abartley73's review against another edition
I tried with this one. I can tell it's well written and probably a fantastic story but I just couldn't get interested in it! I may try again later.
amigo_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
sheczko's review against another edition
3.0
Read it bc of the tv show, it was good but I wasn’t captivated. Not sure if I’ll read the rest
ren_333's review against another edition
4.0
3,5⭐️ i liked it, the ending was a bit meh, but as a whole it was pretty good and i had fun reading it
metalsean's review against another edition
3.0
It's like a 3.5, It's a really fun world and a fun read, but full of YA tropes that drag it down a bit and the characters are frustrating.
That main character Jesus fucking Christ how is she so trusting? She has literally had nothing happen in her life to lead her to be as annoyingly useless at decision making, and as trusting of random men as she is.
This man who claims he is 102 years old and is a literal political powerhouse... better believe every word he says and fall in love with him. This childhood friend who is overly jealous, possessive and distant, better pine over him constantly. Like bitch be your own person.
It was annoying to read her thought processes, but for some reason unlike with stuff like Throne of Glass where I just wanted to throat a shotgun reading about the romance and her mental inability to function like a standard human being, this is at least palatable and entertaining. Like even if they're all bad for each other and useless individuals, it is at least fun to read how they're gonna screw up, gaslight or manipulate each other next.
There was also a scene where she was really opposed to changing her looks at all just to fit in, but then like just caved in to peer pressure and let the lady change her face and then she swooned over herself and started to do it regularly... like... I hated that scene, it infuriated me, it's like whats the message here? Give in to pressure and change yourself for others... fuck that, be yourself.
The world, magic and political systems though... cool as shit, like really cool, and enough good happens in this book that I'll for sure read the rest, I need to know what happens, even if the main character is an infuriatingly useless fuck.
That main character Jesus fucking Christ how is she so trusting? She has literally had nothing happen in her life to lead her to be as annoyingly useless at decision making, and as trusting of random men as she is.
This man who claims he is 102 years old and is a literal political powerhouse... better believe every word he says and fall in love with him. This childhood friend who is overly jealous, possessive and distant, better pine over him constantly. Like bitch be your own person.
It was annoying to read her thought processes, but for some reason unlike with stuff like Throne of Glass where I just wanted to throat a shotgun reading about the romance and her mental inability to function like a standard human being, this is at least palatable and entertaining. Like even if they're all bad for each other and useless individuals, it is at least fun to read how they're gonna screw up, gaslight or manipulate each other next.
There was also a scene where she was really opposed to changing her looks at all just to fit in, but then like just caved in to peer pressure and let the lady change her face and then she swooned over herself and started to do it regularly... like... I hated that scene, it infuriated me, it's like whats the message here? Give in to pressure and change yourself for others... fuck that, be yourself.
The world, magic and political systems though... cool as shit, like really cool, and enough good happens in this book that I'll for sure read the rest, I need to know what happens, even if the main character is an infuriatingly useless fuck.
foxon's review against another edition
3.0
PSA: Not every writer can do witty banter well and thats ok! It is not a requirement for a good story. Just stop.
This book gave me some serious déjà vu. There is not a lot here that hasnt been covered before, and if you are going to walk a well worn trail,you better do it with some serious flair. This book just didn't do that for me and was headed for a low star review, until about half way through, that is. Just to be clear, I am not saying the plot twist wasn't easy to see coming, but I was captivated by the villain nonetheless.
The prose is a little lack luster, but the banter is atrocious. The dialogue in particular made these characters seem like they were preteens, and not funny preteens at that. And what this book really needed was some spot on writing to make up for the unoriginal plot.
Our heroine is a quite frankly very boring. What is her personality other then being moody, insecure about her looks and in love with her best friend? For this whole book Alina just seems along for the ride even though she is suppose to be the Chosen One. And when she isnt being shuffled around from place to place by others, she is saying very stupid things to very powerful people. By that I of course mean the Darkling, whom Alina talks back to right from the start, even though in her own words he is terrifying and he can cut people in half with a wave of his hands. I just don't like her.
The Darkling on the other hand is a complex character with an emotional depth I can get behind. The more of him in these books the better as he is by far the most intriguing one of the lot. He is the only reason I will read the rest of these books to be honest.
This book gave me some serious déjà vu. There is not a lot here that hasnt been covered before, and if you are going to walk a well worn trail,you better do it with some serious flair. This book just didn't do that for me and was headed for a low star review, until about half way through, that is. Just to be clear, I am not saying the plot twist wasn't easy to see coming, but I was captivated by the villain nonetheless.
The prose is a little lack luster, but the banter is atrocious. The dialogue in particular made these characters seem like they were preteens, and not funny preteens at that. And what this book really needed was some spot on writing to make up for the unoriginal plot.
Our heroine is a quite frankly very boring. What is her personality other then being moody, insecure about her looks and in love with her best friend? For this whole book Alina just seems along for the ride even though she is suppose to be the Chosen One. And when she isnt being shuffled around from place to place by others, she is saying very stupid things to very powerful people. By that I of course mean the Darkling, whom Alina talks back to right from the start, even though in her own words he is terrifying and he can cut people in half with a wave of his hands. I just don't like her.
The Darkling on the other hand is a complex character with an emotional depth I can get behind. The more of him in these books the better as he is by far the most intriguing one of the lot. He is the only reason I will read the rest of these books to be honest.
hoarderreader's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
marm0on's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hanas_library's review against another edition
4.0
The Grisha Trilogy was my favorite series when I was in middle school. It was one of the only few fantasy series I read back then because I was mostly reading Sarah Dessen's books, John Green's books, and a few dystopias like Maze Runner, The Hunger Games, and Divergent. I decided to reread it and I was surprised that I still really enjoyed this first book! I didn't remember anything that happened since it had been like 8-9 years since I read it, but I had a great time! Is it perfect? No, but for me it is a great first book in a trilogy. I can't wait to read Siege and Storm!
barbsanne's review against another edition
5.0
The plot twists in the book is insane. On the one hand I'm irritated I can't figure it out but on the other hand it's nice not to have a predictable book. I'm really concerned I have no idea what's gonna happen. This is a one sitting type of book you can't leave it unanswered. There is no time I need answers.