The Game of Oaths
The Hunger Games meets The Night Circus in this pulse-pounding YA fantasy of dark magic, deadly trials and a heroine hellbent on revenge
Binding: Paperback
Imprint: Walker
Age 14+
Fantasy & Magical Realism
The high-stakes of The Hunger Games. The rich magical setting of Caraval. The ensemble cast of Six of Crows.
Paris, 1896. Beneath a grand hotel, the legendary le Cirque des Ombres dazzles audiences with breathtaking performances and enchanting illusions. But behind the spectacle, the circus’s performers are bound by magical contracts - and every year, twelve of them are chosen to compete in the Game of Oaths, a secret tournament where only one survives.
Seventeen-year-old trapeze artist Falan Sunkara has only one goal: revenge. After her sister became one of last year’s eleven victims, Falan is determined to make the circus’s powerful ringmaster pay. But to win the Game, she'll have to outwit ruthless rivals, forge dangerous alliances and decide who deserves her trust - because in the Game of Oaths, survival demands impossible choices.
-A thrilling YA fantasy set in Belle Époque Paris with a magical circus and deadly tournament
-A fierce heroine driven by revenge, and resilience
-Rich historical fantasy, enchanting magic, breathtaking performances and high-stakes competition
-Perfect for readers who love dark fantasy, court intrigue, deadly games and immersive world-building
With unforgettable characters, relentless suspense and a slow-burn romance, The Game of Oaths is a gripping tale of vengeance, survival and the price of keeping your promises.
"This intricately built and darkly sumptuous story of vengeance and liberation will appeal to fans of Roshani Chokshi’s The Gilded Wolves." Publishers Weekly
"Riveting. Breathtaking. The sharp thrill of a deadly game mixed with the alluring spectacle of dark magic." D. L. Taylor, author of The Beasts We Bury
"Will appeal to fans of Squid Game and The Hunger Games." Kirkus Reviews
"Captivating and brutal." Ann Sei Lin, author of Rebel Skies
"Like walking a tightrope - except you never want to reach the end.” Brooke Archer, author of Hearts Still Beating
Creators
S. C. Bandreddi hails from Northern California, where she grew up scribbling stories deep into the night and hasn’t stopped since. When she’s not writing, she’s usually puzzling, gaming or at an arcade trying to win as many plushies as she can. The Game of Oaths is her debut novel.
Reviews
Bandreddi’s debut, which features a diverse cast, is an impressive addition to its genre, enlivened with miraculous thrills and savagely unpredictable twists that will keep readers guessing. The author explores themes of allyship, survival, and colonization in this work that will appeal to fans of Squid Game and The Hunger Games. Utterly captivating.
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
This intricately built and darkly sumptuous story of vengeance and liberation will appeal to fans of Roshani Chokshi’s The Gilded Wolves.
Publishers Weekly
Bandreddi writes with flair and style, engaging readers with equal parts dialogue, action, and reflection. The pacing moves readers along the journey evenly, leaving open questions that get answered as the plot progresses. . . . With an intriguing premise and beautifully written, this book is perfect for a teen library.
School Library Journal
The Game of Oaths is a captivating and brutal tale of magic and revenge that will leave you entranced, enchanted, and unable to do anything but turn the next page. Absolutely brimming with heart.
Ann Sei Lin, author of Rebel Skies
Riveting. Breathtaking. The sharp thrill of a deadly game mixed with the alluring spectacle of dark magic, and a cast of characters so fiercely vivid they had me in a choke hold from the first page.
D. L. Taylor, author of The Beasts We Bury
