Unbent by Courtney Shepard delves into a world where powerful elemental witches are hunted by a malevolent Order and their terrifying immortal masters, the Four. The prologue sets the stage, introducing the Master of the Order, who is driven by a thirst for the elemental power possessed by witches, particularly their shakti. The fight for survival has never been more critical. Born to wield the forces of earth, air, fire, and water, these sisters are the last hope against an enemy whose power grows with every sacrifice. Separated at birth and unaware of the dark forces that hunt them, their paths are destined to collide. When a mysterious stranger enters Asha's life, offering aid and capturing her heart, his true identity threatens to shatter everything she knows. Imprisoned and stripped of her power, Asha must confront haunting secrets and trust the untrustworthy if the sisters are to unite and defy their terrifying destiny.

Unbent is the sequel to Unbalanced and is a gripping story about the struggle between good and evil, where heroes fight for survival. The descriptions are terrific. The author shifts perspectives from one key character to the next. This narrative style creates suspense and gives the novel a unique, confident, and intimate feel. The characters, especially Mere, Avia, Aron, and Rio, are elaborately written. While Clay and Cole are not very vividly portrayed, they are reflected in the other characters. Courtney Shepard is a great storyteller who balances deft plotting with impeccable storytelling. The intriguing characters and the excellent prose are noteworthy literary elements and augment the entertainment value of this fantasy tale.

Unbent by Courtney Shepard is the second installment in the Unbalanced series, in which readers plunge even deeper into a world where elemental magic collides with dark destinies. We’re with Mere, the water sister, as she grapples with the trauma of surviving the Order, a brutal organization that hunts women like her. Her magic, once fluid and strong, now churns with dangerous undercurrents, mirroring her inner turmoil. Meanwhile, Aron, the air-bender who risked everything for her, struggles to control his rising, unpredictable power. As betrayal, dreams, and shadowy truths unravel the foundation of their trust, the sisters must reunite and make impossible choices. Bound by blood and magic, they must overcome betrayal and face their terrifying legacy if they are to survive, and possibly change, the fate that has always awaited them.

Author Courtney Shepard has a real talent for weaving context and information naturally into the scenes, and this deepens the original elemental mythology of the series while exploring new story threads of trauma, love, and the cost of survival. Anyone following on from book one will fall naturally into the incredible world of feminine energy and power, but there are also plenty of context clues and reminders for newcomers and the forgetful to keep them on track with the plot. This clarity of storytelling makes for easy and enjoyable reading, and I found myself enjoying the darkly romantic, emotionally rich moments where the tension is high and the stakes even higher. Aron was a particular favorite of mine in his struggle with his energy and instincts. All the characters are layered and raw, with their elemental powers creating poignant reflections of their inner battles. Overall, Unbent is a highly recommended read for fans of urban fantasy with a feminist edge.