Monday, June 26, 2023

Book Review: "The Crown of Oaths and Curses" by J. Bree

Title: The Crown of Oaths and Curses
Author: J. Bree
Series: "The Mortal Fates" #1
Genre: NA Fantasy Romance
Page Length: 663 pages
Publication Date: May 27, 2023
Rating: 5 // 5 stars

J. Bree has done it again. At this point, we can just call 2023 the year of J. Bree as, of the 46 books I've read so far this year, 20 of them have been J. Bree books. She's become a new favorite auto-buy author and this newest book of hers didn't disappoint in the slightest. 

The Crown of Oaths and Curses is the first full-length book in her new Mortal Fates series. Now, J. Bree had written seventeen books before this series began but this is her first high fantasy series. We've got witches, fae, and a setting in a world not our own. I was so excited for this one but deep down I was a little worried it wouldn't be as good as the other books I'd read by her as the first step into fantasy can be difficult.

I never should have doubted at all because this series is phenomenal so far. The two prequel novellas, The Scepter and The Sword, were stellar introductions and got me quite excited for this book. They provided invaluable backstory of who the characters were and how we got where we were in the few hundred years before the actual novel. And then this book just blew me away.

I think my absolute favorite thing about this book was the characters, as is typically so when it comes to J. Bree books and any of my favorites for the most part. Our main female character, Rooksbane, in particular was my favorite. I loved her, I loved her inner strength and outer strength, I loved her dedication to nature, I just...I loved her. She was so passionate and honestly kept a way better hold on her temper than I would have. When it comes to Soren, our male main character, I enjoyed him a lot but what I'm going to enjoy even more is seeing his growth in the future books. One thing I've seen this book criticized for is Soren's attitude and it gets me a little confused, if I'm honest. The same people who complain most books marketed as enemies-to-lovers don't have actual enemies are now getting upset at the characters being actual enemies and hating each other? I don't get it. 

I am hoping we see some more side characters in the future books. I loved the side characters in this one but I know that there's other characters we met in novellas and are mentioned in this book that don't get much page time, if any at all. It's my great hope that the sequel is going to feature some of these characters strongly and that it'll cause some glorious tension-filled scenes. 

The magic is wonderful and the world is fascinating. I'm especially intrigued by the idea of fate and if you go against it there's serious consequences for the world. I also just want to know more about all the different magic types and kingdoms. I can't wait to explore this more in the future books. I'm hoping we get to see the Goblin kingdom in particular as it's one that's mentioned often and it sounds fascinating. 

The plot is pretty intriguing. Sometimes the fight for the throne plot can get repetitive, but I think the way this one is being done is just different enough for me that I'm not feeling like I'm reading the same thing over and over. 

All in all, I think my reading experience can be summed up by the fact that I read the two novellas and the entire 660+ page beast in less than 24 hours. I read this one in just one sitting, ignoring all my responsibilities and even food. I didn't want it to ever be over, but I also needed to know everything that was going to happen. It was addicting.

I cannot wait for the next book. I'm hopeful that we'll see it before the end of 2023 but I'm not sure. I just know that I'm obsessed with this series and, once again, J. Bree has me in a chokehold. 



Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren



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