Beware the waters. The dangerous deep brings ruin to all.

Emme has spent her life avoiding anything to do with pirates. But the fates are cruel, and now a hidden sickness leads her to partner with pirates for the one thing that can save her—a cure on an island none are certain exists.

The pirate captain’s secrets are darker than the deep and threaten to kill them all. His obligations are tinged with betrayal, for his oathbind must be fulfilled. To ignore it is to invite peril of unimaginable destruction.

As the adventure unfolds, the sea takes more than she expects and the sea gives more than he wants.

Book 1 of The Rose Chronicles series.

What drives a person to chance death by sailing to an island that may not exist? In Victoria McCombs’s swashbuckling tale Oathbound, Emme tags along with Arn’s pirate crew on the Royal Rose as they sail after a rumored treasure, but that’s not the treasure she seeks. They face uncharted waters, wicked sea creatures, and a ghostly ship that haunts their thoughts and dreams. Avast ye! This tale of oaths and bonds steers an exciting voyage through dangerous waters. Secrets and ambition lurk at every turn, and sins bring real consequences. McCombs has provided a rousing story full of emotion and adventure to sail readers into further chronicles of the Royal Rose.

Best for: Fans of pirate tales and fantasy, young adults and older.

Discern: Violence (they are pirates, after all), death, some dark magic.