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kelbitna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
megbook's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
weronikanisia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Ciężko mi wybaczyć D. Ale łezki w oczach były w paru momentach.
alaynameyers's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
The final (at least I am going with that) book in the duology! Lots of war, action, some romance, and more!
FINALLY, FINALLY, I managed to read this book. Haha, this must be one of the longest times it took me to get through a Leigh Bardugo book. I started in November, read bits and bobs here and there when I felt like it, and finally finished on December 13th. It was a good book, don’t get me wrong, but there was just something missing and sometimes I just felt like it went on too long. Thankfully, there are enough parts that made me fly through the book. Parts that I loved.
Here are a few things I loved (because I am just too tired and excited to write a good review):
FINALLY, FINALLY, I managed to read this book. Haha, this must be one of the longest times it took me to get through a Leigh Bardugo book. I started in November, read bits and bobs here and there when I felt like it, and finally finished on December 13th. It was a good book, don’t get me wrong, but there was just something missing and sometimes I just felt like it went on too long. Thankfully, there are enough parts that made me fly through the book. Parts that I loved.
Here are a few things I loved (because I am just too tired and excited to write a good review):
abake113's review against another edition
4.0
4.5⭐️. Woah, I love Nikolai sooooo much. He’s a good man. This was a good book. Is there a book after? It sounded like the Crows are getting back together? We shall see. It was kinda chaotic at some points. A lot of diff points of views.
lindsaymck's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
I am so sad to be done with my first-time reading of all Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy and both duologies, but am SO satisfied with how this closed the Grishaverse.
I found that I cared about each of the storylines and (mostly) liked how they rotated. The rotating POVs kept me mindful of what was happening simultaneously for characters, especially those in different locations. But I admit that I would sometimes skip ahead to immediately resolve a cliffhanger that would’ve kept me awake before going back to catch up.
Nikolai and Zoya’s relationship bloomed in such an organic way. I found that their concealed romantic feelings were hinted at and built up without being repetitive. Their happy ending never felt inevitable - with survival not being certain for either AND both being stubborn enough to have always suffocated their feelings in the name of duty - and that presence of possibility without certainty made their love hard-fought, well-deserved, and so sweet.
The comedic relief of Nikolai’s confidence and bravado was as entertaining as ever. He and Zoya make such a good team - I am so happy they were honest (with themselves and each other) and finally let their friendship and trust evolve into the deep love that has always been just under the surface for them both.
I let the ending sit with me for a few days, because I didn’t quite know how to feel about the trio of Zoya, Genya, and Alina deciding that the Darkling might not deserve the eternity of pain and suffering he submitted himself to. I’ve come to feel good about it. It shows their humanity and how they never want to become like him. I am still so intrigued by his seemingly easy decision to accept eternal torture as he maintained the balance between creation and nothing. It is in-character that being remembered and revered was worth the price for him, but I’m so curious what would happen with this rescue mission.
What I DID know is that any mention of Kaz getting the Crows back together makes me smile and rub my hands together conspiratorially. I would keep reading about their mischief as long as L.B. wants to keep writing! GOD how I wish the Netflix show was not cancelled!!!!!!!#*{^[^}[=|%+ The show was SO UNBELIEVABLY PERFECTLY CAST and I would’ve loved to see Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina get the rest of their stories told.
NINA! How I love her. Following along as her grief for Matthias changes was beautiful - have mercy for my people. It was a BIG ask for her to show Joran mercy, but doing so saved the life of the next great love of her life: Hanne. What an incredible and unexpected turn of events that allowed them to stay together. They deserve the chance to be happy together and now they can do that AND help both of their countries?! Great storytelling and incredible writing of such complex characters.
I found that I cared about each of the storylines and (mostly) liked how they rotated. The rotating POVs kept me mindful of what was happening simultaneously for characters, especially those in different locations. But I admit that I would sometimes skip ahead to immediately resolve a cliffhanger that would’ve kept me awake before going back to catch up.
Nikolai and Zoya’s relationship bloomed in such an organic way. I found that their concealed romantic feelings were hinted at and built up without being repetitive. Their happy ending never felt inevitable - with survival not being certain for either AND both being stubborn enough to have always suffocated their feelings in the name of duty - and that presence of possibility without certainty made their love hard-fought, well-deserved, and so sweet.
The comedic relief of Nikolai’s confidence and bravado was as entertaining as ever. He and Zoya make such a good team - I am so happy they were honest (with themselves and each other) and finally let their friendship and trust evolve into the deep love that has always been just under the surface for them both.
I let the ending sit with me for a few days, because I didn’t quite know how to feel about the trio of Zoya, Genya, and Alina deciding that the Darkling might not deserve the eternity of pain and suffering he submitted himself to. I’ve come to feel good about it. It shows their humanity and how they never want to become like him. I am still so intrigued by his seemingly easy decision to accept eternal torture as he maintained the balance between creation and nothing. It is in-character that being remembered and revered was worth the price for him, but I’m so curious what would happen with this rescue mission.
What I DID know is that any mention of Kaz getting the Crows back together makes me smile and rub my hands together conspiratorially. I would keep reading about their mischief as long as L.B. wants to keep writing! GOD how I wish the Netflix show was not cancelled!!!!!!!#*{^[^}[=|%+ The show was SO UNBELIEVABLY PERFECTLY CAST and I would’ve loved to see Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina get the rest of their stories told.
NINA! How I love her. Following along as her grief for Matthias changes was beautiful - have mercy for my people. It was a BIG ask for her to show Joran mercy, but doing so saved the life of the next great love of her life: Hanne. What an incredible and unexpected turn of events that allowed them to stay together. They deserve the chance to be happy together and now they can do that AND help both of their countries?! Great storytelling and incredible writing of such complex characters.
thea_maarup's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The diversity is glorious, and writing unmatched.
lalch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.75