This review, from EB, is posted at Amazon.com:

I thoroughly enjoyed the Oathtaker. This is a wonderful adventure filled with believable characters, plenty of twists, and a enthralling storyline. This is a fantastic book for a new author and I would read more in this series. Highly recommend to fans of fantasy fiction.

A 5-Star Review from Reader's Favorite author Mary A. Adair (CAPTIVE SPIRITS: Legends of Aztar Series), is posted on Amazon.com, Goodreads.com and elsewhere. It reads:

I was given a free copy of Oathtaker in exchange for an honest review.

I give this story 5 stars.

If you enjoyed Lord of the Rings, you will love this story. Oathtaker is well written, full of twists and turns, adventure, dangers, triumphs, and magic both good and evil. The characters are well thought out and believable. The plot is flawless.

Have you ever read a book that had all the fine points worked out but you just could not get into the story? Well, this is not that book! When you pick up this book be prepared to fall in love with Mara as she battles her way through the maze of evil and magic to protect her two tiny wards.

Mara is an Oathtaker. The Oathtakers are a sect dedicated to the protection of The Select who are the leaders and moral backbone of the society. Though young and untested Mara is well trained and possesses a strong devotion to The Good One. When she is "called" she does not hesitate to take the "Oath" that will bind her to two infants. These two tiny, as in newborn infants, will grow up to be instrumental in the survival of all that is good in their world.

Mara meets up with Dixon, another Oathtaker. Dixon is the Oathtaker to the mother of the infants. When the mother dies in childbirth he is released from his oath. Knowing the significance of the two infants, he binds himself with a lesser oath to them. Together, Mara and Dixon will strike out on a journey to save the babies from the evil that would kill them and rob the world of all peace and goodness.

Along with the few power-endowed tools of her trade, Mara soon learns of her attendant magic. This is magic that is granted to an Oathtaker when needed to protect her ward. Mara gathers a small but unique army of followers willing to take an oath to protect the babies.

The journey ahead, for this small group, is filled with twists and turns, as Mara and the others must outwit the evil and dangerous powers that threaten the babies and the world. This story contains adventure, intrigue, battles to the death, and of course love.

Will Mara be able to protect both of the babies? Will she be able to save the man she loves and still keep the babies safe? Will she be able to defeat the ancient power that threatens to cast her world into darkness? You will just have to read the book to find out.

Ms. Reding is truly a gifted storyteller. This is not a book to miss. I am anxiously waiting for "Select" the next book in this series.

Reader kc2013 posted the following review on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and on Goodreads.com:

Oathtaker is an epic fantasy novel that I would give 4½ stars. It completely draws you into an alternate world from the first page through the last page. You feel like you're right there with the main characters, Mara and Dixon, because of the good character and world development.

I also like the theme of the book - keeping your word, no matter what, in the struggle between good versus evil.

I'm always a sucker for a strong, female lead character and Mara doesn't disappoint.

I'll be recommending this book to others, and I can't wait for the next novel in the series!

C. Gelle posted on Amazon.com:

Thanks to someone who shared OATHTAKER with me, I got to read it. It was VERY different from my usual genre, but kept my interest all the way through. It was interesting to see how descriptions of things, meals, and so forth, are such a part of the writing. I LOVED the author's use of vocabulary--cause I am such a word person myself. It will be great to read the sequel!

Anonymous posted on BarnesandNoble:

I am surrounded by many half-read books. Oathtaker is not one of them! It immediately grabbed my attention and pulled me into its alternate world. I became intrigued by the characters, their history, and the land they inhabited. The detailed description of a new character or location might have slowed the pace at times, but ultimately put me right in the action. Towards the end of the book, as I thought back on how far the characters had come and how their abilities and focus had progressed, I felt personally invested in their growth. I love how the author has created a history of the land and its inhabitants, with forgotten truths and mysterious prophesies just waiting to be rediscovered and applied before it’s too late and they’re lost forever. Battles between good and evil, the struggle to meet a challenge you never imagined you could face, not backing away from an oath no matter what the sacrifice – being there, side-by-side with the characters in Oathtaker, I came away feeling challenged and emboldened in my own life. I haven’t felt this level of investment in a book since The Lord of the Rings. I’ll be watching for the sequel to this one!

May L. Donnell posted on Amazon.com:

This is the first fantasy novel I've read in many years, and I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure! Well done, Patricia. Keep them coming.

Reader, Annie73009 posted On Amazon.com and Goodreads.com:

*Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have never been able to get into a fantasy books before BUT Patricia Reding opened my eyes to a brand new world! I found myself falling in love with the characters and I loved the battles between good and evil. I spent so many late nights reading because I couldn't put my kindle down. It was a long book (the longest I have read in awhile) but it was so worth it and I am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future! To me it goes on my top 10 books of the year of 2013!

Shadowplay posted on Amazon.com, Goodreads.com, BarnesandNoble.com and elsewhere:

The Oathtaker is a beautiful and fantastic epic adventure filled with all the things I love most - a captivating storyline, edge-of-your-seat suspense, thought-provoking characters, and never-ending twists and turns. I would enthusiastically recommend this story to fans of Lord of the Rings. They would truly appreciate all of the subtleties of the plot, the richness of the characters, and the complexity of the overall story itself. Honestly, anyone who enjoys such hearty stories would find this book truly compelling and extremely satisfying.

We are drawn into a world where those who swear to protect the lives of a small group of people called Select are known as Oathtakers. They take their job with the utmost sincerity and gravity in light of all that their vows entail. An Oathtaker who reneges on their vow is seen as disgraced, so when a new Oathtaker named Mara stumbles upon her first charge she is in no way prepared for how it would completely change her life and the consequences she will face as a result of answering the call.

While Mara is armed with her formidable Oathtaker's blade to aid her in her journey, she soon learns how lacking her store of weapons are when she discovers that her charge is more special than she could ever have imagined. Thankfully, with this added burden and responsibility, Mara is mercifully granted all of the resources needed to fulfill her task. Those resources serve to both lighten her burden as well as to test her resolve in keeping her vow.

I was immediately drawn in by the character of Mara because she knew she would be given the strength to step out and fulfill her arduous and wonderful task, but she lacked the courage at first. I find myself at times lacking the courage to step up and take what I know is mine out of fear of failure. Mara's lack of self-confidence is found in my own heart, but I am hopeful that I will learn to develop the same confidence and courage that Mara discovered had lived within her own heart all along.

Patricia Reding has created a wonderfully, enjoyable story filled with a spectacular array of characters that are so rich and vivid that you will wonder if you can still hear them talking to you even after you have finished reading this book. I hope that your heart will be just as captivated as mine was as you partake in this thrilling journey. Patricia Reding is a marvelous new author that you simply have to discover for yourself!

This 5-Star rating from Raymond VinZant may be found on Amazon.com:

I loved this book Oathtaker. I am a voracious reader and enjoy it when an author puts her heart and soul into a story that compells you to turn the page. Her characters were human full of doubts about their own abilities, but so honorable that they fought on against the evil nevertheless. Mara was vulnerable but decisive and followed her instinct. Dixon was strong and brave but Followed her lead. She came into her power without being overbearing and loved Dixon but knew she couldn't break her oath to serve the seventh and she who wasn't. I can't wait for the next book. This was one of the best written novels, with precise expressive emotions and clear descriptive scenes. It made you feel like you were there with the characters living it along side them. I haven't read anything like this since Lord of the Rings or Terry Goodkind. Well done Mrs Reding!

Reader Ob9110 posted on Amazon.com:

Oathtaker is a good blend of fantasy and real emotion. Characters are believable, the story moves along. I would recommend this book to all.

Author Lori Stevic-rust (Greedy for Life) posted on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com:

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, nonreciprocal review.

This was my first fantasy book so I was not sure what to expect. While it is essentially a story of the battle between good and evil, there is so much more to take from this book. From the very beginning I was pulled into this story. The author writes with clarity and creativity. She successfully created characters with such great depth that the issues of commitment, honor and integrity were skillfully woven throughout the story. I loved the fantasy world I found myself immersed in and the thrilling ride that the characters took me on. This was a great read! I will definitely look for more books from this author.

Reader jad2013 posted on Amazon.com:

What would you do to honor your word? A riviting tale that keeps you turning the pages. A great story from start to finish. You will definitely want more. Even if fantasy is not your thing, you won't be dissapointed. Best book I've read in a long time!

Kerrisa posted her review of OATHTAKER on Goodreads.com. It reads as follows:

I loved this book!!! Mrs. Reding did a great job of relating the characters to real people and their hopes, dreams, doubts, and feelings. I am an avid reader, and in all the books I've read this is BIG a favorite. Oathtaker kept me busy at nights under my blankets with a light, in the car, and pretty much every where else I could smuggle a book. I would definitely recommend this book to any book lover and can't wait until "Select" comes out. Each page held a new interest and I almost cried when the story came to an end. This book is a great example of determination, duty, and love. GREAT JOB MRS. REDING!!!!!:)

Reader, Madeline, posted on Goodreads:

For all fantasy fans (AND for those who don't yet consider themselves fans of fantasy), this is absolutely a worthy read. The first five chapters are available in the preview on Amazon, but I was hooked before the end of the first. There's magic and secrets, prophecy and discovery, and a fierce heroine you can really root for.

Just try not to gobble it up too quickly; we may have a while to wait for the sequel.

Donna Swanson provided the following review on Goodreads.com:

My husband and I really enjoyed Patricia Reding's new book "Oathtaker". The imagination of this author is quite unique. I kept reading to find out what new "power" each Oathtaker was entrusted with. The theme is good vs evil. There are twists and turns that you would never expect with the various personalities that Reding has created. I found myself identifying with one of these personalities, losing myself in the novel. I have but one question ...... when does "Select" her next novel come out?

Kelly Crist, posted her review at Amazon.com and Goodreads.com, which reads as follows:

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Oathtaker by Patricia Reding - An Epic book deserves an Epic review!
"An Oath Sworn. A Struggle Engaged. A Sacrifice Required" - This book was LONG, and I mean it, but its so worth it!

Patricia Reding weaves this story that just sucks you in. You follow along with Mara as she finds her charges and meets some very interesting travel companions. You feel the anger at Lilith as you watch her unspeakable acts unfold. The hope that springs with each new protector to the 'girls army'. All the while you fall in love with Dixon more and more, just as Mara does.

Two thumbs up Miss Patricia, two very big thumbs up!

In Oathtaker by Patricia Reding, Oathtakers swear a voluntary life oath for the protection of the Select, Ehyeh’s special people. Mara Richmond, a young Oathtaker, is destined to find Rowena Vala, the seventh daughter and ranking member of the Select. She dies after giving birth to twin girls, Reigna and Eden, thus leaving her children under Mara's care. Together with Rowena’s Oathtaker Dixon Townsend, they protect the special infants with their lives from Lilith, Rowena’s tyrannical sister. At the same time, Mara is struggling with her newly discovered powers and puzzle over the ancient prophecy regarding her charge.

The action scenes are absolutely pulse-pounding, especially when Mara killed the grut pack. Dixon initially came across to me as incompetent when he failed to come to Rowena’s aid. The way he was deeply affected by Rowena’s death did make me feel that he would be a burden to Mara. I’m surprised that Rowena’s own sister, Lilith, wants to get rid of her, especially that Lilith is a Select herself.

Oathtaker is an impeccable read. The prose is flawless with a well-thought plot. I’m delighted to find that the amount of violence is appropriately minimal without making the story dull and there is hardly any foul language. The pacing, however, is slowed down by the length of the story, caused by some long descriptions and dialogue that I think could have been left out. Nevertheless, I intend to follow this exciting series by Patricia Reding and I look forward to the next installment.

Step into the magical land of Oosa. Patricia Reding, in Oathtaker, describes fierce battles, brave promises, palace intrigues, mysterious forests, and a romantic union. Mara and Dixon are suddenly drawn together to fight a common cause. They are both Oathtakers who pledge to guard the Select people. God is known as Ehyeh or the Good One. Ehyeh names his Select people who are the most favored. Mara has magical powers as a young warrior. She has the power of the Spira which is a lethal blade. She slays a pack of hellish, stinking wolves known as gruts to protect the vulnerable Rowena who is about to give birth in a humble hut. Two heavenly and sweet-smelling girls are born safely. Reigna and Eden have the promise of destiny. They will reign in the seven provinces of Oosa if they are allowed to survive....

Then the journey and the battle begins to protect these small, precious bundles. The military leader Garon pursues them and the power-hungry Lilith kidnaps them. Mara takes a self-sacrificing oath for her charge. She vows to protect these girls even if she should lose her life. Oathtaker by Patricia Reding is the start to a series of novels. There is a spiritual symbolism to the novel which gives it a deeper meaning. Some dialogue and descriptions are repetitive but this does not take away from the novel's impressive creativity. The fantastic way that the sky, the clouds, and the world itself reacts to events draws the reader in. The author follows her own admonition to "always aim high."

Reader, Garcia, posted on Amazon, the following:

The Oathtaker was an exciting book that kept me on the edge of my seat. After a couple of chapters I couldn't put my tablet down. I found myself dreaming about what would happen next. I know Patricia is working on her second book and I can hardly wait.

Kenna posted on Goodreads:

** spoiler alert ** I received this book for free from a Goodreads giveaway.

To start out, my rating is really more of a 4.5 but Goodreads does not allow half star reviews so I'll just bump it up to a 5!

Fantasy is not a genre that I usually read, but I think Oathtaker may have changed that. Everything was always so interesting and intense, and I was always excited to be reading it. This is also where this book gets its half star rating. Maybe it was just me, but there were characters being introduced left and right, and sometimes I could not keep up. This being said, I did love the characters. From Mara to Velia, they were all so interesting and easy to like. Each of them held a purpose and were very strong in their own way.

One of my favorite things about this book was the amount of women that held power. Usually in media and entertainment today men are many times in charge and it was a great change. Every female character was badass in their own sense and it was a very nice thing to see. Even when Mara was thinking of her love for Dixon she was truly thinking of the girls and their safety. She knew (or at least thought) there was no way to be with Dixon while the girls were in the picture, and she was ready to let him go in order to continue to protect the girls to her full ability. She was so headstrong but at the same time sympathetic to others. Mara was such an amazing lead character to read, and quickly became one of my favorites of all time.

That being said about the female characters, I also loved the male characters! They (with an exception of some) were so kind and dedicated to the cause of protecting the girls. It was so great to see male characters who were "tough guys" but at the same time actually had emotions.

Lilith was such an interesting villain. She wasn't one of those villains that just was, simply a villain. She had her backstory and her reasons for being the way she was, even if they were not justified. Lilith always had her eyes on the prize and did whatever she thought was necessary to get it. Her complete submission to Daeva and his powers showed that she was truly desperate for her goal. Although she was so strong, it seemed at the same time she was very weak.

Relationships played a huge part in Oathtaker. Whether they were strong or negative, they played into the story and made it that much more interesting. My favorite relationship was the relationship each of the girls' army had with the girls. They were willing to do anything to protect them. Another note on the relationships, in most YA today there's always that "love triangle" that I can't stand. Oathtaker took a pleasant turn from that. Mara only had feelings for Dixon, and Dixon only for Mara. Their love grew over time and that was also a refreshing thing to see! Instead of that annoying insta-love we got to see them learning about each other and bonding throughout the story. Also, I just wanted to say Mara and Dixon are adorable I cried at some points over how cute they were. I've decided to call them Mixon.

I could say much more, but I think I'll stop there. Overall, I loved this book. With the only downside I can think of being that I simply couldn't comprehend some of the characters when introduced at some points, it didn't hurt my appreciation and love of the story. The world, the characters, and the story were all so intriguing and I was always on the edge of my seat. I'm eagerly awaiting Select!!!

See: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/635075546

Naomi Leadbeater posted on Goodreads and on her blog at http://naimeless.wordpress.com:

"What an awesome story. Best Fantasy I've read in ages. Entire review up shortly on Goodreads/Amazon and my blog: http://www.naimeless.wordpress.com."

Later she posted:

"I could only hope to tell a tale as gripping and detailed as Patricia Reding’s Oathtaker. It’s a skillful work, and something I just finished reading last week. I would classify myself as a VERY picky fantasy/sci-fi reader. It takes a LOT to impress me especially when I consider myself to be the target market for an author’s book. I review a lot of paranormal and sci-fi works, especially those for a YA audience, but sadly my youth is behind me. Reviewing those books allows me to connect with my past, and review with a lens of a YA reader, and (hopefully) give an honest review of how I feel the target audience will respond to any given book.

Impressing myself as the target is MUCH harder. Where YA is fun, adventurous and sometimes (but not always) light to read, true tales of science fiction and fantasy that are well written are much harder to find.

. . .

Here’s what intrigued me about reading Oathtaker. It’s longer than your average YA or fantasy book. At 720 pages (paperback) it is not just a novel but a saga, and only the first in the series. I’ll admit, I was getting tired of short stories (less than 250 pages) that only allowed me a short time to get to know the characters.

The characters are quite well developed, and the terminology that is unique to the world is very well explained and not difficult to grasp. When a new word is introduced, it’s explained in the next sentence or two. After that, Reding makes sure frequent use of those terms are employed, and the reader is gradually introduced to a new language. The words choices are also phonetically appeasing and easy to latch on to verbally. Mara was definitely my favorite character, and I’d love to be more like her especially the mad skills she employs to safe her charges!

There’s a world created in those 720 pages that makes me want more. I love stand alone books, but this book makes me want to read the next one, and the one after that and so on and so on. It’s as magical as the worlds in Game of Thrones, the Dragon Rider’s series, and Anne Rice’s novels. I wanted a saga, and a story I could sink into and read for hours and not put down. I got exactly that.

The plot was superbly executed, very detailed, and an adventure at every page turn. Be prepared to put down every other book you own when you pick this one up. Here’s a short synapses of the book, provided by the author, but really, just go get the book if you’re into sci-fi and fantasy. It’s a great addition to the genre, from an author I really hope keeps writing more.

If you enjoyed the review, and the synapses, check out the book! It’s worth every penny whether you’re an e-reader or paperback person. I’m considering buying the paperback myself as I love the cover and think it would look pretty spectacular sitting on the shelf with all my other sci-fi and fantasy titles. You can also enter to win a free copy [on Goodreads]. The contest is open until December 16th – just in time for the holidays!"

Magic, monsters, intrigues, and love fill the pages of Oathtaker by Patricia Reding. A young Oathtaker stumbles across a horrific scene and is called to take responsibility for the lives of two baby girls destined for greatness. As this young woman, Mara, is pursued by those who want to prevent the babies from fulfilling their rightful destiny, others are drawn to the girls and pledge their allegiance. As this army grows, various talents and backgrounds come together to provide the magic needed to allow Mara and her fellow Oathtakers to identify the threat and prepare to fight against it. Mara, with the support of another Oathtaker, Dixon, is led to the ultimate battle in which the lives of the girls hang in the balance. The question is whether she is strong enough to defeat pure evil.

Patricia Reding has created a wonderful tale of love, devotion, and desperation in Oathtaker. In the almost fairy tale world of Oosa, a wicked member of the leading family plots the deaths of those who stand in the way of her becoming the ultimate ruler. With tremendous depth and creativity, Oathtaker becomes real and the emotions and trials of the characters are felt stronger and deeper as the story proceeds.

Secrets and surprises keep the action moving and hope that good will triumph over evil grows as the true nature of some of the players is revealed. A well outlined philosophy and the dedication of its believers to fulfill a prophecy, create a story of courage worthy of the designation of a classic.

On June 18 2014, Brianna posted on Amazon: This book is fantastic and beautifully written! I love everything about it. I would recommend this book to others and it deserves 5 stars!

On June 29, 2014, Teresa C. posted the following on Amazon:

I really enjoyed this book from the very start! The descriptions and world building are highly detailed, and the character of Mara is strong, dynamic and someone you really root for. There were a few slower parts, but honestly, I love getting to know characters back stories and where they are coming from, so to me the descriptions and attention to drew me in even more. It was a quick read, too quick maybe - since now I have to wait for the next one.

Adult and young adult Harry Potter fans, stand up and take notice of Oathtaker by Patricia Reding. There's a new girl in town and her name is Mara. She's an Oathtaker, which means she is sworn for life to protect one of the Select. Following a gradual deterioration in human values and morals, the Good One, Ehyeh, selected a group of people to carry on the positive principles of humanity. In order that the Select may survive and prosper, the Good One also selected Oathtakers to protect the Select at all costs, including death. Despite the Oathtakers’ efforts, the Select are becoming rarer while evil and indifference are becoming more pronounced. But there is hope in the form of the seventh daughter, Rowena, of the first family of Shimeron. Mara is called to be the Oathtaker to Rowena's newborn twins, Reigna and Eden. Reigna is the promised "seventh seventh," while Eden is called "she who is but is not." With her dying breath, Rowena passes her powers to her helpless twins. Mara comes to understand that the twins are in danger from Rowena's older sister Lillith, who will stop at nothing to become the powerful head of the first family of the Select. While Mara struggles to keep the twins safe, she assembles an army of those willing to protect the babies from Lillith's evil clutches. Lillith's scheme is so horrible that she is willing to . . . (Oh, I guess you will have to read to find out.)

Oathtaker is brilliantly conceptualized so that sequels will be a natural progression to the book. Reding's characterizations are marvelous. You cannot help but idolize the Oathtaker, Mara, and when her story is fully revealed, she becomes even more the heroine. But Mara is not alone in her quest to protect the royal twins. She has Dixon, another Oathtaker, who at first is presented as her enemy, but then becomes much more than an adversary. Ted, Faith, Nina, Lucy and a member of the first family all rise to the call to assist the young infants. Each is steadfast in bravery and willingness to sacrifice in the name of justice. But it seems that the evil Lillith will have her way, despite the heroic "army" of loyal followers who accumulate along the way. Oathtaker is a complex and thrilling story that will mesmerize readers and stir the imagination with untold depths of intrigue, loyalty, excitement and resolve. Teens and adults will be spellbound by the lovable and evil characters and they will want to jump right into the pages, put on their cloaks, and journey with Reigna and Eden as they struggle to take their rightful place in history.

Oathtaker by Patricia Reding starts off with a bang when Mara discovers a pack of vicious hell-hounds from the underworld trying to break into a cabin and attack the woman inside. Even though she manages to kill the pack of hell-hounds, she still arrives too late to save the woman, Rowena, from a difficult pregnancy. Mara soon finds herself the protector of newborn twins. But Reigna and Eden aren't just any twins; part of a seventh pregnancy to a woman who was a seventh-born child herself, they are the 'seventh seventh and she who is but is not.' They are heralded in ancient prophecy as those who will bring about great change and rebirth to the land of Oosa. Now Mara must get all the help she can to protect the twins from those that wish them great harm, namely from Lilith, Rowena's power-driven older sister.

I enjoyed Oathtaker very much. It draws you in straight from the beginning and, while there's tons of action, Reding doesn't let that get in the way of character growth. Mara is a well written, capable main character, who is believable as well as likable. I found myself rooting for Mara throughout her journey. The world Reding has created is very interesting and many readers will probably see parallels with our own world in the lore and society of Oosa. The bad guys in Oathtaker are worthy of every boo, hiss, and rotten tomato, especially Lilith who, true to her name's biblical origins, is very, very bad. A great read for anyone looking for good, clean fantasy.

Oathtaker by Patricia Reding is a book about courage, loss, decisions, friendship, love, and adventures. But above all, it is a story about dedication. Mara, a young Oathtaker, never had a charge before: each Oathtaker is trained to be the guardian of a Select, one of the chosen ones. When Mara follows her call to find her Select, she is presented with more than she ever expected. Her charge is quite special, but so is the danger that comes with becoming a dedicated Oathtaker. She is also confronted with Dixon, whose charge died in childbirth - and left Mara with the responsibility to look after her offspring, a seventh seventh (and a surprise), a very special Select. Dixon also dedicated his life to the protection of the offspring and to Mara. Their path is not an easy one, but step by step they find more support, but also more darkness.

Be warned: when you start reading Oathtaker by Patricia Reding, you better have quite a bit of spare time on your hands because it's really hard to stop once you get to know the different interesting characters. Some are charming (or think they are), others are simply lovable and cute, and then there are the ones that make you wish that they do not get a happy ending at all. I loved the fact that Oathtaker was not a short book. I enjoyed it so much and was happy when I saw that I wasn't that close to the end yet. And I will definitely read the other books in the series once they come out. It's the kind of book that draws you in and makes you care about the characters and the world they are living in.

A fabulous new review just in at http://www.amazon.com/review/R2GIB5SIPPUNMY/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00K32MW6U&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text. She gave it 5+++ stars!

What an awesome storyline! This new author has really shown herself to be both creative and ingenious. The lives of the characters in this thrilling, often breath-taking adventure portray loyalty, love and romance, and yet…..defense and suspense during perilous adventures. This novel can be enjoyed by a broad range of readers, including the younger and elderly as well. This novel is definitely a "5 star". I am anxiously awaiting part II.

Just finished Oathtaker. It was fantastic. I am in awe of the author's descriptive, clever and imaginative writing. The author entices your sight, hearing and, surprisingly, your taste. An Oathtaker's cookbook has to be written in the near future. In this fantasy world, the importance of honoring ones commitments is preeminent. Characters are interesting and lifetime relationships are formed. The first volume ended wonderfully, but i was left wanting. Thank you for introducing us to Mara, Dixon, and the girls. Cant wait to see were life takes them.

In the past, I must admit to being a fan of the fantasy genre, growing up reading The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. As I have gotten older, my tastes have shifted to military espionage and historical fiction. Recently I broke away from my current reading list and discovered a wordsmith of impeccable talent, and I invite other readers to make the same discovery.

Author Patricia Reding’s Oathtaker is a brisk read, despite its 500+ page-count. The action is intense and begins right out of the gate. Excellent characterizations, with some very evil antagonists balanced by vulnerable heroes, Oathtaker is an impressive and ambitious debut in a genre that continues to enjoy a surge of popularity.

Mara and Dixon are Oathtakers, caring for the twin daughters of one of the Select, the ruling class of Oosa. Clearly not set on Earth (or any version of Earth familiar to this reader), this world is orbited by three moons, with a backdrop of forests, sanctuaries and palaces. You can see the locales easily in your mind’s eye based on Reding’s superb window-dressing. Incidentally, the artwork on the cover of the book establishes a solid feel for the environment her characters live in.

Honor and commitment, in spite of personal sacrifice, is the theme of Oathtaker. Reding fleshes this out well, calling attention to the various Oathtakers’ duties as they care for their charges. This world is filled with ‘attendant magic’, as well as oral histories and traditions that go to great lengths to establish the story’s societal hierarchy.

Oosa has a rustic feel. Technology is practically non-existent, and in its place we are introduced to the intangible mysticism that is the foundation of great fantasy and mythic story-telling. While I resist comparisons to other authors, doing so in this case might help put the story in the proper frame of reference. Patricia Reding has a voice similar to Ursula K. Le Guin, of Wizard of Earthsea fame, and Oathtaker has the same sylvan feel. In like manner, the book reflects a majesty that can be found in Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, and like those books, Oathtaker is an allegory to the Christian faith.

Reding is an idealist, and populates her world with characters readers can easily identify with. On the flip side, Oosa’s quasi-governmental/religious structure is meticulously detailed—an aspect of the story drawn, no doubt, from Reding’s background as an attorney. The main characters seem ready to kill each other at the beginning of the story, but personalities like these are bound to—well, you’ll just have to see for yourself, but I think most readers will catch on to how things eventually develop.

Props to Reding for building tension as the book progresses. I was perched on the edge of my seat while reading the climactic ending (on one occasion I stretched my lunch hour a little longer to absorb the action). I give her 5 out of 5 for her antagonists’ malevolent intentions. Lillith is especially diabolical, using her feminine wiles and seduction (tastefully done) to achieve her goals. Mara is the other side of the coin, young, idealistic, and virtuous, with a strong commitment to honor and integrity, and the character attributes of each are beautifully crafted.

To find out more, you'll just have to get a copy of the book for yourself. It's available in a handsome paperback version, as well as Kindle edition, and the second, soon-to-be published book in the series, Select, is already receiving 5-Star reviews from readersfavorite.com. I understand that Oathtaker is being considered by Wind Dancer Films for production as a television/movie feature, and the book has already garnered an award in the 2014 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest.

Read Oathtaker. I heartily recommend it. It's a complex but vastly entertaining story of good versus evil. This is undoubtedly just the beginning for Patricia Reding's writing career. Personally, I'd like to see what she does with historical fiction. She certainly has the chops for something along that line, and I doubt we've seen the limits to Reding's creative abilities.

Steve Wilson
author of the Michael Neill Adventures

This is a book to be admired.

The Oathtaker is a riveting, wonderful fantasy world that sucks you in from the very first chapter. There are so many things that contribute to this book being extraordinary. The characters (Mara is the meaning of heroine), the plot, the setting, and the way it is written. You know you are reading a wonderfully written novel when you can visually picture yourself in the world that is being written about. I am enjoying it more and more as I reread it. I look forward to the continuations of this series and highly recommend it to any and all fellow fantasy lovers.

I'm not one who would pick a fantasy book to read, but Oathtaker didn't sound like I would be reading about unicorns or fairy dust. I was not dissapointed by any means with this book. It got you interested right from page one. It's a long story which I liked since ending a book is always sad. I enjoyed reading about Mara and her responsibilites as an Oathtaker for two newborns and those who joined forces with her in keeping them safe. This book is one for all ages, which I am sure mine will be passed on in the very near future.

I found Oathtaker to be refreshing. From the very beginning it had me holding my breath and anxious to read what would happen next. I loved that the hero and heroine were truly good, and the villian, truly evil. In this current culture, so much of the drama stories involve heros who aren't so good, and villains who are often painted as merely victims forced to make bad choices.
Reding writes in a style similar to Tolkien, but I believe, with more clarity. The characters are introduced at a rate that allows you to not be overcome with trying to just remember "who's who", but to actually "track" them throughout the book. The spiritual analogies are sometimes subtle, but powerful. It is quite a long read, but I had trouble putting it down and am thoroughly excited to begin reading the next in the series! ! Keep them coming! !

Amazed at how quickly this book engulfed me. A riveting story about good and evil that kept me on the edge of my seat and left me wanting more. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to stay up all night, as it's difficult to put down.

A hard-fought fight for good over evil, the personal development of authentic characters and their relationships, an ancient prophecy revealed and fulfilled; Patricia Reding has skilfully woven the many and varied threads of this fantasy novel into a very satisfying epic adventure. She has managed to create a world that is both very different than our own and yet completely believable, and I very much appreciated being able to pronounce all the names used rather than stumbling over weird words that you have no clue as to how they might sound! The characters are extremely well-drawn and memorable, and I felt an instant liking for the lead character Mara, who is strong yet vulnerable and fully committed to the oath that she takes. By contrast, her arch-nemesis Lilith is despicably selfish and thoroughly consumed by evil, and the general populace have become a law unto themselves.
Oathtaker is fab! It's compelling and fast-paced, and the suspense is kept up right through to a great ending. A remarkably fast read for a book of this length.

I have never written a review for a book before but I am REALLY enjoying this fantasy novel!! It is extremely well written. I feel like the characters are developed to the point that I can visualize all of them, the good and the evil! Oh the evil are SO EVIL and the good are SO LIKEABLE!!! I like the relationships between the good characters... their loyalty to and their love for each other. I guess I can only say that I highly recommend it and am looking forward to reading the next books in the series!!!

Oathtaker is a whirlwind of adventure, emotions, and just the right amount of magic from start to finish. The dynamic characters, Mara and Dixon, form a unique bond to their Select that captatives the reader, especially myself, that pulls you through the pages of the book at top speed. The enchanting settings of both the cities and country, and spiraling plot is filled with twists and turns, where they meet quite the crew to accompany them on their mission to protect the twins till they come of age to take their throne. The relationships formed, both between main characters and their accompaniment(s), grow over time so that the reader is fully immersed in the world of Oosa’s reign. I fully enjoyed this book, could hardly put it down, and would highly recommend!