I did not understand why Rhen, if he was convinced of the legitimacy of Grey’s claim, would go to war to preserve his status as king. I could not quite remember why Grey and Lia Mara were going to war with Emberfall since they both claimed they did not want to, but “had to” “for peace.” (They kept referencing the need for a trade route, which seemed more like national self-interest to me, but who am I to discredit their high moral-sounding talk?) I did not understand why Grey, who was initially reluctant to be king, so much so that he went into hiding, was now determined to take his throne by force. Jumping into book three without a recap of the prior books was admittedly confusing for me. I am not entirely sure what to make of the book because it quite simply does not make sense.

In the end, A Vow So Bold and Deadly reads like a bit of a mess, with Kemmerer belatedly trying to convince readers that characters who did wicked things are really good, and that characters with a moral compass are just as bad as the people they are fighting. A Vow So Bold and Deadly highlights how underdeveloped this world is, while also depicting confusing characterization in what appears to be an attempt to make the characters more complex. While Kemmerer shines as a writer of contemporary romance, the need to create a fully-realized fantasy world with its own internal politics and intrigue was clearly proving a struggle. As Grey’s deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.Īs the two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and a dangerous enemy returns, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series.Īfter the ending of book two, I knew A Vow So Bold and Deadly would likely disappoint me. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and a magical scraver by her side.

Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone-even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace. Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir.

A vow so