Loved this series! Incredible fantasy with non-western mythos. Also really love the addition representation-- this was a great finale to a great series!

An Honored Vow by Melissa Blair
Release Date: January 7 from Union Square & Co.

Each of the novels in Blair’s Halfling Saga has changed the stakes, not just for the main characters, but for the world. In A Vicious Game, Keera embraced her Light Fae heritage, opening the seals that had closed magic away from the world, trying to fight back against the new—and worse—king. As An Honored Vow opens, it feels like things may finally start going Keera’s way, and the Halflings (people who have fae heritage) may at last break free from tyrannical rule.

But Keera continues to battle against her own worst self; when her lover’s secrets are revealed, and one of her closest allies is kidnapped, she teeters on the edge of returning to her addictions and hopelessness. And while Keera’s breaking of the seals empowered her beyond imagining, it also released an ancient evil. When the king fully realizes the threat Keera and the Halflings pose, he plunges the kingdom into violence, leading to a final, inevitable confrontation. This is the final book in the Halfling Saga, so if you’re not ready to say goodbye to these characters yet, read slowly.

Unfortunately I found this to be a disappointing conclusion to the Halfling Saga series. The series started off so strong with A Broken Blade and I've found my interest waning with each subsequent sequel. I think it had some disappointing character development, and characters losing the development that they had gained over the series. I loved the tenion with Rivan in book 1, he was such a dynamic MMC to balance our strong FMC. But he became such a non-character by book 2. He felt like a completely different character in this installment especially. Where is the tension, the banter, the chemistry from book 1?!

I see that other people loved the conclusion to this story, so maybe I am in the minority, and I'm glad to see that others enjoyed it. I'm a firm believer that all books just need to find their right audience and I might not have been right for this one. For me, I think this series could have been strengthened by being shortened. I predicted the Rivan twist in book 1 and had to wait two more books for the FMC to figure it out. I think if book 2 had been finding that out, breaking the seals, and defeating the king and prince, it would have been an action packed, gripping series. Instead with these elements so spread out, it felt draggy and like we were reading filler for 50-70 percent of the book.

Unfortunately the digital ARC had some frustrating formatting issues. At the start of each chapter there were whole sections of missing text. That obviously made it incredible difficult to follow the story. I ended up stopping about a quarter of the way through and waiting until I could get a copy from my local library to finish reading the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for providing a digital ARC of this book.

An Honored Vow by Melissa Blair is such a satisfying conclusion to this powerful and emotional trilogy. It picks up with all the intensity and momentum from the last book and refuses to let go. The stakes are higher, the emotions are deeper, and every decision feels weighty. What I loved most was how the characters—especially Keera—really came into their own. You can feel how much she’s grown, how the trauma and the triumphs shaped her, and watching her navigate loyalty, love, and legacy was incredibly powerful.

Melissa Blair does an amazing job wrapping up all the loose ends while still keeping your heart in a vice. The romance is heartfelt, the action scenes are sharp, and the world feels more alive than ever. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to these characters, but the ending was everything I hoped for. If you’ve followed the series, you’re going to love this one—and if you haven’t started yet, now is the perfect time to dive in.

I absolutely loved this book. What a beautiful ending to a tragic story. It hurt to see Keera reach her story's end, but I loved every minute of it. She deserves the world!

Melissa Blair does it again. The queen of fantasy is back. This book did not disappoint, you need to pick it up!

Thank you NegGalley and Union Square & Co. for the ARC.

This is hands down one of the most satisfying series conclusions I've ever read!

From start to finish, the book was packed with twist after twist. Throughout this series, I've become so attached to these characters, and by the end, I absolutely was crying. It provided the perfect closure to everything, and I have nothing bad to say. I absolutely love this series, and would rave about it to anyone who would listen (or doesn't want to listen).

Keera has my heart, Thank You Melissa Blair for creating such a wonderful, dynamic, rich and emersive world. I'm truly honored to have received this arc, and for hosting you on Paperback Ponderings.

The conclusion of the Halfling Saga was heartwrenchingly delightful, epically and outstandingly written! This was so well done, i was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I couldnt predict anything. Just all in all such a great romantasy.

Tensions are high when truths come to light and Keera and the others are left struggling to find their balance. Everyone carries their guilt in a different way, but Keera feels alone and adrift, left to carry the burden of war. When she discovers a new gift that could change the tide of war or sentence those blessed with an even bigger target on their backs, a choice must be made. Everyone must work together to end the threat of the King and to bring peace to the lands.

This fell flat for me and wasn’t how I wanted to see the series end. The character development was lost and the relapse of addiction was uncomfortable with the rest of the storyline. Also umm the ending?!?

Was really hoping for an epic finale, but I was kind of let down. We had this big reveal about Riven at the end of book 3 and now it felt like he was barely there and didnt matter. I also wish Keera could have been more nouanced as in shown more vulnerability and that their relationship could have florished more. Also dont know what that ending was about? Kinda sad, maybe a spin off with some side characters?

My love for this series cannot be overstated, and An Honored Vow is a gorgeous finale. Melissa Blair has built such a fantastic world over the course of this quartet, and has created a collection of characters that feel grounded and relatable, while still landing the fantasy elements. One aspect of this world that really hits home for me (both from a character arc and worldbuilding perspective) is the way that Blair has created rituals and rites for the different cultures of her characters. This really makes the worldbuilding feel rich and immersive, because it allows the reader to form emotional connections to the characters through the ways that they practice these spiritual/cultural rites. This element is especially present in this instalment of the series through funeral rites. I loved the way that Blair's characters have been allowed to express and process grief. This is something I wish more authors would include more heavily in their fantasy works! Having such grounded worldbuilding really gives the reader that emotional beat that makes the heart break and reform, right alongside the characters.

Another aspect of An Honored Vow that I really enjoyed was the way Blair brought her complex character arcs to conclusion. The growth that the characters go through over the course of four books is just incredible. At the end of this book, I was left feeling really proud of how far these characters that I truly love have come. This is especially true of our main heroine (and sometimes anti-heroine) Keera. It really feels like watching a friend become the best version of herself, to read through Keera's journey, and its conclusion here, in An Honored Vow. Keera's struggles feel realistic, even in the fantasy context, and her growth (and sometimes regression after a leap) feels so real and visceral. There is a special joy in seeing her settle into her role and set her own fate.

The action scenes had me breathless, with Blair's cinematic descriptions and the bracing pace. These were tempered with tender moments between characters, both in romantic contexts and platonic/familial ones, leaving wistful feelings about the better future these characters are fighting for, in their world.

The representation in this book feels timely, and allows for a wide array of readers to see themselves in the characters. I especially appreciate the nuanced representation of different sexualities, throughout the series, and specifically in An Honored Vow.

I also would like to shout out the growth of the author's writing prowess, from her debut at the beginning of the series, until now at its conclusion. Melissa Blair has done an absolutely incredible job of wrapping up this wonderful series. It was a beautiful love letter to the characters, and to the world she has created, and I am sad that its over. Time for a full reread, I guess! And I can't wait to see what Melissa Blair creates next.

What an ending to the saga!

Loved the vibes of this book, loved many hight and lows and many heartbreaks!

This was absolutely amazing!! I loved this book so much, the way this series has become a favourite of mine! The magic, the plot, the characters and the romance are the best!

An Honored Vow is the perfect way to wrap up The Halfling Saga. Honestly, I’m still thinking about this book weeks after finishing it. I couldn’t put it down. Once I started, I read it in a single sitting, barely pausing to take a breath. If you loved the second and third books (and trust me, you will), this one is a whole new level of amazing.

Keera’s journey in this book was so emotional to watch. Her growth throughout the series is nothing short of incredible. By book four, she is such a different person, and in the best possible way. Watching her evolve over the course of this series honestly brought me to tears. I also want to give a shout-out to Gerarda. She started as a character I liked, but in this book, she became my absolute favorite side character.

Melissa Blair has done such a beautiful job building this story piece by piece and character by character. It is obvious how much care and love went into crafting each part of this series. Watching it all come together felt like witnessing a masterpiece unfold. I really appreciated that this book did not go as heavy on the war and fighting as I was expecting. There is plenty of tension and high-stakes drama, but the quieter and more tender moments truly shine.

The themes in this book were so impactful. The way the story addresses colonization and the brutal thirst for power is done brilliantly. Damien’s evil is not complex or mysterious; it is rooted in greed and power for the sake of it. This choice highlights the harsh reality of colonization in a simple but incredibly effective way.

Final Thoughts:
This book is the perfect conclusion to an amazing series. It is emotional, intense, and everything I could have asked for in a final book. I am sad to say goodbye to these characters, but An Honored Vow did them justice in every way. If you are a fan of the series, you will not be disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for a copy to review!

That was a saitisfying end for an amazing series. An Honored Vow contained everything I liked about the other books: great character dynamics, moral dillemas and interesting plot twists.

I'm truly struggling to review this properly. The ARC I received contained massive formatting and continuity errors making it difficult to read. I have loved this series for years, and the third installment last year was perhaps my favorite so far. An Honored Vow is not quite up to par with the previous novels, even putting aside the issues I would hope to see the publisher resolve before release. I fully intend to read the book once my officially released copy comes in to ensure issues are resolved.
Overall, this book concludes the series, and it is filled with action scenes that have been a hallmark of the saga. The beginning does an excellent job of reintroducing characters and situations, reminding readers of the past books seamlessly. I was very pleased with how easy it was to recall the past books with only a few prompts. I'm going to hold further commentary until I read the published version of the text.
Thanks to NetGalley and Union Square for this ARC!

In An Honored Vow this anticipated sequel explores their loss and looks to the future. It examines the wars which live inside of us. The memories which haunt us and the dreams which terrify us. Much like stories that revolve around a war, An Honored Vow asks us whether one person's life is worth the whole of the rebellion? Is an innocent casualty, a loved one, worth losing the battle? It asks the age old question about whether love is a weakness or a strength. An Honored Vow forces our favorite characters to think about the weapons we make ourselves into in order to win, but what happens after?

A fitting end to the series, An Honored Vow ties up the various plotlines remaining from the other three books as well as giving a window into a hopeful future. I appreciated the character growth, particularly from Keera and Gerarada, but also from a few other smaller characters. I am still not sure I 100% forgive Rivan but he was certainly made to repent multiple times throughout this book, which I appreciated. Just as action-packed as the rest of the series, this was absolutely non-stop from start to finish.

I adore a good romance fantasy - even more so when it is diverse and discusses big, important topics.

Finishing a series like this is always bittersweet; these characters have come so far and it's tough to say goodbye. But Blair delivers a satisfying conclusion to The Halfling Saga. This final installment wraps up the journey of Keera and her allies with action, emotional beats, and meaningful character growth, all while staying true to the series' core themes.

One of the standout aspects of this book is Keera's arc. Her journey through loss and grief, addiction, and the weight of responsibility over so many has been portrayed so well, making her one of the most compelling protagonists in romantasy. Blair handles heavy topics with care, allowing Keera to stumble, grow, and ultimately rise in a way that feels earned and deeply satisfying. The supporting cast also shines, with most characters receiving arcs that feel just as thoughtful and complete.

The romance, as always, plays an important role, but it does come with a slight caveat. Keera's love interest feels notably softer in this book compared to earlier books. While this shift makes complete sense given everything he's been through, it feels abrupt at times, almost as if he had been holding back or presenting a different version of himself in the earlier books. Which.. yeah. There are layers to his arc, but readers might need to read between the lines to fully grasp his evolution. I like that Keera took time for herself before diving back in. VERY fitting.

And finally, the emotional beats aren't given as much time to resonate with readers, in my opinion. I know it happens in battles, but I really didn't FEEL much until the end.

Despite these minor quibbles, An Honored Vow delivers on its promises. The stakes are high, the battles are fierce, and the emotional moments hit hard. Blair ensures that every thread is tied up in a way that feels intentional and meaningful, leaving readers with both a sense of closure and a touch of sorrow at having to say goodbye.

For fans of romantasy that isn't afraid to dive into complex themes and flawed, realistic characters, this quartet is a must-read. Melissa Blair has crafted a series worth celebrating, and An Honored Vow is a fitting farewell to a world and characters who will linger in my heart.

Many thanks to TBR and Beyond tours, the author, and Union Square and Co for the complimentary copy and opportunity to read and review! Adore this series!

This book was a satisfying conclusion to this series. I enjoyed the romance and the journey our FMC has been on. This was full of twists and turns, and the worldbuilding throughout was well done. Great series!