I know what you're thinking. 3 stars?! How could you rate the throne scene 5, and the whole book 3?? On my page, I’ll have a detailed breakdown of my rating system. Going into 2026, I want to be more accurate with my book ratings. However, that is not this post. Onto the review!

I adored this book. It took me a few days to complete, but that was not due to the book at all. I was tired, and in a weird slump for a bit while trying to read this. However, I did read over 200 pages in a single day once I got out of the slump!

I love the way that the author wrote these characters.

Kadeesha is such a strong FMC, but while she is strong, she does lose her self importance in the beginning of the book. Kadeesha talks about how she has tried to prove her worth to her dad that she is more suited to other roles rather than being the betrothed to Rishaud. She is so determined to live her life as her own, and has value in herself for that. But when push comes to shove, she cows to her father. I feel like this is necessary for her as a character, because otherwise she wouldn’t have found her way later in the book. All the while, she shows her protectiveness of the things she cares for, and how proud she is of the things she’s built. She is clearly looked upon by her peers and subjects as someone to admire and strive to be like.

Malachi is the broody MMC shadow daddy, and he has all the right to be 🤤. He is fierce, and protective. He rules with an iron fist, but also has compassion for those who are below him in status. He is arrogant, loyal, vicious and oh so sexy. He takes his role as King very seriously. And while he does have his own reservations about the duties he must perform, he keeps his promises and vows that he makes.

The two MC’s have such combative personalities that it’s a constant struggle for them. Both enjoy control, have different views on ruling, and doling out punishments. But I personally feel like they push each other in ways that they need. Kadeesha needs to learn to be more brutal (in a sense), while Malachi needs to learn to be more compassionate. They are both stubborn, and their chemistry is mwah.

Overall, the storyline as a whole is well done. I didn’t feel too incredibly lost during any scenes about politics or world building, and I didn’t feel like there was much unnecessary dialog or background things happening. It kept me intrigued, and for a one-off book it closed things up nicely.

The spice scenes though 🥵. It was enough that I had to go run off and find my husband in the middle of the book. That’s how you know the spice is spicing!

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and would 100% recommend it to others to read, it didn’t capture me in a way that some other books would. It’s not a story I would likely re-read, at least anytime soon. (Mind you, this is not a bad thing!) I tend to rate single story books lower in my ratings, but that is more because I have a preference of a series than a standalone. Our Vicious Oaths is a great read, and one that I think a lot of people would love.