Scan barcode
A review by ashlightgrayson
Under the Oak Tree: Season 1, Vol. 3 by Suji Kim
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
We finally get to meet Princess Agnes in this installment, the woman that was originally meant to be engaged to Riftan per popular opinion. It's funny seeing Agnes and Riftan interact because it's clear that he is easily irritated by him. There isn't any romantic or sexual tension between them at all. At most there is a mutual sense of respect between them on a professional level, but not much else. Despite this, Maxi isn't put at ease at all by their sense of familiarity between Agnes and Riftan. She spends a good half of the novel dealing with her jealousy and yearning for Riftan's attention.
Additionally, Maxi and Riftan start having more arguments. All of Riftan's insecurities from the previous book pertaining to being able to provide for Maxi begin coming to a head. Anatol begins to have a need for more mages and Maxi starts offering her assistance in order to help Riftan. Riftan's response is unfortunately to fight her tooth and nail on it. His intention is obviously to protect Maxi as he has deep affection for his wife and he worries for her safety. However, this comes off as domeneering and unreasonable. Personally, I see this conflict between them as a good thing because I believe it is helping each of them grow in their own way. Maxi asserts her feelings of anger and frustration at Riftan's response and in the process, fights for he right to disagree with him. Riftan, despite his stubborness, listens to Maxi and allows her ways to have a say in what she wants to do, even if it irks him. Maxi is slowly proving to both herself and to others, including Riftan, that she is not the helpless noblewoman that she seems to be at a first glance.
I'm glad Maxi is getting to a place in her character arc where she is comfortable standing up for herself, even against her own husband. Thankfully, despite all of his flaws, Riftan still finds ways to compromise with Maxi and look out for her safety. I'm hoping that they learn to compromise better as the books progress.
Additionally, Maxi and Riftan start having more arguments. All of Riftan's insecurities from the previous book pertaining to being able to provide for Maxi begin coming to a head. Anatol begins to have a need for more mages and Maxi starts offering her assistance in order to help Riftan. Riftan's response is unfortunately to fight her tooth and nail on it. His intention is obviously to protect Maxi as he has deep affection for his wife and he worries for her safety. However, this comes off as domeneering and unreasonable. Personally, I see this conflict between them as a good thing because I believe it is helping each of them grow in their own way. Maxi asserts her feelings of anger and frustration at Riftan's response and in the process, fights for he right to disagree with him. Riftan, despite his stubborness, listens to Maxi and allows her ways to have a say in what she wants to do, even if it irks him. Maxi is slowly proving to both herself and to others, including Riftan, that she is not the helpless noblewoman that she seems to be at a first glance.
I'm glad Maxi is getting to a place in her character arc where she is comfortable standing up for herself, even against her own husband. Thankfully, despite all of his flaws, Riftan still finds ways to compromise with Maxi and look out for her safety. I'm hoping that they learn to compromise better as the books progress.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Cursing