wisteriagrows's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marcylouder's review against another edition
3.0
Okay. A parte le mille volte in cui ho alzato gli occhi al cielo e quel momento strano verso la fine in cui mi sembrava di leggere la storia di Rapunzel (il cartone della Disney per intenderci) non è andata male.
Se fosse successo qualcosa anche tra l'inizio e la fine del libro sarebbe andata anche meglio però.
Delusione sul sistema magico perché ho visto che ci poteva essere una base interessante ma in conclusione non mi ha detto niente.
Se fosse successo qualcosa anche tra l'inizio e la fine del libro sarebbe andata anche meglio però.
Delusione sul sistema magico perché ho visto che ci poteva essere una base interessante ma in conclusione non mi ha detto niente.
kristenellefson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
miradesu's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
mirnda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Animal death
Minor: Death of parent
rainysakura's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting concept wrapped up in a too-short book. I thought I had a pretty good idea (admittedly informed by the last series I read) about where this book was going, and I was left floored when it had the ~audacity~ to do something entirely different..? This first book felt like it prioritized world building (loosely based on Russia) and setup over a ton of plot, but that makes me optimistic that the next will be pretty unputdownable.
ielerol's review against another edition
3.0
This book was...fine? The story has the overall shape of a book I'd really love: Russian folklore, court intrigue, novel magic system, morally ambiguous villain. I wouldn't miss the angsty love triangle but it doesn't put me off either.
But the details never fully satisfied me. Alina one minute is brooding on how she's not special or good at anything and has always been weak and unimpressive and the next she's outspokenly defiant in front of the most powerful and dangerous person in the kingdom? I mean, I guess YA heroines have to be plucky and outspoken to be likeable, even when it doesn't make sense. The plot twists aren't especially surprising and yet also they don't feel well set up enough to be earned.
Or the details of grisha theory. Normally that's the sort of nerdy detail I love. But the explanations were too science-ish to be purely mysterious and magical, yet too nonsensical to be a coherent theory.
I liked it well enough to finish it, but as more of a light entertainment that didn't bear thinking about too much. I might skip straight to Six of Crows next instead of finishing this trilogy.
But the details never fully satisfied me. Alina one minute is brooding on how she's not special or good at anything and has always been weak and unimpressive and the next she's outspokenly defiant in front of the most powerful and dangerous person in the kingdom? I mean, I guess YA heroines have to be plucky and outspoken to be likeable, even when it doesn't make sense. The plot twists aren't especially surprising and yet also they don't feel well set up enough to be earned.
Spoiler
Like, if Baghra wanted to groom Alina to defy the Darkling, she should have actually groomed her for it, not just shown up in a panic one night trying to convince her to that everything she believes is a lie. I just think people who have lived for hundreds of years should maybe be better at planning ahead.Or the details of grisha theory. Normally that's the sort of nerdy detail I love. But the explanations were too science-ish to be purely mysterious and magical, yet too nonsensical to be a coherent theory.
I liked it well enough to finish it, but as more of a light entertainment that didn't bear thinking about too much. I might skip straight to Six of Crows next instead of finishing this trilogy.
krys3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
jombienerd's review against another edition
3.0
It’s a great book. I would totally recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy and a fast read. The pages fly by really quickly. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.