Author: K.N. Banet
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Jacky Leon # 1
356 pages, Paperback
Publication: July 15, 2019
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Buy|AMAZON|
I’ve never been the type to find trouble. Owning a bar takes work and that was all I wanted. Serving cold beers and paying my taxes. Those were the responsibilities I wanted for the rest of my life.
I didn’t ask to be a werecat. I didn’t ask for the responsibility to uphold an ancient treaty. I didn’t ask to get pulled into the middle of a werewolf pack’s coup.
But Carey Everson, the very human daughter of a werewolf Alpha, needs me. Her father’s enemies are on her heels and I’m her last defense. And I’ll be that defense until my final breath, even if it means challenging the very Laws that govern the supernatural. I gave her my word.
My name is Jacky Leon and nothing is going to stop me from honoring my word.
MY THOUGHTS
Like all urban fantasy, magic and the supernatural exist alongside our modern, real world. In Oath Sworn, we’re introduced to Jacky Leon, a bar owner in Texas who also happens to be a rare and special supernatural, a werecat. While the world is populated with werewolves, vampires, and fae, I loved that our main heroine isn’t your typical lion or jaguar shifter, but something far more unique: a prehistoric saber-toothed werecat. Werecats are rare in urban fantasy, with only one well-known series coming to mind, so discovering them here was a huge win for me.
The worldbuilding is easy to follow and refreshingly straightforward. Banet does an excellent job of laying the foundation for both the characters and the world, weaving in history and background without ever bogging the story down with info-dumping. At the same time, the plot is engaging and compelling, keeping me glued from the very first page all the way to the end.
One of the biggest and most delightful surprises was discovering that Jacky is thirty-six. Finding a heroine in her mid-thirties is incredibly rare, and it made her feel instantly realistic and relatable. Jacky is an amazing protagonist; far from perfect, but mature, independent, fiercely loyal, and an all-around badass with a big heart. That’s not to say she won’t fight dirty or do whatever needs to be done, because she absolutely will and she’s unapologetic about it. It’s so refreshing to read about a self-aware, confident woman who knows who she is and what she stands for. Honestly, this kind of character feels sorely missing in today’s fantasy.
I also absolutely loved the supporting cast. Every character feels well-written and fully fleshed out. Hasan and his family are fascinating, and I can’t wait to learn more about him and his children. Heath, Carey, and Landon are a breath of fresh air, and I really enjoyed the family dynamics. I’m especially excited to see how these relationships develop as the series continues.
Oath Sworn was the perfect way to start the new year, and I can already tell this series is going to be a new favorite. The Jacky Leon series has everything I love about urban fantasy: a strong, capable protagonist, a fantastic magic system, compelling supernatural politics, and at its heart, a story about family, friendship, and the bonds we choose. I can’t wait to start the next book. I’m honestly shocked that I’m only discovering this series now. It deserves so much more attention and love. If you love urban fantasy as much as I do, I highly, highly recommend picking up Oath Sworn. You won’t be disappointed.
.png)