adelaidemartin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
notmarley's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
5.0
lunafai's review against another edition
5.0
This set of characters changed my life.
I'm a character over plot type of person, but this is so beautifully crafted and balances who this people are, their roles to the overarching theme and the heist plot that I learned to value the plot just as much as I do the ones who carry it.
That said,
The characters:
Inej was a joy to read, I started the book loving her and ended it basically crying, everything she represents and how she decides to bring justice, the juxtaposition of violence and care and faith makes her the most deep, layered character and I just love her so much. She is faithful to who she is and those loyal to her, and it feels as if we are stepping in the middle of her self discovery journey, in the middle of a change for the better, the stepping up a ladder, and once it happens it's just so sweet to see her chose herself and love herself above everything else. Inej it's the sweetest character, everyone that knows her loves her and cherish her and the interactions between her and Nina or Jesper makes you feel they are siblings.
Kaz. For some reason I think he was the most drastic change, which isn't even a change, but acceptance, he ends the book having accepted so much and it what feels like perfect balance on how he manages his feelings and how he still denies them, it has me exited for what's coming with him.
Jesper. I adored Jesper, his narrative voice it's just so nice to read, his characterization it's witty and funny, he still gets everything done, mad loyal and with his own secrets he doesn't really hide, just never mentions.
Just put a bi character in front of me and trust I'm going to love him so much.
Nina was just amazingly funny and sweet. Her character it's I think the most consistent one and her final actions carry love and care for her own people above everything. She deserves the world and I want to read about her and Inej trying desserts together, a true blessing.
Matthias was my least favorite character, most of the time he was annoying to me, and sometimes a little naive, pure brute force. Normally I'd love a himbo, just not Matthias. Even his final actions are a bit rushed, his character had the whole book going there, but I felt like I missed a few things upon arrival. I don't hate him, I just don't love him as much as the other characters.
Wylan. I need a chapter narrated from this kid's perspective. I need so much more from him because he is just so cute and a little unhinged. I'm eager to read Crooked Kingdom mostly to see if we get his POV.
The plot
This is a heist book, which is just awesome. The themes are well fleshed out, the overarching theme of justice and young people deciding to have their own hand at it feels relevant, important.
It's also a little heartbreaking how close to home it hits.
The stakes were always there, the pacing, even in the supposedly slow moments, was consistent and quick, and Kaz just kept you guessing everything that was going to happen next.
The tonal shifts were one of my favorite things to experience during my read, because it felt as the character's themselves were personally telling me their life stories, from tragic to jovial and back, it didn't feel out of place, I felt it as a teenager would: deeply, life changing, still young.
The interactions strike me as a big reluctant family from such different backgrounds and I love found family, so it's no surprise I felt joyous when they protected each other.
This book was also my introduction to the Grishaverse and I will now consume everything there is to consume from this Author, thank you.
Final thoughts
I'm staring Crooked Kingdom tonight. Goodbye.
I'm a character over plot type of person, but this is so beautifully crafted and balances who this people are, their roles to the overarching theme and the heist plot that I learned to value the plot just as much as I do the ones who carry it.
That said,
The characters:
Inej was a joy to read, I started the book loving her and ended it basically crying, everything she represents and how she decides to bring justice, the juxtaposition of violence and care and faith makes her the most deep, layered character and I just love her so much. She is faithful to who she is and those loyal to her, and it feels as if we are stepping in the middle of her self discovery journey, in the middle of a change for the better, the stepping up a ladder, and once it happens it's just so sweet to see her chose herself and love herself above everything else. Inej it's the sweetest character, everyone that knows her loves her and cherish her and the interactions between her and Nina or Jesper makes you feel they are siblings.
Kaz. For some reason I think he was the most drastic change, which isn't even a change, but acceptance, he ends the book having accepted so much and it what feels like perfect balance on how he manages his feelings and how he still denies them, it has me exited for what's coming with him.
Jesper. I adored Jesper, his narrative voice it's just so nice to read, his characterization it's witty and funny, he still gets everything done, mad loyal and with his own secrets he doesn't really hide, just never mentions.
Just put a bi character in front of me and trust I'm going to love him so much.
Nina was just amazingly funny and sweet. Her character it's I think the most consistent one and her final actions carry love and care for her own people above everything. She deserves the world and I want to read about her and Inej trying desserts together, a true blessing.
Matthias was my least favorite character, most of the time he was annoying to me, and sometimes a little naive, pure brute force. Normally I'd love a himbo, just not Matthias. Even his final actions are a bit rushed, his character had the whole book going there, but I felt like I missed a few things upon arrival. I don't hate him, I just don't love him as much as the other characters.
Wylan. I need a chapter narrated from this kid's perspective. I need so much more from him because he is just so cute and a little unhinged. I'm eager to read Crooked Kingdom mostly to see if we get his POV.
The plot
This is a heist book, which is just awesome. The themes are well fleshed out, the overarching theme of justice and young people deciding to have their own hand at it feels relevant, important.
It's also a little heartbreaking how close to home it hits.
The stakes were always there, the pacing, even in the supposedly slow moments, was consistent and quick, and Kaz just kept you guessing everything that was going to happen next.
The tonal shifts were one of my favorite things to experience during my read, because it felt as the character's themselves were personally telling me their life stories, from tragic to jovial and back, it didn't feel out of place, I felt it as a teenager would: deeply, life changing, still young.
The interactions strike me as a big reluctant family from such different backgrounds and I love found family, so it's no surprise I felt joyous when they protected each other.
This book was also my introduction to the Grishaverse and I will now consume everything there is to consume from this Author, thank you.
Final thoughts
I'm staring Crooked Kingdom tonight. Goodbye.
b_j's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Best characters ever!
lexihanson's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.75
solanee's review against another edition
1.0
DNF @ 12%
so much info is being thrown at me and so many words are used that clearly come from the trilogy series that comes before this i think?? also i'm dutch so the use of dutch-ish words and names makes me cringe. i can't remember a single thing after anya (that chapter was okay but whatever happened after that was not for me) the guilt in me is building up for dnf'ing such a well loved book but either fantasy isn't for me or the writing style idk. i also hate how i switches between 19329468 povs like cmon... it felt way too chaotic and just didn't appeal to me at all sorry
so much info is being thrown at me and so many words are used that clearly come from the trilogy series that comes before this i think?? also i'm dutch so the use of dutch-ish words and names makes me cringe. i can't remember a single thing after anya (that chapter was okay but whatever happened after that was not for me) the guilt in me is building up for dnf'ing such a well loved book but either fantasy isn't for me or the writing style idk. i also hate how i switches between 19329468 povs like cmon... it felt way too chaotic and just didn't appeal to me at all sorry
justjaqueline's review against another edition
5.0
È la quarta volta che lo leggo, ormai ho finito le cose da dire.
Mi sono divertita un sacco a personalizzare la mia nuova edizione speciale, e credo che lo farò anche con Crooked Kingdom.
Mi sono divertita un sacco a personalizzare la mia nuova edizione speciale, e credo che lo farò anche con Crooked Kingdom.
annasbooks00's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
holly_hart's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
valieee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75