By Paige Ewing
© 2023, City Owl Press
ASIN: B0C4ZJH81L
Kindle version; file size 1350 KB
Even though spider-kin Liliana sees the past, the future, and into men’s souls, she can still be surprised. After all, no one wakes up wondering if they’ll be accused of murder by a werewolf.
This was a great read, one that kept me turning the pages even when I should have been doing other things. Not only were the characters engaging, diverse, and believable, but the story overall is not quite like anything I’ve read before. It wasn’t the LGBTQ+ characters, which I loved, or the presence of Fey and Otherkin, which I’ve seen. It was the way Ewing wrote them, the way they connected in the story. Also? Liliana, the main character, is Autistic; author Paige Ewing does a great job of portraying this without detracting from her strength and amazing capabilities. Nicely done!
The story has plenty of action-packed scenes, especially given Liliana’s spider-kin abilities (which kinda reminded me of Spiderman a little). But while I would mostly classify it as an urban fantasy, it also had the same cozy feel as Legends and Lattes, Light My Pyre, or the Presence Unknown, Paranormal Investigators series. Precise Oaths is a book you can enjoy while snuggled up with a blanket and a cup of tea or cocoa, or sitting on the grass under a tree, or just about anywhere.
This fun debut novel is the first book in what will be the ongoing Liliana and the Fae of Fayetteville series. I absolutely look forward to more adventures with Liliana, Pete, and the rest of the cast. If you like cozy fantasy, complete with Otherkin and shapeshifters, you will definitely want to read this book.