THE GAME OF OATHS

In belle epoque Paris, the elite are entertained by a deadly underground tournament coated with magic.

As night falls, the dazzling Cirque des Ombres comes to life beneath the luxury hotel le Palais Blanchet, led by ringmaster and Enchanteur Jean-Pierre. He preys on the young and vulnerable, making them his performers and binding them to himself with magical contracts. He also hosts the annual Game of Oaths, a battle royal starring 12 performers, for the Parisian upper class to gamble on. Teen trapeze artist Falan Sunkara, who’s from India, is selected to participate this year, providing her with the opportunity to avenge her sister, Lavanya, who was one of the 11 who died last year. A string of deals boosts Falan’s minuscule chances of winning: Casino dealer Bellamy Durand will help her cheat in exchange for a cut of her winnings; hotelier’s son Jules Devereux Blanchet will provide information about the Game’s rounds to keep his half-Enchanteur identity a secret; and Lucien Trichet, the previous winner, will share insider knowledge if Bellamy uses his connections to help him locate someone. Jean-Pierre’s bloodthirsty competition favors his white performers, highlighting the brutal classism and racism. 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.