Kim Deister
Oathbreakers is much less episodic than the first novel of this part of the Valedemar series, and while I enjoyed the first, this one was much more easily readable.
In this one, the Sunhawk’s leader, Idra, is revealed to also be a Rethwellan princess who renounced her claim to the throne to pursue her own life. But now the kingdom is in distress after the King’s death, and she is forced to return to help settle the dispute. When she does not return, Tarma and Kethry travel in disguise to Rethwellan in order to discover what has happened to their friend and leader. As with all of the books in this overall saga, this is a story of intrigue, politics, and power struggles, as well as that of change.
I loved the character growth that was present in this story. Kethry is finally able to open herself to the idea of love and partnership with a man she meets, finding in him the partner she needs to help her rebuild Tarma’s clan. She also becomes a much stronger mage, coming to her own with her abilities. The relationship between she and Tarma also deepens, and I enjoyed that. But it was also their relationships with others that I loved. It made both women seem like fuller people, more complete, and I liked that so much.
This book also revisits some of the interesting plot lines from the books of Vanyel’s time, the lack of magic in Valdemar, setting the stage as well for future books that will be based on this premise.