#valec

I want to start this off by saying that Oathbound is a frustrating but necessary book. That's the best way how I can summarize it. Oathbound is also in this unique position because my thoughts on it may change depending on how the fourth and final book is handled.

If you've been following along, originally The Legendborn Cycle was envisioned as a trilogy before it was decided that it should instead be a four-part book series. Ultimately, I think this was the right decision because there were way too many plot threads that needed to be resolved by the end of Bloodmarked, and only having one more book to resolve all of them in a satisfying narrative way would've been a tall order.

Oathbound sets up the finale and is the calm before the storm. Overall, I did like Oathbound, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I did Legendborn and Bloodmarked. This series starts off strong, and I hope it finishes strong as well because I've read too many series recently where the final book in the series dropped the ball.

But before I go any further, I would like to quickly revisit my Oathbound predictions and see what I got right.

Oathbound 2023 Predictions

I was right, the Shadow Court is active/unleashed, and it's revealed that there are factions within it, much like the Order. Some of the Shades are still loyal to the Shadow King, while others have gone rogue.

I was sort of in the ballpark when it came to Bree's character arc for this book. Bree didn't become straight-up villainous or anything like that. However, she was a protégée of one of the main villains in the series, the Shadow King Arwan. At different times during the story, she reveled in her newfound power and operated with the loss of her emotional connections and memories to her loved ones who were still alive due to her bargaining away unknowingly a fragment of her soul.

I was wrong about what the title Oathbound signified. Oathbound was more about self-oaths and Bree being Oathbound to the Shadow King. In addition to the usual established lore of fulfilling oaths that I knew of. However, it's divulged that Kingsmage Oaths really are lifelong oaths because I initially thought Natasia Kane's Kingsmage Oath to Martin Davis was removed after she was stripped of her title, but it wasn't; she felt his death. It turns out scions can be oathed to two different Kingsmages. However, Kingsmages can only be oathed to one single person, and that's it. I was well aware of the latter but not the former. Given how the book ends, it's ambiguous whether Sel and Nick's Kingsmage Oath is still intact. I think it is, but we won't know for sure until the next book. Because Selwyn didn't die at the end of the book, the crown only transformed him, right?

At the time when I made the prediction, I was unsure if Oathbound would have multiple POVs, and it does. Bree was still the main focus.

I was right, like most people predicted, Selwyn seems to be the son of the Shadow King, dun dun dun! And has ties to the Shadow Court, becoming the Shadow Prince.

I was somewhat right about Nick's character arc for this book. He does strike a deal/partnership with a Morgaine named Ava. Furthermore, he also reveals his plan to stop the Scion of Arthur from dying.

The Legendborn Cycle Book Four Predictions

I've noticed that just like the cycle of seasons, each book takes place primarily during one of the seasons. Legendborn-Summer, Bloodmarked-Fall, Oathbound-Winter, and therefore TLC Book 4-Spring.

Meanings, symbolisms, and themes of Spring: Rebirth, Renewal, Growth and Development, Embracing Change, Balance, Hope, Fresh Starts, and Transformation.

Bree and Nick want to change and dismantle the Order, and some combination of these themes of Spring will come into play in the final novel.

Bree Matthews

To save Alice, Bree's going to have to restore her connection to her ancestral stream because she's going to need her power as a Medium.

Selwyn Kane

Sel's character arc can only go one of three ways: The first is that despite his new status as the Shadow Prince, he still remains a staunch ally, staying on Bree's side the entire time. He never takes a villainous turn. The second is that he becomes a problem, is villainous/antagonistic towards Bree and company. He's beyond redemption and saving and therefore must be slain. He goes full-on villain, no looking back. The last option is that it's a mix of both; he's at first chaotic and antagonistic, but ultimately, he sides with Bree and aids her, and vice versa. Basically, he plays on both sides.

Nick Davis

It seems like Nick is being set up for a self-sacrificing type of arc. He also still needs to complete his quest from Oathbound as well. So expect the confrontation with Ava and the Line of Morgaine to come to a head.

Valec

Given the revelations unveiled in Oathbound, Valec is either Sel's half-brother, or he's Zoelle and Elijah's half-brother.

“You need to lie down.”

Alec pointed up at Val. “And *you* need to admit you like me.”

“That’s not— look, just get to bed. And I don't mean you're taking *me* to bed. You’re going to *rest*. I’ll keep watch so you don’t.. do something stupid.”