Suji Kim’s Under the Oak Tree is a high fantasy romance series (AND comic) that enthralls its readers with a rich fantasy world and a STEAMY marriage of covenience romance between a low-born knight and a chronically self-concious noblewoman.

This fantastic romance wedged its way into my heart and will forever be one of my favorite romances of all time!

UPDATE: On November 5, 2024, Inklore is releasing an updated and “official” translation of this amazing love story.

Thoughts:

• Under the Oak Tree is PERFECT romance series for fans of world building, monsters, magic, high fantasy and (most importantly) steamy romance!
• Heroine, Maximillian Croyso, is a noblewoman with a stutter and cronically low self-esteem that slowly becomes more confident after leaving her father’s abusive household and marrying Riftan.
• Hero, Riftan Calypse, is a heroic, moody, manly and handsome low-born knight OBSESSED with Maxi. Riftan is, quite frankly, my ideal book boyfriend (even if he is a bit overbearing!).
• At some points, the romance is a slow burn, but when it erupts, it is a volcano! Author knows how to write a love scene that is sure to send pulses raising while also feeling beautifully elegant. Sex scenes in Season 2, Part 3 left this reader clutching her pearls (RIDI edition).
• The forced marriage and marriage of covenience tropes are perfectly executed. Readers will rejoice in witnessing the evolution of Riftan and Maxi’s romance.
• In Volume 1, some readers may find the constant adventures and insecurities of main characters a tad repetitive at times. But by Season 2, it is awesome seeing the heroine flourish.
• The only reason I deducted 1/2 a star from Season 2 of the novel is because the epilogue left many questions unanswered. I’m crossing my fingers that the author will come back to this novel in the future!
• Season 1 (complete) and most of Season 2 (complete) of the RIDI edition novel are available on Kindle (as will be the Inklore edition in November 2024!). Latest chapters are available at WebNovel where Season 2 of the novel is still ongoing.
• Check out the comic based on the novels at Manta.net. As of the writing of this review, the comic covers the novels’ story up to the end of Season 1, Part 4.
• The comic is beautifully illustrated, captivating, and hot. That said, the narrative can sometimes feel slightly choppy (since it cannot afford to provide to all of the insight provided by the novels) and the sex scenes are not as explicit as in the novels.