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luciej's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Man, I wouldn't mind being able to write like Leigh Bardugo. No, I don't think I would mind that at all...
Worth reading even if you don't know/like the Grishaverse books.
So here I was, reading this cute fable about the fox who would outsmart everyone. Until... it wasn't a cute fable anymore. It most certainly wasn't cute and I felt every knife twist -- in which it btw. reminds of the Darkling's story, The Demon in the Wood.
Bardugo is way too good in writing about human monsters. Way too good in setting me up for believing someone will finally get the love, acceptance and/or safety that they deserve... and, oh, hello, Ms. Bardugo, I think that's your knife in my heart.
Of course, my reaction here is heightened by constantly reminding myself that this is Nikolai's story. Can I just wrap his poor heart in the softest blankets IKEA sells?
One thing, somewhat tangential to the main theme of this review, is the amazing ability with which Bardugo points out very familiar feelings that are, however, not so often discussed. Here it was the "idea of freedom might feel scarier than staying in the trap."
Without a hesitation, I can say that this story is why I read and what I always search for. (The Neil Gaiman Reader gave me the same kind of satisfaction of storytelling at its best.)
Worth reading even if you don't know/like the Grishaverse books.
So here I was, reading this cute fable about the fox who would outsmart everyone. Until... it wasn't a cute fable anymore. It most certainly wasn't cute and I felt every knife twist -- in which it btw. reminds of the Darkling's story, The Demon in the Wood.
Bardugo is way too good in writing about human monsters. Way too good in setting me up for believing someone will finally get the love, acceptance and/or safety that they deserve... and, oh, hello, Ms. Bardugo, I think that's your knife in my heart.
Of course, my reaction here is heightened by constantly reminding myself that this is Nikolai's story. Can I just wrap his poor heart in the softest blankets IKEA sells?
One thing, somewhat tangential to the main theme of this review, is the amazing ability with which Bardugo points out very familiar feelings that are, however, not so often discussed. Here it was the "idea of freedom might feel scarier than staying in the trap."
Without a hesitation, I can say that this story is why I read and what I always search for. (The Neil Gaiman Reader gave me the same kind of satisfaction of storytelling at its best.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Bullying
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