Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - Korppien kehä

I was a little worried going into this with all the hype around it, but thankfully I really liked it. I don't think it's the flawless book some people claim, but I'd say it earns 4½ stars.

Something that impressed me was how deftly it broached some pretty mature themes without getting depressing. Also the complexity of the characters, which is Bardugo's biggest improvement from her previous titles imo.

Content Warnings

kingcrookback's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark 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

So, I initially avoided giving into the hype over this book for a couple reasons; I'm not super into the YA genre anymore, and I refuse to engage with popular media until it's borderline irrelevant. That might've been a misjudgment. I really enjoyed this! I liked it as a whole--the characters, worldbuilding, relationships, pacing. As a disabled person, I especially appreciated Kaz. The only thing I kept getting mildly tripped up by was how young everybody was; they're all so jaded and experienced but they're also all teenagers. On the Watsonian level, I guess it could be explained by a combination of trauma and class--can't really have an unscarred childhood/adolescence when you're out there fighting for your life. On the Doyleist level, I understand that that's just the genre, and I'm probably just too old to just take it without question.

Content Warnings

mopatopshop's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

4.25

This was the second time reading this book and I still love it! The characters and the way their relationships with each other are written so well that you want to connect with them and invest in their story. The plot of this book still confuses me (I couldn’t tell you what happens in the ice court I don’t really know) but I think the characters are just too loveable for me to care. I particularly love the way (possible spoiler?) Kaz and Inej’s relationship is written and portrayed and the multiple point of view chapter style lends itself to that.

Content Warnings

onefineelephant's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-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

10/10. All of the characters are so unique and compelling. I liked this book ten times better than Shadow and Bone. I am usually not into heist books or mystery novels but heist + fantasy + found family + a little bit of heartwrenching romance? Definitely my jam. I love that the book has alternating point of views between the characters but still in third person. Also, the book was able to surprise me at every turn which is not my experience with most books.

I only have two critiques: I wish all the characters were just a few years older. To me, especially the romances would be more compelling but the characters would also be more developed. Also, I think that the beginning of the book was a bit muddled and seemed to have too much all at once for introducing a new setting/social scene. Even though I read Shadow and Bone, I was still confused and disoriented about introducing how everything works in Ketterdam, especially since the characters are already established there instead of learning along with the reader.

Content Warnings

More...