I'd like to start by saying that I've enjoyed this series so far, both Bonemender and now, Bonemender's Oath. I was enchanted by Gabrielle, the half-Elf princess of Verdeau with a talent for hand healing. What I liked about the main characters in the Bonemender series is that they are not only believable, but their people who I'd like to know personally as friends. The war between Gabrielle's people and those of the mysterious Greffier across the Krylian mountains is over, but Gabrielle's struggle to keep her people together and herself alive, while keeping to the oath she swore as a bonemender, is far from finished. She's not alone, however; she's got the Elf Feolan, her soul mate, Derkh, the boy from Greffier whose life Gabrielle saved during the war, and her family, including Tristan who has fallen in love with Rosalie, but he's not alone in wanting her as his wife. The dark and dangerous LaBarque wants Rosalie for himself, and he's crazy enough to do whatever it takes--unless Tristan can stop him in time, saving himself as well as Rosalie.
Objectively, THE BONEMENDER'S OATH isn't the best book I've read, but it's a moving story that will grab the readers attention and carry you through to the end of the story. It certainly drew me in completely and I certainly would recommend this fantasy to anyone who enjoys this genre.

Jack Murphy ( )

Bennett's second novel in the Bonemender series picks up right where the first left off, as the triumphant armies of Verdeau head for home. With the narrative voice alternating between various characters, this brief sequel follows Gabrielle and her brother Tristan, as they struggle to keep those they love safe - whether from maniacal merchants or their own misguided impulses...

I found The Bonemender to be a very competent first effort on the author's part, and was therefore all the more disappointed in this follow-up. Not only does Bennett's handling of the dual-narrative structure feel disjointed at times, but the writing itself is somewhat stilted. The plot elements frequently felt contrived and anti-climactic after the first book, as if Bennett had forgotten how to write epic fantasy. Worst of all, many of the characters (particularly Gabrielle, Tristan, and Féolan) were so artificially virtuous that they seemed flat and lifeless...

Although I couldn't recommend The Bonemender's Oath whole-heartedly, I do like some of the world-building that Bennett has put into her Krylian Basin. What is more, I find it refreshing to read a juvenile fantasy in which the author does not feel it necessary to make the heroine some kind of sword-fighter (no one could ever top Robin McKinley for that anyway). So despite my reservations, I still think I'll read the next installment in this series, The Bonemender's Choice. ( )

In the second book in the Bonemender series, Gabrielle heads home from the war, along with Tristan, elf Féolan, and Derkh. There they will face new enemies, along with new challenges. Not a long read but enjoyable. ( )

Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com

Readers met Gabrielle, the half-Elf princess of Verdeau with a talent for healing, in Holly Bennett's THE BONEMENDER. Now she's back in THE BONEMENDER'S OATH, along with many characters whom readers of THE BONEMENDER will be glad to see back in its sequel. The war between Gabrielle's people and those of the mysterious Greffier across the Krylian mountains is done, but Gabrielle's struggle to keep her people together and herself alive, while keeping to the oath she swore as a bonemender, is far from over. She's not alone, however; she's got Feolan, the Elf she loves, Derkh, the boy from Greffier whose life she saved during the war, and her family.

Speaking of her family, Gabrielle's brother Tristan has troubles of his own. He's fallen in love with Rosalie, but he's not alone in wanting her as his wife. The dark and dangerous LaBarque wants Rosalie for himself, and he's crazy enough to do whatever it takes--unless Tristan can stop him in time, saving himself as well as Rosalie.

Aside from their personal troubles, there are politics to consider for the people of Verdeau. They want peace in the Kryllian Basin, after the war in which many of their people, including Gabrielle and Tristan's father, the King, were killed. However, the Greffaires might have different ideas about what is to come.

Objectively, THE BONEMENDER'S OATH is not an exceptional book. The writing isn't breathtakingly brilliant, nor the plot. Still, though, everything mysteriously comes together to make a powerful story that will grab the reader's attention and refuse to let go! I read this book in one sitting, and I know I won't be alone in that. It is recommended to have read THE BONEMENDER before reading this novel; I don't know how confusing it would be to someone who has not read that, but certainly more so than to someone who has. THE BONEMENDER'S OATH will meet the expectations of readers of Holly Bennett's previous book, with the same great characters and way of drawing you in completely; it is a highly recommended read for fans of fantasy! ( )

Like the first book in this series, I enjoyed the gentleness of the story, and the main characters. But again, I didn't get any sense of real peril. This story is set as everyone returns from the war, and is split between Gabrielle, Feolan and Derkh, who each have to determine where their home will be, and Tristan's fight for the woman he loves.
The story was very short, and the switching between plot threads was distracting, although it did heighten the tension. ( )