BOOK REVIEW: The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood / utterly unique

The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood

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This story covers not only topics like hoarding, which honestly fascinates but also creeps me out, but also mental illness, and complicated family dynamics. Surprisingly it also was about living during the Renaissance period while still set in present times. That alone caught me unprepared but is something I rather enjoy reading about.

Zee is nobody’s fairy tale princess. Almost six-foot, with a redhead’s temper and a shattered hip, she has a long list of worries: never-ending bills, her beautiful, gullible sister, her five-year-old nephew, her housebound mother, and her drug-dealing boss.

Zee may not be a princess, but Gentry is an actual knight, complete with sword, armor, and a code of honor. Two years ago the voices he hears called him to be Zee’s champion. Both shy and autistic, he’s barely spoken to her since, but he has kept watch, ready to come to her aid. 

When an abduction tears Zee’s family apart, she turns to the last person she ever imagined–Gentry–and sets in motion a chain of events that will not only change both of their lives, but bind them to one another forever.

The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood

MY THOUGHTS & REVIEW

I’m not going to lie, I was hesitant to pick up this book. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things blew my mind when I read it in 2017, and it’s always interesting to see what an author comes up with after such a huge success novel. I wasn’t sure what to expect, nor what I actually was hoping for, and I was definitely worried to be disappointed.

Fortunately it all my worries were unfounded. I was enthralled from the very minute I opened the book.

HERE ARE THE THOUGHTS THAT EVEN DAYS LATER ARE AS FRESH ON MY MIND AS THE DAY I FINISHED THE BOOK.

Gentry was one of the most unique characters I ever read about. Like Eleanor (Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine) and Don (The Rosie Project), he struggled with society and had to carve out his own special place in it. It was sad that even his family didn’t accept him the way he was.

The saying ‘blood is thicker than water’ stands, but it’s also noteworthy that your own blood can bring you down the most. Both Zee and Gentry had some bad apples to live with. And in Zee’s case, it would have been better to just leave them be and move on.

I loved Zee and Gentry as a couple. They were so different but also clicked in a very unique and heartwarming way. I also loved how the author portrayed Zee. She was unapologetically real, authentic but flawed. Zee, as Gentry, were the highlights in this book. Although I didn’t approve of every decision Zee took, in the end she was exactly the person she was supposed to be. True to herself.

I also really enjoyed the Renaissance aspect of the story. My most favorite part of the story was Gentry in all his knightly glory. Also I just loved how Gentry’s friends enjoyed this particular period of time. It was such a interesting glimpse into the role playing society.

Now the only thing I struggled with was that Gentry spoke Old English – that I had to get used to. But the more I read the easier it got, and in the end it fit the story perfectly. Another unique element to an already unique storyline.

So, if you want to read something utterly unique, captivating, and thought provoking – this is your book!!!

FOUR STARS

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I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood