kori_krc's review against another edition
2.0
I am so disappointed. I was so excited for this book as Zoya and Nikolai were some of my favorite characters. Nina I could live without, to be honest.
The whole story felt dragged out and it was a struggle to get through. I found the first 200 pages to be so full of flashbacks to previous series, and seriously lacking any major plot. The whole book seemed to really lack any real plot. I also wasn't a fan of the two stories that were going on at the same time. They felt very disjointed. I found myself very bored with Nina's storyline and wishing Nikolai's had more to it - it didn't even start to ramp up until they got sucked into a weird inter-dimensional world. Issak's chapters weren't that memorable either. I think you could have not read ANY of his chapters and not missed out on any of the story.
I am still going to read Rule of Wolves because an interesting plot with potential was FINALLY introduced in literally the last 2 pages of the story. I'm not kidding. 511 pages and intrigue finally shows up on page 509/510. The whole book is a pass unless you really want to struggle through it to get to Rule of Wolves. Although, considering the hype that was around King of Scars and now it's counterpart...I'm worried. I'm not looking forward to seeing Nina again, but if we are bringing back one of my favorite characters (no spoilers) and keeping Nikolai and Zoya I'll give it a fair shot. Hopefully the next installment won't be ass choppy and dull.
The whole story felt dragged out and it was a struggle to get through. I found the first 200 pages to be so full of flashbacks to previous series, and seriously lacking any major plot. The whole book seemed to really lack any real plot. I also wasn't a fan of the two stories that were going on at the same time. They felt very disjointed. I found myself very bored with Nina's storyline and wishing Nikolai's had more to it - it didn't even start to ramp up until they got sucked into a weird inter-dimensional world. Issak's chapters weren't that memorable either. I think you could have not read ANY of his chapters and not missed out on any of the story.
I am still going to read Rule of Wolves because an interesting plot with potential was FINALLY introduced in literally the last 2 pages of the story. I'm not kidding. 511 pages and intrigue finally shows up on page 509/510. The whole book is a pass unless you really want to struggle through it to get to Rule of Wolves. Although, considering the hype that was around King of Scars and now it's counterpart...I'm worried. I'm not looking forward to seeing Nina again, but if we are bringing back one of my favorite characters (no spoilers) and keeping Nikolai and Zoya I'll give it a fair shot. Hopefully the next installment won't be ass choppy and dull.
meganreynolds's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sonboninsc's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a good 200 pages to really get into this book. Some of it is my own fault as I cant remember who's who or what happened in earlier books. But then I got into it and it felt like a continuation of Shadow and Bone.
I didnt think Nikolai was as rogue and likeable as he was before. I liked learning more about Zoya and how she was saved from child marriage. Nina's grief and loss was so painful. Not sure what the whole Hanne and Nina angle is just yet. Izaak was great as a stand in King.
This book was just okay for me because it felt like a Book 2 bridging towards a more climactic next book. I really could've done without the return of the Darkling and would have been completely satisfied with Nikolai trying to rid himself of the monster inside.
I didnt think Nikolai was as rogue and likeable as he was before. I liked learning more about Zoya and how she was saved from child marriage. Nina's grief and loss was so painful. Not sure what the whole Hanne and Nina angle is just yet. Izaak was great as a stand in King.
This book was just okay for me because it felt like a Book 2 bridging towards a more climactic next book. I really could've done without the return of the Darkling and would have been completely satisfied with Nikolai trying to rid himself of the monster inside.
ana_belen_herrera's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am enamored with Nikolai, and this book is everything I didn't know I needed
Didn't see coming the plot twist, and Leigh Bardugo's writing is magnificent
Didn't see coming the plot twist, and Leigh Bardugo's writing is magnificent
linda_marian's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
clesh01's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
frmeden's review against another edition
5.0
Picked this up directly after finishing the Grishaverse Trilogy, so you wouldn't think I'd have had time to miss these characters, but I did and I was so delighted to be in their presence once again! Having Nikolai and Zoya as POV characters, as well as being able to see Genya and the gang again was a high point for me. There was some unfortunate rehashing of characters I didn't like as much (the Apparat and the Darkling namely, although I do understand why the latter had to feature so heavily given the effect he had on Zoya and Nikolai's lives) but that was to be expected.
My favourite part of this book was, unsurprisingly, getting to hear from Nina again. She's just my absolute favourite. Although her plot felt very separate from Zoya and Nikolai's, a criticism I've seen a lot, I loved reading about Nina's time in Fjerda so much that I didn't really mind. Her sections of the book were definitely darker and sadder, but I actually loved that aspect.
This book did have it's ups and towns, but ultimately, a book that made me cry three times has to be deserving of a five star rating, right? Plus, I think it's obvious anything Grisha is immediately a must-read now.
My favourite part of this book was, unsurprisingly, getting to hear from Nina again. She's just my absolute favourite. Although her plot felt very separate from Zoya and Nikolai's, a criticism I've seen a lot, I loved reading about Nina's time in Fjerda so much that I didn't really mind. Her sections of the book were definitely darker and sadder, but I actually loved that aspect.
This book did have it's ups and towns, but ultimately, a book that made me cry three times has to be deserving of a five star rating, right? Plus, I think it's obvious anything Grisha is immediately a must-read now.
getjinxed's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0