After being completely feral for the first book of the Oak and Holly Cycle, I was so glad to dive directly into The Robin on the Oak Throne. Taking place after a brief time jump from the end of The Wren in the Holly Library, this book immediately immerses the reader back into Kierce and Graves' world. Kierce has left New York, desperate to be away from the man who betrayed her... only to run into him in the middle of a huge heist. Flouting the Monster Treaty (again) Kierce is forced to pair with Graves to make her escape and is immediately reminded of her lingering feelings for him. But Graves still has his secrets, and his own motivations. When his longtime enemy, the Oak King, comes back into the picture--and right into Kierce's life. Kierce continues to reel in the wake of her newfound identity, and must work with Graves (again) to keep the Oak King at bay. Old connections return in loathsome form, newly discovered (and at times unstable) magic taunts, and our heroes will have to face uncomfortable truths if they're to succeed.

Yet again, I was happily drawn into the world of the alternate, monstrous New York. With even more Celtic mythology woven in, Linde continues to deliver a complex fantastical world mired with betrayal, raw emotion, and murky truths. The relationships between Kierce and her friends are more complex, but remain the same warmth while still making sense in context of their ever-expanding world. I love how the story becomes more and more layered as Kierce discovers more about her past and the world of magic at large. It's tantalizing to learn with her, and to never quite know who to trust. I was (and am) desperate for any hint of information to explore the universe, and despite a terrible cliffhanger, I'm SO glad I get another chapter in Kierce and Graves' story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled: Red Tower Books for the 8-chapter preview ARC in exchange for my honest review!

🌶️🌶️

Final rating: 4.75 stars

Review posted to StoryGraph: July 27, 2025 (https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/b36a6707-4ac8-4528-affb-ff6d13352ec3)
Review posted to Instagram: July 29, 2025 (https://www.instagram.com/p/DMsf0Zex4M-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)

Loved this preview of the first 8 chapters of this book. So far I’m loving the plot and the characters. The book is also very well written and kept me entertained. I’m excited to finish the rest of the book to see what happens.

This is the second book in the Oak and Holly Series. It was a great read, although I didn't love it as much as the first book: A Wren in the Holly Library. It started with our FMC in another country picking up the pieces of her broken heart and stealing from high profile persons. This second installment follows the journey of Kierse learning who she is and where she comes from. She finds out some hard to handle information about her parents. And works with Graves - albeit reluctantly - to find out the truth and track down what seems to be missing memories of her early childhood. During this time she reconnects with Lorcan. This story is all about the push and pull of her relationship with Graves and how Lorcan interferes.

What I loved: the action and plot keep the pace of this book fairly quick. It kept me completely engaged and wondering what was going to happen next. The twists and turns you find out about kept me on the edge of my seat.

What I didn't love: Kierse was very non-committal about her feelings for Graves, but she was still intimate with him. There was way too much spice for my liking. I could have done without most of it. And then enter Lorcan and all the confusing feelings he conjured. It made Kierse go from a head strong, badass FMC to a wishy washy girl who couldn't trust her gut or make up her mind. I realize the stress of her situation contributed to her state of mind, but I found myself yelling at her, "come on, really Kierse?!" lol.

Overall this book was really good and I would recommend it. I feel that all of the events that transpired were a bridge to how the series will end. Which Main Man is good, which one is evil? Will we find out? Who will Kierse choose? Will she even choose? And the surprise at the end?! I am ready for the next book!!!!

BTW - the book itself is gorgeous and worth buying as a book trophy!!!!

I’m so exited to read the rest of the book! These first few chapters were delicious! So excited to see the characters I know and love, and I’m still on the edge of my seat to find out what happens.

All I can say is that I'm so happy to be able to read the rest of this book right now because there is no way I'd be able to have stopped at just the first 8 chapters!! This book is going to be even better than book one and I cannot waiiitttttt!!

I’ve only read the first eight chapters so far, but wow—it’s already shaping up to be something special. The writing pulls you in right away, and the characters are full of personality. Even this early on, there’s been clever twists, tension, and some really fun storytelling.

The writing is vivid and emotional in all the right ways. You feel what the characters feel, and the banter? Top tier. I’m already invested.

I love these little sneak peeks from publishers before books are released. I really enjoyed book 1 and cannot wait to purchase book 2 to read!

K. A. Linde has such a unique writing style, I cannot wait to see what else she can write.

This is not a complete book review as this galley only contained chapters 1-8.

Though only a quick sneak peak, KA Linde completely locked me in with this novel! I’m currently reading the rest of the book and can’t wait to see what else is up her sleeve!

These chapters continue to follow our FMC, Kierse, as she continues her journey and follows her always-well-orchestrated thievery. When she meets a past romantic interest, another adventure ensues that brings the reader to find out even more of this magical world and who our girl really is.

KA Linde does not disappoint with her vivid descriptions and storytelling and what I’ve read so far is no exception. The characters, their trials/tribulations, attitudes, etc are all written with the perfect amount of realism and magic combined! I can’t imagine how this book is going to continue, but I know I’m ready to find out.

I have only the first 8 chapters to read but it's off to a great start. The writing is absolutely captivating as well as the characters. Even in a few chapters there have been scenes of clever tricks, tension, and great storytelling. I love when you don't have to be told any long history, because it is so clearly shown to you in an enticing way.

These chapters follow Kierse as she goes to steal a bracelet off of the queen, and her encounter with a past confident, and romantic interest. They end up at another magic holders house where a clever brain teaser is laid out, and you understand more of the complicated relationships around Kierse.

The writing is wonderful, full of description and life. The characters emotions are so well written they feel like your own, and who doesn't love a bit of banter?

This review is in exchange for a preview of the book form Netgalley and the Author, thank you!

I loved this book so much. I loved learning more about the lore. I love the Celtic Mythology something different then anything I've read previously. I am so glad that Graves is the person we wanted him to be. The ending seriously OMG what a gut punch. Lorcan was always that guy that seemed to good to be true and that there was something off. To have that story unfold with the extra twist, 😲. I cannot wait for more!!!! The 🔥👨‍🍳💋

I received the first 8 chapters from Entangled Publishing and Netgalley. All opinions are my own. I completed the book on audio and absolutely loved the narrators.

This sneak peak completely drew me and I'm now locked into this book! I immediately went to continue it once it released! I reread the first book in the series first and was pleasantly surprised that it was not necessary with the writing. I love book where the story immediately starts like this! Thank you so much for this sneak peak!

I’m absolutely loving this series and can’t wait for book 3. The mor.e that happens and questions are answered, the more questions I have.

I loved the heists and found family - this series is becoming a quick favorite between the action and the folklore.

That was incredibly exciting! I was so happy to be back in this alt monster universe with Kierse. I feel like she’s an easy FMC to be “friends” with, even if she can maybe be a little passive aggressive in her speech. I appreciate Linde took us to Ireland in the beginning, so we jetset around with Kierse and Graves.

I really love the authentic dialogue that Linde creates between all her characters. And there are many characters, but they don’t feel overwhelming in number. The magic in this world is getting trickier, more complex, but some questions that as a reader were floating in your mind for the first book get answered in this second book!

And I HAVE to dedicate a paragraph to the spice! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🔥 Woohoo! It took me by surprise, the amount of it in the book (which is not too much, but satisfyingly enough) and the… pacing? I think I’ve gotten used to seeing spice at certain places of a book, and Linde just kept me on my toes! A lot of what I like to see in spice scenes showed up 😶‍🌫️ and I felt like Linde was not formulaic and not afraid to put some realness in there! Dang, girl! 👏

Overall, I had a blast with this book, and seriously can’t wait for the third! I received an 8 chapter ARC thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. And then I finished the book with the audiobook. The narrator was sooooo impressive: she managed people of all genders and multiple accents!! Brava!

This is just enough to whet the appetite. Great start to the story, and this promises to be just as good as the first book!

Thank you NetGalley for the excerpt ARC. It was so good and so short:) How could it be enough, I ran and bought the audio version (it came handy at this time) and I loved it! So eloquent writing. So wonderful world building. Just like in the house of dragon series, KA Linde never surprises.. thanks

Thank you so much for the preview! This got me excited for book 2 and refreshed my memory on the world. This was a highly anticipated follow up to book 1, so it was super fun to have an early peek at this one!

This is a mini review as this ebook contains chapters 1-8

Keirse is back to her thievery, on a quest to steal a particular bracelet to gain entrance to a market in which she seeks answers to questions that have rattled her. What she once thought were nightmares, she realizes are flashes of memories.

I love the high stakes and action in the beginning of the book. Kierse is a force to reckon with when there's something she's after. Whether that be a heist, or the affections of Graves, she still remains her true authentic self.

The first eight chapters captivate the reader. I will say I was awfully frustrated not to be able to continue, waiting until the full ebook was available. That's so mean! LOL I will say, I do love Kierce's character and her devotion to her goals. She's so fierce.

Thank you for the 8 chapter teaser. Honestly I don't know if I want to "thank you" as much as I loath only having the 8 chapters (at the time) OKAY.A. Linde truly tells an amazing story. Her writing style makes it easy to follow the storyline without a bunch of enormous words, or choppiness , and I appreciate that.

On a side note... If Lorcan gets his claws into Kierse, I"m gonna be soooo mad! LOL

I will post a full review on my Goodreads as soon as I finish the book. Unfortunately, we've had company here for weeks and haven't had much reading time. (And its pure torture!)

Thank you again for the first 8 chapters.

The first few chapters I read made me buy the book i just had to jo what happened I loved book one i got it in a fairyloot subscription and it was one of my top books of 2024 and I think this could be one of my top books of 2025

I absolutely loved this tease & the book overall! Kierse & Graves are completely fascinating, addicting MCs. The sh...tuff Lorcan pulled was so horrible and confirmed him as the bad guy in my mind. I hope we get to see how the Druids are going to change with their new leader in the third book

Ahhh I can't wait to actually read the whole book. I hope to read it very soon just from the few chapters here I am hooked!!