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The Oath: The Kingdom of the Crescent
Debut epic fantasy by Henry Cantleberry!
Before empires rise, the world must be tested.
A creeping black fog rolls out of the wilderness, carrying raiders touched by dark magic and leaving villages in ash. The realm within the Crescent Mountains stands unprepared—divided by politics, haunted by old grudges, and blind to the true power moving against it.
As warriors, wanderers, and reluctant heroes are drawn together, ancient magic stirs, dangerous alliances form, and secrets long buried begin to surface. To survive, they must swear oaths of loyalty, faith, and sacrifice—but some promises are easier to make than to keep.
Behind the invasion lies a conspiracy far greater than any army, and the choices made in its shadow will decide whether the realm rises… or falls.
The The Kingdom of the Crescent is an epic fantasy of honor, political intrigue, and the fragile line between duty and ambition—perfect for readers who love rich world-building, morally complex characters, and the slow burn rise of legends.
Before empires rise, the world must be tested.
A creeping black fog rolls out of the wilderness, carrying raiders touched by dark magic and leaving villages in ash. The realm within the Crescent Mountains stands unprepared—divided by politics, haunted by old grudges, and blind to the true power moving against it.
As warriors, wanderers, and reluctant heroes are drawn together, ancient magic stirs, dangerous alliances form, and secrets long buried begin to surface. To survive, they must swear oaths of loyalty, faith, and sacrifice—but some promises are easier to make than to keep.
Behind the invasion lies a conspiracy far greater than any army, and the choices made in its shadow will decide whether the realm rises… or falls.
The The Kingdom of the Crescent is an epic fantasy of honor, political intrigue, and the fragile line between duty and ambition—perfect for readers who love rich world-building, morally complex characters, and the slow burn rise of legends.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2024
5 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Henry Cantleberry
2 books4 followersBesides being a husband, father, a naval veteran of 21 years, a craftsmen, an amateur guitar player, and a songwriter, he's a lover of fantasy and writer. The influences in his youth included Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Dune. When he wrote songs during college, his lyrics often reflected fantasy themes; the same went for his papers when he was studying philosophy. He always loved an epic adventure in a grand scale. So, he grew into a daydreamer and a romanticist. His optimism walks hand in hand with his ideals of grandeur. Often, his wife walks a line of encouragement and keeping him rooted in reality. However, she never waivered when it came to supporting him writing his first book. It was a classic epic fantasy that encouraged him to develop a series which he is currently planning and writing. He lives in the Midwest, steadily writes, and looks forward to next adventure hiking in a national park.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 2, 2026
I was overall very excited and pleased to read The Oath. After coming off a really strong read in January, I was hesitant to pick up something new because I worried my expectations would be skewed. This book did not disappoint. From the very beginning, I messaged the author to say it gave me strong Lord of the Rings vibes, and as I continued, I also picked up hints of Game of Thrones in the political tension and shifting loyalties.
This epic fantasy follows four separate POVs, which gives us a full perspective of what is happening across the realm as their kingdom faces the threat of raiders. The very first chapter is gruesome in the best way and immediately pulled me in emotionally. As the story unfolds, we get layered conflict on all sides. While an outside army looms, the characters are also at war with each other in their interests, ambitions, and personal goals. That internal friction added depth to the larger threat.
I loved the turns the story took, the gradual discoveries about the enemy, and the hints of the world’s magical prowess. By the end, I genuinely did not expect the twist to unfold the way it did. The author handled it carefully, keeping key information hidden without making it feel random or unearned. The ending was clean and satisfying. It did not rely on a dramatic cliffhanger, yet it left enough threads open to make me excited for book two, which I am now impatiently waiting for.
I am fully invested in the rise of this kingdom, in what comes next with the remaining enemies, and in whatever else this world has in store.
There are a few critiques I can share, though none of them hindered my enjoyment or my overall rating.
At times, I struggled to determine whether we were in third person omniscient or third person limited. The perspective occasionally felt fluid in a way that blurred the lines. It never pulled me out of the story entirely, but there were moments of confusion about narrative distance.
Additionally, the author clearly prioritizes emotional and political tension surrounding the war over the war itself. Because of that focus, some battle scenes felt lighter and more straightforward than they could have been. The stakes were present, yet the physical danger sometimes resolved quickly. I understand this as a stylistic choice to emphasize the tension around the war rather than the brutality within it. The battles were still immersive and enjoyable to read.
Lastly, I do feel that a few off-page deaths might have carried more emotional weight if they had happened on page. As a reader who loves sitting in the nuance of grief and sacrifice, I wanted to feel those moments more directly. Some characters, especially those with meaningful page time, felt like they deserved a fuller farewell. That said, this is purely personal preference, and I understand why certain decisions were made.
All in all, this is still a five-star read for me. I love epic fantasy, especially when it is crafted with enough care and scope to sustain multiple books while holding my attention. Fantastic job to this author. I will absolutely be picking up the next installment.
This epic fantasy follows four separate POVs, which gives us a full perspective of what is happening across the realm as their kingdom faces the threat of raiders. The very first chapter is gruesome in the best way and immediately pulled me in emotionally. As the story unfolds, we get layered conflict on all sides. While an outside army looms, the characters are also at war with each other in their interests, ambitions, and personal goals. That internal friction added depth to the larger threat.
I loved the turns the story took, the gradual discoveries about the enemy, and the hints of the world’s magical prowess. By the end, I genuinely did not expect the twist to unfold the way it did. The author handled it carefully, keeping key information hidden without making it feel random or unearned. The ending was clean and satisfying. It did not rely on a dramatic cliffhanger, yet it left enough threads open to make me excited for book two, which I am now impatiently waiting for.
I am fully invested in the rise of this kingdom, in what comes next with the remaining enemies, and in whatever else this world has in store.
There are a few critiques I can share, though none of them hindered my enjoyment or my overall rating.
At times, I struggled to determine whether we were in third person omniscient or third person limited. The perspective occasionally felt fluid in a way that blurred the lines. It never pulled me out of the story entirely, but there were moments of confusion about narrative distance.
Additionally, the author clearly prioritizes emotional and political tension surrounding the war over the war itself. Because of that focus, some battle scenes felt lighter and more straightforward than they could have been. The stakes were present, yet the physical danger sometimes resolved quickly. I understand this as a stylistic choice to emphasize the tension around the war rather than the brutality within it. The battles were still immersive and enjoyable to read.
Lastly, I do feel that a few off-page deaths might have carried more emotional weight if they had happened on page. As a reader who loves sitting in the nuance of grief and sacrifice, I wanted to feel those moments more directly. Some characters, especially those with meaningful page time, felt like they deserved a fuller farewell. That said, this is purely personal preference, and I understand why certain decisions were made.
All in all, this is still a five-star read for me. I love epic fantasy, especially when it is crafted with enough care and scope to sustain multiple books while holding my attention. Fantastic job to this author. I will absolutely be picking up the next installment.
November 12, 2024
4.3/5. Debut author leaves his mark on the fantasy genre. "The Oath" is a fantastic start. The worldbuilding is believable yet never feels like a slog to get through. The characters are all likeable, even the dastardly ones, and their motivations are easy to understand and see their natural progression as events in the story play out. A few twists to keep readers on their toes yet they never feel like the author wrote himself into a corner. If you're looking for a more military-style fantasy adventure with plenty of battles, death, and heroics, then give "The Oath" a read today!
October 11, 2025
Very solid fantasy. Interesting twists on the classic mythos of dwarves and elves. The subplots of Master Gregory and the Par'sha are by and large the best parts of the story as a whole. A little back and forth on the pacing, but it was never too big of a deal. All in all, a very good, solid debut. I look forward to reading the second one!
Also, the intrigue in this story is the best while it lasts. It'll be interesting to see how Cantleberry tops that aspect in the subsequent books.
Also, the intrigue in this story is the best while it lasts. It'll be interesting to see how Cantleberry tops that aspect in the subsequent books.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews