Scan barcode
breedawnwriter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content warning: Sex scene (not overly graphic, but still clear that the two characters are having sex), mentions of rape, violence, blood, and death.
Graphic: Murder, Violence, War, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
athenaminerva13's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, War, and Torture
Minor: Rape
anielabooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Death, War, Murder, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, Rape, Suicide, Death of parent, Grief, and Body shaming
Minor: Infidelity, Incest, and Bullying
lindasoderlundd's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Rape and War
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
diary_of_a_hobbit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I must admit that I don't really like the protagonist, Alina, even if there were a few instances when I started to warm up to her. But I felt that out of the three books, I liked her the most in this one.
On the other hand, I found the antagonist's plot line very interesting to follow as he's one of the most well-crafted villains that I've encountered.
The world-building in this series was generally not done very well and eventhough Ruin and Rising did answer some of the remaining questions, there are still loads more left. And as I've mentioned in my review of Shadow and Bone, I really wish that the author did more research into Russian culture as it would have helped in this aspect.
Another thing that I would like to mention is that I think that narrating the story from a first person perspective was a bad move as it really hindered the development of the world.
As for the book itself, it was quite fast-paced in my opinion (especially compared to the previous book in the trilogy which was very slow) and filled with action. I also loved the fact that there was a sort of quest and journey involved which is one of my favourite tropes. The ending was quite bittersweet but I can see why the author choose to end the book that way.
I am actually kind of sad that this journey has ended for me but I still have two other duologies to read that are set in the same universe so hopefully I'll be back to the Grishaverse soon! Until next time!!
CW: violence, mention of rape, death of characters
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Rape
lujisa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Violence, Child death, Murder, Death, and War
Moderate: Suicide, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Alcohol, Rape, and Sexual content
zoecrepp's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Rape
gayghostprince's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, Grief, Death, Gore, Body horror, and Child death
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
ewwniamh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: War, Murder, Death, Gore, Blood, Genocide, and Grief
Minor: Torture, Sexual assault, and Rape
jupitermond's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault