Twisted Iron Marks

Audiobook - a favourite narrator who improves every book. Story 3.5 stars.- while there were some interesting plot twists and a more solid base for Cillian and Bram's need to learn to trust each other, there was too much repetition about their lack of that trust. In Elven society as is, it was impossible to know who deserved any trust at all, and the witches were just as awful. I'm still invested in what I hope will be a good outcome for all groups, but it's taking very long to get there.

This book started slowly for me. There was much politicking and subterfuge among the Fae, who can’t lie, but don’t necessarily tell the truth. Bran and Cillian flee the mortal world to the other world after the Witch’s Council demands Bran abandon his old coven (basically himself and his non-witch sister) and become part of a new coven. Bran is also forced to commit an act that certainly rivals any vile act perpetrated by witches or Fae. As a reader/bystander, I have to question if any side in this book qualifies as the “good guys.” The book continued to drag for me once the duo and Cillian’s loyal retinue return to the other world, where Cillian is expected to recover his place as the Winter Prince. Bran is in the most uncomfortable position of all as a witch among the Fae, with only Cillian for support, and even that relationship is put to the test. I kept waiting for something really bad to happen, and plenty of icky stuff does (implied rape, violence against witches and Fae, etc). For all that, little movement forward in the story occurs, until near the end, very similar to the first book, then there is a flurry that doesn’t resolve much and leads to the next book. I’m sorry to say this, because I want to know what happens, and I want Cillian and Bran to have a HEA, but there are parts of the story I find uncomfortably dark, so I do not know if I will continue the series. The narration is solid and definitely keeps the tension and sense of danger high. I received an audioARC and this is my honest, voluntary opinion.

Things are not going well for Bran. This is book 2 in the Bitter Legacies series by Hailey Turner. What a great follow-up to book number 1. I didn't like this one as much as I liked book 1, those fae are nasty creatures and I felt so sorry for Bran. I guess that's a me problem. The narrator, Gary Furlong, had another stellar performance. Boy, Hailey had us on the edge of our seats just waiting to see what she had in store for these guys next. Poor Bran had the toughest time and I hope the next book will see him not so used and abused. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. An old foe is discovered, the witch council delivers some ultimatums, Bran and Cillian on the run, the collar must be worn at all times for Bran's protection, thank heavens for Bran's familiar