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kaytaytay14's review against another edition
4.0
It was a quick read honestly I think I read it in a couple of days. There are some really cute parts in it. I had watched the Netflix series before reading this so I knew some of what was going to happen but it was nice getting a bit more detail.
It was entertaining to read but not my most favorite book if I’m honest. Still a good book and I’m intrigued to see where the rest of the series will go.
It was entertaining to read but not my most favorite book if I’m honest. Still a good book and I’m intrigued to see where the rest of the series will go.
zbmorgan's review against another edition
4.0
Love the world building here, and if the prose isn't incredibly complex, it's still a keep you up late page turner with an interesting magic structure and hierarchy.
kmiamattingly's review against another edition
2.0
Star Breakdown:
This book gets one star for an interesting magic system, one star for a compelling supporting character (Genya). I have nothing bad to say about the heroine, but I also have nothing good to say, either. She suffers from crippling issues regarding self worth and body image that, while relatable, we never invest any time addressing or overcoming. Turns out the solution to body image issues is to become conventionally attractive. And even then, it's only other people telling you you're pretty so you have to continuously rely on other people telling you you're beautiful in order to temporarily stave off the body image issues. Oof.
Shortcomings:
This book loses major points for pacing (drags some places, runs in others) and character development (ie, there is none, aside from some partially earned development from the heroine. Every other character is just set dressing.) The biggest issue is the plot structure, which contributes to the previous two shortcomings.
We spend maybe 1/6 of the book with the "chosen" love interest, Mal, which gives me no time as a reader to bond with or invest any interest in him. The book assumes I will be invested in their relationship, because they're childhood friends, but never puts in the work to "show" or "prove" that they are right for each other as adults. We do a literal transition from "ugly" (malnourished, tired) heroine to "beautiful" (filled out figure, shiny hair, men start openly ogling her) and it ultimately serves to cheapen our "hero's" love confession. He says something to the effect of, "I'm sorry I wasn't looking. But I see you now." Yeah. You see her cuz she's hot now. Great. Super charming.
Most of the book is spent with the heroine at the Grisha school with The Darkling. They share one, perhaps two, meaningful conversations. Most interactions are brief, or, on a few occasions, steamy. Little to no substance. Despite this, she trusts him right up until another character tells her not to. And then she bails. When we see him next, he's made the transition to "mask off" villain to the extent it feels cartoonish. I could tell the author really wanted to add substance, depth, and pathos to The Darkling, but by pulling the "villain" trigger so early, I was left irritated and disappointed, bereft of an opportunity to actually give a damn about his reasons for why he does what he does.
This book gets one star for an interesting magic system, one star for a compelling supporting character (Genya). I have nothing bad to say about the heroine, but I also have nothing good to say, either. She suffers from crippling issues regarding self worth and body image that, while relatable, we never invest any time addressing or overcoming. Turns out the solution to body image issues is to become conventionally attractive. And even then, it's only other people telling you you're pretty so you have to continuously rely on other people telling you you're beautiful in order to temporarily stave off the body image issues. Oof.
Shortcomings:
This book loses major points for pacing (drags some places, runs in others) and character development (ie, there is none, aside from some partially earned development from the heroine. Every other character is just set dressing.) The biggest issue is the plot structure, which contributes to the previous two shortcomings.
We spend maybe 1/6 of the book with the "chosen" love interest, Mal, which gives me no time as a reader to bond with or invest any interest in him. The book assumes I will be invested in their relationship, because they're childhood friends, but never puts in the work to "show" or "prove" that they are right for each other as adults. We do a literal transition from "ugly" (malnourished, tired) heroine to "beautiful" (filled out figure, shiny hair, men start openly ogling her) and it ultimately serves to cheapen our "hero's" love confession. He says something to the effect of, "I'm sorry I wasn't looking. But I see you now." Yeah. You see her cuz she's hot now. Great. Super charming.
Most of the book is spent with the heroine at the Grisha school with The Darkling. They share one, perhaps two, meaningful conversations. Most interactions are brief, or, on a few occasions, steamy. Little to no substance. Despite this, she trusts him right up until another character tells her not to. And then she bails. When we see him next, he's made the transition to "mask off" villain to the extent it feels cartoonish. I could tell the author really wanted to add substance, depth, and pathos to The Darkling, but by pulling the "villain" trigger so early, I was left irritated and disappointed, bereft of an opportunity to actually give a damn about his reasons for why he does what he does.
ootess's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I didn't know what to expect going into this book but it definitely exceeded my expectations.
The whole dynamic of this world is so fascinating & I couldn't put down the book. I'm so glad I picked this up before SoC, even though I was so temped to read the duology first.
I loved the Darkling for the majority of the book and I was just as betrayed and heartbroken when we find out it had all been a lie. I REALLY felt the connection between the Darling and Alina, I was completely blindsided.
Then we have Genya who equally betrayed Alina but at he same time she was in a awful position before the Darling saved her and of course she'd have to show her allegiance to him as apart of her gratitude. But I'm still writhing that she never even gave Alina a chance to know the truth, even after Alina treated her as an equal compared to the Darling who needs to have power of people.
I was frustrated when Alina had the chance to kill the Stag but refused, I understand her feelings of guilt but her best friend had travelled all this way for her and then she refuses.. When the Darling turned up I just realised what a waste of a trip it had been!
However, when Alina overcame the Darlings power even with the amplifier because of the mercy she'd shown the stag, I understood. At the same score though, she would never have had to overcome the power if she'd just killed the stag herself. I was devastated when Mal was thrown off the Skiff. He just stands there, silent and prepared for his death, I think he did this more for Alinas sake, to save her the knowledge of his fear. But when he screamed I felt it, I could feel all the fear and pain in his scream. (thank god Alina saved him).
The whole dynamic of this world is so fascinating & I couldn't put down the book. I'm so glad I picked this up before SoC, even though I was so temped to read the duology first.
I loved the Darkling for the majority of the book and I was just as betrayed and heartbroken when we find out it had all been a lie. I REALLY felt the connection between the Darling and Alina, I was completely blindsided.
Then we have Genya who equally betrayed Alina but at he same time she was in a awful position before the Darling saved her and of course she'd have to show her allegiance to him as apart of her gratitude. But I'm still writhing that she never even gave Alina a chance to know the truth, even after Alina treated her as an equal compared to the Darling who needs to have power of people.
I was frustrated when Alina had the chance to kill the Stag but refused, I understand her feelings of guilt but her best friend had travelled all this way for her and then she refuses.. When the Darling turned up I just realised what a waste of a trip it had been!
However, when Alina overcame the Darlings power even with the amplifier because of the mercy she'd shown the stag, I understood. At the same score though, she would never have had to overcome the power if she'd just killed the stag herself. I was devastated when Mal was thrown off the Skiff. He just stands there, silent and prepared for his death, I think he did this more for Alinas sake, to save her the knowledge of his fear. But when he screamed I felt it, I could feel all the fear and pain in his scream. (thank god Alina saved him).
readgeek29's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nellithb's review against another edition
5.0
my biggest regret is not starting this series earlier
plus the darklings betrayal hit me way too hard
plus the darklings betrayal hit me way too hard
hrcsparkle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
godofwar's review against another edition
3.0
not gonna lie, i'm a little underwhelmed. leigh bardugo is obviously talented, she can write and the lore is interesting........... but if i read another book with the main character calling herself ugly because she has brown hair i'm gonna lose it
magik_the_cat's review against another edition
5.0
I've had all three books in this trilogy for a while but it was watching the show that finally got me to read it and wow, I love it. I like some of the things the show did better but there's also stuff it didn't do better. Anyway, this is for the book. I loved it. I can tell it's earlier than Ninth House which was fucking amazing, Leigh Bardugo has gotten so much better since this book like holy shit. But I still liked it a lot. The world building is my favorite thing. It feels so alive. I'm excited to read the rest of the Grishaverse books.
welcometomyescape's review against another edition
2.0
Did not like the writing or the characters. Struggled to get through it. Only interesting part was the world building/concept.