libraryfairy86's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
I hate the names
ezieral's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
thehannahyopp's review against another edition
4.0
I really like Celaena's independence! I think this would have been a 5-star read if I didn't read it right after Fourth Wing. The writing styles felt very similar to me, so I had a hard time keeping them straight and kept getting confused with what plot points and characters went with which book.
leyaruth42's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
4.5
A good start to a new series. Like her ACOTAR books, the first book is a retelling of a fairy tale. This one has elements of Cinderella in it, but with a darker tone. Enjoyed it and will keep reading the series.
mirpanda277's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
I enjoyed this book so much! It checked so many boxes for my favorite sort of YA fantasy. And I bet if I had read this when I was closer to Celaena's age, I'd probably make this book my entire personality. But being 31, reading this so much later than its publication date, and having read lots of books that are of the same vein, this is a five-star read that doesn't yet offer something other books haven't. And yet this book handles a love corner (a love triangle if you count that the boys are bffs) really well! I didn't cringe or groan ever.
Thoughts of the book and an interview with Maas:<Spoiler>
When did it take me to think this might be a Cinderella retelling? It took until the masked ball, but then no shoes were left behind and no curfew per se, so I thought I was being silly. But I read the interview with Maas at the end of my copy, and sure enough, she says this series started in her mind as a Cinderella retelling! I just hope that didn't spoil me for anything in the next books. Despite my engagement with ACOTAR fandom, I've been pretty safe from spoilers for TOG and I hope it stays that way!
Thoughts of the book and an interview with Maas:<Spoiler>
When did it take me to think this might be a Cinderella retelling? It took until the masked ball, but then no shoes were left behind and no curfew per se, so I thought I was being silly. But I read the interview with Maas at the end of my copy, and sure enough, she says this series started in her mind as a Cinderella retelling! I just hope that didn't spoil me for anything in the next books. Despite my engagement with ACOTAR fandom, I've been pretty safe from spoilers for TOG and I hope it stays that way!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Genocide, Slavery, Death, Grief, Torture, War, Colonisation, and Blood
Minor: Religious bigotry, Confinement, Gore, Death of parent, and Murder
All the content warnings I gave for this book are pretty standard for this genre, but I don't think I'm desensitized per se. Everything was moderately or minorly written, which didn't upset me like some other books have when they went into further detail. Perhaps because all of the really rough topics were a step removed: a memory or news. Some dead bodies were seen by the POV character, and the POV character would sustain injuries.rosekelly96's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- 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
yofema's review against another edition
3.0
edit:2020 Mən bu kitaba nətər 4 vermişəm? -_- Geriyə dönüb baxanda kitabı elə də sevmədiyimi xatırlayıram. Zamanında çox cömərt olmuşam :D Seriyaya davam eləməyəcəm bu arada.
Çox axıcı kitab idi mənə görə. Sevərək də oxudum. Amma bu qədər yəni sadəcə sevdim :D Məncə tam 4'lük kitab idi. Və tamamilə yaradılan dünyaya giriş kitabı idi. Məni ən çox əsəbləşdirən kitabda bir şeylərin olması (qeyri-adi şeylər) amma obrazların buna normal reaksiya verməsi idi. Ya da heç sorğu-sual etməməsi (edirlər də amma 5 dəq keçir hər şey normala dönür nədənsə :D) Bəzilərinə görə ilk kitab seriyada ən yaxşı kitabdı, bəzilərinə görə isə seriya getdikcə yaxşılaşır. Əlimdə ikinci kitab da var. Ən çox Chaolun xətrinə davam eləyəcəm :D
Bu arada aşk üçgenlerine nifret eləyirəm -_- Canım Chaolum, qədrini bilmədilər <3
Çox axıcı kitab idi mənə görə. Sevərək də oxudum. Amma bu qədər yəni sadəcə sevdim :D Məncə tam 4'lük kitab idi. Və tamamilə yaradılan dünyaya giriş kitabı idi. Məni ən çox əsəbləşdirən kitabda bir şeylərin olması (qeyri-adi şeylər) amma obrazların buna normal reaksiya verməsi idi. Ya da heç sorğu-sual etməməsi (edirlər də amma 5 dəq keçir hər şey normala dönür nədənsə :D) Bəzilərinə görə ilk kitab seriyada ən yaxşı kitabdı, bəzilərinə görə isə seriya getdikcə yaxşılaşır. Əlimdə ikinci kitab da var. Ən çox Chaolun xətrinə davam eləyəcəm :D
Bu arada aşk üçgenlerine nifret eləyirəm -_- Canım Chaolum, qədrini bilmədilər <3
lieperjp's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this story but I felt the main idea the story started with got lost in the sappy love triangle. So much mystery and potential in world building and the magic lore lost to a "hardened assassin" having feelings towards two guys. The story progressed quite slowly. Not enough information was given to get a true sense of forboding regarding the king and duke.
Going to give book 2 a shot still... Hope there's more plot action.
Going to give book 2 a shot still... Hope there's more plot action.
bookscrystals93's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
I was surprised by how much I ended up liking this. I’m hoping I enjoy the next book enough to continue on with this series. The previous series I was on didn’t hold my interest long enough for me to finish the second book.