Let me begin by saying that this is a very generous 4 star review because this is definitely a book of 2 halves and the second have saved it.

The first half of the book dragged unfortunately, and after giving 4.5 stars to book 1, I was feeling really disappointed. Too many repetitive monologues, too much hashing over what went on in book 1. Brie seemed to lose a lot of her charm and I was panicking!

However, everything picked up again in the second half. Finn totally saves the day and is a brilliant character and he brings Brie back to her former glory. The action increased, the story came together and I was satisfied by the ending of the duology enough to brush this up from 3.5 to 4 stars.

I think it’s worth mentioning that there are a lot of similarities between this duology and another well loved fae fantasy series, so if that sort of thing bugs you you might not be able to see past it. Thankfully I’m a sucker for anything fae so it didn’t bother me too much.

I recommend this series for fans of ACOTAR, FBAA and the Married to Magic series.

Thank you so much for letting me read this book in advance. I very much enjoyed this second book in this series. It was so much fun to be back in the moon court and with this group of friends who try to save their people.

3.5 stars
Much like the first of this duology, I found this sequel incredibly enjoyable.
We start off exactly where we left off in These Hollow Vows and the story picks up from there.

The drama of the first few chapters sucked me right in. From there the plot continues to build and while the direction that the story took wasn’t the most original, I still really enjoyed it and read this quickly due to quality of writing and the flow of the story.
A point of contention that I did have was how self-sacrificing the main character was. I understand the entire point of Brie is that she is a good person and is willing to give up so much for the greater good but I think she gave forgiveness too freely and was too willing to be legitimately miserable (I’m looking at Finn too).
I enjoyed the ending and thought everything wrapped up well.

I would’ve loved a slightly longer epilogue, but it was so sweet I’ll let that slide.
This series was my first by Lexi Ryan and I look forward to reading more from her and seeing what she publishes next!

Thank you Netgalley, Hodder&Stoughton and Lexi Ryan for an e-ARC of this book!

This book was a solid 4.5/5 for me and I really enjoyed it. A lot of times the world building can drone on and on in books, but not this one. I had fun with the world building, and there was more romance this time around which I’m all for. I definitely wish there was a bit more action and it all seemed to tie up just a bit too perfectly at the end but I still really enjoyed this. I would love to have had more of Misha, he was very funny in this book and wouldn’t mind more of his story. I also really enjoyed the way it started where we left off in the first and it already gripped you from the start. Thank you to NetGalley for this wonderful ARC :)

I have no words other than this book was so beautiful and perfect and I absolutely loved every second

When we finished these hollow vows Brie picked her side and became bonded to Sebastian but to save her life she became one of the fae, Sebastian may wear the crown but she still has the power of shadows. We see the courts once again plunged into turmoil as the unseelie court still doesn’t have a unified ruler on the throne.

I loved getting to see more of the lands in this book as the world expands on what we know, and we get to know some new characters that I loved. There were a few steamy scenes but with who? I have always been #TEAMFINN

Whilst I picked most of the plot points early, it didn’t impact my enjoyment. Everything comes together in the final 100 pages so prepare yourself as you won’t want to put it down.

Easiest 5 stars thanks so much to NetGalley for a review copy

4/5 🌟

This book pretty much follows directly on from the first book (These Hollow Vows). I enjoyed the plot and the continuation of the world building from from the previous book. The politics between the courts are explained well and not over complicated for a YA book.

There are 3 issues I had with this book which prevented it being a 5 star read.
- Similar to the first book I found the writing style to be quite choppy, I just wish it had more of a flow to it.
- The ending was exactly what I expected, but I won’t say anymore on this as I don’t want to include spoilers in my review.
- Brie irritated me quite a bit throughout the book, which was understandable in some parts, but too often I got the ‘I’m not like other girls’ trope.

Overall though I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a fast paced read, I definitely wasn’t bored at any point. I think if you like Cruel Prince you would enjoy this series.

I would love a Novella from Finn’s POV or a spin off book with more from the Wild Fae Lands.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton. for providing me with this book for an honest review

4.5🌟
I'm so sad this duology has come to an end. I absolutely loved the first one and have been eagerly anticipating the conclusion and boy did it not disappoint. Lexi brings us straight in with the drama picking up from where we left off. It was fast paced all the way through keeping me gripped. This one wasn't quite so action packed but there was still enough going on to make me not want to put this down. Loved the new characters that we meet and being back with the old characters made me smile. I was on the edge of my seat never knowing which was the story was going to swing. I adore Lexis writing. This series has proved she can do fantasy just as well as she can do romance and the mix of the 2 was just epic!I really hope she does more romantasy in the future. This will go down as one of my favourite fantasy duologies.

These Hollow Vows was an amazing surprise I read last year. I was curious, of course, but I never expected to love it this much, to get so addicted to it. I was therefore quite happy that I got a Fairyloot-edition of the book and I didn't know how fast to request my arc for this sequel from Netgalley when I saw it was available over there. And since the release date is almost upon us, I made time for this arc this week on my way to my therapy sessions.

I don't know if it's because I'm not in the right mood for it, but for some reason this book didn't really grab and captivate me like the first one. There is quite some action in the book and we're also exploring loads of places within, and outside of, the realm, but I somehow thought that the explanations were quite lengthy and even though they were given in dialogues they still really felt like info-dumps to me. And we got that much info that there was no way I was gonna remember it all.

And although this book was also an easy and quick read, despite the amount of pages, I had issues connecting with the characters in this novel. Of course, our heroine has quite a journey to make and I can't blame her for needing time after the betrayal in the first book, but for a very long time it felt like her trying to deal with everything that had happened wasn't really working. She wasn't growing or learning. Until the very end, where she literally had no other choice anymore.

And then, I'm probably gonna get hate for this, there is the lack of Sebastian being very present in the book. I get it. He got his chance. He betrayed her. He lost. But I think part of what I love in the first book was the tension, the love triangle, the two fae, equally capable of lying and manipulation, both trying to get the girl, the crown and the throne. What I got in this book was two very sappy characters coming with epic quotes no-one will ever say in real life.

So, I think the issues are both with me and the book. This book had a different focus and feel compared to the first one and this focus and feel didn't really fit with what I need right now. I hope you all like the sequel better!

Jumping right into the action, you have no idea just like our now considered a savior protagonist, where the story is going, and it's exhilarating. She is unwittingly caught in the middle and more important than she realizes. The only thing that is certain is that war is coming. Can it be stopped?

Lexi Ryan's writing is just as mesmerizing and addictive as ever. The author gives a master class in bringing a plot along, descriptions that come to life, and fine-tuning words that sing an enchanting tune.

Brie's desire to do what is right is to be admired. She is an incredible fae even if she didn't want to be. Her powers are even stronger, her will just as unstoppable as ever, except for that pesky bond. "Emotions aren't always as simple as what we should or shouldn't feel" like the book mentions. Her emotional turmoil is depicted well. She continues to be a grounded, thoughtful protagonist that you care and root for. The POV is so intimate at times I felt as if I was holding Brie's hand in her journey, helping her accept every part of herself.

There are new characters you will love like Mishamon and some familiar ones that have already stolen your heart (no spoilers). Ryan can evolve a character with Brie's thoughts, observations or even just a snippet of dialogue. It is a delight to experience when reading her narrative. As for the love traingle, it continues to be tasty and heartwrenching, even though I think most people will be Team Finn cause they will not forgive Sebastain's final betrayal in book 1. And Finn is more fun anyways *wink, wink*.

Hope is a very important component in this book. It promotes compassion, our ability to help others in need. Making a difference. Kindness is a strength. It also warns of the trappings of too much power.

Utterly gripping and wonderfully surprising, this book consumed me completely when I read it. I have to applaud Lexi Ryan for giving us such a tantalizing epic sequel.

These Twisted Bonds finishes These Hollow Wows duology that began with a book of the same name. It’s YA fantasy set in an original world, and since it’s impossible to review without spoiling the first book, be warned.

The book starts where the first ended. Abriella—Brie—is fleeing, feeling betrayed by Sebastian and Finn, the two princes competing for her heart and the crown, and battling her new powers as a fey, knowing she can never return to her home in the human world. She finds an unexpected ally in Misha, the king of the Wild Fey, but she isn’t entirely able to trust him either.

Once things settle down a little, she sets out to solve the mess she finds herself in. She’s bonded to Sebastian she no longer loves and who she believes wants her only for her new powers so that he can take the throne. She loves Finn, who deserves the throne, but can’t have it, because of all sorts of complicated reasons. All she wants is to be human again and bring peace to the fey realms.

I confess, I couldn’t see a way out of the complicated dilemma. I’m not entirely sure I cared for the outcome either. Unlike in the first book, I didn’t like Brie much. She’d lost her strength and self-reliance gaining her new powers and was constantly relying on men to solve things for her—mostly because she had no idea what was going on, but it was still annoying. Finn and Sebastian were as bland as ever, and while I rooted more for Finn, I wouldn’t have minded if she hadn’t chosen either of them.

There was action and twists and turns aplenty. Brie found her backbone in the end, though not quite the way I would’ve hoped, as the shadow-self was a kind of random, deus-ex-machina move. And I was a little disappointed with the final twist. It was elegant and emotional enough for YA sentiments, but it solved everything for Brie without any input from her, which was a bit of a let-down. And reducing the two men with Brie to consorts and lesser beings so that she could shine was downright disappointing. It saved her from becoming a supreme being and taking all the power, which wouldn’t have fit the YA genre, but at least it would’ve given her the keys to solving things. Other than that, the ending was neat and satisfying enough so that the reader doesn’t crave for more.

Reading These Hollow Vows felt like so long ago, I had to go back and catch up on it before reading this. I’m glad I did because this throws you straight back into the deep end after that hell of a cliff hanger.

I love this story and think it is a fitting conclusion to the duology. Abriella is back and has to discover who she is now that she’s one of the Fae. She is still torn between the two princes and spends most of the book not being able to trust anyone. We are introduced to more characters, and more Fae mythology as we delve into the history behind the animosity between the 2 courts.

What I really liked about this, is the character development for Brie. She still throws herself head long into things and tries to save everybody, which is annoying, but she also gives in to her dark side and spends a lot of time figuring out what and who she really wants, even with the pressure from people and forces at play. I also liked that it is very fast paced - I read it all in one day. My favourite thing about this book though, , hands down is ... Finn. Nothing else to add that - just Finn.

I basically loved this book - not as much as Book 1 but pretty close. 4.5/5 stars.

First of I wana say this is some beautiful writing and I absolutely adored the characters and the found family aspect and the love and friendships we seen.
I read this book in two sittings because I just couldn’t put it down and every time I tried to stop in between the end of the chapters just drew me in for more.
Brie started of conflicted about her feelings for Sebastian and the fact that he had betrayed her so deeply and we see her lack of trust for anyone from the very start. But it was lovely to see her slowly opening herself up again especially to Finn and his gang and her new friends of the Wild fae.
The pacing of the book was great and the chemistry between the characters was electric and they just bounced of eachother and their witty banter was something I looked forwards to every time the characters interacted.
It had just the right amount of character development and story building to make this such an epic tale.
Personally I didn’t mind the similarities to ACOTAR (even though there was quite a bit) and think it would be perfect for fans of it and From blood and ash.
Understanding the lore and it being explained well is a big thing for me in fantasy and I think this was spot on.
For me the sister aspect and love for family was such a big drive in the first book and I would’ve loved to have seen jas more in this book but understand why she wasn’t more involved .It was a beautiful and satisfying ending even though what Bash did was slightly anti climatic I’m glad it ended the way it did.

Thank you so much to Hodderscape for sending me an eARC of These Twisted Bonds to review! Review also posted to Goodreads.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and while I liked it I’m sad to say I didn’t love it like I did the first book but as always I’m going to do my best to be clear and fair in my reasoning here. SPOILERS for book 1 below!

I found the first book predictable but with it’s own fun magic system meaning I really enjoyed the journey feeling a sense of nostalgia while reading it. I expected to feel the same way about this one - no surprises but a fun time getting there. Instead at about 40% in I found myself just wanting the characters to wise up get on with it. I think there were too many breadcrumbs for readers to follow meaning none of the reveals were actually surprising. I think readers newer to fantasy will really enjoy this duology but more seasoned fantasy readers may find themselves frustrated.

I won’t spoil anything but part of the ending with the magic system confused me and felt like a certain thing shouldn’t have been possible given the reasoning behind another magical event.

I did still really like Abriella as a main character and thought her character development was good as she grew up and came into her power as a Fae. I do think the bond between her and Sebastian did a lot of heavy lifting in terms of their interactions and I’d have liked to have seen more in depth conversations between them. I think this would have also made Sebastian a more likeable love interest whereas I found myself rooting for Finn, the other guy in this love triangle.

I have this one 3.5/5🌟 meaning I might read it again but it’s sadly not a new favourite.
Steam level: 1.5/5🔥 (it is YA)

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read these twisted bonds.

This starts exactly where we left off so I did need a quick refresher on what happened at the end of book 1.
But overall was a fast paced great conclusion for me, even if I am mainly here for Finn. Hope to see maybe a spin off?? Hint hint

2.5 stars!

The extra half star is for Finn alone because he made reading this book somewhat tolerable. We all love a broody tortured hero who is smitten by the heroine.

I have two main gripes with this book barring that this duology could have been so much more entertaining. First, literally everyone loves the MC Brie and repeatedly tell her how great she is but the self- loathing on her part is excruciating. Throughout the book her inner thoughts revolves around how much problems and pains her presence is causing. Yes, it caused me a lot of pain.

Second and the main issue, Brie continues to justify the behaviour of her abuser. This guy has literally manipulated her repeatedly and even though she asks him to back off and that she wasn't interested in having a relationship with him, the guy wouldn't take no for an answer. He has a sort of telepathic bond with him and there are parts where he clearly uses that bond to manipulate her. I was mad that she continued to advocate for him that he is good man. Honestly, JUST NO!

Additionally, there's no climax .. we are told repeatedly how powerful the villian is..it doesn't amount to anything because the conflict with the supposed villian of the story got over in about a chapter and a half. The main conflict of this book seemed the resolution of the love triangle as opposed to the wider politics even though the choice was clear from the start.

Overall, this could have been so much more entertaining but beacause of the weak characterisations, cringey plot and forced love triangle this duology as a whole didn't work for me.

Honestly, I was just disappointed. These Hollow Vows was such an amazing book for me, the twists and turns, the characters, the setting… everything I loved and this second novel just let me down.

I felt like Bree backtracked against everything she stood for, she was flip flopping over both sides for the whole novel it felt like and it just irritated me.

I was thinking the whole time about how long I had left to read, and this is not a feeling you should get when reading.

The plot was predictable, the characters felt annoying, I just didn’t enjoy this at all.

1 star [not for me]

I raced through the first book in this series so I was really looking forward to this one.

I enjoyed being back in this world and working to the conclusion of what was going on but ultimately there was too much back and forth with who the MC trusts for me.

Still an enjoyable read.

Thank you so much to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for granting me an ARC of These Twisted Bonds 😍

Overall rating 4.5 ⭐
The start was a bit slow, I found it quite difficult to get into the first 30-40%, as I tried to remember exactly the events and lore from the previous book, These Hollow Vows. At times I did get a bit confused about the lineage and ancestry of the kings and queens of both the courts.
But boy, after that, the storyline really picked up and I couldn't put it down.
I'm so glad we got to see Brie really tap into her powers, and fully understand her as a character. The romance was swoon-worthy and I'm SO glad we got tons more Finn action 👀
All the characters were well developed and got the ending they deserved, and whilst the ending of THV and beginning of TTB had me hating on Sebastian, he truly redeemed himself by the end.
Overall this sequel really does THV justice, and the conclusion left me feeling very satisfied.
I'd say that this series is like a YA version of Sarah J. Maas' a Court of Thorns and Roses.

Review also posted to GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4831205453
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf3SJiJPgzg

I really enjoyed this book. I find it to be a great ending to this duology. The storyline, the characters, the writing, everything was great! This duology makes me want to read more books by this author

After loving These Hollow Vows, I couldn’t wait to read this one and was so excited when I got it from NetGalley! The easiest way to sum up how I feel about this book is: I absolutely loved everything about it! I was a bit nervous after loving book one so much, but I loved this one even more. I read all of it in just 5 hours! I didn’t want to put it down, and it was so easy to read. The characters are really loveable, and I really liked the new characters that you get to meet in this book. The storyline was fantastic and kept me intrigued from start to finish. I partly guessed what was going to happen, but I was still very surprised. I absolutely loved this book and I’m so glad that I got to read it early. I’m not sure if there’s going to be another book in this series, but I would love to read more about these characters and would love to know what they get up to next. I can’t recommend this series enough and can’t wait to read more from Lexi Ryan in the future.