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A review by novelty_reads
These Twisted Bonds by Lexi Ryan
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I'm not going to lie, I didn't like this much.
I read These Hollow Vows last year. While I appreciated the book, it wasn't a favourite. I think I rated it three stars overall. The main thing I enjoyed in that book was the fact it was completely addictive to read. It was unputdownable and despite the flaws, I was looking forward to book two especially with book one's ending.
The book picks up immediately after the events of book one. I should've rejigged my memory by re-reading the last chapters but I ended up throwing caution to the wind and trusting my vague recollections. A lot of major logistical components eg the power of the crown and how the Shadow Throne operates would've been great to remember so I struggled a little bit on that front. This is definitely more of the binge-read type of series, as in, you'll struggle to find your footing if you don't read one book after the other or in a short time between the two books.
Apart from the above, I couldn't help but feel a little bored with this book? It's a fantasy and usually fantasy books have me on the edge of my seat with the fast-paced action and high stakes, but I felt like there was none of that? The first 50 or so pages were fast and filled with action but after that the stakes and tension of the situation died down a bit and it wasn't until the last 100 pages or so that the action picked up. I felt like a majority of the book wasn't necessarily plot orientated but more romance dominated with spicy scenes that honestly made me question if this belongs more in the New Adult genre than Young Adult, especially since the main character, Brie, didn't even feel like she was a 16 year old girl. Her character felt much older, 18-23 at least.
With the romance, honestly, I wasn't really sold on it. Maybe towards the end yes, but I couldn't help but eye-roll at the fact that she was manipulated by Finn and Sebastian (in book one) and yet she easily continued to pursue a relationship with Finn and still has feelings towards the other even though he severely broke her trust. Sebastian made me eye-roll the most. He was one of my favourite characters in These Hollow Vows (albeit a little whiny at times) but in this book he was borderline insufferable and childish.
I also didn't love Abriella. I didn't like her in THV and that hasn't changed in These Twisted Bonds. In book one, she appeared as very arrogant and in this book, she acted very much like a special snowflake always like "but I'm just a human" followed by every character telling her she's more than that and that she's so special. It got annoying very quickly.
Also, it felt like the spicy scenes were just fillers and honestly were needless. I would rather the plot progress further than hearing how much Abriella wants more of Finn and wants him all over her. I don't mind spice, but please just not so often in a book that the plot feels like it takes the backseat.
ACTUAL RATING: 2.3 STARS
I'm not going to lie, I didn't like this much.
I read These Hollow Vows last year. While I appreciated the book, it wasn't a favourite. I think I rated it three stars overall. The main thing I enjoyed in that book was the fact it was completely addictive to read. It was unputdownable and despite the flaws, I was looking forward to book two especially with book one's ending.
The book picks up immediately after the events of book one. I should've rejigged my memory by re-reading the last chapters but I ended up throwing caution to the wind and trusting my vague recollections. A lot of major logistical components eg the power of the crown and how the Shadow Throne operates would've been great to remember so I struggled a little bit on that front. This is definitely more of the binge-read type of series, as in, you'll struggle to find your footing if you don't read one book after the other or in a short time between the two books.
Apart from the above, I couldn't help but feel a little bored with this book? It's a fantasy and usually fantasy books have me on the edge of my seat with the fast-paced action and high stakes, but I felt like there was none of that? The first 50 or so pages were fast and filled with action but after that the stakes and tension of the situation died down a bit and it wasn't until the last 100 pages or so that the action picked up. I felt like a majority of the book wasn't necessarily plot orientated but more romance dominated with spicy scenes that honestly made me question if this belongs more in the New Adult genre than Young Adult, especially since the main character, Brie, didn't even feel like she was a 16 year old girl. Her character felt much older, 18-23 at least.
With the romance, honestly, I wasn't really sold on it. Maybe towards the end yes, but I couldn't help but eye-roll at the fact that she was manipulated by Finn and Sebastian (in book one) and yet she easily continued to pursue a relationship with Finn and still has feelings towards the other even though he severely broke her trust. Sebastian made me eye-roll the most. He was one of my favourite characters in These Hollow Vows (albeit a little whiny at times) but in this book he was borderline insufferable and childish.
I also didn't love Abriella. I didn't like her in THV and that hasn't changed in These Twisted Bonds. In book one, she appeared as very arrogant and in this book, she acted very much like a special snowflake always like "but I'm just a human" followed by every character telling her she's more than that and that she's so special. It got annoying very quickly.
Also, it felt like the spicy scenes were just fillers and honestly were needless. I would rather the plot progress further than hearing how much Abriella wants more of Finn and wants him all over her. I don't mind spice, but please just not so often in a book that the plot feels like it takes the backseat.
ACTUAL RATING: 2.3 STARS
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
manipulation