givethatbooknerd's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars: nice story but too short to really say something.
The storyline: the story takes place in less than 24 hours, so there isn't much of a 'storyline', just a few actions after each other. But I did like the story that it implies, about how the Darkling lived in his youth.
The characters: due to the shortness of the story especially Annika and Lev felt a bit flat.
The worldbuilding: nice to see a part of Ravka that we haven't really seen before.
The atmosphere: a bit mysterious, you'll only get certain things if you've read the Shadow and Bone trilogy (which 99% of readers will probably have).
Best part: the scene where Eryk meets Annika.
The storyline: the story takes place in less than 24 hours, so there isn't much of a 'storyline', just a few actions after each other. But I did like the story that it implies, about how the Darkling lived in his youth.
The characters: due to the shortness of the story especially Annika and Lev felt a bit flat.
The worldbuilding: nice to see a part of Ravka that we haven't really seen before.
The atmosphere: a bit mysterious, you'll only get certain things if you've read the Shadow and Bone trilogy (which 99% of readers will probably have).
Best part: the scene where Eryk meets Annika.
whatjanereads's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my poor baby Darkling. No save place for him ever and just people who are not like him and only want to use his power.
He will always be one of my favourite characters ever.
He will always be one of my favourite characters ever.
booksforeverandalways_'s review against another edition
4.0
I loved this short novella, it was amazing to see the Darkling as a child and quite innocent at this time! It made me think a bit differently about him, it made me sad to think that he was a nice, quiet, harmless child, but as an adult the darkness and power overtook him.
findingfiction_'s review against another edition
4.0
This definitely does a good job at humanizing the Darkling. I think the Darkling is an interesting character and while I thoroughly enjoyed it I do wish it was longer. This novella shows one instance that the darkling finds himself being isolated and targeted for being different I would have loved to see more of these moments and even possibly past love interests that failed due to his powers. Seeing Aleksander Morozova become consumed by the Darkness until he is the Darkling is something I’m definitely interested in reading.
mar_nieves's review against another edition
3.0
3'5
I try. I swear that I try but the Darkling is so well written I can't hate him. I can't. I don't want to. I won't.
I try. I swear that I try but the Darkling is so well written I can't hate him. I can't. I don't want to. I won't.
jjpope_'s review
These were the trees he liked best, the kind that never lost their green, that always smelled of sap. In woods like these, it felt like summer was still alive, as if a sun were buried in every rough trunk like a warm, dormant heart.
lolajoan's review against another edition
3.0
I get that there are supposed to be centuries between this and the rest of the series, but I find it difficult to reconcile this Darkling and his mother with their characters later on.