The Crowns of Oaths and Curses Summary, Characters and Themes
The Crowns of Oaths and Curses by J. Bree is a dark fantasy romance that plunges readers into a world teetering between ruin and rebirth.
At its heart is Rookesbane Eveningstar, a powerful witch of a fallen coven, and Prince Soren Celestial, a feared Unseelie warrior fated to be her mate. Set in a world where curses have decimated magic and trust is a luxury no one can afford, the story weaves prophecy, revenge, and reluctant love into a slow-burning epic. With rich worldbuilding, political intrigue, and magic that feels both sacred and dangerous, this is a story about surviving fate—and eventually, choosing it.
Summary
The Crowns of Oaths and Curses opens with Rookesbane “Rooke” Eveningstar returning to the Southern Lands after years in hiding. Her home, the once-powerful Ravenswyrd Coven, lies in ruin, destroyed by other witches who turned on her people for refusing to take sides in a bloody war.
Rooke is marked by pain, betrayal, and a magical heritage tied deeply to the earth itself. But her return isn’t just about survival—it’s destiny.
A prophecy binds her to Prince Soren Celestial, a feared Unseelie fae warrior whose kingdom is under siege by curses, political corruption, and dying magic.
Soren, known as the Savage Prince, is hardened by war and bound by oath. He’s been raised to fight and rule, but his future hinges on finding his fated mate.
That mate is Rooke, and though the prophecy promises salvation through their union, neither is prepared for the emotional and political chaos it brings.
When they finally meet, their connection is undeniable—but also fraught with mistrust. Rooke is secretive and wary, scarred by her past. Soren is brutal, noble, and trying not to fall apart under the weight of his kingdom.
Their first encounter is interrupted by an ambush, and they escape through a fae door to Castle Yregar, the heart of Soren’s power.
Rooke becomes the first witch to enter the castle in centuries, instantly stirring fear and resentment in a court ruled by suspicion and tradition. Tensions rise as they both try to navigate politics, prophecy, and the curse that’s killing Soren’s people—no fae child has survived infancy in generations.
Rooke, through her bond with the land and her lineage as one of the First Witches, realizes the root of the curse lies in broken magical cycles and corruption that runs deep.
As court politics erupt—rife with betrayal, assassination attempts, and rising rebellion—Rooke proves her strength not just in magic, but in strategy. She earns the reluctant trust of Soren’s allies and becomes a powerful voice in war councils.
Meanwhile, Soren grapples with vulnerability, shedding his brutal persona to let Rooke in.
Their romantic connection slowly grows, kindled by mutual respect and reluctant desire. Their eventual physical and magical union is not just a moment of passion but a turning point for the realm itself—their bond begins to restore magic to the land.
Amid this fragile hope, danger closes in. Soren’s uncle, the regent, begins a rebellion using public fear of witches.
A trusted guard betrays them.
And most dangerously, Kharl Balzog—the powerful High Witch responsible for the decimation of Rooke’s coven—sends a vision threatening war.
Rooke begins to understand her true purpose: not just to end a curse, but to lead a new era of cooperation between witches and fae.
The climax nears as Airlie, a fae woman, gives birth—and her child survives. For the first time in centuries, the curse breaks. Magic floods the land, and hope rises.
But just as peace seems possible, the castle is attacked. Kharl’s influence has returned, and the final page ends in chaos. War is on the horizon.
Characters
Rooke Eveningstar
Rooke is a witch, defined not only by her magical heritage but also by the heavy burdens she bears from her past. Having survived the massacre of her coven, Ravenswyrd, she carries a deep sense of loss and an unwavering resolve to restore balance to the land, even as it slips further into ruin.
Rooke’s magic is ancient and intricately tied to the earth, giving her a unique power to heal and manipulate the land. This power, however, makes her both a target and a beacon of hope.
Her relationship with Prince Soren, though destined by fate, is fraught with distrust and hesitation, as Rooke struggles to reconcile her powerful role with her own personal desires. She is fiercely independent, and despite the growing attraction to Soren, she is slow to let down her guard.
Her loyalty to her heritage and her coven is central to her character arc, as she seeks not only to save her people but also to fulfill her destined role in restoring the balance of magic.
Soren Celestial
Soren is a Prince and a warrior, known as “The Savage Prince” for his brutal methods and no-nonsense approach to leadership. His primary concern throughout the novel is the survival of his people, and he is determined to secure the throne, which he believes is his by right.
Soren is bound by fate to Rooke, though he initially fears the impact their union will have on his reputation and his ability to lead. Despite his hard exterior, Soren’s vulnerability slowly emerges, particularly as his relationship with Rooke deepens.
His growing trust in her, and his eventual willingness to expose his own weaknesses, illustrates his development from a hardened, ruthless leader to a man willing to sacrifice everything for the good of his people.
Soren’s deep-rooted fear of betrayal and his overwhelming sense of duty often create tension in his interactions with Rooke, but their connection slowly grows, culminating in a physical and emotional bond that is essential to their shared fate.
Tyton and Tauron
Tyton and Tauron serve as critical allies to Soren, each offering different skills and perspectives. Tyton, particularly, represents a more intuitive and sensitive approach, often seeing beyond the immediate political struggles to understand the deeper implications of the situation.
He becomes one of Rooke’s strongest supporters, recognizing her unique role in the land’s restoration. Tauron, on the other hand, is more skeptical and pragmatic. His loyalty to Soren is unwavering, though he struggles to trust Rooke, especially given the tensions between witches and fae.
Both cousins play key roles in the unfolding conflict, as they support Soren’s quest for the throne and navigate the intricate web of alliances and betrayals within the court.
Kharl Balzog
Kharl Balzog is a looming figure of malevolent power, the High Witch whose actions serve as the catalyst for much of the conflict in the novel. His dark magic is a direct threat to both Rooke and Soren’s efforts to restore the land and break the curse that has plagued the kingdom.
His constant pursuit of power and his ability to manipulate the forces of magic make him a formidable foe. His presence is felt throughout the story, even when he is not physically present, as his influence creates ripples of fear and tension in the kingdom.
Kharl’s role as an antagonist is further highlighted by his deep hatred for Rooke and his desire to destroy her, making him a key figure in the story’s ultimate conflict.
Airlie
Airlie’s character represents hope and renewal, particularly in the context of the curse that has plagued the royal family for generations. Her pregnancy and the eventual birth of her child signify a breaking of the curse that has kept high fae children from surviving past infancy.
Airlie’s relationship with Soren is one of both familial love and the shared struggle for survival in a kingdom on the brink of war. Her fear and vulnerability contrast with her strength as she navigates the difficult political landscape while carrying the potential for a new future for her people.
Themes
The Burden of Fate and Prophecy
One of the central themes throughout the book is the concept of fate and prophecy, and how it shapes the lives of the characters. The idea that certain individuals are destined to play a specific role in the grand narrative looms over both Rooke and Soren’s journey.
Their bond, deeply entwined with destiny, forces them into situations that they are not entirely ready for, yet cannot escape. This theme explores the tension between free will and preordained paths.
Rooke, particularly, is burdened by her prophetic role in the restoration of the land and the defeat of the High Witch, Kharl.
Despite the weight of this destiny, she grapples with resentment, fear, and doubt about whether fulfilling her role is truly what she wants or if it’s merely what fate demands.
This dichotomy of choice versus destiny runs through the narrative, driving both the personal and political conflicts forward.
The Corruption of Power and the Politics of War
The novel also delves deeply into the corrupting nature of power, particularly through the political machinations within the Southern Lands. Soren’s kingdom, in a state of ruin due to war, exemplifies how power struggles can erode the very fabric of society.
From the regent’s scheming to the court’s distrust of witches, the political landscape is shaped by betrayal, fear, and the desperate quest for control.
This theme is explored through Soren’s position as a leader, where his decisions are constantly questioned, and the loyalty of those around him is tested.
Rooke’s arrival complicates the power dynamics even further, as her magical power becomes both a symbol of hope and a source of fear.
The novel invites readers to consider the price of power, the alliances it creates, and the divisions it causes, particularly when that power is threatened by ancient curses and the return of formidable foes.
The Intersection of Magic, Nature, and the Restoration of Balance
A recurring theme in the story is the deep connection between magic and nature, especially in relation to the land’s healing and the restoration of balance. Rooke, as a witch, is inherently tied to the land’s magic, and her arrival signals a potential turning point for the Southern Lands, which have suffered from ecological decay and magical disruption.
Her ability to heal the land, even if temporarily, underscores the importance of this connection. The novel explores the idea that magic is not just an abstract power but something deeply intertwined with the natural world, capable of both destruction and restoration.
This theme expands as the story progresses, with Rooke’s bloodline revealed to have a significant impact on the land’s ability to heal. The deep magic she holds is not just for personal gain but has the potential to save the kingdom, emphasizing the importance of balance in all things—both magical and natural.
The Complexities of Love, Trust, and Emotional Vulnerability in Times of War
At its core, The Crowns of Oaths and Curses is also a love story, but it is one marked by complexities, distrust, and the tension between personal desires and larger responsibilities. Rooke and Soren are bound by fate, but their relationship is fraught with obstacles.
Rooke is hesitant to embrace her bond with Soren, having been betrayed in the past and scarred by the horrors of war. Soren, on the other hand, is burdened by his reputation and the weight of his crown, making emotional vulnerability a challenge for him.
Their relationship is slow to develop, built on moments of shared vulnerability and hard-earned trust. This theme explores how love can emerge in the most unlikely of circumstances and how it can be both a source of strength and a potential weakness in times of great conflict.
Their eventual union represents not just a personal connection but a strategic alliance—one that could either restore or destroy the lands they are meant to rule.
The Role of Betrayal, Loyalty, and Internal Conflict in Building Alliances
Betrayal and loyalty are recurring themes throughout the story, particularly in the context of Soren’s court and the alliances Rooke must navigate. The novel highlights how even the most trusted individuals can turn against their leaders when power and personal ambitions come into play.
The assassination attempt on Rooke, the betrayal within Soren’s inner circle, and the regent’s manipulation of the kingdom showcase the precarious nature of loyalty in a time of war. These instances of betrayal add to the emotional intensity of the narrative, forcing the characters to reconsider who they can truly trust.
At the same time, Rooke and Soren’s alliance represents the delicate balance between trust and manipulation, where both characters must make difficult choices in order to secure their goals while remaining true to their moral compasses.
The Role of Ancient Magic and Bloodlines in Shaping the Future
Finally, the theme of ancient magic and bloodlines is central to understanding the characters’ true power and their ability to shape the future. Rooke’s lineage, tied to the First Witches, plays a pivotal role in the restoration of the land and the defeat of Kharl.
Her bloodline is a key to unlocking the potential of ancient magic, and as she learns more about her heritage, she begins to realize her true potential. This theme speaks to the idea that the past is not something to be forgotten but something to be understood and harnessed in order to forge a better future.
The discovery of Rooke’s true heritage also underlines the importance of bloodlines in this world—where magic, politics, and history are inextricably linked.