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summerjade's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
sarahmaae's review against another edition
5.0
this book had me SCREECHING. the plot was insane the characters were insane the world was insane. literally everything abt this book was perfect and I regret reading such a good book so early in the year this is gonna be hard to top
rebekkavanh'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
4.0
jean_marchbanks09's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
laurenbaudelaire's review against another edition
4.0
The first 100 pages were rough to get through, but it helped establish the plot for those who may not be familiar with the gang, however once through this is an incredibly enjoyable book.
thecryptsleeper's review against another edition
4.0
The world building in this series is impeccable, the characters are fascinating, the writing is gorgeous - what more can I say? I found myself feeling like I was on the streets of Ketterdam. There’s something just so satisfying about writing this good. When you are placed into somewhere as scummy as Ketterdam and want to be there, that really says a lot about the writer’s talent.
The writing in this novel is just so visceral at times. There’s a scene with young Kaz that I swear plays behind my eyelids in the most random moments - I can’t ever forget it and I see why it has shaped him into how he is.
If you’ve played the video game Dishonored, this really felt like that game does. Everything and everyone is awful and these terrible people have magic - what could go wrong? Despite the dank setting, there’s also this thread of wealth, glitz and glamour sprinkled throughout that seems so wonderfully juxtaposed - like lipstick on a pig, it’s ugly and beautiful all at once.
That being said, I wasn’t a big fan of the racist romance in this story - I really couldn’t look past what Matthias was to swoon for him like Nina does. I get that these are horrible people, but for him it’s just too little, too late for me - I can’t imagine what Nina sees in him that could make her look past that; it’s really unexplainable.
I really enjoyed most of the characters in this story, something I often struggle with when a novel is written from multiple perspectives, but it was just beautifully done. There were times during the heist that I felt the writing was dragging a bit too much, but overall, it was a solid read. I can’t wait to see what they get up to in the next book.
The writing in this novel is just so visceral at times. There’s a scene with young Kaz that I swear plays behind my eyelids in the most random moments - I can’t ever forget it and I see why it has shaped him into how he is.
If you’ve played the video game Dishonored, this really felt like that game does. Everything and everyone is awful and these terrible people have magic - what could go wrong? Despite the dank setting, there’s also this thread of wealth, glitz and glamour sprinkled throughout that seems so wonderfully juxtaposed - like lipstick on a pig, it’s ugly and beautiful all at once.
That being said, I wasn’t a big fan of the racist romance in this story - I really couldn’t look past what Matthias was to swoon for him like Nina does. I get that these are horrible people, but for him it’s just too little, too late for me - I can’t imagine what Nina sees in him that could make her look past that; it’s really unexplainable.
I really enjoyed most of the characters in this story, something I often struggle with when a novel is written from multiple perspectives, but it was just beautifully done. There were times during the heist that I felt the writing was dragging a bit too much, but overall, it was a solid read. I can’t wait to see what they get up to in the next book.
yannafr04's review against another edition
4.0
i’m in shock. tbh whenever i first started this book i didn’t know that i’d like it that much, not really big on heists. however this shit is immaculate. i was a lil confused at first because i didn’t read the shadow and bone trilogy beforehand
beckeal's review against another edition
4.0
I feel sorry for this book. Because it came after I’d already read 2 of Scott Lynch’s Gentleman Bastards series. I mean, this was great! Engaging, twisty and turny, surprising even here and there. But sorry. It’s just standin’ too close to the sun.
.
Trying to be fair. If I could stop myself from the comparison, it’d probably be a 4-star book. Hard to feel it in my soul though.
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Trying to be fair. If I could stop myself from the comparison, it’d probably be a 4-star book. Hard to feel it in my soul though.