Scan barcode
erins_bookshelf_'s review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I really liked the storylines in this- they were all interesting, and I didn’t really have any specific POV that I hated reading so that’s good
Overall very good, a few slow spots at the beginning, but other than that it was great :)
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, and Alcohol
syd991'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
4.75
After reading (and loving) the other Grishaverse series, the first book of this duology did not disappoint.
Like all of Bardugo’s books (at least in my opinion), I found the beginning a bit slow, but as soon as you move past the first 100-150 pages, the story picks up in such a dramatic fashion. To Bardugo’s credit, this is an entirely new story, separate in its own right from the previous books. Establishing the current state of Ravka and where each character is at mentally does take time.
But god, I loved Nikolai’s sarcasm and humour which filled the book (A particular favourite of mine is a stint about a spider in a suit). The characters developed in this book are exactly what I needed, and what I believe the Grishaverse needed.
Readers, do be warned, you do need to read ALL of the Grishaverse books (Shadow and Bone series and Six of Crows series, at the very least), as the plot and various events will most likely not make sense, and you will also spoil major elements in both series. I also read the collection of Grishaverse short stories prior to this, and I will say it was a nice addition, but I don’t feel it necessary. I can also imagine the Lives of Saints book might give you additional information, but I have not yet read it, but the elements were explained in an easy to comprehend manner.
This book reminds me more of Six of Crows, fast-paced and intricate, with such an amazing story. I’ve had to immediately pick up the sequel, Rule of Wolves.
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Infertility, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
gayghostprince's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Infertility, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
there's a paragraph describing insects burrowing into skin. it's not pleasant, but not very graphic. the content warning for drug use is for a fantasy druglunahale's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
i read the first four chapters in september, sat on my ass for almost three months, and then read the rest of the book in one day. zoya remains the most badass woman ever and nina holds me entire heart in the palm of her hand.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Miscarriage
megangilbert's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Racism
theirgracegrace'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? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Sexual assault, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
michaelferlazzo's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Abandonment
crybabybea's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Trafficking, and Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
limiwh's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, and Miscarriage
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
"is this the part where we die well?"
Graphic: Addiction, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Miscarriage