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.

A great standalone spicy romantasy that is well-written, with interesting characters, political intrigue and amazing world-building. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn’t put this down. It checked all the boxes of a good fantasy/romance.
Thank you to N.E. Davenport, NetGalley, and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this phenomenal book!

This book includes public sex and pregnancy

I’m going to be honest: I struggled with this book. I found it to be overwritten, the prose forced and the dialogue stilted, especially in the early chapters. There are moments where words are used incorrectly, such as Kadeesha saying her dragon decreed something when, no, that’s not what a decree is. What her dragon did was make a statement; a decree is something else, an order from an authority figure. Perhaps it’s meant as a style choice, but misusing a word is still misusing a word. And it’s not the only time it happens in the book.

Then there are lines like this: “She forwent grabbing the male’s hand. Forwent touching him at all.”

It’s not terrible, but it’s clunky. It’s too heavily stylized a moment in a chapter that was written with a more relaxed flow. It stands out, and not in a good way. There are moments where the writing relaxes, where it flows more naturally, and some clever touches such as “dagger got your tongue” that made me snort. But … then the author goes back to laboriously focusing on style and the reading experience becomes a chore again.

I really don’t like the constant repetition of fae. Fae folk, fae male, fae this, fae that. Imagine if they weren’t fae but human. Would it read any better when the human male took a drink, used his human hand to wave, thought about his human woman? Likewise the constant use of male. I know it’s now a part of every romantasy novel, but I’m so tired of the constant use of male. (That’s a personal nitpick, though; other people may love it, in which case they’ll like this book.)

Honestly, the book feels formulaic and flat. Sure, there are a few ideas in here, such as giving Kadeesha a squad of girlfriends, but that’s only an idea that remains mostly unexplored. Other than seeing them party at a sex club in their mini skirts and high heels, I have no idea who these people are. They’re names to deliver lines, not characters in their own right. The world building is nonexistent, and the book reads more like a contemporary novel with dragons, ballgowns and fucking rather than a fantasy story, with no effort to make it feel like … well, like anything at all. It’s castles and stilettos and public sex with a seven foot tall shadow daddy who likes choking her, but the world is as formless and shapeless as mush. It’s a hodgepodge of anything and everything — from men wearing grylles to cognac and teacakes, stiletto nails (which are mentioned almost as much as the words male and fae), and modern slang — with no sense that any court, any castle, any one place feels different from anywhere else. It’s bland, it’s ubiquitous, and it’s boring.

Kadeesha remembers every now and then that Malachi watched as her father and his court were slaughtered in front of her, that he engineered it and let it happen, but then she goes back to thinking he’s hot. Malachi likes fucking Kadeesha, and occasional thinks about how it’s a shame he’ll have to kill her. Then the two of them fuck. In a race where age equals power, these two twenty somethings are the most powerful of all, because of course they are. I found them uninteresting and familiar however …

It is refreshing to see black characters in a romantasy. Not tan, not tawny, not vaguely darker skinned, but black. Their hair is in locs and braids, their skin is shades of brown and there’s no ignoring it. There’s also a plot in there, but — again — it’s formulaic and sits apart from the world it ostensibly takes place in. The writing wavers between fine to decent and then clunky and stilted. Honestly, I think if there was less of an attempt to write prose and instead a focus on story, this would be a better reading experience.

However, with a nonexistent world, all-too-familiar character archetypes and a predictable plot, this really wasn’t the book for me. There is an audience out there for it, and I hope they find it. But for me, I don’t recommend it. I do not, though, not recommend it.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

4.5 ⭐️
Okay so here’s the thing— we know I’m a vibes rater and I legit rate on if I had a good time. And let me tell you, I had a good time!
This is a fast physical burn, slow emotional burn and honestly, that’s just not my personal preference. I’m such a slow burn girlie. However, I feel like that makes it even more impressive that I had no trouble sticking with this story and continued to enjoy it and look forward to picking the book up! (A big deal for a girl who’s been in a slump all year!!)
This book has war serpents, political scheming, romance, enemies to lovers and a vivid world of dangerous, brutal, and gorgeous melanated fae! If you’re into romantasy and especially if you really enjoy an enemies to lovers story with a fast physical, slow emotional burn, I think you have to read this book!

Thanks for the arc in exchange for an honest review. :)

Thank you for approving my request! I was so excited to read this I immediately dropped all my current reads and read this last night. Unfortunately, I didn't love this book. This one is very heavy on the romance, and I typically really enjoy romantasy, but the romance scenes weren't really my taste. The author used very modern terms for things, cuss words (which is totally fine) but in a fantasy world it really pulls me out of the story. This book felt very modern to me and not really like it was a fae world or a fantasy book. The main character, Kadeesha, was a really strong female character. I loved that she led a team of fighter women. I enjoyed all that but overall, this one just didn't work for me. I struggled liking the mmc, Malachi. He just wasn't my favorite (he slept around which isn't appealing to me and he was super heavy on PDA.). I think a lot of readers will absolutely love this book and I wish I had because there are nearly enough books with Black fae so I was so excited to read this one. Just the modern aspects pulled me from the story, and I found it was a touch predictable. Since this book relied heavily on the romance and since it wasn't the style of romance I love reading it just didn't work for me. I hope this does well and does open doors to more stories being told from Black writers! The cover is beautiful, and I hope readers will love it.