One of August’s Book Of the Month* choices was The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood. I’ve been anxiously awaiting her next book since I read All the Ugly and Wonderful Things in 2017, after it won BOTM’s Book of the Year prize for 2016. It’s a controversial book, but done so, so beautifully. If you haven’t read it, I’d highly suggest picking it up!

The Reckless Oath We Made is about Zee, a woman who has just been dealt a bad hand at life, and is trying to hard to earn enough money so she can live with her sister, LaReigne, and help take care of her nephew, Marcus. Zee meets Gentry, a man with autism who hears voices and is convinced he is a knight, while at physical therapy, and they form a very strange friendship. LaReigne is taken hostage from the prison where she volunteers, and Zee has no choice but to depend on Gentry to help her in her quest to save her sister.

The book is written from multiple characters’ perspectives, though we mostly hear from Zee. We also hear from Gentry, and he not only speaks with everyone in Middle English, but he thinks in Middle English! It does take some getting used to, but you’ll quickly realize that Gentry’s odd mannerisms and different perspective are a welcomed break after the difficult, messy, and really tough stuff Zee & Gentry encounter on their quest. This book is HEAVY, and Gentry is a breath of fresh air. His devotion to Zee is endearing and captivating, while Zee’s acceptance of Gentry’s every quirk is tender and sweet.

I absolutely loved this story of loyalty, love, and family. It contained heavy themes like drug use and abuse, white supremacy, and family members in prison, among others, so be aware of this as you begin your reading. I gave this book a 4.5/5 stars — I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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