Lexi Ryan

In this thrilling conclusion to These Hollow Vows - the sexy, action-packed fantasy by New York Times best-selling author Lexi Ryan that started it all - Brie finds herself caught between two princes and two destinies while the future of the fae realm hangs in the balance. After Abriella's sister was sold to the fae, she thought life couldn't get any worse. But when she suddenly finds herself caught in a web of lies of her own making - loving two princes and trusting neither - things are not quite as clear as she once thought. As civil war wages in the Court of Darkness, Brie finds herself unable to choose a side. How can she know where she stands when she doesn't even know herself anymore? In this darkly romantic thrill ride, the more Faerie is torn apart from the inside, the clearer it becomes that prophecies don't lie and Brie has a role to play in the fate of this magical realm - whether she likes it or not.

These Twisted Bonds

*3.5 stars

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The Finn scenes be coming in hard and I'm not complaining. Some of the twists and surprises were both interesting yet meh. From the first book, the characters that you think will die, died and the ones you think that will end up together, ended up together in this one. 

(view spoiler)[Like I mean Brie being Mab's descendent kinda made me go okay sure why not at this point in the book. Sebastian redeeming himself by becoming mortal? Dang, maybe he did learn how to think of the bigger picture. Again, there were more detailed historical and political backdrop in this book which I suppose is essential to the logic of all the characters I honestly just tuned out during this entire part. The only thing I liked was the Lunastal tradition with the significance of the flowers in her hair and obv the feet washing kneeling scene on top of the mountain?? Absolute swoonworthy. 

I felt like there was a part missing where Brie could dissolve the bond by her own through the New Waters of Life or something? But that part just never gets mentioned again?? Instead they focus on the River of Ice with Sebastian? Maybe it's causes he still had the crown I actually am so damn confused about this during the whole back and forth lol. Also, I actually never understood why Finn just walked away so easily when Sebastian said he didn't want him to be in the same palace if he and Brie took the throne? Sure, he's struggling and hurt etc but like he did go to the hell and back for Brie (quite literally + nearly died).

The ending felt kinda rushed like what happened when Brie sat on the throne after that, what happened to Sebastian?? Jas and Nik in Fairyscape? and I would wanna see more of Finn and Brie's life after she became Queen instead of only having the epilogue tbh. (hide spoiler)]

Characters in this series aren't too bad, just didn't like the politics of the world that much.

Side note: I demand a wedding scene as a bonus chapter T.T

taylor alyse pisanie

** spoiler alert **
           
  I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion and review.


This is 4.5 star read, rounded down to 4. 

I liked "These Hollow Vows," but I absolutely LOVED "These Twisted Bonds." I couldn't stop reading. Lexi Ryan manages to build an entire world and tell a complex story in just two books (which is no easy feat). Abriella truly comes into herself in this second installment, not only in regard to her magic, but also in regard to her emotions and past. This is a coming-of-age story through and through. It's about strength and resilience and listening to your heart. One of the most important poitns in the story I think was Brie realizing her love for Sebastian had nothing to do with romantic love-it had everything to do with the fact that he represented everything he wished for her entire life. But, Finn was what she needed. And I do think that distinction was made beautifully. 

If you're not into fantasy romance, this duology isn't for you because it does rely heavily on Brie's complicated relationships with two males she's been romantically involved with. However, there's a lot more here than just romance as I stated before. It's a good coming-of-age story while being wrapped in faeries and magic and kingdoms of sunlight and starlight. 

The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because I have very high standards when it comes to young adult fantasy. It's a standard that is very difficult to meet, so something having 4.5 stars in my YA fantasy reads is a pretty big deal. What's my 4.5 will definitely be someone else's 5 and become one of their favorite books. This is a series I will continue to recommend to my friends and fans of fantasy.

Ashley Wendt

3.5
I didn’t love book 2 as much as book 1. The ending seemed abrupt…there was so much lead up and so much to wrap up that I was sure there would be a third book and then it was over. Some of it felt a little too inspired my SJM’s ToG & ACOTAR. I did overall enjoy the series and look forward to Lexi Ryan writing more Fantasy!

freya.nightwolf

Well... I looked forward to this book coming out and now, I'm not sure what I feel... and if the book deserves 3 or 4 stars... more like 3.5

First, its originality is around 2 [on a scale of 1 to 10]. Don't get me wrong, I love ACOMAF too, but being inspired by a book and making your own version of it, is a long, long way! This upset me and at some point, I was wondering "what is the point of reading it, if I can predict most of the characters' actions?!"

Second, there are too many unnecessary details, and way too many repeated details which makes the important info and the action easily skipped because of those. Not to mention that action is kind of poor and when it is, is really rushed.

Saying this, I'm getting to my third point. Having all the important stuff rushed, as a reader, made me really annoyed by the actions of the characters, and sometimes you lose that suspense that you're looking at in a plot or new revealing information.

The story looked promising and I don't think it would have been a good idea to be made a trilogy like most readers feel. I think two books are enough, but if there weren't so much info dumping or repeated ones, it would have been a great duology, even with its low originality. 

 These Twisted Bonds is not a 4 stars book, but neither a 3 stars one. So my rating will be 3.5.

Now, about the characters and the story: even if the action is kind of rushed, I liked how it ended and how every character found his/her place in the courts. Without spoiling anything, all I can say is that everybody gets what they deserve and yes, we do have deaths and mystical nature [blood and ash fans, be wear :)))] and long-lost history, so we have world-building and character development and also we have MISHA. WE LOVE MISHA! And let's not forget FINN! I DO LOVE FINN!

So we have some action, plots, crazy queens :)), complicated history, and a Brie, who sometimes still gets childish and, at one point, I really hoped she would have to sacrifice for the greater good so she could die. Yep, I literally hope she will strangle herself with the shadows. She knows damn well who she loves! Instead of those unnecessary details, I would've loved to have some chapters from Finn's point of view, and even from Ronan's point of view. I think those would've been important too.

If you're looking for an easy read or find yourself drugged by a series and want to find some similar books or stories, I recommend this series. It's a light reading and an enjoyable one, even if you can see the similarities with other books [ACOTAR, FBAA, a little Cruel Prince].

I look forward to Lexi's next fantasy books because I think she has potential and clearly, she loves fantasy books/movies [you can see a little bit of Dean Salvatore in Finn :)) yep :))].

These Twisted Bonds

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