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athenaminerva13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Drug use, Genocide, War, and Child death
Minor: Miscarriage and Addiction
jupitermond's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Addiction, and Death
Moderate: Miscarriage, Trafficking, Pregnancy, Child death, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, and Child abuse
michelles_book_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
⚠️ TW: arranged marriage, child marriage and brief mentions of miscarriage and stillbirth ⚠️ Firstly, WOW! Leigh Bardugo did it again and left me not being able to put down one of her books 🙈 This book is the first in this duology and it primarily follows Nikolai and Zoya after Ravka's civil war but no one knows what he truly endured during that bloody time in his country's history and he intends to keep it that way. However as enemies gather at Ravka's weakened borders he needs to find ways to refuel his country's dire finances, forge new alliances and stop the rising threat to the Grisha Army. Yet as the days go by the dark, ominous magic inside him threatens to destroy everything he has built before his enemies can even begin which leaves him with no other option but to risk everything in order to save himself and his country before it's too late. This book was incredible and has easily become one of my favourite Grishaverse books. So much happens and it is hard to review without giving spoilers but Leigh Bardugo absolutely smashed it! It had me crying, swooning and my heart beating out of my chest with suspense and anticipation. The two main things above everything that I loved most about this book are the brilliant multiple storylines between Nina and Nikolai and Zoya and I loved that we got to know more about Zoya and Nikolai and their back stories from childhood. Also, as with the other Grishaverse books there is so much great representation for the LGBTQ+ and disability communities which I love to see. And omg that ending! Overall, I highly recommend reading this book and I cannot wait to dive into the next book in this duology.
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage
nenya's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
I read this book after having read the Six of Crows duology, being excited to continue the Grishaverse. I would not say that I was disappointed but it wasn't entirely what I had expected. The only crow it focusses on is Nina Zenik (who is an icon, I love her with all my heart, don't get me wrong) which is amazing, because she is so developed, driven by her grief and ready to seek revenge - it is beyond fulfilling to see her get it not only for her but also for the dead women and children by having them speak their truth and avenge themselves through her power , but I did wish for some insight of how the other crows have been going on. Apart from that, the plot was great and the writing very true to Bardugo but I do feel like it can not entirely match the atmosphere and brilliance of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. Nevertheless, the ending took some turns I did not expect and left me pretty shocked. I'm most definitely excited to read the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Murder, Sexism, Slavery, Medical content, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Racism, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Xenophobia, Violence, War, Addiction, Misogyny, Drug use, Gaslighting, and Torture
Moderate: Confinement, Miscarriage, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Infertility, Suicide, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Abandonment, and Vomit
erins_bookshelf_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I knew a book series centering Nikolai would be great but I did not know Nina was here too and that made it so much better
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 :)
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 :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Drug abuse, Alcohol, Addiction, and Miscarriage
nightfell's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tell me why it felt like nothing happened and yet too much was happening at the same.
If I didn't love Zoya, Nikolai and Nina as much as I did this book would probably be a 3-3.5 star read but their personalities are what really made reading this book such an enjoyable experience.
I loved Zoya's character arc towards the end of the book. Her growth was subtle but impactful, and I loved how she grew into herself (even more) and her powers, I love seeing her embrace herself and gaining strength. I love her character so much.
For a book named after Nikolai, there was a lack of his presence throughout the book. He was present for most of it, and all his scenes and internal monologues and flashbacks were great, but I was left wanting more. I think his character could have been fleshed out even more, and his relationships with other characters apart from Zoya.
Nina really shined and came into herself, and I loved seeing her growth from grieving to regaining her strength. I think the turn about from her grieving to moving on was abrupt and sudden, which was a bit unrealistic, but it could be argued that it makes sense in context.
This was such a comforting read, and anyone who had read the previous Grishaverse books should read this one, I flew through it.
<spoilers>
I wasn't expecting this book to be full of SNAKES but after every few chapters they kept appearing. Yuri's whole character was annoying because I should have predicted he'd do something like give himself up for the Darkling to inhabit his body, but that's probably a me problem be I don't care to guess ahead, but it still annoyed me.
The Darkling's return was expected due to spoilers, however I like how it came about, and it left a perfect cliffhanger for row.
I love how after genya, David and the others realised Nikolai and Zoya were missing they acted like they could not care less. The ambivalent way they were acting made it seem like they forgot they ever cared about them in any way, it's so funny for no reason. They didn't even question it, they just said: anyways so....
Nikolai and Zoya's relationship was depicted in such an authentic way for their characters, I loved it. I loved the small nuanced parts when they would get jealous or briefly question why they're feeling weird that they feel a certain way. When Zoya would feel conflicted over being the one to organise brides for Nikolai and THE ENDING when he just proposed to Ehri and she was like what. Or when Nikolai would want to move closer to her or have an excuse to talk to her. It was so good and I can't wait for their wedding in row.
I loved the storyline concerning Zoya's amplifier and how she got it, how it broke and how Juris trained her before she killed him and took his scales as her amplifier. It was satisfying in a weird way. I also kind of liked when she was sobbing over her broken amplifier in a sick way, because I pretty sure that was one of the only times in the 500+ page book where she showed an emotion other than bemused impatience (I'm not complaining, just saying).
Nina and Hanne's relationship was so sweet, I also knew it would happen due to spoilers but it was still a nice surprise? They were so cute I love them. Nina simping is what I didn't know I needed, "and then you're glorious" *screams into pillow* I can't wait for them to confess their feelings in row I'm waiting. I also love the sapphic representation as I know tamar and nadia are sapphic rep but their relationship was never focused on nor that developed, so it's nice for nina and hanna to have a built up relationship. I just hope Hanne isn't too mad at nina for continuing to lie (about what I don't know I lost track of her lies lol)
I wasn't expecting the whole fake Nikolai plotline with Isaak but i enjoyed it. There's a sort of beautiful symmetry in Isaak and Ehri's relationship: they were both pretending to be someone of high status than they really were, they fell in love and then they died, only for the real Nikolai and Ehri to get engaged. It's twisted, but in an engaging way. I actually thought they were cute until realised she was trying to kill Isaak, he didn't deserve that.
If I didn't love Zoya, Nikolai and Nina as much as I did this book would probably be a 3-3.5 star read but their personalities are what really made reading this book such an enjoyable experience.
I loved Zoya's character arc towards the end of the book. Her growth was subtle but impactful, and I loved how she grew into herself (even more) and her powers, I love seeing her embrace herself and gaining strength. I love her character so much.
For a book named after Nikolai, there was a lack of his presence throughout the book. He was present for most of it, and all his scenes and internal monologues and flashbacks were great, but I was left wanting more. I think his character could have been fleshed out even more, and his relationships with other characters apart from Zoya.
Nina really shined and came into herself, and I loved seeing her growth from grieving to regaining her strength. I think the turn about from her grieving to moving on was abrupt and sudden, which was a bit unrealistic, but it could be argued that it makes sense in context.
This was such a comforting read, and anyone who had read the previous Grishaverse books should read this one, I flew through it.
<spoilers>
I wasn't expecting this book to be full of SNAKES but after every few chapters they kept appearing. Yuri's whole character was annoying because I should have predicted he'd do something like give himself up for the Darkling to inhabit his body, but that's probably a me problem be I don't care to guess ahead, but it still annoyed me.
The Darkling's return was expected due to spoilers, however I like how it came about, and it left a perfect cliffhanger for row.
I love how after genya, David and the others realised Nikolai and Zoya were missing they acted like they could not care less. The ambivalent way they were acting made it seem like they forgot they ever cared about them in any way, it's so funny for no reason. They didn't even question it, they just said: anyways so....
Nikolai and Zoya's relationship was depicted in such an authentic way for their characters, I loved it. I loved the small nuanced parts when they would get jealous or briefly question why they're feeling weird that they feel a certain way. When Zoya would feel conflicted over being the one to organise brides for Nikolai and THE ENDING when he just proposed to Ehri and she was like what. Or when Nikolai would want to move closer to her or have an excuse to talk to her. It was so good and I can't wait for their wedding in row.
I loved the storyline concerning Zoya's amplifier and how she got it, how it broke and how Juris trained her before she killed him and took his scales as her amplifier. It was satisfying in a weird way. I also kind of liked when she was sobbing over her broken amplifier in a sick way, because I pretty sure that was one of the only times in the 500+ page book where she showed an emotion other than bemused impatience (I'm not complaining, just saying).
Nina and Hanne's relationship was so sweet, I also knew it would happen due to spoilers but it was still a nice surprise? They were so cute I love them. Nina simping is what I didn't know I needed, "and then you're glorious" *screams into pillow* I can't wait for them to confess their feelings in row I'm waiting. I also love the sapphic representation as I know tamar and nadia are sapphic rep but their relationship was never focused on nor that developed, so it's nice for nina and hanna to have a built up relationship. I just hope Hanne isn't too mad at nina for continuing to lie (about what I don't know I lost track of her lies lol)
I wasn't expecting the whole fake Nikolai plotline with Isaak but i enjoyed it. There's a sort of beautiful symmetry in Isaak and Ehri's relationship: they were both pretending to be someone of high status than they really were, they fell in love and then they died, only for the real Nikolai and Ehri to get engaged. It's twisted, but in an engaging way. I actually thought they were cute until realised she was trying to kill Isaak, he didn't deserve that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Grief, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Death, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Infertility
helenastinks's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Body horror, Blood, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Pedophilia
Minor: Rape, Misogyny, and Miscarriage
catmac15's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.75
one of my favs in the grishaverse! amazing plot twists, worldbuilding and character backstory/development. it was nice seeing what Nina did after the events of Crooked Kingdom and what she plans to do next. Nikolai and Zoya were very interesting and lovable in the Shadow and Bone Trilogy but it’s nice to see their own perspectives rather than their character from Alina’s point of view
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Death, War, and Murder
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Pedophilia and Miscarriage
marleywrites'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? Yes
5.0
In my humble opinion, this was Zoya’s Book. I love Nikolai and Nina as much as the next Grishaverse fan, but Zoya absolutely stole the show in this story. This is a reread for me— I first read in March 2022, and I’ve been daydreaming about Zoya’s story until now, in January 2023.
I loved her strength, her anger, her fear, her sorrow. I loved seeing every range of emotion from her and watching her grow. Learning Zoya’s backstory is one of my favorite things to come from the Grishaverse, even more than Nikolai Lantsov (the best book boyfriend of all time). That’s saying something.
I will also say that I love Hanne and wish she got more love because she’s a really interesting character. Give me more stubborn, headstrong characters. I love the blossoming romance between Zoya & Nikolai as well as Hanne and Nina.
Zoya of the garden. Zoya of the lost city. She is strong enough to survive the fall.
I just love how badass she is—especially how she summons other elements and fabrikates her own new amplifier. . I need more love for Zoya. Especially after this book where she works hard and pours herself into her power.
This is possibly my favorite book of all time, and I can’t wait to reread Rule of Wolves next so I can get more of their stories.
I loved her strength, her anger, her fear, her sorrow. I loved seeing every range of emotion from her and watching her grow. Learning Zoya’s backstory is one of my favorite things to come from the Grishaverse, even more than Nikolai Lantsov (the best book boyfriend of all time). That’s saying something.
I will also say that I love Hanne and wish she got more love because she’s a really interesting character. Give me more stubborn, headstrong characters. I love the blossoming romance between Zoya & Nikolai as well as Hanne and Nina.
Zoya of the garden. Zoya of the lost city. She is strong enough to survive the fall.
I just love how badass she is—
This is possibly my favorite book of all time, and I can’t wait to reread Rule of Wolves next so I can get more of their stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Addiction, and Grief
Moderate: Drug use, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Drug abuse
Minor: Miscarriage and Adult/minor relationship
hannahwhiteyy's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While I absolutely adore Nikolai, I struggled through the slow pace of the book and plot. I didn’t anticipate the plot twist, which made the book more interesting. But it was disappointing that it took around 300 pages for me to become invested.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual violence and Miscarriage