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ravenauthor1013's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
emilywemily6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol
i_write_on_occasion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Torture, Xenophobia, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Incest, Infidelity, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
thebookaddict's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
david_slack110507'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
3.5
I found that this book was much more gripping that the previous one which very much felt like the first book in a trilogy (Not a bad thing but it definitely had that feeling) whereas while the long chapters remain in this one (And I'm assuming in all of Leigh Bardugo's work) I found it much easier and enjoyable to get through as well as it taking me less time. I liked a lot of the new characters the obvious being Nikolai who I feel brought a lot of charm to the novel and his back and forth with Alina was probably one of my favourite parts of the novel. Speaking of Alina, this time around while she still doubts herself and has her insecurities she felt a lot more involved in the action and getting to see her utilise the Cut and her power was nice to see throughout the novel.
I also really liked that we got to see more of the military-type operation and world of the Grishaverse/Ravka and Alina coming into control of the Second Army was really cool to see as it was a nice change of pace to have her decide to fight back against the Darkling (As briefly mentioned above). Tolya and Tamar were also a pretty good addition to the ensemble of characters even if they don't get a lot of backstory or much to do besides protecting Alina.
I can definitely see how some may not like this book as like how I feel with the first book feeling like the first book in a trilogy the same could be said for this one which can definitely feel like the second book and middle-point in a trilogy with its main goal being to set up the 3rd book/conclusion and filling out the rest of time with character dramas and a larger focus on dialogue and development that action (E.g the main real conflicts only come at the beginning and the end and The Darkling remains out of the picture for nearly all of the book aside from the final confrontation and appearing physically to Alina throughout after her nichevo'ya bite)
Overall, I might have the unpopular opinion that I preferred this book to the first and found it to be much more engaging (Perhaps due to the first book having set up everything that the second book could easily and comfortably ease back into the world). I'm planning on trying to finish this series as soon as possible rather than taking a couple of months break in between like I did with this book and the first.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Gore, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
louise_french_rider's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The first book was amazing, I'm kind of disappointed by this one. Still want to read the third one I heard it was way better!
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, and War
Minor: Sexual content
onefineelephant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
tanisha_112's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Cursing, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
thesecretsapphic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Trafficking