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konvineo's review against another edition
4.0
So this was an interesting read. This is only based on reading this first book (obviously), but I think I understand why a lot of the people I've talked to have said that they prefer [b:Six of Crows|23437156|Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1500689111s/23437156.jpg|42077459] over the Grisha books. It's a lot less subtle in the terms of plot and the character motivation. The world building isn't as strong. But I think it's just testimony to the fact that Bardugo has had time to further developed the Grisha universe between writing [b:Shadow and Bone|10194157|Shadow and Bone (Grisha, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695s/10194157.jpg|15093325] and [b:Six of Crows|23437156|Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1500689111s/23437156.jpg|42077459]. Testimony of how Bardugo has evolved and improved as an author.
What makes me step back, and go: "Dude... why?", is that the book does use some very common tropes in YA fantasy. We have this Ugly Duckling deal, where Alina starts out being quite the Plain Jane. However, because she is The Chosen One, she transforms into a Beautiful Swan. And, yes, The Chosen One trope is also quite prevalent in fantasy, so there's that.
There's a bit of shallow girl-on-girl hate, based solely on jealousy in relation to a male character... kind of? It could definitely have been worse. I've read way worse in the past.
So while it does tick off quite a few tropes on the list, it's still enjoyable to read.
I like the atmosphere of Bardugo's writing. I like the not so subtle nod to the last tsar and tsarina of Russia, and Rasputin. I like that I can see how Scandinavian culture has also been an inspiration in Bardugo's writing (like I could in Six of Crows... even if it's easiest to see in the Bad Guys a.k.a. the Fjerdans for example, but also a bit in the Kerch). The Darkling is a super interesting character, and I absolutely understand the fandoms fascination with him. I adore the magic system! The grisha are so interesting, and I want to know even more!
I'm already looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
What makes me step back, and go: "Dude... why?", is that the book does use some very common tropes in YA fantasy. We have this Ugly Duckling deal, where Alina starts out being quite the Plain Jane. However, because she is The Chosen One, she transforms into a Beautiful Swan. And, yes, The Chosen One trope is also quite prevalent in fantasy, so there's that.
There's a bit of shallow girl-on-girl hate, based solely on jealousy in relation to a male character... kind of? It could definitely have been worse. I've read way worse in the past.
So while it does tick off quite a few tropes on the list, it's still enjoyable to read.
I like the atmosphere of Bardugo's writing. I like the not so subtle nod to the last tsar and tsarina of Russia, and Rasputin. I like that I can see how Scandinavian culture has also been an inspiration in Bardugo's writing (like I could in Six of Crows... even if it's easiest to see in the Bad Guys a.k.a. the Fjerdans for example, but also a bit in the Kerch). The Darkling is a super interesting character, and I absolutely understand the fandoms fascination with him. I adore the magic system! The grisha are so interesting, and I want to know even more!
I'm already looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
fluffy_oz's review against another edition
3.0
In the last third of the book it actually got good.
But as a Slavic girl, it's so difficult for me to get over the language intricacies in a novel so heavily based off Russian history and folklore!
Alina Starkov. Slavic languages gender EVERYTHING, even objects, and ESPECIALLY people.
Alina StarkovA. She's Alina Starkova.
And calling them Grisha is like calling them Janusze. Or Johns. Or Craigs. Or Barrys. It sounds so damn silly I find it impossible to treat it seriously.
But as a Slavic girl, it's so difficult for me to get over the language intricacies in a novel so heavily based off Russian history and folklore!
Alina Starkov. Slavic languages gender EVERYTHING, even objects, and ESPECIALLY people.
Alina StarkovA. She's Alina Starkova.
And calling them Grisha is like calling them Janusze. Or Johns. Or Craigs. Or Barrys. It sounds so damn silly I find it impossible to treat it seriously.
sarahstoner111's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-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
3.5
starcangel's review against another edition
3.0
Generic read, with tropes and some very big leaps in logic ...or magic. The turning point of the book, when secrets are revealed to Alina by Baghra, was the biggest wtf moment to me. It didnʻt make sense that Alina would suddenly believe anything Baghra said, even when it was explained why she was telling Alina all of this. She never showed Alina any interest outside of training her and chastising her for showing any semblance of emotion, so for her to flip and suddenly care for her well-being--and by extension, the well-being of the country--seemed to come completely out of left field.
Also the laws of magic are very loose, because the whole thing about amplifiers being able to control others went completely over my head.
And can I say the scene in the ultimate face-off where Alina cuts down one of the masts and Ivan calls out "THE CUT!!!!!!" was so cliched...it reminded me of the scene in the (horrible) The Last Airbender movie where Iroh "makes fire out of nothing!!!!!!!!!" *face palm* I mean thanks for the exposition, cuz I didnʻt know what was going on...but still....
But I will say this, this such an easy book to read and I got through it faster than I thought I would. So I guess part of it was enjoyable. But I think it had more to do with the writing; short, sweet, and to the point. No unnecessary exposition and describing of smells and touches and looks, that plagues YA. Thank you for that!
Also the laws of magic are very loose, because the whole thing about amplifiers being able to control others went completely over my head.
And can I say the scene in the ultimate face-off where Alina cuts down one of the masts and Ivan calls out "THE CUT!!!!!!" was so cliched...it reminded me of the scene in the (horrible) The Last Airbender movie where Iroh "makes fire out of nothing!!!!!!!!!" *face palm* I mean thanks for the exposition, cuz I didnʻt know what was going on...but still....
But I will say this, this such an easy book to read and I got through it faster than I thought I would. So I guess part of it was enjoyable. But I think it had more to do with the writing; short, sweet, and to the point. No unnecessary exposition and describing of smells and touches and looks, that plagues YA. Thank you for that!
larissakay's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
taliareads's review against another edition
5.0
WHERE DO I BEGIN?
holy shit this book sucked me RIGHT in, I was kinda intimated by the world and all the weird lingo but after about 50 pages I had got it, the world building is INSANE, this book is just the ultimate dream fantasy. I love Alina, she's probably one of the best female protagonists ever written, she feels so real and she's so strong and yet her thoughts, fears and feelings are so alike to a teenage girl, she feels so authentic.
THE DARKLING
this man is- HES SO SEXY but such a cunt.. SUCH A CUNTTTT
once again, I think he's one of the best villains ever written, you can't help but love him even though he's horrible, which again makes us relate to Alina.
I'm so excited to read all of these, an amazing start to a undoubtedly amazing series
holy shit this book sucked me RIGHT in, I was kinda intimated by the world and all the weird lingo but after about 50 pages I had got it, the world building is INSANE, this book is just the ultimate dream fantasy. I love Alina, she's probably one of the best female protagonists ever written, she feels so real and she's so strong and yet her thoughts, fears and feelings are so alike to a teenage girl, she feels so authentic.
THE DARKLING
this man is- HES SO SEXY but such a cunt.. SUCH A CUNTTTT
once again, I think he's one of the best villains ever written, you can't help but love him even though he's horrible, which again makes us relate to Alina.
I'm so excited to read all of these, an amazing start to a undoubtedly amazing series
valeriehenderson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lavenderwater's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
scrubjayspeaks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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