The Reckless Oath We Made

Zee is on a drug run with her young nephew, Marcus, when she discovers her sister, LaReigne, didn’t return home the night before because she was taken hostage at the local prison where she volunteers. Zee arrives at her mom’s house, where Gentry Frank, a literal modern knight-errant—swords and all—who is also on the autism spectrum is there to help her get through the ring of media surrounding the house. Zee needs somewhere to stay, so Gentry escorts her and Marcus to his family’s home. Zee doesn’t trust law enforcement because of her family’s history, and she’s afraid for her sister, especially after another hostage winds up dead. Gentry has spent his whole life training to be a knight; his anachronistic interests and his autism contributing to most people not taking him seriously. Now both must decide where their loyalties lie and what they are willing to sacrifice. Some readers may be put off by the frequent switching of points of view, especially Gentry’s stylized Middle English. Also, the number of side characters and narrative threads means that many plot lines are not tied up so neatly.