Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite

A. M. Linden's The Oath: The Druid Chronicles, Book One is a well-researched historical novel about the Druids and Saxons of early medieval times in Britain. The story is mainly set in the fictional Saxon kingdom of Derthwald in 788 AD. When King Theobold of Derthwald dies, his nephew Gilberth becomes the king. Theobold's only child, his daughter Aleswina, was four at the time. Aleswina is now 19 and a novice at the Abbey of Saint Edeth the Enduring in Derthwald. The Druids are Britons who live in the secluded valley of Llwddawanden, speak the Celtic language, and practice ancient traditions and beliefs. Annwr, a Druid priestess, is kidnapped by the Saxons and becomes Aleswina's nursemaid. She accompanies Aleswina to the abbey as a servant and to be the abbey's gardener. When the Druids must forsake their valley for a safer haven, it becomes imperative to find Annwr. Caelym, a Druid priest, physician, and bard, takes an oath to find her. When he meets Annwr at the abbey, they plan to escape as soon as possible. Aleswina discovers King Gilberth intends to marry her. She escapes from the convent with Annwr and Caelym. The story's pace, action, tension, and suspense escalate as they journey through Anglo-Saxon Derthwald and on to their destination.

I thoroughly enjoyed A. M. Linden's The Oath for its remarkable three main characters - Annwr, Aleswina, and Caelym - and its captivating worldbuilding. I liked how the story unfolds through different points of view of characters who have different religious beliefs and outlooks, but whose paths converge. I liked how the differences between Annwr, Aleswina, and Caelym emerge, and how they draw on each other's strengths, skills, and abilities on their dangerous journey through predominantly Christian lands. I loved the character development of Aleswina, from a timid young woman to someone who shows her intelligence and adaptability as their journey progresses. I felt Annwr's character provides a strong anchor and the necessary maturity, for both Aleswina and Caelym. I found Annwr's challenging and questioning of Caelym's decisions very humorous. Caelym's character came into its own during the journey as he feels the weight of responsibility, including keeping a personal promise. The other characters and the evocative settings added a great deal of depth to the story's strong themes of love and loyalty, Druid and Christian beliefs, tolerance, and hope. A fantastic well-crafted, well-written historical novel, about early medieval Anglo-Saxon Britain and with great characters!