Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

Reino de Ladrones by Leigh Bardugo

311 reviews

marysunburn's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

• 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

4.25

This book was  fun, very tense, full of beautiful vivid descriptions and breath-taking fight scenes. It created a world that twists the flaws of our own, yet mirrors them closely, and a lovable cast. 
However, I refuse to engage further with Leigh Bardugo after her shifty declarations about the genocide of the Palestinian people, so this is my send-off message to her. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Child abuse, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Police brutality, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Gaslighting, Ableism, Addiction, Drug use, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Violence

both the female leads are survivors of sex work, one of them – Romani-coded – was kidnapped and trafficked by "slavers" and exotified at her former brothel. One of the male leads is murdered by a fanatical ex-brother-in-arms. One of the plot points involves fabricating a deadly and contagious disease. One of the male leads is dyslexic and hated by his father for it; his mother was institutionalized in an isolated institution and presumably drugged. One of the male leads is a gunslinger and he prominently displays this ability. The main plot of the story involves members of a street gang organizing a heist against rich merchants. One of the female leads has taken a powerful drug in the previous novel, and is seen fighting addiction and withdrawal. One of the male leads is triggered by close skin-to-skin contact due to a traumatic event in his past involving a pandemic and the death of his brother, and there's a lot of vivid descriptions of it.

bakerindale's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

4.75

It’s Six of Crows but better because it can capitalise on the setup done beforehand. Let’s thank Kaz’s parents for being the most prominent characters of this book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Slavery, Torture, Addiction, and Injury/Injury detail

angelo_vossen's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.5

"Crooked Kingdom" by Leigh Bardugo is a remarkable sequel that expands upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, "Six of Crows." Set in the gritty and vibrant world of Ketterdam, Bardugo delves even deeper into the lives of Kaz Brekker and his crew of misfits as they navigate the treacherous waters of power, betrayal, and redemption.

One of the most striking aspects of "Crooked Kingdom" is Bardugo's ability to craft a complex and multi-layered narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The plot is intricately constructed, filled with unexpected twists and turns that constantly challenge the characters and push the story forward. This is once again accomplished by changing between the protagonists’ points of view each chapter - and finally I got Wylan’s perspective as asked for in my review of „Six of Crows“! From elaborate heists to political intrigue, the novel is a masterclass in storytelling, seamlessly blending action, suspense, and emotional depth.

Central to the success of "Crooked Kingdom" are its richly drawn characters, each with their own distinct personalities, motivations, and flaws. Kaz, Inej, Jesper, Wylan, Nina, and Matthias are more than just members of a heist crew; they are fully realized individuals with their own pasts and desires. Bardugo deftly explores their relationships and internal struggles, allowing readers to empathize with them even as they grapple with their own demons.

Moreover, the world-building in "Crooked Kingdom" is nothing short of extraordinary. Bardugo paints a vivid picture of Ketterdam, a city teeming with crime, corruption, and inequality. From the bustling streets of the Barrel to the opulent halls of the Merchant Council, the setting feels alive and immersive, providing the perfect backdrop for the story's unfolding drama.

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of "Crooked Kingdom" is its exploration of themes such as friendship, loyalty, and the nature of power. As the characters confront their pasts and wrestle with their own morality, they are forced to confront difficult questions about who they are and what they believe in. In doing so, they undergo profound transformations that are both heart-wrenching and inspiring to witness. Bardugo weaves in backstories effortlessly jumping between past and present without it ever feeling out of place.

Compared to the first book in this duology, I found that for my liking at times it felt like too much was going on in the plot simultaneously. It was not impossible to follow the story line, but sometimes it felt slightly overwhelming.

Additionally, I wonder why it was necessary for Matthias to die in the end. Same as Jesper, I was convinced that all six of my beloved protagonists would make it out alive. I get that for aspects of realism one of the characters met death, but in this case it felt kind of random and was not necessary for the story to come together in my opinion. Maybe this was setting up another story? I might have to wait and see.

I was shattered once I realized that there was a sequel to „Shadow and Bone“ (a show based on a trilogy by Bardugo set in the same universe) planned to cover the story told in „Six of Crows“. Such a tease. I really wish that I would have the chance to watch this story being brought to life on TV. But alas, isn‘t that always the way it goes with shows being cancelled before having been able to tell the entire story?

In conclusion, "Crooked Kingdom" is a stunning achievement that solidifies Leigh Bardugo's status as one of the preeminent voices in fantasy literature today. With its gripping plot, unforgettable characters, and thought-provoking themes, it is a book that will stay with readers long after they have turned the final page.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Addiction, and Drug abuse

Minor: Grief, Slavery, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Torture

evelynnnn33333's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Addiction, Trafficking, and Torture

Minor: Sexual content, Confinement, and Grief

glund_01's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, and Violence

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Abandonment

tiana_king's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

Somehow this book is even better than the first without a daring heist being the center. I laughed, cried, and hung onto my seat for dear life. A great end to the series though I hope more will come.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Torture, Grief, and Classism

Moderate: Drug use, Religious bigotry, Slavery, and Trafficking

Minor: War

garrettcz's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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 wish there was more in this series because I couldn’t possibly get enough of these characters. 

I didn’t super love the Shadow and Bone trilogy but this duology is incredible. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Torture, Kidnapping, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Cursing, Drug use, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, and Trafficking

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Slavery, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Addiction, Sexual content, Murder, Infidelity, and Gaslighting

thenoboshow's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Pregnancy, Racism, Alcohol, Blood, Medical content, Confinement, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Addiction, Kidnapping, Ableism, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Abandonment, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Cursing, Rape, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Slavery, Physical abuse, and Sexual content

torturedreadersdept's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, Abandonment, Ableism, Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Medical content, Mental illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Slavery, Stalking, Torture, Toxic friendship, Trafficking, Violence, and Vomit

aino_maria23's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Torture, Death, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic, Drug use, Grief, War, Addiction, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Sexual violence, and Trafficking

Minor: Sexual violence, Alcohol, Sexual content, War, Cursing, Pregnancy, and Panic attacks/disorders