A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

Cursebreakers #3

Rating: ★★★★★

Dates Read: 6/1/23 - 6/1/23

    Emberfall is on the brink of chaos, divided between those loyal to Rhen and those who believe Grey is the rightful heir. Grey has agreed to hold off on attacking Emberfall for two months, during which Rhen becomes increasingly distant from everyone, including Harper, as he struggles to find inner peace.

    In the meantime, Lia Mara faces her own challenges as she tries to rule Syhl Shallow with a more compassionate approach than her mother. After enjoying decades of peace without magic, some of her subjects are unhappy with her decision to harbor an enchanted prince and a magical scraver. As the deadline set by Grey approaches, Lia Mara grapples with the daunting question of whether she can truly be the queen her country needs.

    “I wonder if he would see me as a failure—and I also wonder if I would want a man like that to see me as a success.”

    I absolutely adored this trilogy! It was so captivating that I'm going to buy the second and third books to complete my collection. This series is simply amazing. The plot kept me hooked from start to finish, with beautiful writing that made every page a joy to read. Even during the parts from Lia Mara's point of view that I found slightly less engaging, I still couldn't wait to turn the next page. The story is masterfully crafted, and I was completely immersed in this enchanting world.

    Rhen remains the standout character for me throughout the series. The way he endured Lillith's torture to protect his people and Harper tugged at my heartstrings. He deserved the ending he got, considering everything he had been through and the efforts he made to redeem himself. Let's not forget the unimaginable losses he suffered, including his kingdom. In contrast, Grey seemed to lose so much less in comparison, which frustrated me a bit. Harper, the badass protagonist, stole my heart in the first book and she still has it. Her kind and helpful nature was matched by her ability to take down even the scariest enchantress when necessary. She's one of the best female protagonists I've come across, and I loved every aspect of her character. Finally, the genuine and beautiful relationship between Harper and Rhen was a highlight. Their connection felt so real, and I craved more moments between them. Despite the choices they made and the challenges they faced, they stuck together and understood each other deeply. Still, I have to admit that I didn't get the exact ending I wanted for them.

    Diving deeper into Grey and Lia Mara's relationship was also a treat. I was apprehensive about it in the second book, but I grew to love it and it only got better here. Despite the betrayals, miscommunications, and tough decisions, Grey and Rhen's bond was beautiful. From the very start, it was evident that neither of them desired war. Their reunion brought tears to my eyes, especially seeing Rhen on his knees, yielding and begging to be killed. The friendship between Harper and Grey was another highlight. Their interactions revealed that Harper truly understood Grey's complexities better than Lia Mara did.

    Overall, this novel was a solid five-star read, and I absolutely recommend it to everyone.