First section of the blog is spoiler-free! Spoiler section is clearly marked.
I’m reviewing the gorgeous Inklore hardbacks that are still being published! On opening Volume Two, I was surprised to see that we’re starting from Chapter 12! I suppose that makes some sense, since this is volume two. It’s still technically the same book. Somewhat like how A Dance of Dragons from A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) was also split into two volumes for some printed copies.
Although, with Under the Oak Tree, it’s a little more confusing, because chapters 12-19 of Inklore’s Volume 2 technically covers chapters 77-133 of the original web novel, as published on Ridi and available on Manta. This isn’t because loads of content has been cut, it’s more about collating the scenes into more familiar sizes for traditional novel readers.
Anyhow, initial confusion aside, this is a great addition to my bookshelf, and I love rereading these scenes in physical form!
Spoiler-free Summary
After settling in to Castle Calypse, Maxi navigates jealousy, despondency, and dependency, belonging to herself and to others’, to discover the beginnings of her potential and what she truly wants from life.
This book expands on the lands and politics of UTOT, alongside the return of our favourite characters: Maxi, Riftan, Ruth, Gabel, Ludis, and Hebaron.
Much like Volume 1, this volume features mature sex scenes for adult audiences, alongside various morally questionable choices (usually originating from Riftan).
Spoilery Thoughts
I already read the first half of this series when they were (briefly) available as Amazon e-books, so I know that this volume is my favourite of the first four being produced by Inklore. I won’t spoil any content beyond Volume 2 in this review, of course.
Jealousy
Some readers find Maxi’s jealousy of Agnes at the start of this book infuriating, which I struggle to understand. Have these readers never experienced jealousy? Have they not lived?
There are instances in other books where a character’s jealousy has distressed me, but this is usually because said character is ignorant of their own feelings, or pretends some kind of moral superiority to justify themselves. Take Ron’s actions against Hermione in The Goblet of Fire, for example. He’s pretty pathetic, but he’s also a teenager.
Maxi, however, is a married adult. She is emotionally intelligent (unlike Ron Weasley) and quickly recognises her jealousy for what it is. More than that, she’s actively embarrassed by it, and works to act against it. By the end of this volume, Maxi and Agnes are approaching friendship. Maxi succeeds against her natural inclinations!
Honestly, I found Maxi’s jealousy to be a refreshing twist of the plot, and a fun motivating force that spurred her to actions she wouldn’t have taken otherwise. It’s nice to see her going against some of the goody-two-shoes archetype she’s held so far.
Avoidance
The reason this book is my favourite is that it marks the point of Maxi’s recovery from her abuse; it’s the point where she finally feels safe enough to start rebelling. In particular, I love how determined she is to continue her work at the infirmary despite Riftan’s disapproval.
Now, I just know that the readers who struggled with Maxi’s jealousy likely also struggled with this section, because Maxi’s avoidant tactics are a little childish. However, this is her first attempt to stick to her guns! Tell me that your first attempt at rebellion was perfectly communicated! Besides, they get there in the end, without too much time wasted.
I enjoyed it.
Dependency
In this book, Maxi begins to identify her own desperate need for independence—something she’s been deprived of ever since she was born.
Riftan, by contrast, is Lord of Anatol. Part of his power comes from his hyper-independent nature. His subjects rush to obey him, fully aware of his history of succeeding at whatever he turns his hand to. His continued success is both a blessing and a cage.
Perhaps because of Riftan’s solitary and perfectionist nature, because he doesn’t depend on anyone for anything, his emotional dependence on Maxi is a little extreme, and Volume 2 only makes this more apparent as he coddles Maxi beyond what is reasonable. His deep need for her safety often ignores her needs, and this isn’t okay!
In Volume 2, this causes the two to fight over their clashing needs. How long will it take for the pair to find peace? Only time (and more books) will tell!
Under the Oak Tree – The Novel – Volume 2: Chapter Guide
Chapter 12 – Maxi’s stutter is improving with work, but she is distressed upon learning that Princess Agnes will visit Castle Calypse.
On her arrival, Agnes isn’t at all what Maxi expected from the royal princess and previous suitor for Riftan’s hand in marriage. Consequently, Maxi drowns her confused feelings in booze, but there are no poor consequences to her inebriation (this time).
As they spend more time together, Maxi gets increasingly jealous of Agnes and her camaraderie with Riftan and the Remdragon Knights, but she is subsequently embarrassed by her own jealousy and tries to overcome it. She doesn’t always succeed.
Agnes buys Maxi a sash/girdle at the market as a show of friendship. More of the Legend of Wigrew is shared, and a very curious tidbit about taboos in this world:
“Being caught [eating monster meat] would result in immediate banishment.”
P.47
Could this explain some of Riftan’s supernatural stamina? Is there a secret there? Speaking of Riftan’s supernatural abilities, he and Maxi finally get some private sexy time after having been too busy for too long.
Maxi confirms they’ve been sexual for six months and she is anxious that she is not yet pregnant. She worries it could be an inherited flaw on her maternal side.
There’s an odd typo or formatting issue where the tense slips into first person plural (p.47), or it isn’t italicised to show thought speech (as occurs on p.73, in Ch.13).
Chapter 13 – Maxi ‘intrudes’ on Riftan’s sparring and he rebuffs her, leaving her distressed that he will never view her as a comrade—only a wife and noble lady.
Ruth enters the chat, and they gossip/ bond in the library about how they don’t like Agnes.
Overall, Maxi is demotivated and tired, but she rises to the challenge when Wyverns attack. She experiences mana depletion for the first time (and Riftan’s insecure anger for the umpteenth time). There’s an awkward bit where Riftan forces Maxi to vomit because it will help her feel better in the long run, but Maxi is mortified.
Agnes apologises to Maxi for the failure of the wyvern barriers. Riftan tries to make Maxi promise that she can never put herself in danger again, effectively asking her to live like a doll. Maxi dodges the question.
Chapter 14 – Maxi, Agnes, and Riftan go to the village fair where Maxi defends Riftan from horny women; he is wordless and extremely charmed by Maxi’s defensiveness. Maxi dances happily with Agnes, finally cementing their friendship.
Seeing Maxi so happy gets Riftan very horny, which is kinda cute, and he whisks Maxi away—she wanted a break anyway. He is desperate to learn how to make her that happy while keeping her safe more of the time.
Their public sexy time is interrupted by Agnes’ fireworks.
Chapter 15 – Maxi feels listless after Riftan undermines her confidence in her magic. Her motivation to study slides. In an attempt to cheer her up, Riftan takes Maxi for a quiet picnic, but it’s troubled by Maxi’s guilt that she isn’t the princess Riftan imagines her to be.
A few days later, a poisoned knight stumbles into the castle, and Ruth isn’t available to help him. Maxi eventually succeeds in neutralising the poison, but berates herself for her recent lapse in studying. Her motivation is restored by knowing the knight would have lost an arm without her skills.
After killing the werewolves that attacked his knight, Maxi finds Riftan washing off the werewolf blood in the castle yard. Riftan flinches when Maxi touches him, believing himself to be disgusting, which somewhat mirrors the earlier scene where he forces Maxi to vomit during the mana-depletion sickness.
Riftan and Maxi have embarrassing but steamy times while waiting for the servants to bring the bath.
Chapter 16 – Following up from Maxi’s struggle to purify the poisoned knight, Maxi and Ruth practise detoxification on dead toads. Maxi hates it, which is kinda funny to read.
Maxi learns the Anatolian knights will likely be summoned to defeat an amassing monster army in Livadon. Riftan promises he will avoid going as much as he can, but Ruth will certainly have to support the knights who go.
Ruth explains that it’s not possible to hire a spare healer, so Maxi will have to try her best in his place. This seems like an odd statement given Riftan’s wealth and fame, but it’s reinforced in later chapters. Ruth soon leaves for the campaign and Maxi takes over as the castle’s healer.
Maxi has her period, and we find out that they’re painful and irregular for her. The hilarious (and awful) moment of her having to explain periods to Riftan soon follows.
Chapter 17 – Maxi and Riftan fight over Riftan’s refusal to depend on her. Maxi finally communicates her need to feel needed in a way Riftan accepts. She is permitted to continue her work as the castle healer, though she was neither asking for nor waiting for permission.
News comes that the situation in Livadon has worsened, and King Reuben summons Riftan to save the day. Also, Riftan’s own knights are amongst the trapped, so Riftan can’t say no. Unfortunately, they can’t get a (healthy) replacement healer in time, so Maxi has to join the campaign—as much as Riftan tries to avoid it.
The campaign begins, and Maxi struggles but perseveres. Riftan massages Maxi to help her withstand the campaign.
Chapter 18 – Maxi proves herself useful when she heals a severe wound taken by one of the knights in a monster fight. Meanwhile, Riftan acts cold to her whenever the other knights are around, confusing and upsetting Maxi.
Goblins attack! Maxi fails to raise her barrier against their attack, but succeeds when a landslide begins—protecting herself and the knights. In the aftermath, the party is split, with Maxi and Riftan in two different groups.
As the groups try to unite, goblins attack again! Maxi’s horse gets spooked and runs off into the forest with her alone. Riftan eventually tracks her down, they snog in a tree, and then make their way to the nearest village where the knights are waiting for them.
Maxi takes a blessed bath and gets her clothes laundered.
The knights and Maxi set out once more.
Chapter 19 – The group continues without much trouble through arid terrain, but Maxi craves a bath she can’t get. Eventually, they escape the arid land and enter a (blissfully) rainy forest.
Riftan erects a private shower area for Maxi to use while it rains, but one of the walls comes down, and he sees her nude. Unable to contain their lust, they have a saucy moment outside in the rain.
They reach the city and board a boat, where the pair experience a modern holiday. Maxi is sad that her time with the knights is coming to an end, as Riftan asserts that she must stay in a monastery in the next city when they arrive.
Will Maxi stay in the monastery? Will Riftan return with the knights? Will they ever make it back to Anatol? Readers will have to keep going to find out…
Favourite Quote
She would gladly have bitten a knife if it would help her speak her mind.
P.4
Conclusion
A stunning addition to the series, beautifully bound with sprayed edges and a ribbon! I look forward to delivering my review of Volume 3 this summer. Subscribe to be notified when my latest reviews drop.
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