthy dose of tension and layered dynamics. Their chemistry is built through sharp dialogue and begrudging mutual respect, which seemingly becomes something more though neither of them can yet admit it.

The plot is grounded in high stakes: the search for the mythical Naforya fountain, without which their world will die. The world-building is immersive, detailed, and original—with a particularly compelling depiction of flora and fauna, including a garden where plants seem to have their own intentions (and possibly dragons).

One moment for me: when the nameless god approvingly “good girl”s Aella for choosing the man who caused her heart to race… „Sure, he’ll be an ass and likely frustrate you in many ways, but you’ll always feel alive with him.“

If I have one minor complaint, it’s purely personal: I couldn’t quite place how Darrow smells. No pine, no spice, no rain—did I miss it?

A strong debut start of a series that balances intricate fantasy with real emotional depth. I’ll be first in line for the sequel.

I could not put this book down, the pacing was immaculate, and the magic system was extremely unique. This was overall an amazing first book that went by way too fast. Both Aella and Darrow are extremely powerful main characters and after that ending I want more of their story. This was the perfect amount of romance and the perfect amount of world altering plot. As always, thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!