Review: These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows #2)

These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows #2)
By Lexi Ryan

Published By: Hodder and Stoughton
Publication Date: July 19, 2022
Date Read: August 5, 2023
Genre: YA – Fantasy
Source: ARC from Hodder and Stoughton
Format: Hardback
Pages: 496

From Goodreads:
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.

“I recognise a good soul when I meet one, and good souls are never alone for long.”

I first read These Hollow Vows when it first released and I absolutely loved every moment of it. It was so much fun and I couldn’t wait to read the second book. Fast forward a few years and I still hadn’t picked These Twisted Bonds up, so I thought it was about time I finally picked it up. I am so glad I did. I forgot how much I really enjoy Lexi Ryan’s writing. This was such a fun and fast paced read. I absolutely flew through it.

These Twisted Bonds picks up right where These Hollow Vows left off, with Brie running from Sebastian after he betrayed her in the worst way. Now Brie needs to decide what to do, and when it becomes obvious that all is not well with the Unseelie Court, she may just need to work with the last person she want to in order to save the Unseelie.

I really, really enjoyed this one. Lexi Ryan’s writing is so easy to find yourself lost in. I have been really slumpy lately and it has been taking me a long time to get through a book, but I absolutely devoured this one in a couple of days. It’s just so easy and quick to read and I loved that about it. I was quickly drawn back into this world, however I did have to pause to look up a recap of book 1 online, as there were parts of the curse etc that I didn’t remember as it had been a while since I had read book 1. If this is you, I highly recommend that you look up some of the minor details before picking this book up.

I am always really torn when thinking about the characters in this book. I love Brie… I do… and I understand that this is a young adult book and the characters are young but my god… is she stupid! I was getting so frustrated with her all the way through for her stupid decisions and failing to accept what was right in front of her face. Other than that I absolutely loved this book. It was so fun… there were a few plot holes, and plot twists that didn’t really make much sense, but I feel like with this series you can’t delve too much into it and analyse it, you just have to accept it on surface level for what it is and you’ll really enjoy it, and that’s what I did.

This series is definitely one I will re-read. I really, really enjoyed it and it’s such a fun, fast-paced and quick read. It is perfect for getting you out of a slump. I really liked this one and I kind of wish Lexi would write a book about Sebastian (don’t hate on me) to see what happens with him after the events of this book. I feel like that would be really interesting. I will definitely be checking out some more of Lexi Ryan’s books in the future. These Twisted Bonds was enjoyable and definitely worth the read.

“I can’t change what happened and I can’t make the mortal realm a safe place for you, but I can give you a place to call home. The most beautiful place in my whole court, is yours.”

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