Years ago, I started reading Under the Oak Tree on Manta. When I saw there was a novel to go with it, I jumped at the chance to read it. It's amazing! The characters, plot, spice all highly rank for me. I can't wait to be able to read volume 2.

Maxi and Riftan are married at her father’s demand the night before Riftan is shipped off to war against a fierce dragon. Three years later, each is convinced the other wasn’t happy by the marriage decision and they stumble through was it means to actually be married and living together now that the dragon has been defeated. Slowly Maxi comes to realize that there’s more to life than the cruel conditions she lived under in her father’s house and that she’s more than just what her speech impediment has shrunken her to be under her father’s hostile hand.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a medieval-type fantasy so this was a refreshing breath of air reading wise. While I do wish some of the characters were more flushed out and Riftan and Maxi’s bond was explored in a little more depth, I recognize that this was only the first volume and there is more of the source material to be adapted. Hopefully it’ll expand more as the adaption keeps going.

2.5 stars rounded up.

I think there are a lot of people that will love this book, esp. based on the success of the webnovel and webcomic. But for me it missed the mark. This is definitely more of a romance within a fantasy setting than a romantasy. The fantasy elements are so minimal that they essentially just serve as the setting. There is very little plot and the book just ends, no climax, no buildup, no cliffhanger. It felt like a very flat read. I am not a fan of miscommunication and they is the basis of most of the conflict in this story. I also could not get over the lack of consent in the spicy scenes. Maxi is completely ignored as she says no and wait in almost every intimate scene. I've seen others comment that he redeems himself, but if he does, it's not in this book.

The print version looks absolutely stunning. The cover art is beautiful and it has an awesome sprayed edge.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing an eARC of this book.

Under the oak tree volume 1 the novel

Maxi is a young woman who is forced by the duke, her father, to marry. The day after her wedding, her husband has to go to war and everyone begins to say that he will come with a new wife. To the surprise of many, Riftan comes back after three years of being in war and comes to consume his marriage with Maxi. Maxi was never paid so much attention, she was the ugly and strange one of the family that no one wants to spend time with, always being bought with her sister Rosetta, the duke's darling. The beginning takes place on Maxi and Ritfan's trip back to Anatol where Ritfan will give Maxi the duty of decorating their castle.

Okay. I have to clarify that my sister loves this story and when I saw that a novel was coming out I knew it was my opportunity to finally read it. And I regret seeing it started. Maxi has been in an abusive environment since she was very little and when she changes to another environment she is still in the same environment but with another person and being abused in a different way, nothing changed.

Riftan is horrible, I didn't like it at all. He is possessive, toxic and doesn't let Maxi finish or start talking. These characters have a pretty toxic relationship and they cover it up when he saves her. From the beginning Maxi tells him that she doesn't want him to touch her and that's the only thing he does. I find the way the description of those scenes is very unpleasant, they are not easy to read. He makes Maxi see that everything they do is normal for a marriage.

Thanks to Netgalley for send me this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the eARC of this novel.

I've been a fan of the webcomic of this series on Manta for a while now, so I was super excited to read this. And I am glad to see the translation feels more fluid than some of the translations online, making it an enjoyable experience (not that it wasn't before, it just feels more refined). In all I really like this story: rising from uncertain circumstances, just enough miscommunication to be realistic but not to the point of frustration, emotional MMC - it's nice. The novel ends during the start of a more relationship contentious plotline, which is meh, but I'll live. I haven't finished this story online and will hold off I think because I'm not sure I like where the story is headed, but I'm sure I'll get over it once I decide to binge the finished comic or the rest of this novel series publishes lol.

Pros:

🌳Super cute romance with uh, an undeniably sexual chemistry haha

🌳MC has a speech impairment and quite a bit of trauma, but the storyline never goes into "get her fixed" montage. She goes on with life working on herself in bits and tiny pieces as she slowly learns to trust the world.

🌳Great fantasy world that's not too complex. Old faithfull Swords & Sorcery concepts.

Cons:

🌳The use of euphemistic language in the sex scenes. I know this can't really be helped considering the author/audience/translation. But it still made me chuckle a couple times.

🌳 When will they ~communicate~!!

"Under the Oak Tree: Volume 1" by Suji Kim is the american published version of the sensational webnovel on Manta. The chapters have been condensed from the online version, so the chapter numbers do not line up with the webnovel version. It also includes new art and gorgeous sprayed edges for first printings.

This novel feels like a webnovel in that it drags on for long periods without going many places. At the end of the novel, I felt like not a ton of plot had been developed, but it was also over 300 pages long so it also felt endless. It took me a very long time to finish this. I did not read the original webnovel version prior to seeing this appear on NetGalley as an option. The beautiful cover and sprayed edges captivated me enough to request it from the publisher, so I had no prior knowledge of this series before requesting it.

The novel starts off with a bang! Action happens, a little exposition and we are introduced to the main characters, of which there are not too many, something I appreciated. Lady Maxi has been abused and neglected by her father from a very young age, outcast and hidden from much of the public view due to her stutter. She eventually becomes a pawn to her father in negotiating a strategic marriage, as their country is at war. She is bartered off to Sir Riftan, hero of the war and someone who grew up in the village her father overseas. She doesn't really even get to meet him before being married to him, taken to the marriage bed where she is essentially raped (all on page descriptions), and he leaves the next day to return to the warfront. Two years pass, and he comes to pick her up from her father's estate, where any time barely passes before he attempts to rape her again. This is our hero, folks.

I really struggled with this novel. I wanted to like it, see what the fuss was about, but when your hero, who understandably feels he must consummate the marriage that night, does NOT have to rape Maxi as soon as he returns to war, attempts to do so anyway, despite her saying no! There was not consent given, and this is supposed to be romantic. We are supposed to root for these two. Eventually Maxi does develop feelings for him, but during all this time, he continues to sexually assault her, even if she is not comfortable having sex with him. It feels borderline Stockholm syndrome to me, even though she has contact with other people and is given some free reign in terms of figuring out her new role on his estate. He also yells at her a lot in the beginning, thinking her timidness and lack of communication is due to hatred. He barely gives her any time to interact with him before he starts berating her, and this is shortly after he attempted to rape her.

Besides from the lack of meaningful relationship development, the story stagnates after the first third as she tries to figure out her new role on the estate and develops talents in other areas. She has a goal of reviving a dead oak tree on the estate and this is hyper-focused on in the last 1/3 of the novel. To say it was a struggle to finish this is an understatement.

The scenes where there is intimate activity are not particularly well-written. I did not feel a spark from the writing as I have from other authors, but this could be due to how it was translated or how scenes like this are written in South Korea (since this is a translated work). The writing style also left something to be desired. You can tell this is probably an amateur writing as it feels like fanfiction. I'm not surprised this was picked up by a major publisher as this novel is very popular online, but it does disappoint me that nothing seems to have been improved on from the webnovel (I compared the online version and this version) in terms of the writing. The prequal written from Riftan's point-of-view was also not included which really helps the reader to understand why he behaves the way he does and garners empathy from the readers, so he doesn't come off as an angry rapist.

Thank you NetGalley and Inklore for the ARC.

I am a big fan of the manwha this novel is based on so I was excited to read the novelization of the story. This is my first time reading a novelization of a manga/manwha but this to me is good example of how an intriguing story can translate between styles. I will say though, that for me, it was missing a little something that made me love the manwha while I only liked the novelization. However, if you aren’t already a fan of the original then I don’t think you will have the same issue.

This tells the story of Maxi, an isolated Duke’s daughter shunned due to her stutter, and Riftan a nobody knight turned war hero. After leaving for war the morning after their wedding Riftan returns three years later to a wife who is a stranger and the struggle to connect.

Under the Oak Tree offers a captivating mix of fantasy, romance, and self-discovery. The story centers on Maxi, a timid noblewoman who marries Riftan, a stoic knight, in a marriage of convenience. From the start, their relationship is full of tension and emotional distance, but what keeps readers hooked is Maxi’s inspiring transformation from insecure to empowered.

While Riftan is the main lead, it’s Ruth, the clever and supportive mage, who feels more present throughout the story. His role as Maxi’s guide and friend plays a huge part in her growth, and honestly, after reading most of the book, I’m leaning toward shipping Maxi with Ruth instead! His connection with Maxi feels more immediate and genuine compared to the distance Riftan keeps between them. That said, I’m still open to seeing how Riftan and Maxi’s relationship evolves in the next volume.

Suji Kim’s world-building immerses you in a medieval setting filled with knights, castles, and magic. The romance between Maxi and Riftan is a slow burn, full of tension, but Ruth’s steady presence adds another layer to the story. Though the pacing can feel slow at times, the emotional depth and Maxi’s character growth make it all worth it.

If you enjoy character-driven fantasy with rich world-building and a focus on personal growth, Under the Oak Tree is a great choice. It’s not just a love story—it’s about finding your inner strength and learning to believe in yourself.

Thank you as always for giving me a chance to read this in advance @randomhouse and @netgalley super excited for the release day and the next volume!❤️

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing the ARC.

It makes me so happy to see these really amazing webcomics getting published. Under the Oak Tree is one of my favorites, and this book is absolutely gorgeous!

Maxi is a shy, naive princess who has been abused by her father for years due to her stutter. She enters into an arranged marriage with very little information about being married, her new husband, and the world in general. This comic is the beginning of her story as she learns more about the world and about the mysterious man she has married. Riftan is a warrior - serious and stoic on his campaigns, but is so soft for his new wife. There is a fierce loyalty and protectiveness he carries for her and it shows in his actions.

I can't wait to see more of this series with this gorgeous cover art!

So, first off, this cover is stunning! This is a medieval fantasy story about Maxi. Maxi has a stutter and has been abused and mistreated her whole life due to a stutter. She ends up in a forced marriage with a knight, who is about to go on a campaign.

I wish there was some more depth to this story and the characters. Because the storyline was interesting. I thought it was good that Maxi continued to put herself a little bit out of her comfort zone, even with others being less than stellar.

* TW: This story does have scenes that I consider dubious consent.

Thanks for the ARC read!

This fantasy is great for readers who like strong men and stronger spice in their reads! I may not be the target audience, but I know that Romantasy is a rapidly-growing genre and this will find it’s way on the right reader’s shelf!

2.5/5

Unfortunately I did not really like this book. It was a bit slow, and hard to get into. I felt like I was having to really push myself to get through it because there wasn’t much of a plot. It did start to get more interesting in the second half of the book. I’m hoping that means future books might be a little faster paced.

I did like seeing a FMC with a disability. The part of the book I did like was seeing her grow. I liked seeing her become more confident and assertive.

The main issue I had was the romance. I just really had an issue with the way it started and couldn’t seem to get past it. I didn’t really like the MMC , and I was expecting him to redeem himself more. However, this is book one so there is room for growth. I didn’t dislike him quite as much by the end of the book, and there were some sweet moments. Most of the romance seemed very pushed. Especially since she seemed so child like.

There was a LOT of miscommunication that still was not resolved by the end which kept frustrating me.

While I had issues and didn’t really love this, my interest is a bit peaked to see what happens next. I’d love to see more growth from the FMC. I might could get past some of the issues I have as well if there was more growth in the MMC, improvement of the romance, and some of the miscommunication resolved.

Ultimately, I’m not sure if I will read volume 2 or not yet.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

**ARC REVIEW** Thank you NetGalley.

I was confused on where the story was going or supposed to go. The plot wasn’t there for me.

You are greeted with a whimsical fantasy. It has strong elements for the beginning of world building as well as the storyline and has a great start to the character development, I was wishing for more depth but still greatly enjoyed them.

You have a shy female lead who has suffered from a stutter, making her stand out from everyone else. She is very innocent and unsure about life as a whole. She has a history of abuse from her father and doesn’t trust easy due to it. Finding it difficult to believe the kindness is real.

Our male lead is the gruff, rough around the edges type. However, he has a kindness that’s unexpected. He is protective in nature and does have hints of possessive qualities with regards to her.

These two complement each other very well, two halves of the same coin.

Big thanks to NetGalley for this eARC!

I am absolutely OBSESSED with this book. As someone who has read a good bit of the web comic, this felt way more in depth and...adult than what I was used to, but in a good way!


Riftan gives off the typical grizzly bear persona with the Remdragons and soft cuddly teddy bear with Maxi. Having been apart for as long as they were, not to mention only having spent a single night together before he left for the dragon campaign, I'm surprised that he is as invested in her as he is. I'm looking forward to reading more and I can't wait to find out what happens next!!

Overall, this book was a 10/10 ⭐️ for me.
10/10🌶️ Spice
10/10 💜Romance
10/10 🌎 World Building

I LOVED the graphic novel of this. I wasn't crazy about the actual novel though. The writing wasn't doing it for me. The graphic novel though is absolutely incredible and I will be continuing when the second volume comes out in May 2025!

Unfortunately, I am DNFing this ARC.

There is a brief message at the beginning of the E-book mentioning that there will be contant in the book that may be disturbing to some viewers, and to practice precaution when reading for one's mental health. It also mentions "explicit sexual content" in the same message, but there are no details in any regard to any of these sensitive subjects being alluded to.

Although I am not one to be deterred because of certain themes and events in books, this unfortunately has deterred me from continuing. I don't believe it to be fair or beneficial to readers to read such a vague message at the beginning of the book, only to get less than 10 pages in before a father is verbally and physically assaulting his daughter who has a stutter, as well as two seperate rape scenes (one as a flashback) within only pages of each other. Although I am not an author myself, I have read many ARCs and almost all of them have detailed, appropriate content/trigger warning lists, especially when the content is described as vividly as this. Whether or not there will be a more detailed content warning list in the published book, starting a book out with such potentially triggering scenes without proper warning I believe is only going to harm readers when starting their reading.

The structure of these first three events were all so close together that I was unable to develop any judgement or relationship to the main character, Maxi. Because of this, I found myself feeling nothing but sympathy for this character who we know nothing about other than her very severe stutter and debilitating anxiety. If the goal is to make us feel that way, then I understand, but it it not how I prefer to start reading a new book.

I will admit, I don't know how helpful this feedback will be, considering I didn't make it far enough into the book to give feedback on anything other than the content warning list and the first chapter. But I wanted to submit my feedback nonetheless, because I think such changes would only benefit potential readers. I'm not even someone who has many triggers to content when reading, but that's usually because I've read beforehand that there will be general troubling themes throughout the book without it spoiling the content. I have read many books that demonstrate a lack of understanding or an active distaste for writing detailed warning lists, and to each their own, But often times, ignorant or less experienced authors (even some well-known authors, unfortunately) take advantage of this in order to shock readers with unexpected troubling material, which I find unethical and selfish more often than not. I am in NO WAY implying this was the author's intention, but I want to express my perspective on this so the author can consider it and avoid any potential readers feeling that way about her work. I enjoyed what I read of the prose, and the plot of the book seems very promising! But I can't say much other than that without giving feedback in bad faith since I didn't make it far enough into the book.

I hope this feedback was helpful and clear, and I apologize for not being able to finish the E-ARC sent to me. Unfortunately, the vagueness of the content warning message led to me having a negative experience in the first chapter, and the structure of layering three such potentially triggering events in the first few pages, while also lacking any information or connection to the main character, was just too much for me to desire continuing. Thank you for sending this ARC to me! I hope to read more from this author in the future :)

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Under the Oak Tree, a Romantasy by Kim Suji, explores the messiness that comes from a long life of abuse and how this effects your romantic relationships, especially in how it makes it nigh on impossible to communicate your thoughts, feelings, and desires to your significant other. Maximilian, usually known as Maxi, is the daughter of the rich and powerful Duke Croyso, known for his strictness and authority, but not for his near-constant abuse of Maxi because of her failing to live up to his standards, especially because of a stutter she has. One day, however, she is told she is to marry Sir Riftan, commander of the Remdragon Knights, whom she has never met, only having snuck a few glances at her father's castle. Soon she is married and their wedding is consummated right before Riftan leaves for the dangerous Red Dragon Campaign, from which he returns the greatest hero in the knigdom.

Going into this book, be sure to heed the trigger warnings, they are not to be taken lightly. An adaptation of an existing webtoon with great popularity, this book follows the relationship between Maxi and Riftan, rife with misunderstandings and and miscommunication, but full of devotion bordering on obsession, as they slowly come to know each other living at Riftan's castle on the other side of the continent.

When I say that their relationship is messy and that these two are TERRIBLE at communicating with each other, I mean it, but it makes their genuine love for each other which continues to grow throughout the book all the more interesting, especially as this book does not shy away from darker themes. I will say though that I did know a fair amount about the story before I went into this, as one of my friends is a huge fan of the original webtoon and they are always talking about it, so I knew what was coming as far as the trigger warnings and messier parts of their love go and was prepared, but I can definitely say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I would recommend this to fans of Romantasy who are open to darker themes, readers of the original webtoon, and those looking for a story that doesn't shy away from the messier aspects of living after an abusive childhood.

I've seen ads for the webtoon everywhere, so jumped at the chance to read the novel version, but this may be a case where the visual adaptation is an improvement on the webnovel. The novel is mired down in misunderstandings and represents Maxi and Riftan's relationship as very, very physical and not much else because of that. They don't have an opportunity to learn about each other or grow if neither of them ever talk to each other, and getting trapped in Maxi's narration means that we know that she will never broach the subject herself.

That said, the setup is interesting, and you /want/ to root for them, to see Maxi drawn out of her shell and grow in confidence.

This book was very intriguing and interesting from the very beginning. It drew me in right away and kept me hooked. I have to say, I didn’t expect that ending but it was definitely fitting!