Scan barcode
A review by jpaulthunders77
Sjena i Kost by Leigh Bardugo
2.0
This is a run-on-the-mill type of fantasy novel, filled with your common, feels-like-home tropes: a chosen one, a partial love triangle, a one-dimensional cartoonish villain, and a bland romance.
Not the worst I've read (ha! I don't read a lot of fantasy books), I just felt a little disappointed because I expected that this would be a wild ride, considering the raving reviews on Booktube, Booktok, and here on Goodreads. There's also a Netflix adaptation so I thought to myself, Hey, try this book, it could be good.
If I momentarily brush off my disappointment and focus on the good sides of the novel, I could point out that 1.) it's fast paced (8 hrs and 50 mins. on audio—for a fantasy areyoukiddingmeeeeee???) 2.) the word building is super interesting and immersive, Bardugo describes every detail of Alina's surroundings (the Little Palace, the Shadow Fold, the appearance of the volcra, etc.), and I think if I read the sequels, I would discover more.
Conversely, one of the biggest letdowns of this book, at least for me, are the characters. Alina, the protagonist, doesn't possess a distinct voice, her characterization is there (I mean, sure she developed and realized a few things) but as a person, I think I didn't actually learn who she truly is. Maybe because she's an orphan, and she doesn't get to tell a lot from herself? Or maybe because she's young and nothing much important happened to her life. I dunno. Same thing for Mal. And of course, here we are, the Darkling. I find him as someone who's one-dimensional and cliche. He's just purely bad, didn't see any nuanced personality on his account. Also, I didn't find him attractive, he's not charismatic nor alluring in the slightest degree. He says the most tepid, the most insanely-common dialogues uttered by villains and he talks in super low voice, moves as graceful and chilling as the cold air, but brings nothing down my spine. And it's me talking, a hardcore hoe! Perhaps in the sequel, I could see that (if I happen to read them, HAHAHAHA).
For the plot, nothing noteworthy happens, not until the last 1/3 of the book when Alina discovered THE SECRET. Other than that, it's just your typical party scene, romantic tension moments, descriptions of places, trainings, etc. Again, maybe in the sequels, the plot will improve, the books will be longer. This one is really underwhelming.
I didn't hate it to the bones—yes for pun intended—didn't love it either.
2 meh stars.
Not the worst I've read (ha! I don't read a lot of fantasy books), I just felt a little disappointed because I expected that this would be a wild ride, considering the raving reviews on Booktube, Booktok, and here on Goodreads. There's also a Netflix adaptation so I thought to myself, Hey, try this book, it could be good.
If I momentarily brush off my disappointment and focus on the good sides of the novel, I could point out that 1.) it's fast paced (8 hrs and 50 mins. on audio—for a fantasy areyoukiddingmeeeeee???) 2.) the word building is super interesting and immersive, Bardugo describes every detail of Alina's surroundings (the Little Palace, the Shadow Fold, the appearance of the volcra, etc.), and I think if I read the sequels, I would discover more.
Conversely, one of the biggest letdowns of this book, at least for me, are the characters. Alina, the protagonist, doesn't possess a distinct voice, her characterization is there (I mean, sure she developed and realized a few things) but as a person, I think I didn't actually learn who she truly is. Maybe because she's an orphan, and she doesn't get to tell a lot from herself? Or maybe because she's young and nothing much important happened to her life. I dunno. Same thing for Mal. And of course, here we are, the Darkling. I find him as someone who's one-dimensional and cliche. He's just purely bad, didn't see any nuanced personality on his account. Also, I didn't find him attractive, he's not charismatic nor alluring in the slightest degree. He says the most tepid, the most insanely-common dialogues uttered by villains and he talks in super low voice, moves as graceful and chilling as the cold air, but brings nothing down my spine. And it's me talking, a hardcore hoe! Perhaps in the sequel, I could see that (if I happen to read them, HAHAHAHA).
For the plot, nothing noteworthy happens, not until the last 1/3 of the book when Alina discovered THE SECRET
Spoiler
the Darkling is the Black Heretic, that he plans to use Alina to expand the Shadow Fold, blah blah blahI didn't hate it to the bones—yes for pun intended—didn't love it either.
2 meh stars.