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booktalkwithrae 's review for:
Oathbound
by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was an amazing read. I won’t go into too many details, mostly because so much of what I loved about Oathbound mirrors what made the first two books in the Legendborn series so special for me. Tracy Deonn continues to deliver powerful storytelling with deeply emotional undertones, rich worldbuilding, and characters that feel like real, complicated people.
Just like the previous installments, I absolutely loved the characters. I was especially thrilled to see that this book included multiple POVs—it was exciting to step into the minds of other key characters and get a broader look at the world beyond Bree. That said, even though I appreciated the varied perspectives, I did feel like some side characters lacked the development they truly deserved. I wanted just a little more depth to make their stories shine the way Bree's always has. Still, that didn't take away from my overall love for the book.
Unfortunately, my favorite character wasn’t as present as I’d hoped. Their limited screen time was a little disappointing for me personally, but the role they played was still impactful to the story, which I appreciated.
Oathbound definitely has the feel of a "set-up" book—a necessary bridge to an epic finale. And while that’s not a bad thing, I did feel that parts of the story moved a bit slowly. I can’t help but wonder if my personal bias (missing my favorite character!) made those sections feel longer. But even with a slower middle, the worldbuilding remained vivid, the emotional stakes high, and the thematic threads deeply resonant.
Now... the ending. WOW. I reread the last three chapters three times. That’s how good they were. Intense, emotional, and fast-paced—the kind of ending that punches you in the heart and leaves your mind racing. A part of me thought it was a bit rushed, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe it felt that way because so much information was coming at once, and I was trying to absorb every word.
I read books two and three back to back (which wasn't my original plan), thinking waiting for just one more book would be manageable. But after that ending? Torture. I need the final book immediately.
This series is honestly so underrated. It’s become one of my all-time favorites. Waiting for the last book is going to be bittersweet—on one hand, I’m beyond excited (and nervous!) to see how everything wraps up, but on the other, I never want it to end. Compared to Legendborn, this book shows just how far the characters have come and how much the world has evolved. At this point, I have zero predictions. Everything feels wide open—and I love that. I trust Tracy to do this story justice.
Also, I listened to the audiobook version. Just like in the previous books, the narrator for Bree (Joniece Abbott-Pratt) delivers an incredible performance—emotional, powerful, and engaging. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of all the additional narrators brought in for the new POVs. I appreciated the effort to differentiate voices, but some just didn’t land for me the same way. Still, the overall experience was great.
If you’ve loved the Legendborn series so far, Oathbound is absolutely worth the read. It sets the stage for an unforgettable finale, and I already know I’ll be counting down the days until it arrives.
Just like the previous installments, I absolutely loved the characters. I was especially thrilled to see that this book included multiple POVs—it was exciting to step into the minds of other key characters and get a broader look at the world beyond Bree. That said, even though I appreciated the varied perspectives, I did feel like some side characters lacked the development they truly deserved. I wanted just a little more depth to make their stories shine the way Bree's always has. Still, that didn't take away from my overall love for the book.
Unfortunately, my favorite character wasn’t as present as I’d hoped. Their limited screen time was a little disappointing for me personally, but the role they played was still impactful to the story, which I appreciated.
Oathbound definitely has the feel of a "set-up" book—a necessary bridge to an epic finale. And while that’s not a bad thing, I did feel that parts of the story moved a bit slowly. I can’t help but wonder if my personal bias (missing my favorite character!) made those sections feel longer. But even with a slower middle, the worldbuilding remained vivid, the emotional stakes high, and the thematic threads deeply resonant.
Now... the ending. WOW. I reread the last three chapters three times. That’s how good they were. Intense, emotional, and fast-paced—the kind of ending that punches you in the heart and leaves your mind racing. A part of me thought it was a bit rushed, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe it felt that way because so much information was coming at once, and I was trying to absorb every word.
I read books two and three back to back (which wasn't my original plan), thinking waiting for just one more book would be manageable. But after that ending? Torture. I need the final book immediately.
This series is honestly so underrated. It’s become one of my all-time favorites. Waiting for the last book is going to be bittersweet—on one hand, I’m beyond excited (and nervous!) to see how everything wraps up, but on the other, I never want it to end. Compared to Legendborn, this book shows just how far the characters have come and how much the world has evolved. At this point, I have zero predictions. Everything feels wide open—and I love that. I trust Tracy to do this story justice.
Also, I listened to the audiobook version. Just like in the previous books, the narrator for Bree (Joniece Abbott-Pratt) delivers an incredible performance—emotional, powerful, and engaging. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of all the additional narrators brought in for the new POVs. I appreciated the effort to differentiate voices, but some just didn’t land for me the same way. Still, the overall experience was great.
If you’ve loved the Legendborn series so far, Oathbound is absolutely worth the read. It sets the stage for an unforgettable finale, and I already know I’ll be counting down the days until it arrives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Violence
Minor: Death, Sexual violence