A cursed knight, a passionate rebel, and a love that defies death; Lauren Lee Merewether’s The Darkest Oath delivers a haunting Gothic tale set amid the blood-soaked streets of revolutionary France. An oath made in desperation becomes a curse through selfish actions and leaves a knight of the Second Crusade as the immortal servant of the French crown. He has remained in the palace for six hundred years, seeing monarchs come and go, frustrated by history repeating itself. In 1788, on the eve of the French Revolution, he was sent to gauge the sentiments of the Parisians. He walked into Au Pain Roux, and his life was never the same. Èlise has survived the streets and abuse from her protector, the owner of Au Pain Roux. She is passionate in her desire for change in France. Time after time, she finds herself rescued by Rollant, a stoic and enigmatic man. When circumstances throw them together, they become close. Knowing that his curse may kill Èlise, Rollant tries to stay away, but in the face of the revolution and uncertainty of the crown, he feels lost for the first time in six hundred years, except when he is with Èlise. Their love cannot be, but it may be stronger than a sorcerer’s curse. They will have to live in the hope that one day Rollant will be released from his curse; until then, they have to face the turmoil of the revolution and the following Reign of Terror.

Lauren Lee Merewether has written a captivating love story that readers of historical romance and gothic novels will love. She has created relatable and authentic characters in a slow-burn romance that will keep the reader riveted to the story. I could not put it down; the pace is measured while building up to multiple climaxes as the history of France unfolds. The novel has a Christian thread throughout and deals with the curse in a manner that suits the historical period when Rollant accepted his oath. Throughout the narrative, some themes give gravitas to events, such as Rollant’s faith and desire to be made right with God, the absence of trust between the king and his people, domestic abuse, and the abuse of power by those who use it to satisfy their sadistic hunger for dominion over others. The Darkest Oath not only deals with the doomed love story of Rollant and Èlise. It also shows the French Revolution as the bloody and perverted result of the excesses of the nobility, emphasizing the corruption of absolute power.

The Darkest Oath: A Gothic Romance of Forbidden Love, Immortality, and Revolution by Lauren Lee Merewether revolves around a once loyal knight to the crown, Rollant de Montvieux, who was cursed with immortality after betrayal in battle. For six hundred years, he has served in secret, unable to form lasting bonds without deadly consequences. During the unrest in Paris, he continues his covert work while the monarchy’s power erodes. Élise, committed to opposing royal control, moves through the city under false identities, gathering information for the revolutionary cause. When their missions cross, the connection between them threatens to unravel what both have built. As violence grows, Rollant must either uphold the terms of an ancient obligation or defy it to protect someone now at risk. Élise must decide whether her fight belongs in the streets or elsewhere.

“It was her first kiss born of love, and she knew she wanted him by her side for all time.” The Darkest Oath by Lauren Lee Merewether is a spectacularly written novel, and the strong portrayal of a world where conflicts drive Élise, torn between an abusive relationship and her love for Rollant, bent on vengeance, is wonderful. Merewether paints an emotional tug-of-war that makes us root for both. Of course, as a historical novel, the period is important. Merewether delivers with the inclusion of genuine historical events, such as the Estates-General and the rise of the National Assembly, providing a solid foundation that amplifies the fictional elements. The emotional and physical connection between Rollant and Élise is palpable, and we get moments of tenderness in the turmoil of the revolution. Overall, Merewether’s fabulous combination is a win, and I am now a fan. Very highly recommended.