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Under The Oak Tree - Novel #3
Under the Oak Tree: Volume 3 (The Novel)
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26Most fairytales end with a wedding and a happily-ever-after—but this is no fairytale. The updated and official translation of Under the Oak Tree, the #1 webnovel on MANTA, continues in this third volume.
The day that Lady Maximilian has been dreading is After an arduous journey to Livadon, she must stay behind at a monastery while her husband, the renowned Sir Riftan, rides off to war with the Remdragon Knights. Consumed by worry for their loved ones, Maxi and the other noblewomen in the monastery keep themselves busy by tending to villagers in need at the local shelter.
But Maxi’s patience quickly runs thin as she fears the worst. Desperate to see Riftan, she escapes the monastery and makes her way to the battlefield. Little does she know that the horrors of war and swarms of terrifying monsters are not the only dangers awaiting her. As she confronts her painful past, the tumultuous present, and an uncertain future, Maxi faces the greatest obstacles of her life—and the gravest threats to her relationship with Riftan thus far.
This volume collects chapters 134–193 of the original webnovel by Suji Kim.
The day that Lady Maximilian has been dreading is After an arduous journey to Livadon, she must stay behind at a monastery while her husband, the renowned Sir Riftan, rides off to war with the Remdragon Knights. Consumed by worry for their loved ones, Maxi and the other noblewomen in the monastery keep themselves busy by tending to villagers in need at the local shelter.
But Maxi’s patience quickly runs thin as she fears the worst. Desperate to see Riftan, she escapes the monastery and makes her way to the battlefield. Little does she know that the horrors of war and swarms of terrifying monsters are not the only dangers awaiting her. As she confronts her painful past, the tumultuous present, and an uncertain future, Maxi faces the greatest obstacles of her life—and the gravest threats to her relationship with Riftan thus far.
This volume collects chapters 134–193 of the original webnovel by Suji Kim.
528 pages, Hardcover
First published November 29, 2025
13 people are currently reading
729 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 20, 2025
Riftan hater n.1
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh my heart. Why is this series so good? I'm in a terrible slump and still I devoured this in less than a day. The gorgeous editions these books are getting just say it all.
My heart hurts for Maxi. She goes through so much. After the ending, I absolutely cannot wait for the next book.
This is the series for everyone who keeps asking for a heroine who isn't the strongest and the bravest and the best. But is still the HEROINE.
Highly recommended!
My heart hurts for Maxi. She goes through so much. After the ending, I absolutely cannot wait for the next book.
This is the series for everyone who keeps asking for a heroine who isn't the strongest and the bravest and the best. But is still the HEROINE.
Highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I. Am. Bereft.
That ending has finished me off, as if the story itself wasn't rich, heartbreaking, tragic, warm and many things in between. I feel like each installment of this series in novel format is a real-time experience where time moves realistically through the moments and I feel completely alongside Maxi and Riftan.
We joined these two finishing the journey they started in volume two and arriving and bedding in for a long series of battles with the 'monsters'. Maxi and Riftan had periods of separation and being together, thank goodness for the promise of and the realisation of those together periods, because I needed those pages of togetherness. And yet, when they were apart, we saw Maxi develop in characterisation, maturity and experience. She worked as a healer and she worked menial tasks. For this high-born lady, that was something hard for her, but she humbly applied herself. I adore her.
When these two were reunited, it was peppered with difficulty. Maxi had some seriously risky decision-making but her intentions were selfless and noble. Riftan was a reluctant forgiver and he was still prone to locking down with silence. These two forever seem to hold their feelings back verbally while communicating much through intimacy.
The side characters seem to be painted more deeply as we get to know them more and no one has a softer spot in my heart than Ruth. I felt he earned this soft spot even more in volume three.
This series has often left the reader at a cliff edge between installments but this one has felt to be the hardest. It was a heart-rending ending and I am utterly concerned for where they will begin, journey and end from herein.
I remain completely captivated by this series, this couple, their dynamic and the story. I cannot wait for the next book.
That ending has finished me off, as if the story itself wasn't rich, heartbreaking, tragic, warm and many things in between. I feel like each installment of this series in novel format is a real-time experience where time moves realistically through the moments and I feel completely alongside Maxi and Riftan.
We joined these two finishing the journey they started in volume two and arriving and bedding in for a long series of battles with the 'monsters'. Maxi and Riftan had periods of separation and being together, thank goodness for the promise of and the realisation of those together periods, because I needed those pages of togetherness. And yet, when they were apart, we saw Maxi develop in characterisation, maturity and experience. She worked as a healer and she worked menial tasks. For this high-born lady, that was something hard for her, but she humbly applied herself. I adore her.
When these two were reunited, it was peppered with difficulty. Maxi had some seriously risky decision-making but her intentions were selfless and noble. Riftan was a reluctant forgiver and he was still prone to locking down with silence. These two forever seem to hold their feelings back verbally while communicating much through intimacy.
The side characters seem to be painted more deeply as we get to know them more and no one has a softer spot in my heart than Ruth. I felt he earned this soft spot even more in volume three.
This series has often left the reader at a cliff edge between installments but this one has felt to be the hardest. It was a heart-rending ending and I am utterly concerned for where they will begin, journey and end from herein.
I remain completely captivated by this series, this couple, their dynamic and the story. I cannot wait for the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The story continues! Maxi may have convinced Riftan to let her accompany him and his knights, but it doesn’t mean he will take her to war. She is forced to stay behind at a monastery while she waits for Riftan to come back from war against the monsters that plagued the land. But staying still is the last thing Maxi wants. And she gets the opportunity to help and possibly catch a glimpse of Riftan when her and another noblewoman disguise themselves as female clerics to help the wounded. She is closer to the action than she thought she would be and danger for her may be closer than she thinks. Especially since if she isn’t careful Riftan will spot her. For me, this caught me up to where the comic of this story is currently at and beyond! So much happens in this book. A lot of action and a lot of revelations. I couldn’t put it down, having to know what was going to happen next with these characters. But here was my biggest question when I reached the end… was this truly the end? It’s a bit vague in the sense nothing is advertised as it, but since these volumes pick up with the next chapter and this one has an epilogue, it may be that we have reached the end. And end that does conclude rather well but also leaves us wanting more considering where we left off with Riftan and Maxi. I needed an epilogue after the epilogue! A better peek at the future after everything we saw happened. But I will say, Maxi’s journey really took off in this story. She has so much more fight in this book and we see that in several very important places, especially the end. But again, I love a good satisfying happily ever after for our characters and I needed more than we got. Overall though, I really did love this series. It was an interesting world to be in and if this isn’t the end, then I can’t wait for more. But if we have truly reached the end, it’s been a great journey.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Man, am I not obsessed with this series. I didn't make it this far by any means while reading the webtoon but... Good god, I need book four out like... yesterday at the latest.
This book just does things to me, and things are slowly getting to the point where and when you know the dam is going to break and then tears will pour because it's either goint to break your heart or be debastaitingly haunting.
This book was... Wow, not only am I know questing for our lovely squires to get themselves some sweet, gentle, loving lady to fancy ('cuase honestly, the poor boys deserve someone to pamper and woo as seems to be their pastime) but also ready as never before to get Maxi to get the big words out and kick some ass (literally, metaphorically, dunno, don't care). And well, then again, I just know things are getting real. Ready as they come for book four (can't help it, i don't know how this ends and don't want to spoil it) to be on Netgalley nor can I wait for the day the Amazon delivery guy will bring this book to my house 'cause of course it's going to join its siblings on my selves and my list of special editions as well.
This book just does things to me, and things are slowly getting to the point where and when you know the dam is going to break and then tears will pour because it's either goint to break your heart or be debastaitingly haunting.
This book was... Wow, not only am I know questing for our lovely squires to get themselves some sweet, gentle, loving lady to fancy ('cuase honestly, the poor boys deserve someone to pamper and woo as seems to be their pastime) but also ready as never before to get Maxi to get the big words out and kick some ass (literally, metaphorically, dunno, don't care). And well, then again, I just know things are getting real. Ready as they come for book four (can't help it, i don't know how this ends and don't want to spoil it) to be on Netgalley nor can I wait for the day the Amazon delivery guy will bring this book to my house 'cause of course it's going to join its siblings on my selves and my list of special editions as well.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you for the ARC of Under the Oak Tree
The pick up Maxi and Riftan's journey. Maxi doesn't want to just be a wife for Riftan, she wants to help and be here for him. She also wants to use her knowledge in magic and plants to save/heal others. This journey to find her husband whelps maxi growing even more as a woman. She finds balance and confidence in helping others. The difference between the first and third book is truly amazing.
This book is filled with angst too, even tho we know Riftan wants to protect her, it's sickening how the "miscommunication" works. They do talk, just not enough. They have the same conversation and yet, both hear or understand something else.
I really want to see where this is going, still a pleasure to read every time.
The pick up Maxi and Riftan's journey. Maxi doesn't want to just be a wife for Riftan, she wants to help and be here for him. She also wants to use her knowledge in magic and plants to save/heal others. This journey to find her husband whelps maxi growing even more as a woman. She finds balance and confidence in helping others. The difference between the first and third book is truly amazing.
This book is filled with angst too, even tho we know Riftan wants to protect her, it's sickening how the "miscommunication" works. They do talk, just not enough. They have the same conversation and yet, both hear or understand something else.
I really want to see where this is going, still a pleasure to read every time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Riftan and Maxi's journey still makes me swoon. Their marriage continues to evolve as they face challenges, monsters, and as Maxi continues to find her voice. This 3rd volume is filled with romance, adventure, and angst. The ending with shatter you and leave you wanting more! (and there is SO MUCH MORE TO COME!).
Rating: ⭐x 5
Spice Level:🌶️x 4
Rating: ⭐x 5
Spice Level:🌶️x 4
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews