4.5 stars

Allyria witnessed, with barely contained rage, as the prison guards lit the pyre meant to burn a girl who they thought was a magic wielder. To practice magic was treasonous. The look in the girl's eyes compelled Allyria to save her... and in a storm of chaos, the witch disappeared, leaving Allyria to face torture by the hands of the guards. Until the Death Dealer came to make sure they freed her, as she owed him a blood oath debt.

She was freed from the prison, only to be subjected to more dangerous situations and a gamble that had her pledging herself to the Death Dealer for a time. She was to train for the Elder Tournaments -- deadly trials, and was whisked away to another realm, one of magic and mysteries. But his people just wanted to be rid of her, the human. It was a trial, in itself, to be amongst them, let alone learn skills to survive.

There would be secrets - a legacy kept hidden, a bond, friendships formed, court politics and intrigue in both realms, a severing, a high-stakes quest, and a battle. There are multiple plots going on in this book, but it's written in a manner that is easy to follow, for the most part.

I was kind of sad that Allyria and the Death Dealer spent so little time together, but their interactions, though few, were lovely -- especially toward the last quarter. I'm guessing -- hoping -- that Book 2 will remedy this by refocusing on them once the Tournament is completed and... if Allyria survives. War is coming.

Riveting high-stakes dark fantasy that captured and held my attention! FYI, no spice and low romance.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book. I was enthralled during the first and last quarter of the novel but got lost somewhere in the middle. The world is very well thought out and the magic system is unique but also feels familiar in a comforting way. However, for a good portion of the novel there was so much information being provided and so much world building that the plot and the message was lost to all of the details. I loved the characters and found whenever Allyria, the Death Dealer, Cassius, or scenes within Obsidian were present the plot was crystal clear and extremely focused. I would have loved to see the novel with less of the details in the first book and have the scope narrow and widen over time as we get to know the world and how it works. The slow burn was epic and the development of the characters is what will bring me back for the next installment. I cannot wait to see where their journey takes us.

3 ★

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the arc!🥹💗

Okay so this is a very conflicting review to write- probably one of my most conflicting reviews I will ever write.

I did not hate this book, but saying I enjoyed it is far from the true but saying I didn’t think it was magnificent would also be a lie yet I couldn’t get myself to pick this up bc I wanted to pick it up and more bc I had to pick it up.

The first 100 pages had me in a chokehold, it even felt like a 5 star read bc if you know me you knowwww my favorite kind of books are books where the main character starts weak but gets stronger and stronger until everyone fears her and the beginning gave these vibe soooo well but sadly enough it wasn’t enough for me.

The book is very detailed and I truly don’t remember when the last time was that I read a book with a world building this insane. The amount of time and effort put into creating it was very clear from the beginning and it was the only reason I wanted to continue (besides the fact that I was hoping we were going to get some badass scenes). Howeverrrr I do think that, at times, there was toooo much detail and it was becoming overwhelming, bc it would feel like you read 3 pages full with world building and random details, but you only read one page😭

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜:
➝ A lot was going on and yet it felt like <i>nothing</i> happened- how are we 200 pages in and it feels like only one thing has happened? How are we 60% in and nothing thrilling has happened yet? Tbh after the 60% mark I fully fullyyyy lost it- idk what happened after that, I really really don’t know and I don’t care bc I wasn’t getting enough thrilling moments in the story to make me excited about the rest and its ending.

➝ The pov’s of the love interest felt useless. In some I would be like “okay this is cool” and in others I would be like “nothing happens, just more world building I really didn’t need rn” and after 60% I gave up.

➝ There was more explaining in this book than that there was actual dialogue. I really liked the amount of detail and effort put into it, but at times it went wayy too far.

➝ We failed in the training scenes. I was yearninggg for good fighting/training scenes (I wanted them with the love interest but like I said my boy wasn’t even there, he was busy getting butchered on the other side of the world), but we really didn’t get enough of that. It felt like I read 2 training scenes and then the trainer left and she goes to climb a mountain that’s invested with fairies and then she makes a friend and….. weren’t we supposed to fight? Get stronger? Maybe this happened but after 300 PAGES, like I said, I gave up 😃😃 maybe we got more after that, but it’s too late now, I’m no longer invested.

➝ Why is the love interest the guy she literally doesn’t see, at all. We see him, he leaves for what? Half the book? More than half the book? And then apparently he returns but idk why or how or what bc I gave up. I know the romance isn’t the main point of this story, but because we kind of failed on the training scenes and the- her- getting-stronger-and-everyone-fearing-her part I at least wanted some good slow burn romance, but no we didn’t get it😍 maybe after the 60% mark? Maybe, but once again, the book has lost Mai. I don’t mind books who don’t have a lot of romance, but if the synopsis says “fighting her growing feelings for the ***” then I expect to see that portrayed well with scenes of them TOGETHER.

➝ More pages doesn’t mean a better book❗️❗️❗️❗️ this book has no business being 500 pages long, really really unnecessary bc those 500 pages weren’t filled up in the right way. I probably would have enjoyed this more if half of this was cut out and the book was around 300/400 pages long.

Overall the premise of a poor weak girl getting freed from prison so she can train for some kind of tournament is amazing. It’s thrilling, fun and an action packed idea, but I feel like we didn’t execute it well enough. There was a lot of time and effort put into creating everything, but not enough of time put into the more “fun” parts of the story. The story needed to move quicker or, at least, be shorter.

I do recommend it, but also not. I guess it really depends on what you want.

I wish I could give a more detailed review, but like I have said a thousand times (sorry guys) I totally lost it after 60% so I truly do not remember a single thing that happened after that. I skipped through so many pages, skimmed and just full on lost focus while reading.

Anyways I would definitely read from this author again, but maybe a shorter book 😭

This is a delicious and addictive dark fantasy with high stakes and a great enemies to lovers romance! I was hooked from the start and kept engaged the whole time

This book hooks you at the beginning. A human makes a blood oath with a death dealer in order to save her family. He doesn’t quite turn out how she expected and a whole new world awaits her.

I had a few formatting issues with reading on kindle which I never really got used to so I struggled a bit with this book.

It has really good world building, the first part of the book really paints a picture of the surroundings and sets up the story which was filled with promise and mystery.

Around half way the book can get a little clunky, there’s a lot of trauma-dumping from characters we barely know in order for us to understand the history and get more backstory. It’s good that we get different characters POVs but some of the chapter timings in the different POVs are a bit off which was confusing.

Half way through there seems to be a bunch more species and kingdoms thrown in haphazardly which was a bit overwhelming for me but overall the base story within is a good one.

Most of the book is world building and training, kind of uneventful. I wish we’d have seen more of the relationship progression between characters. The relationships between the characters do feel real and I loved how the characters were written. I would have liked to delve even deeper into those connections! A Cassian/Viper novella would be interesting!

I think you’d like this book if you’re into fate tropes, found magic and kingdom politics.

Was archived after getting it approved, didn't get a chance to read and review the book but it sounded very interesting and I'm still keen on reading it. Will look at reading it on Kindle and review.

I received this ARC from NetGalley.
3.5 rounded up
This is a really interesting premise with a lot happening and a ton of detail. There were parts where I felt like it was too much detail about things that weren't necessary for the story. I had some issues with figuring out time because, even though the sections were broken off into POVS, within each POV passages of time would happen and it wouldn't be clear. I am sure part of that is the formatting of the ebook I was reading. There was also a lot of repetition.
I saw a lot of similarities to other fantasy series but I think that is normal because every thing you do, you are influenced.
It is also a VERY slow burn which I actually appreciated in this novel because it was done pretty well. I did see some issues with it and there were times where it was a little difficult to get through but overall I really enjoyed the story of it and the groundwork that is being laid for the overall series.

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“…loss like that left wounds too deep to mend easily, and some-times holding onto hatred was less painful than trying to heal.”

“Blood Oath,” by Kayla Cunningham

Perfect for readers who want a hero that doesn’t just become an amazing fighter in a few days. This book was incredibly good. Like I said, it was a lot of the FMC learning to be a great fighter and it didn’t happen overnight, many years in fact. I loved the characters so much, I also loved how little the two main characters actually had scene time at the same time in the book, which I felt was a unique type of plot for a book 1 and ended up really liking it. It starts off with FMC in prison, so it reminded me a lot of Throne of Glass. 5 out of 5 stars, cannot wait for book 2.

-Winged MMC
-Magic
-Immortals, Demons, Vampires
-Slowburn

“There’s no difference between slavery and poverty in this world.”

“Everyone bears scars; some are just more visible than others.”

"If I fail her... I'll welcome the torment. It would be no less than I deserve"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s been a while since I’ve read a YA Fantasy novel that captivated me like Blood Oath did. From the very first page, I was hooked, completely drawn into the story. Kayla Cunningham’s world-building is nothing short of exceptional. Her vivid descriptions brought the setting to life in such a way that I could easily envision myself in the world she created. Whether I was in the dark, oppressive prison, anxiously awaiting what would happen next, or navigating the mountains to reach the river with its healing powers, I truly felt immersed in the story.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the character development, particularly of the FMC, Allyria. Watching her evolve through numerous challenges and struggles was both emotional and inspiring. Despite the hardships she faced, Allyria found the strength to persevere and ultimately emerge stronger. Her journey of self-discovery and the quest for her purpose was a highlight, and I can’t wait to see how she continues to grow in the next installments of the series.

The storyline and plot of Blood Oath were equally impressive. The book does an excellent job of establishing a strong foundation for the rest of the series, providing just enough information to intrigue without overwhelming the reader. I especially appreciate how the author skillfully keeps certain details hidden, leaving just enough mystery to keep the tension high and our curiosity piqued. The balance between revealing enough to satisfy while keeping us guessing was spot on.

There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll be continuing this series—how could I not? I’m absolutely invested in Allyria’s journey and, of course, I need to know more about the mysterious Elders Tournament and what’s to come next. The anticipation is real, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next book to uncover the twists and turns awaiting Allyria and the world she’s navigating.

First......thank you for the arc. SECOND....THANK YOU FOR THE ARC. This story is so good that I wasn't ready for the ending of Book One and I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS SERIES UNFOLDS. The story pulls you in and doesn't let go!!!! I must have a physical copy and I will be impatiently waiting for the next installment!! Honestly, the only complaint I have is that the book had to end. I did now and was not ready for it to end.

Blood Oath is a story that, regrettably, didn’t resonate with me. While it has its strengths, such as consistent genre-appropriate writing and likable characters, I found it difficult to fully immerse myself due to certain aspects that felt overly familiar with other books.

The plot, while competently crafted, leaned heavily on tropes and elements reminiscent of popular romantasy books, which diminished its ability to stand out in this genre. Because of this, the storyline felt somewhat predictable and dragging throughout. I’d hoped for a fresh and unique twist to keep me engaged.

The characters are easy to root for, and fans of the genre may find comfort in their archetypal qualities. However, I wished for personalities that would break away from convention and offer something more distinct—an opportunity for them to truly shine and leave a lasting impression.

While my overall enjoyment was overshadowed by the book's similarities to others, I can appreciate the dedication behind its creation. It may still appeal to readers seeking a familiar experience.

Rating-
1/5 stars

Genre-
Fantasy

Age Rating For It-
15+ because there is a good amount of violence and other themes, and also the tiniest bit of romance that is both super slow burn and somehow rushed at the same time.

Tropes-
“Slow burn” (supposedly)
Enemies to lovers
Blood oaths (aka a bargain)
Prisoner in an awful prison
Prep for trials
Unknown heritage
Unknown power

Song to Represent this Book-
This whole book just gave off brand Luminary
by Joel sunny

Notes and Highlights-

“Welcome to Obsidian”
Or should I say welcome to the night court? Which would fit better, the real quote or the off brand one?

“Until next time, lil’ mouse”
*sigh* Need I say more…

“‘You can’t leave us,’ he said softly, his hands clasped before him as if in a prayer. ‘You can’t leave me.’”
It’s giving third act breakup that never actually happened in the first place

“‘I said not now!’ he yelled.”
Aw, yes because we love to be mean to our best and closest friends that did nothing whatsoever…

“I am Allyria Pilar, and I will not be afraid”
Hmm, where have I heard this before?
Oh, yea Throne of fricken Glass

“Thank you,’ she suddenly spoke.
‘For what?’
‘You finally gave me a direct answer.’”
You mean, thank you for giving me a fricken story.
That was no real answer, that was a fairytale.

“That’s not what’s important not yet.”
Aw, yes, another “direct answer”


Usually this’ll stay “Thoughts/would I recommend this?” but not today because today all there is to talk about is my hatred for this-
This entire book took the amazement that is Sarah J Maas and attempted to copy it, and failed miserably. The fmc was just giving pick me girl most of the book and also clueless and dumb all at the same fricken time. I was honestly having to search for something in this book I actually liked, and the one thing I found was that I liked the wolf the fmc had. The wolf was the best character in this all, like how can someone make an animal the best living thing in the book and the only reason the book gets a one-star review. The wolf was just so cute and protective and everything I wish was in an actual character, but instead it was in a fricken animal… Like please when you want to write your own book write your very own book, don’t just copy someone else in an off brand version of tog or acotar combined. It’s almost like you're trying to hitchhike on the success that is Sarah J Maas, like I get it. There are a lot of books nowadays that are similar, but this one was definitely not as successful as some of the rest of them. This book just had so, so much potential, and it took it, threw it into a dumpster and lit it on fire and just watched it burn. I honestly did not want to just bash on this book the whole review, but I just think this book needs to be edited and made unique so it’s not a bad version of some of the best high fantasy books ever, acotar, and tog. It was almost like she wanted to make the book have a bunch of the best tropes like slow burn and then switched it to the opposite at the last second and made the entire book feel rushed. All in all, l would undoubtedly not recommend or recommend anyone even consider reading this, sadly.

(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

DNFed at 70% buuuuut stay with me - just because this book isn't for me right now, it doesn't mean it can't be for you!

This book follows our FMC Allyria who lives in a world where magic is banned and Allyria has been imprisoned since she was 13. After a revolutionary incident, where Allyria helps a witch from being burnt at the stake, she must call in her deal with the Death Dealer. Little does Allyria know that she is embarking on a life changing adventure where she must take part in the barbaric Elder Tournaments to become the Death Dealer's heir. Throughout the book, we see that it is not just as straight forward as that and things are not exactly as they seem.

You will enjoy if you love books with
- multiple POVs
- multiple subplots happening throughout a huge world
- a mix of magically characters
- trials and tournaments

This could definitely be your next big series to sink your teeth into!
Thank you for letting me read this as an eArc!

A very solid 3 star read for me. The story has a lot of action, and minimal spice. The action is a bit predictable, and the world building seemed a bit excessive for the amount that was used. Girl in prison, girl out of prison by making a deal to train, training, more training, battle scene. It's missing more of the backstory of what happens in the tournament that has been referenced since the beginning of the book - I guess that's in book 2. I also felt like the characters was a bit two dimensional - each was unique, but whoever was good was good, and we really didn't get much insight into any of the "bad" characters, so it was easy not to feel much if they got killed off.
Lots of potential here, just missed the mark on a couple components to be a 4+ star read for me.

"Blood Oath" is a mesmerizing 5-star read that captivates from the very first page. This book masterfully blends a wide range of tropes and elements, making it the epitome of a perfect fantasy novel. Every time I put it down, I found myself thinking about it incessantly, as if it had a hold on me.

The story’s focal point, our fearless female main character (FMC), has endured a lifetime of struggles and abuse. Yet, she refuses to let these experiences tarnish the goodness in her heart. Instead, she channels her past to help others, demonstrating immense strength and compassion. This journey of resilience and kindness is both inspiring and heartwarming.

The characters are richly developed, and the relationships and friendships portrayed are beautifully authentic, evoking a profound sense of found family. Allyria's journey to discovering her strength and purpose is truly remarkable, filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The multiple points of view add depth and complexity, making the story even more engaging. "Blood Oath" is a must-read for any fantasy lover, delivering an unforgettable experience.

This is my first proper review on here and I’m so happy it was for this book.

I read the description and knew immediately I wanted to read this and it did not let me down and I’m so happy I was able to read the eARC.

Blood Oath (Storm Breaker #1) has everything I love in a fantasy; found family, magical creatures, enemies to lovers (personal fave), political intrigue, elemental magic system, training camp and so much more.

Although I will say the deadly ‘elder tournament’ doesn’t actually really happen in this book (the description does say it has it) so I’m assuming it will be in the next book. I did rate it ever so slightly lower for this reason.

Regardless, this did not make it no less entertaining and I didn’t feel like I had to push myself through it which I’ve found before when it’s been a longer fantasy book.

I love when the FMC is full of rage because I feel like I can relate more (mind your business). But give me a morally grey MMC? I’ll be there anytime, any day.

I will be continuing the series to see how it all evolves as I do love the world that’s being created.

Want to say thank you to the author and NetGalley for an eARC of this book!

Wow! I wasn’t expecting such an amazing story ! Action packed , unique plot with so much packed in one story , but not overwhelming. Love the FMC ! This book has the slow burn enemies to lovers which I ate up. So many different parts of fantasy, vampires, dragons, magic, prophecies, a blood oath and so much more! This is a must read for 2025

4.25/4.5 ⭐️

Magic is outlawed, and 17-year-old Allyria is being sentenced to death for rescuing a young girl who is accused of witchcraft. About to be executed, survival is the only thing on her mind.
However, at the brutal and notorious Redvine Prison, no one escapes… until now…
But her freedom has a price, and she must pay it with a blood oath, leaving her fate in the hands of the King's most feared assassin, the Death Dealer.
This thrusts her onto a harrowing path into a vicious world on the brink of war, where every day is life or death, and everyone can’t be trusted. The stakes are high as she must overcome unbreakable curses, immortal warriors, meddling gods, powerful magic that always comes at a cost, dark secrets, and an irresistible flying death god. And in the end, “she faces a dangerous choice: embrace her destiny—or be consumed by it.”

If you like a dark romantasy with reluctant heroines that find their power and let it rage on those who hurt the ones they love, morally grey anti hero’s that heartbreakingly pine for the girl they can’t have, found family, cute and ferocious beasts, immortal warriors, meddling gods, warring kingdoms, political intrigue, forbidden magic, deadly curses, dark secrets, and lots of action? This is it, babes… You’re gonna wanna read this one.

(I did take .5-.75 because I feel like there was a lot of repetition of different sentences/things/ideas/etc in many of the chapters. That says the same thing; just worded differently and said one right after the other.
Also, in many of the synopses I saw of this book, it mentions a deadly tournament, but you’re not gonna get the actual tournament till probably book 2. So if you’re like me and were expecting it in this book, because that’s what is promised… I’m telling you, it’s not… So now you won’t have a raging meltdown like I did and make your cat that was just rotting with you in blissful peace, once again, question their life choices and silently judge you).

I REALLY enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what happens next (🤞🏻I get my deadly tournament!!).

Thank you, NetGalley, publishers, and author, for an eARC of this book!

“Some oaths are whispered in blood, others etched in the soul—both carry the weight of destiny. “

IF I COULD GIVE THIS BOOK 6 STARS I WOULD

Blood Oath by Kayla Cunningham is nothing short of enchantment bound in pages. From the very first line, I was swept into a world brimming with ancient secrets, sacred bonds, and the echo of destinies long foretold. This book now holds a treasured place among my top 10 reads of all time—a tale that has carved itself into my heart like runes etched in stone.

I was only two chapters in when I knew—this story already had my heart. The writing wrapped around me like a spell, and I didn’t hesitate for a moment before ordering the physical copy. This isn’t just a story to read—it’s one to hold, to treasure, and to return to again and again.

The writing is pure sorcery—lyrical, immersive, and dripping with magic. Each word feels deliberately woven, casting a spell that transports you deep into a realm where blood ties carry power, oaths are sacred, and shadows stir beneath the surface.

At the heart of the story lies a young warrior bound by a legacy she never asked for, thrust into a world of political intrigue, ancient rivalries, and elemental forces beyond her understanding. As alliances shift and hidden truths unravel, she must navigate a path forged in fire, sacrifice, and the strength of unexpected friendships.

And oh, the characters—I loved them all with a ferocity I didn’t see coming. Their arcs are rich and raw, each one crafted with such care that you feel their triumphs, their losses, and everything in between. The bonds of friendship are profound, the battles fierce, the grief palpable—and the slow burn romance… gods help me, it’s exquisite. A yearning that simmers beneath every glance, every brush of a hand. It’s the kind that aches in the best way.

If you’re a devotee of A Court of Thorns and Roses or long for the immersive wonder of Harry Potter, Blood Oath is your next obsession. This story feels like it was forged in starlight and shadow, crafted by a hand that understands what it means to truly feel a story.

A tale of heart, sacrifice, and ancient power—this book is a gift. I’m utterly spellbound.

3.5 stars this series is intriguing

From the beginning this book reminded me of Throne of Glass, the main character Allyria has a very similar story arc, of being imprisoned, training to be an assassin, magic. This book is slow paced but it worked, i enjoyed the change of pace and slow grow of the characters. The training is show at a slower pace than most of my recent reads and I'm here for it. It's not just the poor unqualified girl that is destined to save the world and in like 3 chapters she is magically stronger and capable.

The things i didn't like was the author uses what to me felt like to many different mythology references so it can be a little confusing. There is early mention of electricity and scanning technology and then no further mention of technology in the book so that and the rest of the book gives a sense of a medival setting. It quickly and repeatedly talks about the "Elder tournament" the main character has to compete in to proof herself and the tournament is not explained at all until we get a glimpse at the last 5% of the book and SPOILER the tournament doesn't happen in the book looks like it will take place in the next book. So that was a bit disappointing.

Includes Gods, vampires, fea, witches, dragon's, multiple POVs, slow burn romance, elemental magic female main character.