Scan barcode
emmaggedon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
4.0
Leigh Bardugo supremacy, this was a gripping fun fantasy, but it did feel YA, which isn’t a bad thing, but not the headspace I’m in anymore.
vmusing's review against another edition
3.0
3.75*
I enjoyed this book! It was an easy read and a decently compelling story. However, I am not a fan of our main character, Alina and I agree with other reviewers that this is a pretty stereotypical YA fantasy. I think I will keep reading the series, mostly to prepare for the TV show coming out and for a better understanding of the world.
I enjoyed this book! It was an easy read and a decently compelling story. However, I am not a fan of our main character, Alina and I agree with other reviewers that this is a pretty stereotypical YA fantasy. I think I will keep reading the series, mostly to prepare for the TV show coming out and for a better understanding of the world.
toyajwilliams's review against another edition
3.0
Lol not me binging the SoC duology in two days, getting ahead of myself and buying ALL three books in this trilogy (so I don’t have to suffer a day of waiting between finishing one) only to be…really disappointed.
It doesn’t even touch the sides of SoC which is confusing but also not impossible. I’m not mad at it. But unlike SoC, I didn’t laugh or cry or scream or jump up and down in excitement. Still, it was good. If this is your first Leigh book, go and read Six of Crows first (fall madly in love with EVERYone) and then come back to this - if anything, it provides some cool backstory and context.
It doesn’t even touch the sides of SoC which is confusing but also not impossible. I’m not mad at it. But unlike SoC, I didn’t laugh or cry or scream or jump up and down in excitement. Still, it was good. If this is your first Leigh book, go and read Six of Crows first (fall madly in love with EVERYone) and then come back to this - if anything, it provides some cool backstory and context.
minnavirtanen's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
asta_cassel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gothiclibrarian's review against another edition
I had really high expectations for this one. When it first came into the library, I thought it sounded fantastic and couldn't wait to read it. I had seen online that a lot of people had been reading it, but for the most part I had/have stayed away from reviews.
I love the cover; it makes me think of Russian even though the story isn't set there. I was so on board with this novel for most of it. Alina was an interesting character; I really liked her. The whole premise was fantastic. I felt her pain as she was separated by her childhood friend.
I didn't think the Darkling was for her, but I could see his appeal. Then there was the plot twist. I'm sure that some people loved it, but I was so devastated. I didn't see it coming, so in that way, it was an amazing plot twist. But it just angered me. I went from loving the book to "what the eff just happened??" I was so bummed out and it was hard for me to finish the last few parts of the book.
In all honesty, I'm really picky about paranormal reads. And while this specific book isn't for me, I really liked Bardugo's writing style and would give her another shot if she writes beyond this series.
I love the cover; it makes me think of Russian even though the story isn't set there. I was so on board with this novel for most of it. Alina was an interesting character; I really liked her. The whole premise was fantastic. I felt her pain as she was separated by her childhood friend.
I didn't think the Darkling was for her, but I could see his appeal. Then there was the plot twist. I'm sure that some people loved it, but I was so devastated. I didn't see it coming, so in that way, it was an amazing plot twist. But it just angered me. I went from loving the book to "what the eff just happened??" I was so bummed out and it was hard for me to finish the last few parts of the book.
In all honesty, I'm really picky about paranormal reads. And while this specific book isn't for me, I really liked Bardugo's writing style and would give her another shot if she writes beyond this series.