A few months ago I started asking the teams at my two nearest bookstores, “what’s the best thing you’ve read this month?” I have come home with a variety of genres (only one of which I’ve never really been into), and a 100% strike rate.
These Hollow Vows is the first book in a YA fantasy series by Lexi Ryan, who I was quite sure rang a bell when the bookseller mentioned her (as it turns out, I’ve read about 8 of her adult romances). It has been likened to A Court of Thorns and Roses, and while I can see the similarities (fae-hating protagonist winds up entangled with the fae), they diverge pretty sharply in terms of plot after that.
Brie and her sister live in pretty Cinderellay circumstances, before Sister is kidnapped by the King of the Dark Fae. The border between the Fae and Human realms is sealed, so Brie is forced to sneak into the Fae lands undercover, as a potential bride for the Prince of the Light Fae. Cue a few contrivances, and we have ourselves a Quest and a Love Triangle!
So far, so standard, right? But the joy of these books is in the journey, and the characters. Brie is a fighter, determined to do whatever it takes to save her sister – regardless of the personal cost. She feels lived in, as do both Finn and Ronan, who could easily have veered towards a cardboard cut out villain.
I enjoyed this, and mentally shelved it with A Court of Thorns and Roses, and The Prison Healer. A great suggestion from our local book store.