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bookboxbabe's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
-1 star because she didn’t end up with the guy i wanted
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Blood, and Sexual content
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love it, I love it, I love it. I feel so rejuvenated! I couldn’t put this down, I was reading it every second I could and just… freaking loved it. So fun, sexy, magical, enchanting. I think the only thing I’m upset about is that it seems wrapped up lol I want more! I’m feeling a sense of loss that I don’t have more story surroundings these characters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Torture, Toxic friendship, Classism, Confinement, Drug abuse, Grief, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, War, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Trafficking, Emotional abuse, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, and Miscarriage
novelty_reads's review
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
manipulationthelongroadtosanity's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
"There is only one thing I can trust, and that is that no one can be trusted."
*
**
***
**
*
This book concludes the conflict between the Seelie and Unseelie courts. Abriella discovers that Bash has betrayed her, and flees the Sun Court, wandering the woods until she stumbles upon a work camp for Unseelie prisoners. Freeing those trapped there, and befriending the Wild Fae King, Bri has to overcome her emotions and discover the truth about herself and the power of the Unseelie Court.
The first book in this Duology has fan-fiction vibes, and that continues on into this story. Towards the end, I definitely felt there was some Throne of Glass overlap. I also struggled with Bri through the entirety of the plot. I felt that she was very, very whiney and annoying and continued to mope about and profess "woe is me, I've been betrayed". It's definitely like that for nearly half the book and I must admit, I would have DNF-ed this solely based on my agitation with Bri's character if I wasn't supposed to be doing a buddy read with coworkers.
The plot is fast-paced, which did keep my attention, and I enjoyed the action and bits of spice sprinkled throughout Bri's emotional breakdowns. The lore and world-building is more complicated in this, and I felt that it was almost too overwhelming at one point until it was all explained later on in the timeline. Once it all made sense, it peaked my interest.
I was not a fan of the conclusion. It felt like there was so much build-up to get to this point and then everything happened over what felt like 5 pages and then everything was suddenly fine and dandy again. The small plot twist at the end was a nice surprise, but I wanted more character development from Bash, Bri, and Finn. I suppose you could consider this a "slow-burn" type of romance with an awkward "love-triangle" troupe if you really wanted to.
Overall, I was slightly disappointed in this Duology. The hype behind the books was so great, especially for those who love SJM, ACOTAR, and TOG (aka ME) but unfortunately for me it just wasn't there. I definitely wanted more from the plot and more from the characters. (07/2023)
3 out of 5 stars
*
**
***
**
*
This book concludes the conflict between the Seelie and Unseelie courts. Abriella discovers that Bash has betrayed her, and flees the Sun Court, wandering the woods until she stumbles upon a work camp for Unseelie prisoners. Freeing those trapped there, and befriending the Wild Fae King, Bri has to overcome her emotions and discover the truth about herself and the power of the Unseelie Court.
The first book in this Duology has fan-fiction vibes, and that continues on into this story. Towards the end, I definitely felt there was some Throne of Glass overlap. I also struggled with Bri through the entirety of the plot. I felt that she was very, very whiney and annoying and continued to mope about and profess "woe is me, I've been betrayed". It's definitely like that for nearly half the book and I must admit, I would have DNF-ed this solely based on my agitation with Bri's character if I wasn't supposed to be doing a buddy read with coworkers.
The plot is fast-paced, which did keep my attention, and I enjoyed the action and bits of spice sprinkled throughout Bri's emotional breakdowns. The lore and world-building is more complicated in this, and I felt that it was almost too overwhelming at one point until it was all explained later on in the timeline. Once it all made sense, it peaked my interest.
I was not a fan of the conclusion. It felt like there was so much build-up to get to this point and then everything happened over what felt like 5 pages and then everything was suddenly fine and dandy again. The small plot twist at the end was a nice surprise, but I wanted more character development from Bash, Bri, and Finn. I suppose you could consider this a "slow-burn" type of romance with an awkward "love-triangle" troupe if you really wanted to.
Overall, I was slightly disappointed in this Duology. The hype behind the books was so great, especially for those who love SJM, ACOTAR, and TOG (aka ME) but unfortunately for me it just wasn't there. I definitely wanted more from the plot and more from the characters. (07/2023)
3 out of 5 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
theespressoedition's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Gore
leila_reads_too_much's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
cady_sass's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very pleasantly surprised. Same as the first it’s a tad repetitive to the point where it’s almost offensive to the reader but ultimately a fun time. Fun duology, no regrets.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, Abandonment, Death, Grief, Confinement, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, and Body horror
katvou's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: War, Blood, Drug use, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol and Fire/Fire injury
clairew97's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, War, Gore, Grief, Abandonment, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
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