While A RUINOUS FATE was an exceptionally fun novel, it failed to achieve its glamor or promise, leading me to hesitate as I began reading A RECKLESS OATH. However, the dedication the author put into writing this sequel and improving her craft was apparent as I read. Like ARF, I found the first half of the novel unengaging and poorly paced; but, also like ARF, the second half held my attention raptly as I eagerly wanted to know the fates of our beloved characters. I appreciated the introduction of Amina as a POV character and felt the POV switches were not complicated to follow, although I'm not entirely sure that so many benefits the story. I'm eager to discover where Amina's story will lead in the sequel to ARO. I also found Calla's character development the most compelling out of the main cast. Seeing her grow from fighting her powers and fate to taking control into her own hands and deciding who she is for herself was marvelous. I hope that we continue to see Calla's growth and confidence skyrocket. The second most-intriguing plot line and character growth was Delphine's. As a reader, I was grateful that we got to know her better; she felt more dimensional and nuanced this time around than she did in ARF. Finally, the convergence of all the plot lines toward the end of the novel was seamless. While I'm eager to see where things go in this series, I didn't feel as those ARO ended without closure. Rather, the transition from this novel to the next is apparent and the set-up only makes me ready to read more. Overall, A RECKLESS OATH is a fun, action-filled novel that I believe will resonate with target readers.

A great sequel to A Ruinous Fate where we pick up just after they leave the woods. I think what stood out the most this time is the reader really gets to live with other members of the ensemble cast more and we become more invested in people outside Calla and Gideon. The romantic tension is palpable again and this is a true hero’s journey with many, many smaller battles, so I am excited to see what happens in the riveting conclusion!

Content warning: body horror, mind/body control, kidnapping

When I started A RUINOUS FATE, I quickly found that I could not put it down and spent a few sleepless nights reading until I was finished. So I was excited to get my hands on A RECKLESS OATH, unfortunately that immediate grab wasn't there for me. It took me a bit to get into the rhythm of ARO, and once I did, I enjoyed it. Having the events of ARF fresh in your mind will help you jump back into this world... reading these a little over a year apart has made a lot of the plot points fuzzy so I was a little confused about what was going on at the beginning. I really wish more authors would start including a summary of what's happened so far in their book series.

Fair warning - ARO is told from a love of POVs and the plot jumps around. I'm not sure if it's the formatting of the ARC or the book itself, but there were some time jumps that were a little confusing until I realized what they were - though I love that we got more of Delphine's backstory.

Overall I loved that Smith gave Calla space to work through her feelings and her powers. I'm excited to see how the person Calla and company pick up at the end will play into everything. While ARO doesn't end by ripping out readers' hearts, it still ends on a bit of a gasping breath. So now I'll have to impatiently wait to see what happens next. This book suffers a bit with 2nd book in a series syndrome, but it does move the plot along nicely to set up the next book in the series.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Disney Publishing Worldwide, and Disney Hyperion in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sequel to A Ruinous Fate, and picks up where that novel leaves off. Ezra is gone, and the only way to bring him back is to reunite his body, his spirit, and his heart, before it's too late. This leads the group to splinter, each segment of the group seeking a different element. This leads to a novel that is told from multiple viewpoints, even within the same group, which can occasionally be hard to follow, but definitely leads to nearly non-stop action.

There's a lot going on here, and if you don't remember the first book clearly, you may want to reread it, or at least skim a good synopsis; the action begins immediately and there's very little in the way of recap. In addition to the quests themselves, for the various elements needed to bring Ezra back from the dead, the romantic interactions between the characters, both those present in the previous volume and some new ones, are complicated and often interwoven. New information is provided about many characters and plot points, including some new characters, some of whom are introduced so late in the book that it feels a little forced - but as the ending makes clear, there is a third book in the offing, so hopefully more information about those new characters will be coming soon. Recommended for readers from high school to adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh stop it! This was amazing
Picks up right where we left off and was entertaining throughout.
I’m not going to say much as I don’t want to get into spoiler territory. But I throughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!

OH MY GOD! A reckless oath picks up right where ARF left of and let’s just say it’s a whirlwind of emotions!

The readers get so much information on this wonderful and well-crafted world and all the beloved (and some less well liked) characters in this book. Not only are we rewarded with so many details on the backstory of certain characters, but also get lots of more romantic tension, more friendships, new characters (I love my stabby girl Sabine), new enemies, new magical creatures and lots of fuel for theories.

This sequel perfectly picks up all the great details and dynamics of book one while further developing the characters and plot lines and giving us so much to look forward to for book three. I NEED IT RN.

Calla is a wonderful main character who grows into her own powers, while being forced- and learning how to- deal with her emotions and her past. But also other characters shine in this book, especially Amina, Delphine and Gideon. Hannah and Caspian develop a wonderful friendship and especially Caspian manages to keep the humor he had in book one while not shying away from being vulnerable. And Ezra!!! Oh my heart.
This book introduces multiple POVs more frequently than book one, and even if that slows the first half down at some points, it all comes together easily in the second half! I swear those last 30% were filled with magic I couldn’t stop reading.

A great sequel that makes you hungry for more!!! I need book three in my hands asap

Thank you Disney Hyperion and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I have been so excited to read this sequel! Calla and Gideon are desperate to get Ezra back and Calla also wants to find a way to end the soul-bond. Delphine is back in the clutches of her old Shoal and his desperate to escape them once again. Hannah is desperate to get her back as well. Amina has ended her exile and is returning to her fellow valkyries, and desperate for revenge. But their journeys will not be easy and they just might not make it. Not to mention that getting what they want might not be all the envisioned. And with powerful enemies the odds are not in their favor. I love the complexity of emotions that each character is dealing with in this one! Grief and loss have impacted them all and Kaylie Smith has perfectly woven that into this adventure! Each character is on a journey of self development and I couldn’t but it down! The book has the right amount of intrigue, swoony moments, heart, and will leave you craving more! Highly recommend rereading A Ruinous Fate had there are a few things I had trouble remembering! Can’t wait to read this again!

A Reckless Oath is an action packed sequel!
Lots of background and character growth is in this book. We find out why Delphine left The Siren Sea and why Amina was banished.
With such a full cast of characters, I highly recommend refreshing your memory about the events of A Ruinous Fate.
This book gets us closer to the Fates' War, and leaves us with another wicked cliffhanger. I'm anxiously awaiting book 3!
Thanks to Netgalley and Disney Hyperion for an early copy for review.

Y’all… I am obsessed with this series!!! It is so freaking fantastic. I devoured both this book and the first one and I still can’t get enough of this world and these characters. This was everything we could have wanted in a sequel. Everything we loved about the first book is ramped up. It picks up right at the dramatic conclusion of the first and the fall out from that explosive ending. I love the characters so much. If you like action-packed and fast-paced, this is the series for you! I love being swept into the harrowing adventures with never a dull moment. These books deserve so much more hype! Kaylie Smith has quickly become an auto-buy author for me. I will read everything she writes.

This was such a good read! I was fully sucked into the story right away and I really enjoyed the characters. The journey the author took these characters on was exciting and unique which is something I am really interested in with books now. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.