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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
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
ju_livros's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
gayghostprince's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Body horror, Murder, Grief, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, War, Torture, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Infertility
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 drugveganecurrywurst's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Ich gebe dem Buch gerade noch so 3,75 Sterne. Eigentlich war es ganz okay, aber irgendwas hat gefehlt.
Nina war in diesem Buch wirklich ein Schatz. In den Krähen-Büchern fand ich sie okay und manchmal ein bisschen nervig, aber in diesem Buch hab ich sie geliebt. nach allem was sie durchgemacht hat, verdient sie sich ihr happy end mit Hanne. Die zwei passen super zusammen. Ich wäre echt enttäuscht wenn die im nächsten Band nur "bffs" sind
Ich muss ganz ehrlich sagen, dass ich Zoya am Anfang dieses Buches auch teilweise nervig fand, aber ihr Wandel im Verlauf des Buches war einfach toll zu lesen.
Nikolai war ein Charakter mit so viel ungenutztem Potential. ich finde nicht, (wahrscheinlich als Einzige) dass Zoya und Nikolai zusammen passen. Ich wünsche mir irgendwie was anderes für ihre storyline. Irgendwie hätte ich es auch cool gefunden wenn Zoya Zarin geworden wäre. Ich kann mir vorstellen, dass sie das gut kann. Ich mag Nikolai zwar, aber ich glaub nicht, dass er für die Rolle als Zar geeignet ist. Will aber auch nicht, dass er stirbt. Vielleicht kann er einfach abdanken und sich ein gemütliches Haus irgendwo warmes kaufen und da einfach chillen. Das hätte er sich verdient.
Genya war dieses mal eher ein Nebencharakter, war aber trotzdem super.
und jetzt zu meinem absoluten Liebling: Isaak. Bitte gib ihn uns zurück, Leigh. Der war einfach so knuffig. Wie konnte sie uns das nur antun!!!!!!
Ich glaub das große Problem dieses Buches was, dass alle Vorgänger so verdammt gut waren (vorallem die Charakter waren so richtig gut ausgearbeitet und in den Krähen-Büchern gab es auch etwas mehr Diversität als in den meisten Fantasy-Romanen. Ich wünschte, dass hätte Leigh Bardugo auch in diesen Roman fortgeführt, weil mich diese Repräsentation echt gefreut hat) , da konnte das Buch nur schwer mithalten. Auch den "plottwist" am Ende fand ich jetzt nich sonderlich gut oder überraschend. Die Übersetzung war aber dieses Mal echt Klasse! Großes Lob an Michelle Gyo <3
Nina war in diesem Buch wirklich ein Schatz. In den Krähen-Büchern fand ich sie okay und manchmal ein bisschen nervig, aber in diesem Buch hab ich sie geliebt.
Ich muss ganz ehrlich sagen, dass ich Zoya am Anfang dieses Buches auch teilweise nervig fand, aber ihr Wandel im Verlauf des Buches war einfach toll zu lesen.
Nikolai war ein Charakter mit so viel ungenutztem Potential.
Genya war dieses mal eher ein Nebencharakter, war aber trotzdem super.
Ich glaub das große Problem dieses Buches was, dass alle Vorgänger so verdammt gut waren (vorallem die Charakter waren so richtig gut ausgearbeitet und in den Krähen-Büchern gab es auch etwas mehr Diversität als in den meisten Fantasy-Romanen. Ich wünschte, dass hätte Leigh Bardugo auch in diesen Roman fortgeführt, weil mich diese Repräsentation echt gefreut hat) , da konnte das Buch nur schwer mithalten. Auch den "plottwist" am Ende fand ich jetzt nich sonderlich gut oder überraschend. Die Übersetzung war aber dieses Mal echt Klasse! Großes Lob an Michelle Gyo <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Grief, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Misogyny
imcourtneymarie's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I'll start off with this: I've devoured the rest of the books in the Grishaverse and thoroughly enjoyed them. KoS left much to be desired. There were parts of it I enjoyed, and spots where I was surprised, but for the most part I was kind of bored. These are all characters that have been fabulous in previous books but, except for Zoya, they all felt forced.
There's one part in particular that was kind of frustrating.The likeness to the Harry Potter "Voldemort coming back from the dead" plot is kind of an eye roll. I both groaned because "oh no!" and rolled my eyes because "I'm getting deja vu..."
I will say that I did remain engaged, but it wasn't with the same hunger or passion that has existed in both the S&B and SoC stories.
There's one part in particular that was kind of frustrating.
I will say that I did remain engaged, but it wasn't with the same hunger or passion that has existed in both the S&B and SoC stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Addiction, and Grief
Moderate: Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Torture
Minor: Gore, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
theirgracegrace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Murder, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Violence, War, Xenophobia, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual assault, Child death, Confinement, Colonisation, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, and Toxic relationship
stellenelcielo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Bardugo definitely salvaged and made up for Ruin and Rising here, in fact, I think she made up for all of the worst parts of the Shadow and Bone series. She made up for the lack of diversity it had, for the internalized misogyny that featured heavily in it, and it gave depth to characters who were depthless before.
My favourite had to be Zoya Nazyalensky, she's ruthless, brutal, frank, and she had a reason for why she is all those things. She isn't secretly this soft girl, but she does briefly mourn never ever having the choice to be that, and I really liked that. It was a nice view into how trauma, neglect, and manipulation really force a person to grow up too fast, forcing them to have to be hard to survive. Despite all of this, and that she's portrayed as emotionless, there are times where Bardugo shows that she's anything but, making her one of the most enjoyable characters in the book.
This book also endeared me more towards Nina, and I'm finding this ruthless side suits her, though it took me near to the end to actually enjoy her chapters. Honestly, I can say that I don't really care about Fjerda in general, as Bardugo has gone out of her way to make it seem like a truly distasteful country, with its rampant sexism and anti-Grisha ideology, and I do enjoy the idea of Nina smashing it all into bits, I understand the need to make it a central plot to the series.
All that aside, I really liked how the book ended off, the "Oh shit, what now?" officially has me in a chokehold until I read the next book, so I'd have to say it's worth all four stars just for that.
My favourite had to be Zoya Nazyalensky, she's ruthless, brutal, frank, and she had a reason for why she is all those things. She isn't secretly this soft girl, but she does briefly mourn never ever having the choice to be that, and I really liked that. It was a nice view into how trauma, neglect, and manipulation really force a person to grow up too fast, forcing them to have to be hard to survive. Despite all of this, and that she's portrayed as emotionless, there are times where Bardugo shows that she's anything but, making her one of the most enjoyable characters in the book.
This book also endeared me more towards Nina, and I'm finding this ruthless side suits her, though it took me near to the end to actually enjoy her chapters. Honestly, I can say that I don't really care about Fjerda in general, as Bardugo has gone out of her way to make it seem like a truly distasteful country, with its rampant sexism and anti-Grisha ideology, and I do enjoy the idea of Nina smashing it all into bits, I understand the need to make it a central plot to the series.
All that aside, I really liked how the book ended off, the "Oh shit, what now?" officially has me in a chokehold until I read the next book, so I'd have to say it's worth all four stars just for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Misogyny
Moderate: Child abuse
crybabybea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Trafficking, Addiction, and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Pregnancy, and Drug abuse
Minor: Religious bigotry, Miscarriage, Child death, and Misogyny