My heart immediately sank when I started this as I was bombarded with a wall of info dumping from the very first page. I thought I was going to hate this book but, thankfully, after that it did get better and I was far more invested in the story by the end of the book.

There is a lot going on in this book. There are many, many characters and it was sometimes hard to keep a track of what was going on. I did like them though, especially Bryn, and I thought his journey over the course of the novel was interesting and emotional enough to keep me invested.

Where the book really excels is in its worldbuilding. It feels very real. It’s dark and gritty and Mejri has done a very good job at making the world come alive.

After a bit of a shaky start, the pacing of the novel definitely settles down and The Fives’ Oaths: Legacy of the Bloodborn becomes a well written story with a fantastically realised world and characters that I mostly cared about. It’s a long book and a lot happens and, while it can be hard to keep a track of everyone and everything that is going on, it was a very interesting and entertaining read.

This book is for the readers who crave immersive, high-stakes fantasy layered with prophecy, trauma, and identity. The Fives’ Oath begins with a haunting prologue and slowly builds a world where every page is steeped in tension, both magical and emotional. Bryn, our reluctant heir to darkness, carries the story with a rawness that feels both mythic and deeply human.

The pacing feels cinematic, especially in the opening and climactic moments. Though the shifting POVs took a bit to get used to, once it locked in, I was hooked. Mehdi Mejri paints a brutal yet beautiful world where legacy isn’t just inherited, it’s survived.

If you’re in the mood for something dark, character-driven, and unflinching, this belongs on your TBR.

✶✶.5 / 5 𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔯𝔰 ꔫ

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

The synopsis of this book immediately caught my attention. It’s pitched for fans of Game of Thrones and The Witcher—which I absolutely am—so with warriors, bloodlines, magic, ruthless men, and prophecies, it sounded like a strong start. The story itself is interesting, and the writing is solid, but there was a lot of repetition. The pacing is slow—which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in fantasy—but the chapters really dragged for me.

I’m generally not a fan of long chapters, and when there’s heavy world-building combined with characters you don’t immediately connect with, it makes the reading experience feel a bit exhausting. I think the story could benefit from tighter editing; the chapters could be shortened or even split to help create a more engaging, fast-paced beginning that grips the reader early on. Jumping from a prologue straight into a 30+ minute chapter isn’t my idea of a good time—it feels like hard work, and reading shouldn’t feel that way.

With some adjustments to the pacing and a reduction in repetitive content, this series has real potential to be a strong new entry in the high fantasy genre. If you are looking for an interesting new fantasy read which isn't polished you should definitely give this a go!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to transport into this new and exciting world!

Dark and complex fantasy from a new voice in the genre. The main character is mysterious and interesting and the world building is better than average. I will definitely check out more books and potential sequels by the author.

The prologue caught my attention and pulled me in. I wanted to learn more and see where the magic mixed with dread will take us. We meet Bryn, who feels overlooked and cast aside. While consistently fighting for a spot in his family. The story itself was atmospheric and interesting to read. I felt the dread Mejri imbued into the maw with the lyrical prose throughout. Whilst that was something I enjoyed, it quickly became repetitive. The words “deliberate” and “forwards” came up very frequently. I like the idea and the concept, and think if this story was edited a little more, this could be a five star read and intro to an amazing series.

This wasn’t an easy read, as it became tedious due to the repetition - I liked it nonetheless. So if you’re here for a gritty fantasy that’s not as polished, this is definitely an adventure worth exploring.

Thank you to Mehdi Mejri for allowing me to explore Ravenhelm and to Troubador and NetGalley for this adventure!

Though I found the multiple pov changes within a chapter tedious and the prose bordered on being flowery, Legacy of the Bloodborn is an action-packed fantasy adventure. Mejri created villains I despised, heroes I rooted for, and characters that ran the spectrum between. These characters coalesce together into a single story for fans of gritty fiction.

“The Fives' Oath: Legend of the Bloodborn” is the start of a fantasy series that should absolutely not be slept on. This is a dark, captivating tale that takes you on a journey through legacy, trauma, pain, and prophecy. It’s beautifully written, with a strong focus on worldbuilding that feels rich and immersive.

We’re introduced to Bryn Blackskull – the youngest warrior ever to survive the Maw, earning the feared title of Blackskull. He comes from a rare bloodline, said to be cursed. Despised by his mother but deeply loved by his father, Bryn is determined to prove that he is not the one destined to bring darkness upon the realm.

What I loved most is that Bryn is not your typical hero. He struggles, he questions himself, and he fights not only enemies but his own identity. That vulnerability makes him feel incredibly real.

The other characters are equally well-crafted. Every character has depth and purpose. No one feels one-dimensional.

There’s so much simmering beneath the surface: a lurking threat, the sting of betrayal, and a mysterious book. The tension builds slowly but surely, and it hooks you until the very last page. Definitely a true page-turner.