“The Oathbreaker’s Shadow” by Amy McCulloch (Random House)

A great new voice in YA fantasy

Fifteen-year-old Raim lives in a world where you tie a knot for every promise that you make. Break that promise and you are scarred for life, and cast out into the desert.

Raim has worn a simple knot around his wrist for as long as he can remember. No one knows where it came from, and which promise of his it symbolises, but he barely thinks about it at all – not since becoming the most promising young fighter ever to train for the elite Yun guard. But on the most important day of his life, when he binds his life to his best friend (and future king) Khareh, the string bursts into flames and sears a dark mark into his skin.

Scarred now as an oath-breaker, Raim has two options: run, or be killed.

The Oathbreaker’s Shadow is the first half of an intriguing, well-written and quite addictive new YA duology. It offers a great introduction to a new world, one in which the power of promises – and the consequences of breaking them – can make or break your entire life. Brilliantly imagined and brought to life on the page, this is a great debut.

Interview with AMY McCULLOCH

I first heard about Amy McCulloch’s debut novel near the end of last year, I think. Later, I got the chance to ask her about the upcoming book. Ever since, I’ve been very eager to read The Oathbreaker’s Shadow. I decided to pick her brain a little more, to find out more about her influences, experiences in publishing and as a writer.

Upcoming: “The Oathbreaker’s Shadow” by Amy McCulloch (Random House)

I’ve been looking forward to this novel ever since I spoke to Amy one day last year, and she told me about it. The cover makes it look a little Prince of Persia-esque, but I’m not sure how accurate that assumption would be. The premise certainly sounds pretty intriguing and tantalizing:

Fifteen-year-old Raim lives in a world where you tie a knot for every promise that you make. Break that promise and you are scarred for life, and cast out into the desert.

Raim has worn a simple knot around his wrist for as long as he can remember. No one knows where it came from, and which promise of his it symbolises, but he barely thinks about it at all — not since becoming the most promising young fighter ever to train for the elite Yun guard. But on the most important day of his life, when he binds his life to his best friend (and future king) Khareh, the string bursts into flames and sears a dark mark into his skin.

Scarred now as an oath-breaker, Raim has two options: run, or be killed.

With luck, I’ll get a review up here in the not-too-distant future. I’m really looking forward to this.

The Oathbreaker’s Shadow will be released by Random House’s YA imprint in June 2013.