Scan barcode
geraldine's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
i cannot express how much i truly do not care about YA love triangles. solid YA otherwise though
maritbruin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
drridareads's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this one a bit more than the last one.
Characters:
Alina: I kind of liked her in the start. When she asked to lead the second army, I thought she was going to mature in to some badass heroine. With all that power she's pretty much still obsessed with looks, I just find that annoying.
Mal: He is the very definition of dull. I found his character to be one-dimensional. You know how in some male superhero movies (that I don't like) there's a female actress whose only role is to support the guy,be his love interest, can probably be replaced by a robot and no one would notice, well that was Mal for me. His personality is basically; tracker skills and lover of Alina that's it.
Sturmhond: He's a pirate. He's a prince. He's sassy. He's charming! Loved his character
Tamar and Tolya: We didn't get much of them but I loved whatever we did get. I hope we see more of them.
Also hope to see more of The Darkling, Genya and David. I honestly feel like The Darkling could've been more developed in this book as a villain had he been in it more.
World:
I still think the worldbuilding could've been better. This book dwelled in political environment which was cool.
Plot and Pacing:
I felt it was dragged out. Since nothing of importance happens in the middle chunk. I found the ending cool!
Bardugo's writing style though not exactly extraordinary, it was captivating.
Characters:
Alina: I kind of liked her in the start. When she asked to lead the second army, I thought she was going to mature in to some badass heroine. With all that power she's pretty much still obsessed with looks, I just find that annoying.
Mal: He is the very definition of dull. I found his character to be one-dimensional. You know how in some male superhero movies (that I don't like) there's a female actress whose only role is to support the guy,be his love interest, can probably be replaced by a robot and no one would notice, well that was Mal for me. His personality is basically; tracker skills and lover of Alina that's it.
Sturmhond: He's a pirate. He's a prince. He's sassy. He's charming! Loved his character
Tamar and Tolya: We didn't get much of them but I loved whatever we did get. I hope we see more of them.
Also hope to see more of The Darkling, Genya and David. I honestly feel like The Darkling could've been more developed in this book as a villain had he been in it more.
World:
I still think the worldbuilding could've been better. This book dwelled in political environment which was cool.
Plot and Pacing:
I felt it was dragged out. Since nothing of importance happens in the middle chunk. I found the ending cool!
Bardugo's writing style though not exactly extraordinary, it was captivating.
starfleckedsoul's review against another edition
5.0
Yes, indeed, this book is so much better than the first one. Started with a bang and ended with a bang, I guess. Nikolai is such a delight hnggg. Many people hate Mal, but I can't seem to fathom why? I guess I can't really blame him for his shortcomings. And Alina. Saints, give this girl a break. That's my review. Thanks for reading,you should read the book, too.
bo0ks_are_cool91's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
I don’t really remember anything from the plot, but the bits I do remember were good I think. Also Nikolai lantsov
gabby_tijerina's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
amzs's review
4.0
Leigh Bardugo you have done it. You have made me fall completely in love with yet another fictional character. And a man, on top of that. Nikolai Lantsov let me love you, you genius dumbass.
magikspells's review against another edition
4.0
I am honestly baffled by this book. My review of the first book as so-so because there was nothing that really jumped out at me. And I think this time, the author did it right. I felt like everything in this book was just what it needed to be. But I have a hard time understanding the issues that some other people have with this book. I think that's what I'll discuss because the things I enjoyed, apparently other people didn't like.
Lets talk about characters. Alina was my favorite last time, she was a non-annoying girl who was in love with a boy she'd grown up with (Mal) and had an intense power that everyone wants for their own. Mal is a beautiful vulnerable but strong character, and I literally want to punch anyone who says anything bad about him. I fail to see how people can be so against him when they fall all over themselves for Ash in [b:The Iron King|6644117|The Iron King (The Iron Fey, #1)|Julie Kagawa|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327877670s/6644117.jpg|6838626]. I suppose Mal isn't a prince or a fey, so being human is his downfall. How dare he *sarcasm intended*
Sturmhond is the main addition to the cast this book and he and Mal both fight for my attention. I really can't talk about him much because there's a lot revealed about his character within the book. But suffice to say that the too clever fox makes me like pirates. And his wit just just so perfect and on point.
Now! I absolutely do not under an circumstances understand the obsession people have with the Darkling. No, just no. I love villains. Every one of my friends know this, they can pick out my favorite characters a mile away. The Darkling is a flaccid one dimensional piece of cardboard parading around as a villain. He literally is so boring as a character. It's great that he's all powerful and such, but I can't connect with him being a person. And why the fuck does he not have a real name? Because whenever I think of him, I literally think of him as a dementor. I just do no see him as a human. Done, over, go away forever.
Side characters are somewhat forgettable. I tried to feel bad for some people that got killed, but it was difficult because I couldn't remember some of them. I will say that the twins were awesome (I can't spell their names so I won't try to butcher them) and I do like David. I thought they were all a good ensemble, just sort of all meshed together.
Overall the story moves along at an adequate pace and is very entertaining. I loved it, the second book made me a believer, I'll definitely continue with this series. I just want to see more of a certain fox in the next installment =|
Lets talk about characters. Alina was my favorite last time, she was a non-annoying girl who was in love with a boy she'd grown up with (Mal) and had an intense power that everyone wants for their own. Mal is a beautiful vulnerable but strong character, and I literally want to punch anyone who says anything bad about him. I fail to see how people can be so against him when they fall all over themselves for Ash in [b:The Iron King|6644117|The Iron King (The Iron Fey, #1)|Julie Kagawa|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327877670s/6644117.jpg|6838626]. I suppose Mal isn't a prince or a fey, so being human is his downfall. How dare he *sarcasm intended*
Sturmhond is the main addition to the cast this book and he and Mal both fight for my attention. I really can't talk about him much because there's a lot revealed about his character within the book. But suffice to say that the too clever fox makes me like pirates. And his wit just just so perfect and on point.
Now! I absolutely do not under an circumstances understand the obsession people have with the Darkling. No, just no. I love villains. Every one of my friends know this, they can pick out my favorite characters a mile away. The Darkling is a flaccid one dimensional piece of cardboard parading around as a villain. He literally is so boring as a character. It's great that he's all powerful and such, but I can't connect with him being a person. And why the fuck does he not have a real name? Because whenever I think of him, I literally think of him as a dementor. I just do no see him as a human. Done, over, go away forever.
Side characters are somewhat forgettable. I tried to feel bad for some people that got killed, but it was difficult because I couldn't remember some of them. I will say that the twins were awesome (I can't spell their names so I won't try to butcher them) and I do like David. I thought they were all a good ensemble, just sort of all meshed together.
Overall the story moves along at an adequate pace and is very entertaining. I loved it, the second book made me a believer, I'll definitely continue with this series. I just want to see more of a certain fox in the next installment =|