ARC Review: Blood Oath by Steve Urszenyi

Blood Oath
Author: Steve Urszenyi
Series: Special Agent Alexandra Martel (Book 3)
Publication: Minotaur Books (November 18, 2025)

Description: In this action-packed thriller, Special Agent Alex Martel's fight becomes personal when her father is abducted by rebel forces.

In the heart of Africa, CIA Special Agent Alexandra Martel’s safari with her father spirals into a deadly game of betrayal when he is kidnapped by rebels. Suddenly, her peaceful Serengeti vacation transforms into a desperate race against time. As the general is held by local rebels, Russian mercenaries and Chinese MSS operatives descend on East Africa, all hunting the military secrets locked in her father’s mind.

Alex assembles an elite team to navigate the treacherous terrain, but complications arise when her CIA boss, Caleb, shows up unexpectedly, stirring feelings she’s tried to bury since her husband’s death. As competing forces close in, Alex uncovers betrayals stretching from the Serengeti to the highest levels of global intelligence. Trust becomes as scarce as water in the African savanna.

With enemies converging from all sides, Alex must embrace her darkest instincts to save her father. But in a world where allies become enemies, and nothing is as it seems, how much of herself is she willing to sacrifice to honor the bonds of blood?

My Thoughts: CIA Special Agent Alexandra Martel is on safari with her father in Africa when he is kidnapped. David Martel is a retired four-star general who has been working a on secret project for the United States. Alex will do anything to get him back. 

General Martel is being held by a group of local rebels. He was kidnapped at the request of the Russians who want him out of the way of their attempts to claim more and more of Africa. He should have been killed, but the rebels see an opportunity to sell him to the Chinese who want information about the project he is working on. 

A variety of US intelligence forces are mobilized to get General Martel back, but Alex resents every moment they are collecting data and making plans. She wants to take a small group to get her father back. She doesn't know that US intelligence is willing to, and planning to, kill General Martel rather than let the information in his head get to the country's enemies. 

This series is a combination of Ian Fleming's James Bond for its action hero and Tom Clancy's technothrillers with its gadgets. It is alternate history but set in the current day. I enjoy Alex who is a real action hero with a clear knowledge of herself and her abilities. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.