This book had a really cool feel to it. It's a fantasy book about pirates. It didn't feel as much like a fantasy, which I liked, it felt like our world. There are two main characters, Emme and Arn and the chapters go back and forth between them. Emme is sick and as much as she doesn't like pirates she's forced to go with them in order to get to an island where there is a cure for her illness. Arn is the captain of a pirate ship and he has oathbound himself to another man and can't pay what he owes so he's going in search of a treasure on the same island Emme needs to get to.
I enjoyed the main story of this book but it was a lot more graphic then I would have liked. There wasn't any language or sex in it, but there is a fair bit of violence with them being pirates and the killings are a bit descriptive for me. There is also some dark magic and the crew begin having some disturbing visions which are also described in a bit too much detail for me.
I was shocked at the ending but I'm so torn about whether I'm going to read the next one.
This book was reviewed on the Literary Club Podcast Season 2 episode 21
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1984185 ( )

This was a fun read for me! It has an entertaining plot and is fast paced! The characters are interesting and each stands out for their own reasons. And trust me there are a lot of characters but they are easy to follow. The magic system was pretty cool! The world building was wonderful. The author's descriptive writing gives us a beautiful picture! One thing that I really liked was that you know you haven't figured out all of the mysteries yet to come from the characters and the world so I will definitely be looking forward to the book!

Thank you Book of Matches Media and Victoria McCombs for sharing this great adventure with me!
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Oathbound, a Young Adult fantasy novel, captured my attention from the moment I began reading. I found myself caught up in the characters and the plot line. I feel like the author built an incredible world with pirates and escapades.

Emme, her mother a pirate, successfully avoided anything to do with pirates. But, when an illness forces her to seek the assistance of her best friend, a pirate, she finds she holds a lot of her mother in her.

The pirate captain keeps his own secrets and took an oath he must keep. I felt the interactions in this story helped bring thee story to life. So if you are looking for a Young Adult fantasy novel, check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

This story is listed as a Young Adult but as an older adult I absolutely loved it. It was easy to get lost in the story as the author takes readers across the seas. Pirates are plentiful and danger lurks near as the ship sails to an island known for treasure, healing plants and death. I was on that ship with Emme and stayed by her side as her nightmares became more frequently. Having a mother who was feared by many only makes her more sure she can complete her own mission. Now what would it be like to have a mother who was a famous pirate? It was very interesting to read about Emme’s illness. Slowly she could feel her body start to give out and getting to this island proved more important minute by minute. Would there be something on the island that could cure her?

Arn was impulsive, over confident at times and infatuated by Emme. It made me laugh when he was able to convince Emme to join him at sea. He has asked her so many times he has probably lost count. Now that she is aboard she is proven to be more like her mother than she wants to admit. Arn has his own reasons for the trip which he desperately wants to hide from Emme. I really was rooting for him. I like the underdog and Arn sure had a big battle ahead of him.

With a strange ship and monsters in the sea the author delivers an adventure that quenches the thirst of those who love all things pirate and mermaids. There is a part in the book where black magic is displayed so some may find this uncomfortable to read. For me it was more of a sinister evvil lurking in the water to distract those who want to overcome their fears. I found the talk about oathbound or oathbinding curious. It reminds me of not being yoked to an unbeliever. The story cautions characters to be careful who they pledge to.

As the ending draws near, the author surrounds us with a edge of your seat adventure that I was intrigued by. There are many surprises in the story which enhances the authors ability to capture an audience with characters that hunger for treasure, power and revenge. The book is filled with ruthless people who will do anything for wealth. Deceit slivers across the pages as a battle breaks out on the island. Will Arn and his mates get the treasure? Can Emme find a cure for her illness in time? These answers await those ready to set sail on the seas where pirates dare to go.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )