This was INCREDIBLE. The writing was beautiful, the pacing was great. I was hooked the entire way through. Wanting to know what would happen next. The characters were well rounded will lots to explore still.

I loved the chaotic storytelling and DnD inspired atmosphere from the first book and the second book did not change that. The uniqueness of each of the characters makes for a wide variety of personalities in this cast of characters and adds to the story making it even better. Very similar to the previous book, you did not know what was gonna happen next or who was gonna make it to the next book. There was definitely times where I was concerned for some of the characters in each of their situations and Kaylie seems like the type of author to have no fear killing off her characters. Which I actually like, it adds stakes to the story. Keeps you guessing and thinking the whole time which makes for an exhilarating read.

There was some points in the book where it felt a little too slow for my liking and other ones where I was kind of confused or felt like it was a interesting choice to make that felt a little out of character. So that is why I didn't give it a full 5 stars. However, overall I would definitely recommend this to fantasy lovers and especially if you like a big cast of characters who each have their own motivations, personalities and stories to tell.

*A Reckless Oath* by Kaylie Smith is a thrilling fantasy novel that immerses readers in a world of magic, betrayal, and high-stakes adventure. Smith's vivid world-building and complex characters keep the tension high, making it a compelling read for fans of epic fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley and Disney Publishing for the e-arc!
SOOO excited for the continuation of A Ruinious Fate! Still in the neverending forest, we continue with Calla and their friends as deal with the Fate's War inching closer and closer. Definitely recommend doing a re-read of the first book before starting this, but it is so worth it. The world and magic are excellent! I was so glad that this story expanded the world, as I wanted to see more of it after finishing the first book. Not only that but I think this continued to develop some of the side characters that didn't get as much attention in the first book. Definitely worth continuing this series.

Still reeling after the death in book one, Calla and company are still stuck in the Neverending Forest and must figure out what their next move will be as the Fates’ War continues to loom near. Without a care for the havoc she has wrecked, Amina clutches the still-beating heart in her hand as she makes her way back to the Land of the Valkyries, only to find that things have changed immensely in the six years since she’s been gone. Meanwhile, Delphine plots and plans her escape from the Siren Court with the help of lovers-turned-enemies and foes-turned-allies.

With a large cast and a year between books, one of the best things to discover upon opening this book is the character glossary. My little goldfish brain struggles even remembering big plot points so having something at the beginning of a book to jog my memory is greatly appreciated and I wish that more books (especially fantasy!) included something similar.

Returning to a fantasy world after some time is such a mixed bag—Do I remember what happened? Am I ready to be hurt again? The answer is a resounding NO, but I continue to do it anyway because the stories are ones that I cannot imagine not completing. Smith expands upon her excellent world-building in the first book with this one as we travel to places we haven’t seen before.

Not only do we see places we haven’t seen previously, but we also see relationships that we haven’t seen before. Smith’s ability to navigate this large cast, all their emotions, and all their ever-changing relationships is masterful and I want a whole class on how to make it work. Nothing draws me into a story more than good characters and Smith has them in spades.

As far as the actual plot of the story, it jumps around between a couple main plot lines but still manages to feel cohesive and flow effortlessly. The middle child of a series often gets a bad rap, but Smith made sure this one shines on its own merits while building on the success of the first and allowing room to bloom even further in the finale. I am on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

The first book in this series, A Ruinous Fate, won my heart with its found family trope, immersive world-building, and diverse cast of characters. This sequel was high on my list of anticipated reads this year.

The story picks up right where the other book ended – and what an ending that was. This time most of the characters are separated into groups. War is imminent, and they’re on various quests to prepare for it. Many new characters are introduced, and POVs are added. I enjoyed some more than others, and several reviewers mentioned they found it difficult to keep characters straight because of the large cast. That wasn’t the case for me, but I appreciated the glossary of characters the author added.

I was most invested with Calla and Gideon’s story. Their soul bond and its strengths and weaknesses continues to fascinate me. They’re both grieving and experience some intense moments as they deal with a variety of emotions and dangerous situations. More of Delphine’s backstory is revealed (she’s featured on the stunning cover), and she ventures into some gray areas. I honestly didn’t know what choice she’d make, but I agreed with it in the end. The sibling-like relationship that develops between Caspian and Hannah is perfect, and they could both use the support. Although her part is small in the first book, Amina’s POV makes up a much larger portion of the story this time. Her actions at the end will significantly impact the next book.

Smith continues to expand this amazing world filled with witches, valkyries, and sirens in addition to others. Filled with action, friendship, grief, betrayal, and vengeance, this is an exciting sequel that left me anxious for the release of the next book. Recommended to fans of expansive magical worlds, bold and messy characters, and stories filled with a gamut of emotions.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

After the crazy ending of the first book, I could not wait to dive into this book. A good chunk of the first half the book surrounds what happened at the end of the first book, so much so that I was confused as to why the focus was on that and not the war that is clearly brewing. Yes, what happened was a big moment, but I don’t think it was bigger than the impending war and some of the other extremely pressing issues. However, there was a nice resolution and by the end, I suspect said resolution will no longer apply. My hope is that all of that time focusing on such a specific moment was to drive the plot in the third book and also drive home the emotions that will likely be stirred up. This is just my guess given that this book ends on a huge cliffhanger!

There are some questions answered from the first book so that helped clarify the world a little. Overall though, I don’t think the world building is the best and it feels a little chaotic. I have no problem with this as the story is still entertaining. However, if you love extensive and detailed world building, I don’t think this book is for you. It’s definitely a challenge to create an entirely new world in fantasy novel so I think it’s worth giving grace with world building aspects.

The author has announced the title of the third book: title and I cannot wait to read it! This was such a great read for me. While the world building is not perfect, there are so many great fantastical elements to enjoy in such a captivating unpredictable story.

Kaylie Smith raises the stakes in A RECKLESS OATH, which picks up right where A RUINOUS FATE left off, reuniting readers with a cast of characters easy to fall back in love with. This book brings just as much magic, drama and angst as its predecessor. A thoroughly entertaining read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

A Reckless Oath is the thrilling sequel to debut fantasy by Kaylie Smith, A Ruinous Fate. Following the devastating events of the first book, Calla and friends are distraught and unsure of what road to take next. Delphine is now back in the clutches of the Siren court where she'll do anything to escape. And Valkyrie Amina is finally able to return home and will stop at nothing to take revenge.

First of all - the cover of this book?! Gorgeous!! I love Delphine so much as this cover is so beautiful. I also really love the blue shade. It really stands out on my shelves!

I was so excited to get into this sequel after reading A Ruinous Fate last year. And this book did NOT disappoint! It had a perfect mix of all the characters introduced and balanced their different stories well. I'm really excited to see how they will continue to develop in the future book! Calla's adventures kept taking twists and turns that I wasn't expecting and certainty kept me entertained and on my toes! Also side note - WE LOVE GIDEON. That's all.

I'd definitely recommended A Reckless Oath to fans of A Ruinous Fate and this series as a whole to anyone who wants to read a found-family fantasy where a roll of the dice decides your fate.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this novel. All thoughts and opinions contained within this review are my own.

An unfortunate jumbled mess.

This book tries to do too much and it does not do it well. Multiple POV's are already hard to manage but Smith gets it really wrong in this book. Book 1 was a good read but the introduction of more characters in this one is handled poorly and leaves the reader feeling like all the parts are disjointed.

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A Reckless Oath is the sequel to Kaylie Smith's 2023-YA Fantasy release, A Ruinous Fate. I had so much fun with that 1st-book, becoming extremely invested in the characters. I couldn't wait to find out where the story was going after the jaw-dropping conclusion.

This story drops you right back, smack dab into the middle of this vast and complex world. The author doesn't provide much of a refresher regarding the events of the 1st-book, so you better come prepared. Sadly, I wasn't prepared. It had been about 13-months since I read <i>A Ruinous Fate</i>, and while I did remember the gist of the story, a lot of the finer details were lost to time. Because of that, it did take me a little while to find my bearings with this one.

The Heartless Fates series features lots of different magical beings, including Witches, Valkyries and Sirens. There's a magic system that I'm still not 100% clear on, and there's a fairly large cast of characters. Somehow though, it all works. The characters are endearing, the world is vast and interesting, as is the overarching plot. Even though I'm slightly confused half the time, I still really enjoy these books. It's got a magical-Epic Fantasy feel that's just addicting.

After the events of the first book, our main cast of characters has been torn apart. This book features each of them trying to pick up the pieces of their lives and progress forward in preparation for the oncoming war. It's like a game of chess, each character is a piece, moving step-by-step across the board, calculating, but are they all still on the same side?

Out of all the different perspectives, I think I loved Delphine's the most. She's a Siren and has returned to her home for the first time after an extended absence. I found the Siren community to be fascinating. Their politics, interactions, etc., I almost wish that whole perspective could have been its own book.

I did still really enjoy Calla's perspective though, as well. Amina in the land of the Valkyrie's was also exciting. Together though, at times, with the back-and-forth, it did feel a little jarring.

There's new revelations in this book that definitely help to progress the overall plot of the series. Relationships have developed further and the intensity has increased. You can feel something building. War is imminent. Overall, while I found this to be a bit chaotic and occasionally hard to follow, I still am really, really enjoying these characters and this world. I'm excited to see where it goes next.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Disney Hyperion, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I truly enjoy Kaylie Smith's writing and will continue picking these books up!

A Reckless Oath is the sequel to the fantastic A Ruinous Fate and I had very high expectations for this. Unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me and suffered from Second Book Syndrome at times. The pacing could use a bit of work; the first 70% of the book really dragged for me and I struggled with not DNF’ing. I also thought the addition of Amina’s and Sabine’s POV was kind of pointless and random, as Amina played a brief role in the first book, thus I didn’t expect her to be a main character in A Reckless Oath. That being said, Sabine’s POV was definitely unnecessary and just added to the overwhelming number of POVs throughout the book. We don’t need to see the story from every single character’s viewpoint. After finally getting to some plot movement, I understood why Amina’s POV was added, but all the drama between her and her friends felt scattered and didn’t add anything to the overall story. I wish we got more of Delphine’s experience, as she felt halfway forgotten to me where other, minor characters, were given priority. The story just moved so slow for me, and I think the pacing needs work and some side stories cut down or trashed. Kaylie Smith has great potential and I do enjoy her writing style and story telling. A Reckless Oath was just boring and felt like 75% filler, whereas A Ruinous Fate was one of my favorite reads of 2023. I’m overall disappointed in this sequel, and I probably won’t continue the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Disney Publishing, and the author for providing an early copy, I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you Netgalley and Disney Hyperion for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"A Reckless Oath" by Kaylie Smith is a spellbinding continuation of the enchanting world introduced in the first book, with a rich tapestry of characters and intricate plotlines that will keep readers hooked until the very end. Before reading this book, I highly recommend rereading “A Ruinous Fate” if it has been awhile because this sequel picks up right where the first book left off. There are also lots of characters and multiple points of views, so I highly recommend a refresher so you don’t lose track.

Through the different perspectives of several characters, both new and old, Smith weaves together a complex narrative that unfolds with gripping intensity. You will find yourself immersed in the characters' struggles and triumphs as they navigate a world filled with magic, danger, and unexpected twists. One of the novel's standout strengths is its exploration of character backgrounds and motivations. From Delphine's compelling backstory to Amina's journey of vengeance, each character is given depth and complexity, making them feel like real individuals with their own hopes, fears, and desires. I really think this character development is a step-up from the first book as I found myself even more invested in the characters as the plot unfolds. The introduction of new characters, such as Amina's friends, adds further dimension to the story, expanding the world and providing fresh perspectives.

I will say that I found the shifting perspectives a bit daunting at first, especially since I am horrible with names and keeping track of all the characters, especially the new ones, Smith’s writing did an excellent job in integrating these narratives, allowing them to intersect and converge in a satisfying manner. The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, with moments of tension and excitement interspersed with quieter, more introspective scenes that deepen the characters' development. With the faster points of the plot, you can find yourself reading through the entire book in just a few sittings (since it is rather long), but the slower points really allow you to enjoy the character moments.

Overall, "A Reckless Oath" is an engaging (there were many twists and turns I wasn’t expecting throughout the book) and emotionally resonant sequel that builds upon the strengths of its predecessor while expanding the world and deepening the characters. I definitely can’t wait to read more from Smith.

I was a big fan of the author's A Ruinous Fate (that ending!!! I mean, come on!) and I was glad to see this picked up right where the first left off. This took a while to get into (personally not a huge fan of multi- POVs) but I did enjoy getting to know more of the characters, especially Delphine and Caspian. I don't want to get into any other details as it's clear there's going to be a third book, but this sequel is definitely worth getting!

The story continues in the book perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Holly Black. A gorgeous, magical adventure is waiting between the pages of this book.

Thank you to Disney Hyperion and Kaylie Smith for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. “A Reckless Oath” was the perfect sequel, pulling you back into the fantastical world readers fell in love with in “A Ruinous Fate.” I loved getting to spend time with my favorite characters again (shoutout to my girl, Delphine) and I am absolutely counting down the days until Kaylie Smith’s next release. “A Reckless Oath” is out on January 30th!

Thank you to NetGalley, Disney Hyperion, and Disney Worldwide Publishing for this advanced copy! You can pick up A Reckless Oath on January 30, 2024.

I was lucky enough to receive a physical ARC of this book in a giveaway from Kaylie Smith, so I actually finished this a few months ago -- and I loved it! Kaylie took an already dynamic world and expanded it significantly. The multi-POVs really allowed us to explore the Siren Sea and Land of the Valkyries, as well as Delphine and Amina's backstory. We met more characters (good and bad) and watched Calla go through a heartbreaking character arc as she grieved Ezra.

I'm still not sure how I feel about Gideon and Calla, but I'm glad we'll get to explore more of that dynamic in the third book. I'll admit that I was slightly more invested in their storyline than the others, which caused the book to slow at times. But, if Amina or Delphine are your favorite characters, you'll love the deep dive we take into their world.

All in all, an excellent sequel and one that hits shelves in just a few days!

I actually liked this a bit better than the first book, A Ruinous Fate. There are a lot of characters to remember, but once I started to remember it was easier to get into the book. The character glossary is also a helpful reference. reading those books feels like playing a d&d game with friends. I love the queer rep in those books, fun romantasy series so far

I really enjoyed the second installment to this series and am patiently waiting for the social media world to pick these books up!

While the first one was a bit more enjoyable in my personal opinion, this story gave us a fresh perspective through other characters eyes and we got to hear their story.

Definitely looking forward to more from this author!