Game of Oaths: (A YA Historical Fantasy about a Magical Circus, Deadly Tournament, and Revenge)

Description: Behind the Glamour of the Circus Lies a Deadly Game

Paris, 1896. Beneath a grand hotel, the legendary le Cirque des Ombres dazzles audiences with breathtaking performances and enchanting illusions. But behind the spectacle, the circus's performers are bound by magical contracts--and every year, twelve of them are chosen to compete in the Game of Oaths, a secret tournament where only one survives.

Seventeen-year-old trapeze artist Falan Sunkara has only one goal: revenge. After her sister became one of last year's eleven victims, Falan is determined to make the circus's powerful ringmaster pay. When she's selected as this year's competitor, she'll have to outwit ruthless rivals, forge dangerous alliances, and decide who deserves her trust--because in the Game of Oaths, survival demands impossible choices.

-A thrilling YA fantasy set in Belle Époque Paris with a magical circus and deadly tournament
-A fierce heroine driven by revenge, and resilience
-Rich historical fantasy, enchanting magic, breathtaking performances, and high-stakes competition
-Perfect for readers who love dark fantasy, court intrigue, deadly games, and immersive world-building

With unforgettable characters, dazzling world-building, and relentless suspense, The Game of Oaths is a gripping tale of vengeance, survival, and the price of keeping your promises.

"Utterly captivating." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Review Quotes: Bandreddi's debut, which features a diverse cast, is an impressive addition to its genre, enlivened with miraculous thrills and savagely unpredictable twists that will keep readers guessing. The author explores themes of allyship, survival, and colonization in this work that will appeal to fans of Squid Game and The Hunger Games. Utterly captivating.
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The relationship between la lien, class, and colonialism is seamlessly acknowledged and appropriately credited for much of the carnage of the Game. However, Falan is not cleared of responsibility for her actions and she is truly ruthless in a way that will especially delight fans of Black's The Cruel Prince (2018). The tension is set high throughout the story, with third-person POV playing a critical and engaging role in escalating the feelings of uncertainty in Falan's goal to survive.
--Booklist (starred review)

This intricately built and darkly sumptuous story of vengeance and liberation will appeal to fans of Roshani Chokshi's The Gilded Wolves.
--Publishers Weekly

Bandreddi writes with flair and style, engaging readers with equal parts dialogue, action, and reflection. The pacing moves readers along the journey evenly, leaving open questions that get answered as the plot progresses. . . . With an intriguing premise and beautifully written, this book is perfect for a teen library.
--School Library Journal

The packed plot doesn't shy away from brutal action, delivering on the festival's promised deadly stakes and the competitors' complex relationships, and the pace effectively draws the reader in. . . . While the grim atmosphere feels dystopian, the alternate Parisian Belle Epoque setting blends just the right amount of fantasy with French language and cultural elements to transport yet not alienate readers. . . . [An] engrossing glimpse of sensationalizing talent for survival.
--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

The Game of Oaths is a captivating and brutal tale of magic and revenge that will leave you entranced, enchanted, and unable to do anything but turn the next page. Absolutely brimming with heart.
--Ann Sei Lin, author of Rebel Skies

Riveting. Breathtaking. The sharp thrill of a deadly game mixed with the alluring spectacle of dark magic, and a cast of characters so fiercely vivid they had me in a choke hold from the first page.
--D. L. Taylor, author of The Beasts We Bury