After the crazy ending of the first book, I could not wait to dive into this book. A good chunk of the first half the book surrounds what happened at the end of the first book, so much so that I was confused as to why the focus was on that and not the war that is clearly brewing. Yes, what happened was a big moment, but I don’t think it was bigger than the impending war and some of the other extremely pressing issues. However, there was a nice resolution and by the end, I suspect said resolution will no longer apply. My hope is that all of that time focusing on such a specific moment was to drive the plot in the third book and also drive home the emotions that will likely be stirred up. This is just my guess given that this book ends on a huge cliffhanger!

There are some questions answered from the first book so that helped clarify the world a little. Overall though, I don’t think the world building is the best and it feels a little chaotic. I have no problem with this as the story is still entertaining. However, if you love extensive and detailed world building, I don’t think this book is for you. It’s definitely a challenge to create an entirely new world in fantasy novel so I think it’s worth giving grace with world building aspects.

The author has announced the title of the third book: title and I cannot wait to read it! This was such a great read for me. While the world building is not perfect, there are so many great fantastical elements to enjoy in such a captivating unpredictable story.

Kaylie Smith raises the stakes in A RECKLESS OATH, which picks up right where A RUINOUS FATE left off, reuniting readers with a cast of characters easy to fall back in love with. This book brings just as much magic, drama and angst as its predecessor. A thoroughly entertaining read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

A Reckless Oath is the thrilling sequel to debut fantasy by Kaylie Smith, A Ruinous Fate. Following the devastating events of the first book, Calla and friends are distraught and unsure of what road to take next. Delphine is now back in the clutches of the Siren court where she'll do anything to escape. And Valkyrie Amina is finally able to return home and will stop at nothing to take revenge.

First of all - the cover of this book?! Gorgeous!! I love Delphine so much as this cover is so beautiful. I also really love the blue shade. It really stands out on my shelves!

I was so excited to get into this sequel after reading A Ruinous Fate last year. And this book did NOT disappoint! It had a perfect mix of all the characters introduced and balanced their different stories well. I'm really excited to see how they will continue to develop in the future book! Calla's adventures kept taking twists and turns that I wasn't expecting and certainty kept me entertained and on my toes! Also side note - WE LOVE GIDEON. That's all.

I'd definitely recommended A Reckless Oath to fans of A Ruinous Fate and this series as a whole to anyone who wants to read a found-family fantasy where a roll of the dice decides your fate.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this novel. All thoughts and opinions contained within this review are my own.

An unfortunate jumbled mess.

This book tries to do too much and it does not do it well. Multiple POV's are already hard to manage but Smith gets it really wrong in this book. Book 1 was a good read but the introduction of more characters in this one is handled poorly and leaves the reader feeling like all the parts are disjointed.

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A Reckless Oath is the sequel to Kaylie Smith's 2023-YA Fantasy release, A Ruinous Fate. I had so much fun with that 1st-book, becoming extremely invested in the characters. I couldn't wait to find out where the story was going after the jaw-dropping conclusion.

This story drops you right back, smack dab into the middle of this vast and complex world. The author doesn't provide much of a refresher regarding the events of the 1st-book, so you better come prepared. Sadly, I wasn't prepared. It had been about 13-months since I read <i>A Ruinous Fate</i>, and while I did remember the gist of the story, a lot of the finer details were lost to time. Because of that, it did take me a little while to find my bearings with this one.

The Heartless Fates series features lots of different magical beings, including Witches, Valkyries and Sirens. There's a magic system that I'm still not 100% clear on, and there's a fairly large cast of characters. Somehow though, it all works. The characters are endearing, the world is vast and interesting, as is the overarching plot. Even though I'm slightly confused half the time, I still really enjoy these books. It's got a magical-Epic Fantasy feel that's just addicting.

After the events of the first book, our main cast of characters has been torn apart. This book features each of them trying to pick up the pieces of their lives and progress forward in preparation for the oncoming war. It's like a game of chess, each character is a piece, moving step-by-step across the board, calculating, but are they all still on the same side?

Out of all the different perspectives, I think I loved Delphine's the most. She's a Siren and has returned to her home for the first time after an extended absence. I found the Siren community to be fascinating. Their politics, interactions, etc., I almost wish that whole perspective could have been its own book.

I did still really enjoy Calla's perspective though, as well. Amina in the land of the Valkyrie's was also exciting. Together though, at times, with the back-and-forth, it did feel a little jarring.

There's new revelations in this book that definitely help to progress the overall plot of the series. Relationships have developed further and the intensity has increased. You can feel something building. War is imminent. Overall, while I found this to be a bit chaotic and occasionally hard to follow, I still am really, really enjoying these characters and this world. I'm excited to see where it goes next.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Disney Hyperion, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I truly enjoy Kaylie Smith's writing and will continue picking these books up!

A Reckless Oath is the sequel to the fantastic A Ruinous Fate and I had very high expectations for this. Unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me and suffered from Second Book Syndrome at times. The pacing could use a bit of work; the first 70% of the book really dragged for me and I struggled with not DNF’ing. I also thought the addition of Amina’s and Sabine’s POV was kind of pointless and random, as Amina played a brief role in the first book, thus I didn’t expect her to be a main character in A Reckless Oath. That being said, Sabine’s POV was definitely unnecessary and just added to the overwhelming number of POVs throughout the book. We don’t need to see the story from every single character’s viewpoint. After finally getting to some plot movement, I understood why Amina’s POV was added, but all the drama between her and her friends felt scattered and didn’t add anything to the overall story. I wish we got more of Delphine’s experience, as she felt halfway forgotten to me where other, minor characters, were given priority. The story just moved so slow for me, and I think the pacing needs work and some side stories cut down or trashed. Kaylie Smith has great potential and I do enjoy her writing style and story telling. A Reckless Oath was just boring and felt like 75% filler, whereas A Ruinous Fate was one of my favorite reads of 2023. I’m overall disappointed in this sequel, and I probably won’t continue the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Disney Publishing, and the author for providing an early copy, I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you Netgalley and Disney Hyperion for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"A Reckless Oath" by Kaylie Smith is a spellbinding continuation of the enchanting world introduced in the first book, with a rich tapestry of characters and intricate plotlines that will keep readers hooked until the very end. Before reading this book, I highly recommend rereading “A Ruinous Fate” if it has been awhile because this sequel picks up right where the first book left off. There are also lots of characters and multiple points of views, so I highly recommend a refresher so you don’t lose track.

Through the different perspectives of several characters, both new and old, Smith weaves together a complex narrative that unfolds with gripping intensity. You will find yourself immersed in the characters' struggles and triumphs as they navigate a world filled with magic, danger, and unexpected twists. One of the novel's standout strengths is its exploration of character backgrounds and motivations. From Delphine's compelling backstory to Amina's journey of vengeance, each character is given depth and complexity, making them feel like real individuals with their own hopes, fears, and desires. I really think this character development is a step-up from the first book as I found myself even more invested in the characters as the plot unfolds. The introduction of new characters, such as Amina's friends, adds further dimension to the story, expanding the world and providing fresh perspectives.

I will say that I found the shifting perspectives a bit daunting at first, especially since I am horrible with names and keeping track of all the characters, especially the new ones, Smith’s writing did an excellent job in integrating these narratives, allowing them to intersect and converge in a satisfying manner. The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, with moments of tension and excitement interspersed with quieter, more introspective scenes that deepen the characters' development. With the faster points of the plot, you can find yourself reading through the entire book in just a few sittings (since it is rather long), but the slower points really allow you to enjoy the character moments.

Overall, "A Reckless Oath" is an engaging (there were many twists and turns I wasn’t expecting throughout the book) and emotionally resonant sequel that builds upon the strengths of its predecessor while expanding the world and deepening the characters. I definitely can’t wait to read more from Smith.

I was a big fan of the author's A Ruinous Fate (that ending!!! I mean, come on!) and I was glad to see this picked up right where the first left off. This took a while to get into (personally not a huge fan of multi- POVs) but I did enjoy getting to know more of the characters, especially Delphine and Caspian. I don't want to get into any other details as it's clear there's going to be a third book, but this sequel is definitely worth getting!

The story continues in the book perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Holly Black. A gorgeous, magical adventure is waiting between the pages of this book.

Thank you to Disney Hyperion and Kaylie Smith for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. “A Reckless Oath” was the perfect sequel, pulling you back into the fantastical world readers fell in love with in “A Ruinous Fate.” I loved getting to spend time with my favorite characters again (shoutout to my girl, Delphine) and I am absolutely counting down the days until Kaylie Smith’s next release. “A Reckless Oath” is out on January 30th!

Thank you to NetGalley, Disney Hyperion, and Disney Worldwide Publishing for this advanced copy! You can pick up A Reckless Oath on January 30, 2024.

I was lucky enough to receive a physical ARC of this book in a giveaway from Kaylie Smith, so I actually finished this a few months ago -- and I loved it! Kaylie took an already dynamic world and expanded it significantly. The multi-POVs really allowed us to explore the Siren Sea and Land of the Valkyries, as well as Delphine and Amina's backstory. We met more characters (good and bad) and watched Calla go through a heartbreaking character arc as she grieved Ezra.

I'm still not sure how I feel about Gideon and Calla, but I'm glad we'll get to explore more of that dynamic in the third book. I'll admit that I was slightly more invested in their storyline than the others, which caused the book to slow at times. But, if Amina or Delphine are your favorite characters, you'll love the deep dive we take into their world.

All in all, an excellent sequel and one that hits shelves in just a few days!

I actually liked this a bit better than the first book, A Ruinous Fate. There are a lot of characters to remember, but once I started to remember it was easier to get into the book. The character glossary is also a helpful reference. reading those books feels like playing a d&d game with friends. I love the queer rep in those books, fun romantasy series so far

I really enjoyed the second installment to this series and am patiently waiting for the social media world to pick these books up!

While the first one was a bit more enjoyable in my personal opinion, this story gave us a fresh perspective through other characters eyes and we got to hear their story.

Definitely looking forward to more from this author!

A Ruinous Fate was my favorite fantasy book of 2023, and even though it is too early to say this, A Reckless Oath is my favorite fantasy read of 2024, and I doubt there will be any fantasy books that will top this one.
Calliope and Gideon will have to learn how to navigate their soul bond and find a way to break it. Delphine is going through waves of abuse at the hands of her captor, Raniel. A Reckless Oath will grab your attention, and once you finish it, it will leave you with the worst literary hangover ever.
I am looking forward to reading the conclusion of this great adventure.

''...Calla sucked in a breath at his words. That was a reckless oath to make in front of the spiteful queens.''

A Reckless Oath picks up right where A Ruinous Fate picks up. While I enjoyed a Ruinous Fate, I did find myself struggling with A Reckless Oath. For me there were some pacing issues, and some of the world building didn't feel fully realized, so I was a bit confused about some of the logistics of the world. Our main character had a great story arc and growth, however there were some times where certain connections between characters felt a little forced. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline, the end was a fast paced wild ride that I want more of.

While A RUINOUS FATE was an exceptionally fun novel, it failed to achieve its glamor or promise, leading me to hesitate as I began reading A RECKLESS OATH. However, the dedication the author put into writing this sequel and improving her craft was apparent as I read. Like ARF, I found the first half of the novel unengaging and poorly paced; but, also like ARF, the second half held my attention raptly as I eagerly wanted to know the fates of our beloved characters. I appreciated the introduction of Amina as a POV character and felt the POV switches were not complicated to follow, although I'm not entirely sure that so many benefits the story. I'm eager to discover where Amina's story will lead in the sequel to ARO. I also found Calla's character development the most compelling out of the main cast. Seeing her grow from fighting her powers and fate to taking control into her own hands and deciding who she is for herself was marvelous. I hope that we continue to see Calla's growth and confidence skyrocket. The second most-intriguing plot line and character growth was Delphine's. As a reader, I was grateful that we got to know her better; she felt more dimensional and nuanced this time around than she did in ARF. Finally, the convergence of all the plot lines toward the end of the novel was seamless. While I'm eager to see where things go in this series, I didn't feel as those ARO ended without closure. Rather, the transition from this novel to the next is apparent and the set-up only makes me ready to read more. Overall, A RECKLESS OATH is a fun, action-filled novel that I believe will resonate with target readers.

A great sequel to A Ruinous Fate where we pick up just after they leave the woods. I think what stood out the most this time is the reader really gets to live with other members of the ensemble cast more and we become more invested in people outside Calla and Gideon. The romantic tension is palpable again and this is a true hero’s journey with many, many smaller battles, so I am excited to see what happens in the riveting conclusion!

Content warning: body horror, mind/body control, kidnapping

When I started A RUINOUS FATE, I quickly found that I could not put it down and spent a few sleepless nights reading until I was finished. So I was excited to get my hands on A RECKLESS OATH, unfortunately that immediate grab wasn't there for me. It took me a bit to get into the rhythm of ARO, and once I did, I enjoyed it. Having the events of ARF fresh in your mind will help you jump back into this world... reading these a little over a year apart has made a lot of the plot points fuzzy so I was a little confused about what was going on at the beginning. I really wish more authors would start including a summary of what's happened so far in their book series.

Fair warning - ARO is told from a love of POVs and the plot jumps around. I'm not sure if it's the formatting of the ARC or the book itself, but there were some time jumps that were a little confusing until I realized what they were - though I love that we got more of Delphine's backstory.

Overall I loved that Smith gave Calla space to work through her feelings and her powers. I'm excited to see how the person Calla and company pick up at the end will play into everything. While ARO doesn't end by ripping out readers' hearts, it still ends on a bit of a gasping breath. So now I'll have to impatiently wait to see what happens next. This book suffers a bit with 2nd book in a series syndrome, but it does move the plot along nicely to set up the next book in the series.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Disney Publishing Worldwide, and Disney Hyperion in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sequel to A Ruinous Fate, and picks up where that novel leaves off. Ezra is gone, and the only way to bring him back is to reunite his body, his spirit, and his heart, before it's too late. This leads the group to splinter, each segment of the group seeking a different element. This leads to a novel that is told from multiple viewpoints, even within the same group, which can occasionally be hard to follow, but definitely leads to nearly non-stop action.

There's a lot going on here, and if you don't remember the first book clearly, you may want to reread it, or at least skim a good synopsis; the action begins immediately and there's very little in the way of recap. In addition to the quests themselves, for the various elements needed to bring Ezra back from the dead, the romantic interactions between the characters, both those present in the previous volume and some new ones, are complicated and often interwoven. New information is provided about many characters and plot points, including some new characters, some of whom are introduced so late in the book that it feels a little forced - but as the ending makes clear, there is a third book in the offing, so hopefully more information about those new characters will be coming soon. Recommended for readers from high school to adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.