I've read this so many times I can't really review it - the story is part of my life. The stories in Oathblood are really a part of this, especially the first one - the one that doesn't actually appear in Oathbound except as the necessary base for how it starts! Tarma and Kethry (and Warrl) are probably my favorite Velgarth characters. ( )

Tarma and Kethry are bound by oath to one another and to the Goddess. Accompanied by Wrrl and a vaguely sentient enchanted sword, the sword sworn Shin'a'in and the White Winds are bound to defend women in need of deliverance, whatever the personal peril.

Engaging characters make this book. The plot is more episodic than continuous, which is somewhat problematic if you like things to flow smoothly. Nevertheless, this is a strong, enjoyable book, especially when accompanied by Oathbreakers. ( )

Overall, this is an OK book. If you like the Valdemar chronicles enough to read all of the books, you'll probably enjoy it. It's not badly written. It's not great. It has a vastly different feeling than the other Valdemar books. I don't like the Shin'a'in as much as I do the Heralds and Tale'edras, and I missed them terribly. The book is also written almost like more of a series of short stories rather than a building story, which made it feel as though the characters lost some development to me. ( )