Thank you Netgalley for this arc :)
Kadeesha and Malachi are a match made in chaos. A fantasy world with black fae, sign me up. I didn't know what to expect from Our Vicious Oaths but I was not dissapointed. N.E Davenport effortlessly immerses us into this world full of ruthless, strongwilled, egotisticle and loyal fae. I love a good banter session between enemies to lovers and Our Vicious Oaths delivered. Our main characters got on my nerves at times but only becasue they refuse to acknowledge their feelings for each other..it was torture. But THOSE scenes...10/10. A true Enemies to lovers romantasy without sacrificing any world building.

DNF @ 25%

Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately this one didn’t work for me.

From the start I was having a difficult time being immersed in the story. The writing style wasn’t to my taste, which took me out of the story, and the characters and their inner monologues were so one dimensional that I struggled to get in their heads. The worldbuilding was also confusing—at once containing gorgeous fantasy/mythology elements and party girls in bodycon dresses at sex clubs.

The book is giving Lust at First Sight, which is also a trope that just doesn’t work for me.

I decided to stop reading when the (very violent) inciting incident occurred at around the 20-25% mark and the MCs’ reactions to said violence was just…. wrong. If you’re still thinking about how gorgeous your enemy is after watching an entire room of your people be slaughtered, well… nah.

Thank you for this ARC!
I DNF’ed this book pretty early on. I’m more a slower burn girl, and the spice started super early which is just not for me.

Absolutely excruciating. It’s been a hot minute since I could say I hated a book, but I can with all honesty say I hated every single second I spent attempting to read this. This is a mercy dnf, because I don’t rate books I don’t finish, and I can’t imagine giving this more than 1 star.

Where to even start?

The writing. Almost unreadable. Quick question: does N. E. Davenport’s publisher hate her? Did every editor there up and quit? This reads like a first draft. Info-dumps and tell-y handholding galore. The book is so rambly and so allergic to paragraph breaks that I began skimming within the first couple chapters. The dialogue is also clunky and stilted and generally terrible. Don’t even get me started on the cringe-inducing smut.

The plot and worldbuilding? Standard romantasy fare. Nothing good, but also nothing unusually bad. The “fae” are your typical not-actually-fae. The magic is almost kind of interesting, but never quite commits to actually being interesting. The politics are simplistic. It’s fine.

The characters? Now, Kadeesha and the secondary characters are… a bit irritating, but whatever. But MALACHI? Repulsive. Possibly the worst male love interest I’ve ever had the displeasure of reading about. He is literally everything I hate about romantasy men, distilled and condensed and dialed up in intensity. I could not control the actual disgust on my face every time he spoke, or breathed, or existed on page. For the record: I do not inherently object to a sleazy, womanizing mmc. I think that can be a fun archetype, actually. But the KEY to executing this character in a fun way is the man has to be either 1) at least moderately charming/likable, or 2) kind of pathetic. You CANNOT give me a sleazy womanizing character who is also a hyper alpha male, macho, growling, swaggering, domineering dickhead. Malachi gave me the biggest ick of maybe any LI, ever. I literally don’t care how the story tries to redeem or develop him. I can’t read about him for another second. It’s torture.

I really enjoyed this book. I do feel it could've done with a little more world building/plot and less spice but it was still a fantastic read. The spice at times felt like it took away from the plot just because there was so much but if that's the read you are looking for than you will love this.
The writing was very good and the banter between mcs was absolute top tier. The mcs are enemies from rival kingdoms and are constantly planning on killing each other up until the last 20% of the book. I am a sucker for enemies to lovers and N.E. Davenport delivered with this book. I would definitely read again.

This was a highly enjoyable read, the plot was interesting, the premise had me hooked, and overall I just really enjoyed this book, it was a lot of fun, and left me thinking about it afterwards!

Thanks to net galley for the ARC read. Great book with a good plot and some good spice! It was nice to read a fantasy book that's not just all white people! I would definitely read more books by this author.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and I’m so happy I did.
Enemies to Lovers
Political intrigue
Shadow Daddy
Warrior Princess
Kadeesha is a warrior and she doesn’t cower.
Malachi is a brooding king who is out on the war path.
I love the push and pull between them like all enemy to lover stories have. There’s a good balance between war and love in this story. It’s also refreshing that all the characters are brown. I liked the writing and how easy it was to just dive in and picture being in these northern lands. This has quite the steamy scenes so if you’re not about it I’d recommend you skip that part. Overall I’d recommend this book to those who love a good romantasy.

this was such a fun, spicy romantasy with killer worldbuilding and the kind of political intrigue that keeps you hooked. kadeesha is an absolute force. fiery, stubborn, and ride or die for her warrior sisters and malachi brings pure shadow daddy energy. their tension is off the charts, and yeah, the spice delivers. i loved the morally grey vibes and how unapologetically intense both characters were. my only gripe is wishing we got more non-spicy moments to build their relationship, plus i’m still salty it’s a standalone because i’d happily live in this world for a whole series.

This is an amazing new story from N. E. Davenport aka Nia Davenport. I was granted an ARC read. Thank you very much. This is Romantasy at its absolute best. Pre-order your copy now, you will not be sorry! It's very fast paced character and plot driven story. A young king bent in revenge for the death of his parents, and a young woman at mercy of a prophecy, her father, and a high kind collide. The collision is irrevocable. Kadeesha and Malachi are an amazing pair to get to know. Kadeesha's is a little slower than Malachi's, but it's to be expected. If you need a woman in man's world, this absolutely a story for you.

I absolutely loved this book! I love reading Romantasy and reading it with black characters OMG! Kadeesha had moments where she made me mad but it was worth it in the end. I wish got to see/hear more of the Kongomotos. I also wasn’t fond of Kadeesha saying how great her instincts were and then she didn’t trust them or she completely missed a variable in a situation. Overall I loved this book and have been recommending it every change I get.

I really enjoyed this book. The cover and the title grabbed me, and the description pulled me in further. Kadeesha was a great FMC. She was strong, vicious when she needed to be, as independent as she could be in the environment she lives in, she knows what she wants, and she cares about her people. Malachi is outwardly ruthless, but also just, he is extremely confident in everything he does, and he cares deeply for those he is closest to.

I found the start and the end of the book to be fast-paced. The spice was definitely hot and heavy. The middle felt a little slower, but that is when the relationship starts to deepen. There is a trope in this book that I'm not a fan of, but the trope is necessary for the prophecy foretold. While the trope gave me the ick in general, it did not deter from enjoying the book. If I had to pick a favorite part, it was probably the last battle. I could not put it down!

It has been TOO long since I’ve read such an immediately-invigorating and well-balanced high fantasy romance. I’m scolding my past self for not discovering N.E. Davenport’s work sooner. I’m beyond honored to have read Our Vicious Oaths as an ARC and I’m thrilled for its official release. Kadeesha is an unapologetically formidable and badass female protagonist without falling into the “strong female lead” stereotype that readers have began to grow weary of (not me! But I understand the sentiment). Meanwhile Malachi truly nails the “villain gets the girl” morally gray love interest role to the degree where the reader’s feelings begin to mirror Kadeesha’s. You’ll have moments of truly hating him all while lamenting how much you grow to love him. I think many authors struggle with crafting this kind of character — either making them not morally gray enough or too immoral to be likeable, but N.E. Davenport proved that this was no challenge for her in writing Malachi. If Daenerys Targaryen was combined into two people, it’d be Kadeesha and Malachi. I love a couple in which both are equally formidable and fierce. And while their chemistry was firey, the political aspect to the plot was captivating and intelligently crafted without becoming too convoluted to cause boredom or confusion (a complaint I often have with politically intense fantasy). My primary qualm is that this story wasn’t long enough. Part of this is my own fault, as I thought this was the first book in a series as opposed to a standalone. The world building so interesting and I wouldn’t have minded it being further expanded on, and there were so many supporting characters whom I wanted to know more about, including more time with the main characters’ personal development. The politics of the various courts and the history/lore of the fae and their wars, as well as the gravity of the current danger in the plot, I felt were too interesting to be left at just one book. I do think if another book were to follow, a lot more conflict would need to be created and if it wasn’t as interesting as the first book, it might make for an underwhelming sequel, so maybe even an extra 50 pages might have solved the issue. That being said, that qualm in no way at all dissuades me from picking up another of this author’s work. She is now on my radar and I’ll definitely be picking up her other published books. N.E. Davenport writing reads with a smooth ease that few authors master, especially in fantasy. The world she created in Our Vicious Oaths (though I’m sad it’s over so soon) came to life on the page as well as her fighting/battle sequences. It brings me so much joy to not only see black characters in fantasy but to see plots and worlds built from them utilizing tropes and themes that have so long been part of stories void of BIPOC individuals. Not only can I not wait for others to read this book, but I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for N.E. Davenport’s next work.

Who This Book Is For
Readers who enjoy the enemy of my enemy is my lover trope, high-tension romance, and alpha male/alpha female power struggles will likely be the most satisfied with this story. If you want a fantasy romance that centers primarily on the push and pull between two dominant personalities, with plenty of spice and sexual tension, this will be in your wheelhouse. If you’re less concerned with in-depth magic systems, intricate worldbuilding, or political complexity, and more interested in relationship dynamics and chemistry, this could be a good match.

Review
This book had a lot of promise, especially in its worldbuilding potential. I was particularly intrigued by the Kongamatos (also called War Serpents) which are massive dragon-like creatures that only bond to the Aether Fae. They’re given hints of personality and individuality, but remain mostly relegated to “war mount” roles. I would have loved to see more exploration of why they only bond to Aether Fae, if there’s a historical or cultural reason behind that, and deeper development of their personalities beyond battle instincts.

The world itself contains six kingdoms and multiple elemental powers, with an underlying pantheon of gods and goddesses. There is ample opportunity here to expand the lore, the nature of these deities, the origins of certain magical taboos (like blood sharing), and the political interplay between courts. Given the length of the book, more development of these aspects could have elevated the narrative.

Instead, roughly 60% of the book focuses on spice, sexual tension, and relationship beats between the FMC and MMC. The initial setup introduces a strong female lead with independence, political value, and combat skill and yet over time, much of that independence is eroded. Her role shifts from a formidable player in her own right to someone whose power is mediated through or “granted” by the MMC. For readers who value the preservation of that initial strength, this may feel like a letdown.

There are also some inconsistencies in magic logic and political plotting, for example, powers that are later described as equal or rivaling each other do not align with earlier battle outcomes, and the mechanics of bargains between characters are never fully explained despite being a recurring element.

Final Thoughts
While the story didn’t fully meet my hopes for deeper fantasy development, readers seeking intense romantic tension, a strong focus on the leads’ dynamic, and the “rivals to reluctant allies to lovers” progression may find this much more to their taste. For those looking for immersive worldbuilding, complex magic systems, or detailed political intrigue, the balance here may skew too heavily toward romance.

Our Vicious Oaths is a razor-sharp, standalone romantasy that delivers on every front—sweeping fae politics, life-or-death bargains, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that burns.
Princess Kadeesha is fierce, commanding, and refreshingly complex—torn between duty, vengeance, and a dangerously tempting alliance with Malachi, the king of a fallen court. Their connection is slow-burn with claws—all tension and power plays until it finally boils over into something raw, magnetic, and passionate.

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶

Expect sensual tension throughout, intense slow-burn buildup, and open-door scenes that are steamy without overtaking the plot. The spice serves the emotional arc perfectly—every intimate moment adds stakes, vulnerability, and trust between two very guarded characters.
Beyond the romance, the world-building is rich and immersive—featuring serpent-riding warriors, court politics, and magic systems that are both elegant and brutal. Davenport doesn’t hold back. This book is unapologetically Black, emotionally layered, and narratively gripping from beginning to end.
If you loved the political drama of Fourth Wing, the emotional burn of The Bridge Kingdom, or the dangerous fae vibes of The Shadows Between Us, this one absolutely belongs on your shelf.

Final verdict: Addictive, fierce, and deeply satisfying. A must-read for romantasy lovers. Davenport once again proves why she’s a force in the game.

“You should have chosen a different female to try to chain to you as your wife.”
~~~
THIS! BOOK! IS! AMAZING!!!! HOLY FUCK YES!
I don’t know what to say about first! The female empowerment! The magic system! The world building! The SEXUAL TENSION AND SPICE!!! HOLY YESNESS!
Yall…come October; yall better have this preordered! Or go to your bookstore to grab this book! Anastasia’s face says it all “Read this book or else!”

Thank you NetGalley, Nia, and Harper Voyager for letting me read this early!

DNF at ~19%

As someone with a preference for a writing style that leaves room for the reader to draw their own conclusions on what’s going on as well as interpret character behaviour themselves, the complete opposite approach didn’t work for me because my mind disengages from the narrative when all the work is done for it already. Someone with a preference for a more expository style will like this better. The writing is clear and accessible, and the tone fairly modern.
I liked Kadeesha’s fierce nature and the sex positivity. She even has her own pleasure club, and I loved that for her. She knows what she wants, and she goes for it.
The heat starts very early with an explicit sex scene between the romantic leads. The scene itself was tastefully written, in my opinion.
This book fits in well with what’s popular in romantasy right now, a huge, muscled, and well-endowed ‘shadow daddy’ included, so I think it’ll find its lovers there.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m in awe at how all the tropes were smashed into 528 pages. But I’m not surprised after seeing the character art, I knew what this book was going to be. It took me a bit to get use to the characters and let me answer the question of how did they not know he could do that! All in all I had fun.

Thank you to HarperCollins for the ARC, all opinions below are my own!

Did you see the video of Michael B. Jordan and immediately want that in a book MMC? This is the book for you and Malachi is going to be your new book boyfriend. He gives that vibes while wearing his own grill and being hot (and conceited) while doing so. He is a great morally grey character who is doing things how he wants and when he wants while ruling his territory. Kadeesha, our FMC, is from another territory and betrothed to someone else. But, she is someone who can stand on her own and won’t be taking shit from anyone. I really liked them together and their push and pull throughout, they balanced each others’ characters really well.

I loved the various fantasy elements in this one. I think Davenport took concepts we’ve seen before and made them feel fresh. I like too that we have more of the ruthlessness in the fae, though they were not “tricky” far.

One thing I do wish we saw more of was Kadeesha’s strength. We are told that she is a strong warrior and something to behold but two of the three times that we see her engage in any kind of fight she is being severely overpowered, so it felt like we were being shown/told two different things. I think similarly some more showing rather than telling would have bumped this higher for me.

This is also quite spicy. It’s written super well but there were a few moments where it was a lot for me, personally.

If you are a fan of spicy fantasy/romantasy with a badass FMC and super hot MMC, this one is for you!!

This book had a lot of explicit content and an insta lust storyline that made it not quite for me. I ended up not finishing it due to this.