Reviews tagging 'Murder'

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

66 reviews

littletiramisu's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Grief, Violence, Misogyny, Hate crime, and Murder

anniereads221's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Gore, Murder, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Confinement

meg_'s review

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.25

Overall I enjoyed this book and just really love anything within the Grishaverse. I will say, I was not expecting the plot to take the turn it did because I honestly was expecting the main focus of the book to be Nikolai navigating the political dynamics within his invitation to his neighboring countries to Ravka while keeping his infliction a secret, but when he and Zoya disappeared into the fold, it became less interesting to me. The whole plot point with the saints was just not something I enjoyed personally, but it ended in such a way that kept me interested and intrigued. Also I am super invested in Nina's plot line and the twist that occurred closer to the end of the book regarding who she encounters. 

The thing I loved most about this book was the characters and their development, which is honestly what I love about Leigh Bardugo's writing and the Grishaverse as a whole. After reading this story I am absolutely obsessed with Zoya as a character. She is such a powerful female character who does not apologize for taking up space or occupying her positions of power and simultaneously does not shy away from her femininity which I love. She is also full of female rage which is relatable and endears her to me even more. Beyond that, I found her storyline and her process of managing her grief throughout this story was so well done. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Trafficking, Drug abuse, and Suicide attempt

kredeprnz's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, War, Murder, Death, Drug use, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Pregnancy, Medical content, Grief, Torture, Slavery, Religious bigotry, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Confinement

Minor: Suicide and Fire/Fire injury

britgirlreading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Murder, Suicide attempt, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Child death

nenya's review against another edition

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!  

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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

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

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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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Addiction, and Grief

Moderate: Drug use, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Drug abuse

Minor: Miscarriage and Adult/minor relationship

avawest's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Pregnancy, Grief, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, and Gore

Minor: Miscarriage

katvou's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction and Death

Minor: Animal death, Drug use, Pregnancy, and Murder