Incredible! I loved how deep themes were written about like revenge, grief and mental health representation. I love fantasy with dragons and this was the perfect blend. The characters were well written and well explored as well!

Thank you N. E. Davenport for allowing me to read and review your book. It was so good. I’ve been in dragon mood and this one of my favorite dragon reads of the year. I loved this story so much.

If you’re looking for a super spicy standalone romantasy, this is the book for you!

Our Viscious Oaths was a captivating story driven by the opposing extremes of vengeful hate and all encompassing love that perfectly encapsulates the enemies to lovers trope at the heart of the book. It’s a hard balance to write an enemies to lovers story that feels both believable and satisfying to the reader. Davenport certainly achieves that.

The flaws of the characters were incredibly well motivated and believable. And in that same vein, the ways in which these flaws evolved throughout and impacted the story felt very authentic.

There were a few moments that felt a little rushed to me when it came to the plot outside of the central romance. It’s possible this could just be that I’m not used to standalones taking place amongst such grand world building.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and of course N.E. Davenport for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC of this book! Below is my honest review:

I loved this!!

I have been having a difficult time enjoying "romantasy" books lately and have found so many of them repetitive and uninteresting, but this book reminds me why I initially came to love the genre. This book is sexy, it's fun, it's full of fantastical creatures, and it's also a standalone (which is a big selling point for me - I'm over 5+ book series)!

Kadeesha is an excellent main character, and I enjoyed seeing her struggle with her growing feelings for Malachi and how that could affect her yearning for freedom. Malachi also grew on me a lot. Initially, I wasn't a fan because he was pretty unlikable, but he gained so much depth over the course of the story. And once he was well and truly a simp for Kadeesha, I was all in. The slow burn of the emotional side of their relationship was wonderfully executed and felt truly earned over the course of the story. Loved them as a couple!

This book balanced the fantasy elements, romance elements, and spicier elements pretty well, in my opinion. Romantasy often struggles to find that balance, but I think this story held all three of those components in relatively equal measure. In terms of the fantasy aspect, I loved the kongamatos! If you enjoyed the dragons from books like <i>Fourth Wing</i>, I think you'd enjoy the kongamatos and their relationships with their riders. I would've loved to even see a bit more of them in this story, and I hope that if the author ever revisits this world she includes more of the kongamatos.

My only real complaint for this book is that the middle was a bit slow and meandering, but altogether I think the entire book holds up very well! I was never bored at all and kept wanting to find out what happens next.

If you are a lover of fantasy romance, I highly recommend this book! Go check it out when it comes out this fall!

Beautifully written story that kept me on the edge of my seat. It has all the best parts of high fantasy and Romance.

The beginning of this book was to dense for me at this time. I wish it came with a glossary of people and names. Without it I was lost with only being a few chapters in.

Listen. I was ready for a lil’ enemies-to-lovers fantasy story. I was expecting sexy sword fights and maybe a morally gray fae with a tragic backstory and a six-pack forged by divine trauma.

What I got instead was a book that kidnapped my frontal cortex, called me “pet,” and whispered filthy threats while wielding political intrigue like a dagger.

Let's talk about Malachi.

Sir. I need you to come to the front of the congregation so I can throw myself at your feet like a woman possessed.

Grill-wearing, emotionally-repressed, weaponized sex appeal incarnate. This man talks like he wants to ruin your life and THEN file your taxes. The respectful dominance, the casual blasphemy, the "I want to destroy you but in a good way" energy???

“Don’t call out to your gods. Call out to me.”
Excuse me. I need to step outside and scream into the void.
And Kadeesha? My sword-swinging, nerve-shattering QUEEN?

She doesn’t need saving. She is the threat. Her jawline could cut glass, her comebacks made me giggle like I was in middle school again, and when she finally let Malachi in—emotionally and physically—I blacked out like a Victorian widow in a corset too tight.
She gives “I’ll stab you, then cry about it later while making you soup” energy.

The fake dating subplot??

It was NOT fake. That man was courting her with emotional violence and the filthiest pillow talk I’ve read since I accidentally downloaded that cursed fae romance at 2 a.m.

The tension was so thick I could’ve sliced it and served it at Thanksgiving.
The spice?

Let’s just say this book made me question whether I should install a panic room... for my ovaries. It’s primal. It’s desperate. It’s shamelessly raw.
There is breath play. There is lingering eye contact that lasted three pages. There are scenes where I forgot how to read and just made dying whale sounds until my soul came back online.

Final thoughts?

This book gave “stab me, then hold me after.” It gave “grind me into the dirt and then braid my hair.” It gave “I see your darkness, and I wanna make out with it.”

I would absolutely fake a magical engagement with a feral fae prince if it meant one (1) night of the energy these two brought to the table.

💀 Rating: 5 stars, 10 therapy sessions, and 1 new kink I wasn’t prepared to unpack.
Would recommend to: anyone who likes trauma bonding, enemies-to-just-touch-me-already, and foreplay disguised as political rebellion.

I haven’t slept in two days. Why? Because *Our Vicious Oaths* held me hostage and refused to let go. I cracked open the first page thinking I’d dip in casually and suddenly it’s 3 AM, I’m on chapter twenty-something, whispering “just one more” like a lie I fully believe.

This is adult fantasy through and through. Gritty, grand, and gloriously addictive. Think epic stakes, lush world-building, and political webs stickier than a spider’s best trap. And at the center of this storm? Kadeesha.

She’s cunning, commanding, and carved from steel and vengeance.

Enter Malachi: dark, dangerous, and absolutely magnetic. He doesn’t try to tame Kadeesha. He matches her. Compliments her. Challenges her. Together, they’re the kind of pair that makes you side-eye the next chapter, wondering, “Are they gonna kill each other or kiss again?”

There’s a prophecy threading through the plot, every chapter tightens the tension. Every moment with Kadeesha or Malachi is charged with power, sometimes with lust, often with both.

I especially loved the way the book opened with Kadeesha and her right-hand warriors. The dynamic with her league of warrior sisters gives the story both heart and heat. They’re vital, fierce, and unforgettable.

Bottom line? Our Vicious Oaths is a rich fantasy full of blood, prophecy, lust, and power. If you like your heroines sharp, your romances messy, and your plots with teeth, this is your next obsession.

I love supernatural books and romantasy...but I REALLY loved this book. The author did "enemies to lovers" so well. The characters are complex and at times, morally questionable. They're well-written and I loved the plot. The story moved quickly and was engaging from the first page. I read the whole book in one evening. I definitely need to see this as a series, please!

Great standalone fantasy book. I enjoyed the plot and the book kept a good pace. The main characters played well of each other. The book had a lot of spice if that is what you like.

HOLY HECKING FANTASY. This is my new obsession. Out of the 130 books I've already read for 2025, this is my #1 pick. I SAVORED this book, over the course of two long weeks. I never do that, and I slowed down to truly enjoy the world building, the romance, the enemies to begrudging allies to lovers.

Kadeesha is the archprincess of the Aether fae, rides a fierce dragon like creature, a kongamato, and isn't afraid to be herself! Her and our MMC, Malachi (a king!) meet towards the beginning of the book in a steamy filled night (before her wedding to the high king). After some turmoil at the wedding, Kadeesha goes with Malachi to the Apollyon fae court. They are enemies but seek to destroy the high king who is just not a great guy.

I'm so bad at explaining plot, and don't want to give to many spoilers! However, Kadeesha and Malachi are drawn to each other despite being true enemies united by a common cause. The banter, the WTF am I doing, but why is it so good?! I love them. Malachi is truly a "I will burn the world down" and Kadeesha is a "slow down there, that's unnecessary." I absolutely loved it.

This has all the makings of a binge-worthy fantasy romance! I cannot wait for more people to pick this up in the fall—I think the release timing is perfect. This book is also so wonderfully and unapologetically Black—from the character descriptions, to the culture markers, the fashion, even the alcohol. What a fun story with the excitement and brutality that comes with war and power!

Ms Davenport is an auto buy author for me and I love how she’s proven able to navigate different genres. This feels more like a dark romance in a fantasy setting than a romantasy. It was refreshing to see that it didn’t follow the typical romantasy algorithm, it made the story feel fresh. And this is a true enemies to lovers. Like these two were ready to kill each other. And for good reason. The stakes remained high throughout the book. My main complaint with the story is that their powers were so imbalanced. The MFC was very confident in her ability to compete with the MMC but he can clearly wipe the floor with her. It made a lot of the aggressive banter feel disingenuous. I wish she acknowledged that and found subtle ways to oppose him. But overall I really enjoyed the book. And OMG the spice was SPICY!

Prepare to be absolutely captivated by N.E. Davenport’s Our Vicious Oaths! This book is a lush, high-stakes fantasy romance that grabbed me from the first page and refused to let go until the very end.

From the very beginning, I was hooked by the fact that the faefolk in this world are unapologetically melanated, and let me tell you—Malachi is FINE FINE. This man is the epitome of tall, dark, and dangerous with his locs and his gleaming grille, and the chemistry between him and Kadeesha was undeniable.

This is the perfect enemies-to-lovers story with a delicious twist—Kadeesha and Malachi enter a mutual agreement to fake a romance in order to take down their mutual enemy: King Rishaud of the Hyperion Court. And Rishaud? Ugh, he is a despicable, misogynistic tyrant I absolutely loved to hate. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for his downfall.

Malachi starts off as cocky and arrogant, but as the story progresses, his layers begin to unfold. Despite his initial bravado, he is fiercely protective and passionate, and the tension between him and Kadeesha is positively scorching. Their spicy scenes? SWELTERING. The slow burn is worth every second, and watching them go from reluctant allies to something much deeper was an absolute joy.

But Kadeesha is the true star of this story. She is fierce, determined, and relentless in her pursuit of freedom from the oppressive betrothal she has endured her entire life. Watching her embrace her own power and transform into a formidable High Queen is nothing short of inspiring. And Malachi’s love for her is a beautiful, passionate, and respectful thing—he recognizes her as an equal and offers her the chance to rule beside him, not beneath him.

N.E. Davenport’s world-building is breathtaking, with a unique magic system and centuries-old conflicts that make the stakes feel real and pressing. The action is heart-pounding, the characters are richly developed, and the romance is everything you could want—intense, emotional, and oh-so-satisfying.

Our Vicious Oaths is an absolute must-read for anyone who loves fantasy romance with strong, relatable characters, a compelling plot, and sizzling chemistry. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy once it’s published. Do yourself a favor and add this one to your TBR—trust me, you won’t regret it.")

4.75 out of 5 stars (Rounded to 5)

Our Vicious Oaths is easily one of the best stand-alone romantasies I’ve read in a long time. Told in dual POV from both the fierce FMC and the mysterious MMC, this story hooks you early with rich worldbuilding, a well-structured magic system, action-packed scenes, and characters you can’t help but root for.

What made this book even more special was the representation. We get Black fae. Black characters with depth, power, and layered storylines—and that just hits different. As a Black reader, it felt amazing to see characters that look like me at the center of a complex, emotional, and magical fantasy story. It’s the kind of representation that’s still far too rare in this genre.

The main character is an absolute standout—resilient, powerful, and emotionally grounded. And Malachi? A whole force of his own. Their chemistry works, and while there are a multiple spicy scenes, it does fit in naturally with the storyline. But if spice is something you need a little warning for be aware they are graphic.

Davenport’s writing shines with vivid detail and strong pacing. The magic system feels fully formed, the world is immersive, and there’s a clear sense that every piece of the story was crafted with intention—from the politics and tension to the emotional arcs and banter.

This is a must-read for romantasy lovers who want something that blends action, heart, and depth in a fresh, grounded way. I’ve already pre-ordered a physical copy for my shelf and recommend it to my book club.

**Thank you to NetGalley, N.E. Davenport, and the publisher for the advance eCopy for an honest review**

Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. It started off strong, but around the 25% mark, the writing became a bit convoluted and difficult to follow. The pacing felt incredibly slow, and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic between the main characters lacked the tension and development I was hoping for. Their physical relationship began too early, which undercut the slow-burn and angsty payoff that usually makes this trope so satisfying. Some stylistic choices—like the male characters wearing grills—also felt a bit corny and didn’t add the intrigue I was expecting.

N.E. Davenport gives you exactly what she promises with Our Vicious Oaths and I loved LOVED every second of it. We get to follow Kadeesha and Malachi in a game of political strategy but with a romantasy edge.

The Aether Princess, Kadeesha, isn't interested in sitting idly by and allowing her father to do her bidding - she's a warrior first. One that wants to fight with her squadron of winged serpents and their flyers, and flex her freedom whenever she can. When her father sets her up to marry a High King with no regard for anyone but himself, Kadeesha's life takes a turn as she ends up in close (forced) proximity to the kings rival, Malachi.

This is a spicyyyyy, romantasy stand-alone that doesn't drop the ball on the romance or fantasy (or spice, let's be honest.). The elements N.E. Davenport includes, from the Apollyon backstory to the grill in Malachi's mouth, are so well thought out and the delivery is *chefs kiss*.

Our Vicious Oaths had layered backstory, realistic romance, well delivered dialogue, well-developed fantasy and expertly crafted characters - all within the confines of a standalone novel. (Selfishly, I could have spent more time with these characters).

Would recommend Our Vicious Oaths anyday.

{{ 4.5 }}
A time was had!!
Malachi is bae <3
I will be preordering & recommending to others!!!

Received an e-ARC courtesy of NetGalley(:

No notes. The world building, the character development, the auntie, the culture. One of the best stand alone fantasy romances I’ve read in a while! You liked Smoke and Stack in Sinners? Go meet Malachi, please.

Malachi and Kadeesha are two of the best written MCs I have come across in a fantasy in a while. He is devious, deadly, and DELICIOUS in the best of ways. She is cunning, caring, and freaking brilliant and also FREAKING DELICIOUS. The two of them together? I have no words. The complexity of their relationships, to each other, to their families, to their friends, to the courts which they serve, to the wider universe in which they exist is just mind blowing. Davenport did an incredible job creating this all-encompassing world that I just wanted to get lost in. I wanted to know more about every single character; there were relationships growing and changing in the wings that I wanted to know more about. The main story line was so satisfying, each twist and turn made me go OH! YES! OOOO I didn't see that coming! OF COURSE! I just loved the ride, and the payoff was just so worth it.
The magic? Superb. The drama? Delicious. The characters? Amazing. The spice? SCORCHING.
The relationship between Malachi and Kadeesha is so freaking amazing. The journey from enemies to lovers is so good. SO DANG GOOD. The push and pull, the plotting, the ANGST, it SUSTAINS MY SOUL. This is enemies to lovers done 100% right.