Under the Oak Tree by Suji Kim.

Synopsis

Most fairytales end with a wedding and a happily-ever-after—but this is no fairytale. The updated and official translation of Under the Oak Tree, the #1 webnovel on MANTA.

Lady Maximilian is the daughter of the powerful Duke Croyso, but she is rarely allowed outside her family’s sprawling castle for fear that her stutter will tarnish their noble name. When she is forced to marry Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight caught in one of her father’s schemes, Maxi doesn’t dare hope for happiness, let alone love. Her stumbling communication and his gruff manner sour their relationship before it can begin, and Riftan leaves without a word the morning after their vows are exchanged.

Now, three years after their disastrous wedding night, Riftan has returned as a war hero. To Maxi’s surprise, despite rumors that he was offered marriage to Princess Agnes, a beautiful and renowned sorceress, Riftan still wants Maxi for his wife. And when he comes to claim her, his longing becomes a desire that bewilders Maxi, even as she is overcome by the scorching heat that Riftan’s presence ignites within her. As she learns to navigate the intricacies of her new life, Maxi will find herself and her courage, and discover that she is anything but powerless.

This volume collects chapters 1-76 of the original webnovel by Suji Kim.

Review

“The first moment I saw you, I knew you would ruin me.”

4 stars

I confess that I totally fell for the gorgeous edition of that book (I mean, have you seen the cover and the edges?) and for the hype on bookstagram.

When I met the publishers at a book event, I asked them to pitch the book and what they said is the book/plot in a nutshell:
“A very shy heroine (Maxi) who suffers from stuttering and has been abused by her father since childhood will be thrown into an arranged marriage with a famous knight (Riftan). Said knight is lowborn and was no one special when she was forced to marry him three years ago.

Since their marriage night, three years have passed where they didn’t see each other anymore and where Riftan has become the most powerful knight in the kingdom after slaying a mythical dragon.

He has come to claim his wife and take her to live in his castle. The whole plot centers around their relationship”

That is essentially the plot. Simple right?

That’s because the book is not as plot driven as it is character driven!

The whole purpose of that first volume is to see Maxi grow in confidence (she is extremely shy) and have her trust her husband not to hurt her.
I can’t say this is a slow burn because you have a very explicit and non consensual sex scene at the beginning!
Be aware that on their wedding night, Maxi was totally unaware of what would happen between husband and wife and that Riftan had no patience! He claimed his right.
That might be considered as rape, even if in the context of the story and fictional world, it was seen like the man’s right and probably as how it happened in most marriages.
It doesn’t change the fact that in our modern eyes, it is a rape.

BUT

Riftan is not a bad man.
On the contrary, when they reunite three years later he will be much more patient, caring and very protective of Maxi.
I guess the slow burn is in the building trust and their relationship.

As far as character go, I really liked Maxi.
Like I would love a defenseless kitten or a beaten pet. She had been very sheltered, cut from the outside world and beaten by her father. She was ignorant in so many things a noble woman should know. And she feared if that fact surfaced, that she would lose Riftan’s devotion, that he would see in a whole other and unflattering light. I just wanted to protect and encourage her. I hoped she would bloom and grow. She also could be very determined too!

Riftan, if you disregard their first night, is the very handsome, strong and extremely protective hero we love to see in romances.

“Maxi felt herself go weak. He was protective and possessive at once, unable to let her go for even a moment. He washed and fed her, kissed every corner of her body, and showered her with gifts. She had never known such devotion.”

Add to it some magical lore, a sorcerer and you have an enjoyable romance on your hand.

Oh and one thing I didn’t expect was the SPICE!!! There are lots of hot and graphic sex scenes!

One thing was off putting though (aside the rape I talked about): three times in the book when they kissed and after they kissed the author described “saliva dribbling on their chin” or a “thin thread of saliva” between their mouth. I wondered if it was customary in K drama or Korean literature or manga but I was just thinking “eeeeewwww”.

Anyway, that book is not perfect but I still read it in record time, I now feel attached to the characters and I plan on reading the sequel!

Thanks for reading.

Sophie