Reviews with content warning for Rape - Varjo ja riipus

Overall, really enjoyed this! I do think it was lacking in descriptions/world building opportunities at times, but it was quick and fast-paced, which I like. The rules of the “magic” are interesting and provide a great level of limitations for the characters.

Currently, I feel like this could have been read as a stand-alone (with a slightly ambiguous ending), so I’m interested to see how the trilogy continues. My copies of Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising should arrive tomorrow evening so I’ll be anxiously awaiting them.

While reading, I kept being reminded of The Selection by Kiera Cass and Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, both of which I loved. I mean, a slight love triangle

(where one of the love interests turns out to be the villain)

, court intrigue, special abilities that the narrator didn’t know about, and a best friend from home that shows up at the Palace?! C’mon.

So, if you’re a fan of those series, I’d definitely recommend giving Shadow and Bone a try! Otherwise, any fan of YA fantasy should enjoy this one too.

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effy's review against another edition

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3.25

I went into this book with such low expectations as it feels like everyone says to skip this trilogy and go straight into Six of Crows.

I ended-up being really pleasantly surprised as we had an interesting cast of characters and a magic system that felt fresh. The only thing that I did not enjoy was the romance between

Mal and Alina

as it felt forced by also

whilst not biologically related, they had been raised as siblings and that just felt uncomfortable.

I did feel somewhat confused by how this series was going to be a trilogy as I was reading because there didn't seem to be enough story for 3 books.

Favourite quote:

Fine! Make me your villain!

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themiscyra_anna's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

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infjkiki's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

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rose_88's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective tense fast-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

4.0

Knew some things about it from social media, wanted to read before watching the show, but only really heard about ‘Six of Crows’, but I really enjoyed this book. I felt there could have been more about Alina’s dynamics with people other than the Darkling, like more about her time with the other Grisha and her time in the army, but i did like how the author portrayed the Darkling and Alina’s relationship/dynamic.

I liked how the relationship was first portrayed as one where he had been searching for her for ages and so fell in love with her due to his longing for someone to help fix the Fold, but then when you find out more about him and realised ‘oh shit he played her, he SEDUCED her’ which was really really shit on his part, just to get her to trust him.

I also really loved Bahgara, just everything abiut her. How she was this mean and scary teacher who was the one person not pulled towards or enamoured by the Darkling, then you find out SHES HIS MOTHER!?!?! And everything just gets more sad cause she still loves him but knows he may be too far gone. But also wtf? Like we know barely anything about her? How’s she get her powers? How did she birth the most powerful Grisha minus the literal Sun Summoner? Was she just as powerful as him, but just chose not to show it? ANSWERS I NEED ANSWERS!!

I thought there could have been more about Mal, it was him who found the stag and he was so concerned about Alina, even thought he never got her letters. He’s so much better than the Darkling

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green_amaryllis's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

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