aberman1695's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
allomancersam's review against another edition
5.0
5 Stars
Well that was an absolute emotional rollercoaster and I am rather exhausted
I picked up this series during the wait for the Shadow and Bone adaptation, which, tbh, I don't really go there (I read SoC and CK a few years ago but never got around to the trilogy) but Ben Barnes is hot and I want to see the crows etc etc. Anyway, I was promised that this would hit all the Russian folklore, powerful mc, enemies to lovers needs that I was having.
It did
But why, oh why, did NO ONE warn me about the family relationships? BatN starts with Vasya's older four siblings gathering around for a story and then it never lets up?? She has the best dynamic with each and every one of them??? And don't get me started on her extended family as well. Cousins? Yep. Niece and nephews?? YES. Family is vitally important to me and this series absolutely delivered.
Anyway, this book wrecked me
Spoiler thoughts:
**ALSO, this is how you have an effective character death that doesn't feel cheap @ [b:Crooked Kingdom|22299763|Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)|Leigh Bardugo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456172607l/22299763._SY75_.jpg|42090179]
*Konstantin is such a fascinating character, and I was back to feeling bad for him in this one. I was afraid when I started this series that it would turn into Christianity bashing, and the priest being a big villain made me very wary, but it was handled so well. There's such care and kindness to all faith and I appreciated that so much. Konstantin in particular loses his faith as he becomes more villainous, and his flaws and shortcomings are because he's human, not because he's religious.
**His relationship with Medved was also so interesting?? The way that it humanized Medved a little bit, the way that Konstantin sacrificed himself to bind him? Reclaiming his own humanity and faith in the process?? I have so many feelings
*SOLOVEY. I'm still crying. I'm forever glad that he was came back to life.
*Okay, let's talk about Vasya/Morozko. This relationship was the big draw for me to even start this series. Like, a vaguely enemies to lovers winter king/maiden ship and it's endgame?? It delivered on all fronts. I love so much how she makes him more human, how she makes him feel, and he teaches her, how they balance each other. Good stuff
**THOSE chapters were also excellent, enough said
Well that was an absolute emotional rollercoaster and I am rather exhausted
I picked up this series during the wait for the Shadow and Bone adaptation, which, tbh, I don't really go there (I read SoC and CK a few years ago but never got around to the trilogy) but Ben Barnes is hot and I want to see the crows etc etc. Anyway, I was promised that this would hit all the Russian folklore, powerful mc, enemies to lovers needs that I was having.
It did
But why, oh why, did NO ONE warn me about the family relationships? BatN starts with Vasya's older four siblings gathering around for a story and then it never lets up?? She has the best dynamic with each and every one of them??? And don't get me started on her extended family as well. Cousins? Yep. Niece and nephews?? YES. Family is vitally important to me and this series absolutely delivered.
Anyway, this book wrecked me
Spoiler thoughts:
Spoiler
*SASHA. He was my actual favorite, and I am sad forever. His death is definitely foreshadowed properly, so it's not like I didn't see it coming (clearly, given my reading updates...) but I still sobbed. His and Vasya's relationship was my favorite of all of her siblings (sorry Alyosha) and I am not okay.**ALSO, this is how you have an effective character death that doesn't feel cheap @ [b:Crooked Kingdom|22299763|Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)|Leigh Bardugo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456172607l/22299763._SY75_.jpg|42090179]
*Konstantin is such a fascinating character, and I was back to feeling bad for him in this one. I was afraid when I started this series that it would turn into Christianity bashing, and the priest being a big villain made me very wary, but it was handled so well. There's such care and kindness to all faith and I appreciated that so much. Konstantin in particular loses his faith as he becomes more villainous, and his flaws and shortcomings are because he's human, not because he's religious.
**His relationship with Medved was also so interesting?? The way that it humanized Medved a little bit, the way that Konstantin sacrificed himself to bind him? Reclaiming his own humanity and faith in the process?? I have so many feelings
*SOLOVEY. I'm still crying. I'm forever glad that he was came back to life.
*Okay, let's talk about Vasya/Morozko. This relationship was the big draw for me to even start this series. Like, a vaguely enemies to lovers winter king/maiden ship and it's endgame?? It delivered on all fronts. I love so much how she makes him more human, how she makes him feel, and he teaches her, how they balance each other. Good stuff
**THOSE chapters were also excellent, enough said
taypoor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bezczytu's review against another edition
4.0
chociaż uważam że zakończenie było idealne, wciąż wolę poprzednie dwa tomy. w zimie czarownicy wasia prowadzi akcję całkowicie samodzielnie, przez co "czegoś" mi brakowało. ta pustka nie zaważa jednak na moim odbiorze całej serii i uważam ją za znakomitą i godną polecenia ✨
helena_g_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.75
⭐️: 4.75/5
“ ‘There are no monsters in the world, and no saints. Only infinite shades woven into the same tapestry, light and dark. One man’s monster is another man’s beloved. The wise know that.’ “
➡️ linear timeline
👤POV: single person
🐎 Pace: medium
💭 This story picks up immediately from where the 2nd book ends.
What I loved:
- Burn the witch!
- Konstantine reminding me of Frollo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame movie
- Tricky demons
- War is coming, picking sides
- Kinda steamy
- Ded grib, our little buddy
- Morozko, winter king
- Sergei, chill priest
- Marya, spunky niece
- Firebird 🐥
- What 👏🏼 an 👏🏼 ending!!
- So much Russian
- Russian setting
- Fairytale-esque
- Folklore vs Catholicism
What I wasn’t a fan of
- Weird pacing
- There’s a moment the character makes a choice that seems very out of place
Overall, I really liked this book and how the series ended! The pacing, similarly to the first two books could’ve been better, but aside from that it was an enjoyable read.
⚠️ violence against women, grief, catholic priest
kate_b96's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
5.0
bannedfrombookclub's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
4.5
A solid conclusion to a really solid series that blends early medieval Russian history with Slavic folklore.
accidentalspaceexplorer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I really enjoyed this final installment. Vasya was as captivating as always, and I really enjoyed the way the story echoed her struggle to decide what and who she was in the plot. Plus I cried at the end. I'm glad I finished this series!
books_and_baguettes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ljjohnson8's review against another edition
5.0
I have to recover a little that this series is over. But, happily, the final book was as beautiful and as satisfying as I could have wished.
What I loved about this book in particular was how much time was spent with the magical creatures of this world. Like the other books, the historical is weaved into the fantastic, and Arden's extraordinary skill makes it all work. She creates this gorgeous atmosphere that is spellbinding.
And her lead character, Vasya, is unforgettable. It's rare to have such a convincing and interesting character and character arc. Vasya grows and changes and I believed her every step of the way. Brother Sasha was another favorite. The bravery and sacrifice of Arden's characters brought me to tears.
I feel sorry for whatever I read next for having to follow this.
What I loved about this book in particular was how much time was spent with the magical creatures of this world. Like the other books, the historical is weaved into the fantastic, and Arden's extraordinary skill makes it all work. She creates this gorgeous atmosphere that is spellbinding.
And her lead character, Vasya, is unforgettable. It's rare to have such a convincing and interesting character and character arc. Vasya grows and changes and I believed her every step of the way. Brother Sasha was another favorite. The bravery and sacrifice of Arden's characters brought me to tears.
I feel sorry for whatever I read next for having to follow this.