The Truth-Teller’s Bargain by Camille Wolfewood
Alethea has never been free.
Born an Oracle with the power to speak the truth, she has spent her life in a gilded cage, her gift abused by her mother, the Queen of Lenorea, to maintain her rule and silence opposition. When Alethea speaks a prophecy that threatens the crown, she flees . . .
And falls right into the hands of Nakir Hasan, the cursed and exiled heir leading the rebellion against Lenorea’s throne. He takes her captive, expecting a loyal weapon of the crown, only to discover a young woman desperate to escape the very life she’s been forced to serve.
So they strike a bargain.
Alethea will help Nakir reclaim the crown, and in return, he’ll grant her the freedom she was never allowed.
But what begins as an alliance between enemies slowly becomes something far more dangerous. As war approaches and prophecy closes in, their unlikely pull to each other grows stronger, and soon, Alethea and Nakir are faced with a damning realization . . .
What if the greatest threat to the bargain they made isn’t the prophecy Alethea spoke . . . but the freedom she seeks, and what—or who—it will cost her to claim it?
~*~
The Truth-Teller’s Bargain is the first book in The Oracle’s Duet, part of the larger romantasy universe Songs of Senmarria.
Release date: July 7, 2026
What our booksellers are saying:
“The perfect fantasy to pull you out of a reading slump and give you an unexpected new addiction. I loved how Thea wasn’t your average stabby FMC, she was strong and powerful in her own way and embraced it. The yearning had me smiling as I was reading, and a horned MMC?! Forever a Nakir fan. I can’t wait for book 2, especially after that ending!!!” -Jessica T.
“The Truth-Teller’s Bargain grabbed my attention from the very beginning. Alethea’s oracle powers balanced by the curse of telling the truth was really intriguing. The prose and introductions between chapters greatly expanded the world and its history. With that being said, the pace in the middle slowed down significantly for me and I would have loved to see more of the intricate world that was being created. The slow burn wasn’t really a slow burn romance. I felt like the FMC and MMC got together right away so I had a hard time feeling invested in that relationship and would have enjoyed more build up. There were some excellent side characters and I loved Alethea’s found family! There is definitely a lot of opportunity to grow the plot and add more to the major storyline!” -Kyle
What our ARC readers are saying:
“Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review! The Truth-Teller’s Bargain completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. This book has everything I love in a romantasy: enemies-to-lovers tension, dangerous bargains, rebellion politics, and found family. Alethea was such an easy protagonist to root for. She’s been controlled and underestimated for so long that watching her slowly realize her own strength was incredibly rewarding. I loved that she wasn’t instantly fearless or perfect — she makes mistakes, doubts herself, and still keeps pushing forward. The worldbuilding is detailed without feeling impossible to follow. There’s a lot introduced early on, but once the pieces begin to click together, the story becomes completely addictive. I especially loved the magic system and the way powers actually come with consequences. By the end, I was desperate for book two and already mourning the fact that I can’t read it immediately.” -Bailey
“First off. The MMC has horns. 😏 I absolutely ate this book UPP omg!! The plot was fast paced, I had my kindle clued to my side non stop while reading this. I read it in 24 hours it was so good. I adore the FMCs story, the ending had my heart beating out of my entire chest lol. The MMC would literally kill anyone that even looked at her wrong, ugh I love him. Yup yup this book is ITTTT.” -Lora
“I absolutely devoured The Truth Teller’s Bargain. The pacing hooked me immediately. You are thrown straight into the story without pages of heavy world-building, and I loved discovering the world naturally alongside the characters. It made everything feel immersive instead of overwhelming. I connected deeply with the FMC and her struggle with self-worth and the damaging beliefs she’d carried for so long. When you’re taught to see yourself a certain way, it’s incredibly hard to break out of that mindset, and her emotional responses felt painfully realistic at times. Watching her slowly realize her own strength, intelligence, and value was one of the most rewarding parts of the book for me. And the MMC? The SECOND he was introduced as the intimidating guy, I was immediately invested. 😂 I loved the contrast between his reputation and the softness he showed his “family”. Their dynamic worked so well for me, especially because his feelings developed before he fully understood who she truly was. I also appreciated that he was honest with her about the prophecy and the role she might play in his claim to the throne instead of hiding it or manipulating her. The found family aspect was another highlight. The friendships and support she built along the way gave the story so much heart and balance alongside the heavier emotional themes. When I hit “to be continued,” I genuinely had a dramatic “NOOOOO!” moment because I was not ready for it to end.” -Tammy
“Absolutely loved this book! I enjoyed that our FMC essentially stayed “weak” physically but grew so much mentally and emotionally. She found herself and was able to recognize there are other kinds of strengths that matter beyond just physical. I loved that we saw her learn to trust not only herself but others around her. Her character development was just so well written. The pacing was well done and the the explanation of magic was easy to follow. I could have had more time with the side characters. I hope we get more in book 2.” -Amanda
“The Truth-Teller's Bargain was a fun read, featuring a FMC who is basically a prisoner in her own home, forced to use her power of prophecy to keep her mother, the Queen, on the throne. I liked that the book was not super long; it was a quick and easy read. However, this did contribute to some pacing problems. We hurtled from one major scenario to the next, and I didn't feel like there was enough time for the characters to really get to know one another. Althea is impulsive and reckless, which makes sense since she's always been locked up in a castle with 24/7 protection, but it also got annoying quickly. I also couldn't quite buy into Nakir, the MMC, continually overlooking her impulsivity, which put him and his people in incredible danger. That said, I loved the idea of the Aeshlien and how the curse manifested in different ways from afflicted to afflicted. I definitely found myself drawn more to Nakir and his band of travelers - Kerrigan, Dawes, Emi, and Balthasar - than Thea and her story. I also appreciated that we got a female villain in Queen Zenobia, and I look forward to seeing how the story continues to unfold.” -Liz
“The Truth Teller's Bargain tells the story of a tender-hearted Oracle who cannot lie, and it delivers a light, and refreshing read. The story feels like Rapunzel meets Ella Enchanted. As someone who dabbles in tarot reading, I appreciate the narrative around the Althea's gift and curse as being realistic, and relatable. Nakir gives sweet, caring daddy vibes while remaining flawed enough to feel human without appearing weak. He delivers a memorable "touch her and die" moment in Chapter 18 with impressive skill. The side characters also make this book worth reading. Nakir surrounds himself with a found family that complements his flaws and isn't afraid to call him out when needed. The antagonist, the Crimson Queen, is his polar opposite and does not disappoint as a wicked & villainous mother. While the book includes forced proximity, the romance balances elements of both insta-love and slow burn. The spice starts early, and Chapter 11 had my jaw on the floor. I really enjoyed experiencing this story from the Oracle's POV and look forward to continuing Althea's journey, seeing more of her romance with Nakir, and learning more about the Weave in Book 2.” -Ashlee
“The Truth Teller’s Bargain by Camille Wolfewood completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. The world building was so easy to follow that I was instantly HOOKED. I almost read this entire book in one sitting because I could not put it down! Thea is an oracle who has spent her life struggling to find her place in a world where she can only speak the truth, often leaving her vulnerable to people who take advantage of her. When she finally decides to run away and take control of her own fate, everything changes… If you love fantasy with easy world building, a FMC you can’t help but root for, magic, adventure, and plenty of SPICE.. add this one to your TBR immediately.” -Savanah
“I think this book is great for people who are newer to the romantasy genre, with a swoon-worthy MMC and an FMC who grows into her strength by the end of the book. The world building is not terribly complex, so the plot is easy to follow. There's just enough conflict to keep the storyline moving forward, combined with a lovely romance between the main characters.” -Heather
“I really enjoyed this one. The mix of prophecy, political intrigue, and hidden truths kept me hooked, and I loved watching the story unfold. I especially enjoyed watching Alethea grow throughout the story and seeing the way Nakir takes care of her. 🖤 Even though Balthasar and Emi are side characters, they completely have my heart. I found myself looking forward to every scene they were in. The pacing was a little slow at times, but the world-building, character relationships, and mystery kept me invested. The ending definitely has me curious to see what happens next. 🖤 If you love fantasy with prophecies, found family, political intrigue, and a touch of romance, add this one to your TBR.” -Jenn
“The Truth-Teller’s Bargain was a page-turner from the very beginning. At first, I struggled to keep track of all the provinces, gods, and characters with their unique names, but once things clicked, I was hooked. I loved how this world and its characters unfold throughout the story. The faster pace kept things moving, and I especially appreciated how the author used epigraphs to set the stage and build context without the need to use a an entire chapter for the explanation. It’s an emotional ride that has you cheering and angry all at the same time with an ending that has you wanting more.” -Lynn
“I loved this book! The magic system felt different than anything else I’ve read. The MMC loves her with such a quiet devotion and it was great to read. I liked the ending where her promises to him helped her get free from the Enchanter. I can’t wait for the second one!” -Laura
“The Dedication for this book drew me in, "For the soft girls-May you never be convinced that tenderness is weakness, or that survival requires a blade." I love the FMC holds onto her softness throughout this book while also finding her inner strength. In the first book of this duology the book takes off out of the gate with adventure and magic. Fans of Holly Renee's KIngdom of Flesh and Fire series will love this. Here you will find Found Family, a detailed magic system and a MMC Necromancer with Horns, need I say more. The transition of our FMC and her ability to find herself and find her strength throughout this book was top tier. I fell in love with the characters and they were developed so well while the plot was still fast paced and heart wrenching. I cannot wait for book two, this hooked me from start to finish only leaving me wanting more.” -Eva
“I went into this book with no idea what kind of background I needed for it, but now that I’ve finished it.. it surpasses all my expectation in a fantasy novel. I love the yearning, the build up to the spice, and overall the characters in this novel. There is so much history and connection between characters, and the magical world is a thrill to read! Hands down a 5 star read for me!!” -Cam
“I really enjoyed this one! I was hooked from the prologue. In my opinion this wasn't a typical romantasy where the FMC comes out swinging. I loved that Alethea was a little more reserved and second guessed herself. The growth from the beginning to the end was amazing! I love Nakir - a MMC with horns, say less 😊I thought he was well written and I didnt expect some of the aspects of his life. I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone! I cannot wait to read book 2 - that cliff hanger was BRUTAL! I need it now!” -Jess F.
“It took me a minute to adjust my expectations, as most of what I've been reading has been traditional romantasy with a dark twist. This book was light and beautiful. The female main character was innocent and the perfect damsel in distress. The main love interest was all green flags and yearning. Just enough of the plot was revealed to gain interest, and that cliffhanger ending left me wanting more. I could have used a bit more background and build up for the characters. It took me a while to get invested in her new friends. And I found it a bit unbelievable that they trusted her so immediately. I think that says more about me and what I have been reading them this book though!” -Mandy
“I really liked this book! The characters and the friendships that they built had me tearing up at more than one moment. I'm always a fan of a slow burn and the attraction and flirting between Alethea and Nakir were top notch. I was cheering by the time they finally let loose a little together. The story of found family really touched me as someone who doesn't have a large family but treasures the people I've found in my life. It's amazing to know that people you bring into your life can love you more than people that are related to you. It really resonated and I was so happy for Alethea that she was getting the love that she deserved. It was frustrating that Alethea seemed to get in her own way so much and didn't believe in herself but I had to remember than this is the point of view of someone that is fresh out of an abusive environment. I like that she was finally finding her strength at the end of the book. Very invested in these characters and I want to see where their stories go.” -Thalia
“I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to get into the characters and the love story. The romance had a lot of passion and I was invested early. The only part I didn’t like was the cliff hanger. However, I am now invested in reading the next book!” -Kirsten
“What did I love? The side characters. Emi was perfection, and I adored Bal, Dawes, and Kerrigan. They brought extra personality and heart to the story that I would happily read an entire book focused on them and their backstories. Ultimately, this was a book with a lot of potential that just wasn't the right fit for me. That said, I know plenty of readers who have absolutely loved it.” -Kim
“I have mixed feelings about this one because there was a lot of potential here, and I’m genuinely interested in where the story goes next. The strongest part for me was the overall storyline. The premise hooked me, and by the end, the cliffhanger absolutely got me. I’m invested enough that I do plan to read book two because I can see so much potential in this world and story. That said, this was a slower read for me, and at times I found myself bored or struggling to stay engaged. Alethea felt deeply innocent and clearly traumatized, which I appreciated as part of her characterization. I also liked that the author intentionally leaned into a softer, gentler FMC rather than forcing strength to only look one way. I think I would have been more annoyed with the character without the authors note at the beginning. Where I struggled was that it felt confusing that nearly everyone around her (aside from her mother) was immediately soft and gentle with her from the beginning. I kept waiting for more tension, skepticism, or relational complexity, especially with first meetings. The writing style was also difficult for me to settle into. The third person perspective often felt like it wanted to be first person but never fully committed, which made it feel disorienting at times. I also had some trouble with the formatting on Kindle. The chapter dividers with quotes looked odd on my device and pulled me out of the reading experience. Overall, while this one didn’t fully work for me, I do think there’s a lot of promise here. The ending left me curious, and I’m genuinely excited to see how the author grows into their writing style in book two.” -Rebecca
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