Scan barcode
paduckling's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Drug abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Classism, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Police brutality, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Slavery, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Vomit
veeloucagraph's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
She'd never liked that phrase, diamond in the rough. All that meant was that they had to cut you again and again to let the light in.
That was all there was in this world. No heroes or villains, just the people you'd brave the waves for, and the ones you'd let drown.
I've been trying to figure out a way to start this review and I believe the easiest way is to say, I couldn't wait for the sequel after Ninth House, and now I don't know if I want another sequel.
The second book in this occult New Haven setting felt disappointing, like it was shy, not going all the way with any of its themes, unlike Ninth House, which impressed, shocked and enthralled me by the end. The story moves along quite slowly but at the same time, as though we don't get enough time to breathe with the characters. Things are happening because they have to, we take characters along for the ride and feel their burden through the boredom their plot points create. The writing feels too preachy or distanced at times and a lot of the supernatural doesn't really make sense either with the tone or the logic the characters come up with. The stakes don't really feel high even though they're meant to be higher than ever and so much tension was lost because of the repetition in the plot, making important moments or reveals anti-climactic.
Maybe all that really needs to be said is that there should have been more secret societies, more rituals, more creatures, more demons, more Alex and Darlington, more of the exciting elements, which Leigh Bardugo seems to keep like a delicacy when your will to read is about to leave you.
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Cursing
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Drug use, Slavery, Excrement, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
molly_storm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was definitely not disappointed in the plot! Three nights in a row, I stayed up past 4am listening to this audiobook after going to bed. It flows beautifully - I know a lot of people have said that it’s too fast or feels rushed but I disagree wholeheartedly.
I’m excited for the story to continue in the 3rd one!
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Death, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Blood, Police brutality, Addiction, Death of parent, and Self harm
Minor: Vomit, Police brutality, Torture, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Cannibalism, Excrement, Drug abuse, Medical content, Drug use, Mental illness, Confinement, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault
By and large, the above triggers I feel are present are handled appropriately and are not there for gratuitous reasons.dodgeremerson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Animal cruelty, Blood, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, Excrement, Animal death, Death of parent, Gore, Violence, Cursing, Abandonment, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Addiction, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Rape, Torture, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Suicide, and Forced institutionalization
weyda_reads's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I need a next book DESPERATELY.
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Gore, Death, Murder, Child abuse, Blood, Drug abuse, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Rape, Excrement, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence
imogenlj's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Blood, Cursing, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Grief, Slavery, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Excrement, and Police brutality
jessiereads98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Murder, Animal death, and Death
Moderate: Bullying, Police brutality, Torture, Body horror, Cursing, Grief, Gun violence, Confinement, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol, Cancer, Classism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Addiction, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Terminal illness, and Vomit