Review: Our Vicious Oaths By N.E. Davenport

Ready to dive into a world where the stakes are high, the magic is ancient, and the tension is…well, palpable? Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport still has my brain buffering from its incredible ride. If you’re tired of the same old Eurocentric fantasy tropes and want a story that actually centers Black culture, with some seriously fierce enemies-to-lovers energy, this Romantasy needs to be on your radar.

Plot Summary

Princess of the Aether Dominion, Kadeesha wants nothing to do with fae politics. She is a warrior, first and foremost, and believes her greatest strength is leading her squadron of elite winged serpent flyers to protect her homeland. But bound since infancy to be betrothed to the Hyperion High King, ruler of all Dominions, she has no choice but to do what men have chosen for her.

Repulsed by the idea, she decides to spend one last night of freedom—in the arms of a dangerous stranger who takes her to sexual heights she’s never experienced before…but who is only using Kadeesha to set a trap for the High King.

For the High King and the kings of his six Dominions were responsible for the decimation of the Apollyon Court, and its new king, Malachi, wants his pounds of flesh.

On Kadeesha’s wedding day, Malachi and his special forces attack. Her father is killed, and Malachi wounds the High King, ultimately taking Kadeesha as hostage back to his land.

But she is no true hostage. The two form a she will help lure the High King so Malachi can kill him once and for all, and he in turn will not harm Kadeesha or the Aether people. And as much as Kadeesha hates politics, she is now the Queen of her folk. Fae bonds are unbreakable…and so, perhaps, is the attraction Kadeesha and Malachi feel for each other. For even as they must publicly display their connection to provoke the High King’s jealousy, they struggle to resist the powerful allure between them in order to achieve their ultimate goals.

(Via Goodreads)

Quality of Writing

Rating: 5/5

The writing in Our Vicious Oaths is absolutely fabulous and does a stellar job of bringing the world to life. As a total history and culture nerd, I was obsessed with the fact that this story isn’t just another Eurocentric fantasy clone. Instead, it clearly centers Black American culture and draws inspiration from various African dynasties, making the entire reading experience feel like a long overdue breath of fresh air.

To be a totally confrontational b*tch, I do want to address some of the criticism I’ve seen regarding the culture and customs of the characters. Your inability to empathize with or understand a culture that you aren’t a part of, doesn’t give you the right to be an ignoramus and mock the book and give it a poor rating. If you can’t handle someone else’s art not being all about you, then I suggest you do some inner work and figure out why that bothers you so much instead of punishing the author for your shortcomings.

Plot Development

Rating: 3/5

Let’s talk pacing! While Our Vicious Oaths is definitely spice forward, the steam never actually hijacks the plot – it’s woven right into the prophecy and Kadeesha’s story. That being said, this book is very heavy on the court politics. If you yearn for a dense, tactical power struggle, you’ll be in heaven, though I did find myself skimming a few of the wordier political bits to get back to the action. I feel like a few cabinet meetings could’ve been traded in for more scenes with the Kongamatos or Kadeesha’s Nkita army, but the tension keeps you hooked regardless.

Characters

Rating: 4/5

Kadeesha and Malachi in Our Vicious Oaths are absolute powerhouses, and together they’re basically unstoppable. I’m obsessed with their strong, distinct personalities and how they don’t just blend into each other once the romance starts. Speaking of romance, while I would’ve loved to see their romance develop further throughout the book, the payoff is still satisfying. Plus, can we talk about the fact that this book actually delivers a TRUE enemies-to-lovers promise? No insta-love here!

The side characters might not have the deepest backstories, but for a standalone, they do exactly what they need to do: support our leads and keep the plot moving.

Ease of Reading

Rating: 3/5

To be real, the political intrigue in Our Vicious Oaths is thick. While the world building is fantastic, the sheer intensity and length of the court politics made it a bit of a workout for my brain at times. I’m a fan of a good power struggle, but there were moments where it felt a little overindulgent, and I’ll admit I had to skim a few pages to keep my momentum. It’s definitely a “pay attention” kind of read rather than a “breeze through in one sitting” vibe.

Ending

Rating: 4/5

I’m usually not a fan of the pregnancy trope, but it actually makes total sense in Our Vicious Oaths because of how central that prophecy is to Kadeesha’s whole destiny. The final battle really stuck the landing for me as well. It felt earned and impactful without being one of those battle epics that drags on for fifty pages of filler just for the sake of it. It’s punchy, satisfying, and made me feel like the journey was 100% worth it.

Would I Recommend This Book

Immediately yes! While I enjoy many of the mainstream Romantasy books that do have Eurocentric plots, Our Vicious Oaths was a cultural refresh. It also reminded me that, now more than ever, I want to be more pointed in seeking out books in this genre that expand my world view and understanding of non-white cultures and lore.

Remember, books have always been political and are meant to challenge your preconceived notions of people, places, and culture. You are supposed to learn, grow, and change your mind when presented with new information that challenges you. Part of what makes this planet so awesome is all of our unique experiences that shape us into who we are, both individually and culturally.

Overall Rating

Our Vicious Oaths is a total standout for its incredible world building and the way it unapologetically centers Blackness in a genre that’s usually pretty pale. While the heavy duty court politics made the middle feel a bit like a marathon, the characters and the high stakes story kept me pushing. If you want a Romantasy that actually challenges you while serving up some serious heat, this one is well worth the read.

Book Rating: 4/5

Spice Rating: 4/5

Curious about how I rate my reads? Check out my Rating System Blog Post for more!