Not as Strong as the First

 These Twisted Bonds by Lexi Ryan 

It's been a while since I read book 1 so I had to remind myself of the characters and the plot; I was not able to just jump back into it easily. I did remember loving and being obsessed with book 1 and this was not near as strong as that. I was disappointed with this book overall. Maybe my expectations were too high, but it was a bit lackluster. That's not to say it was bad; I gave it 3* so it was enjoyable, but it wasn't all consuming like book 1. Brie had a lot of growth in this book. She realized that she only bonded with Sebastian because she was lonely and didn't want to feel alone ever again; that the love she felt for him wasn't a deep love. He, however did love her. She is still drawn to Finn. This book picks up right where the first book left off, with her running away. She meets Misha and together they save some kids from a camp. Turns out Misha is the King of the Wild Fae and he takes her to his palace and gives her a room; that room is the room Finn uses. He also teaches her how to dampen the bond so she isn't constantly bombarded by Bash's emotions. Finn shows up and she is drawn to him. Every time they try to get close she can't keep her walls up and Bash feels it and they stop. Then, they find out that the only way to deal with all of their problems is by getting to the Underworld to talk to the ghost of Mab and the only way to do that is to go see the High Priestess. So they do that, but she refuses to help which kills her. Then the spirits of all of the High Priestesses possess her body and give them directions on how to get to the portal so they go and it turns out Brie is a descendant of Mab's, so she is the rightful ruler of the Shadow Court. Mab tells her that the only way to solve the problems is to kill the Queen so Bash can get her crown and for Bash to give up his life so she can get the Night Court crown, or they can go to the River of Ice and permanently bond tying their life forces together. So, that's the same info they already knew. But, then she kicks out Finn and tells Brie that she needs to embrace her shadow self. Then the sort of get trapped in the Underworld, but manage to get out. Then they adventure and Bash's best friend turns on them; he's a traitor and turns them over to the Queen. She puts Brie and Bash into iron lined coffins. Brie found out that she and Finn are tethered which means she and pull on his power, so she does that to send out her shadow to kill the Queen and free both herself and Bash. Bash gets the crown. Then they go to the River of Ice. Before they tie themselves together forever he tells her that he loves her and then shows her the gem he gave her; it can restore her mortality. He uses it and becomes human. He keeps the Sun crown but the Night Crown goes to Brie. She takes control of the Court of Shadows. She and Finn bond. Jas, her sister, is in fae with her and doing well now that she's safe from her kidnappers. Like, it was fine, but not as strong as the first book.