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claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
meder25's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault
bi_n_large's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual assault
emmysmoot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Minor: Sexual assault
princess_azula's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence
joellenadine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Minor: Sexual assault and Toxic relationship
zoemaleah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
bridget986's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My feelings on this book are complicated. While I enjoyed the story as a whole, the pacing and plot were a little off for me. This book was very clearly a set-up for what happens in the third installment, but that's kind of what made it drag a little. I knew things that were happening would be important later on, but it got a bit tedious sometimes getting so much set up for things to come. It was interesting seeing Alina grapple with her power and how that impacts her other relationships. Also, I took MAJOR issue with the Darkling literally *SPOILER* sexually assaulting Alina. That was just so gross to read. Overall though, I'm looking forward to seeing how everything ends, but this book definitely could've been shorter.
Moderate: Sexual assault
sushmita's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
TW: sexual harassment, assault, abuse & pedophilia
It’s beyond me why anyone would ‘stan’ The Darkling. After reading how he treated Genya, Baghra & Alina, I was fuming with anger. Where is the complexity that everybody speaks of? because I don’t see it. There is nothing complex about a 500 year old pedophile who abuses & enslaves people, who shape-shifts into a teenage boy so he could touch & kiss his vulnerable teenage girlfriend mid-sleep.
The Darkling is not a good villain. He is just your regular old bad guy who does atrocious & unspeakable things in his hunger for power. Good villains, on the either hand, make you want to side with them despite their gray sense of morality. The Darkling’s morality wasn’t gray. It was pitch dark & swirling in shadows with the volcra & the nichevo’ya.
According to me, Mal’s human insecurities about being surrounded by powerful royals & even more powerful Grisha who belittled, spoke down to & spread rumours about him, was more understandable and complex than The Darkling’s entire arch [Being othered as a child, is no excuse to feel emboldened enough to abuse & enslave people]
In this series I find myself to not be that big a fan of The Darkling, Alina or Mal. My heart is more swept by Genya, Nikolai, Zoya, Tolya & Tamar. Their characters seem more rich & interesting for me to read & enjoy.
Overall, this book is a three star book for me as even though it took me on an emotional roller coaster ride, it managed to leave me underwhelmed. I don’t see myself ever re-reading this series or recommending it.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, and Blood
megplant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Stalking