The more things change, the more difficult our challenge to adapt to those changes, especially when they involve people and failed responsibilities. While there’s plenty of aerial swashbuckling and adventure and even political sparring in Meg MacDonald’s Oath Sworn, the central conflict unfolds between two people—a young boy who’s something of a priest, and the man who swore to be his guardian but couldn’t prevent him from going missing. When the boy suddenly returns, launching a flotilla of political and religious ramifications for several kingdoms, his friendship with his guardian grows strained under the weight of secrets left unspoken. Strange concepts and tumultuous dialogue can soar over the reader’s head, but this narrative moves at a riveting clip.

Best for: Adult readers.

Discern: Some stronger language might discomfit some Christian readers; vague references to abuses that a certain enemy inflicted on both heroes.