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missbee1239's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.75
This was probably my favorite book in the whole series. I loved the character development throughout the book and the plot twist at the end was totally unexpected. I loved the ending most importantly and I could not think of a better ending. No 5 stars because of Alina's lack of personality.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
kaiulanilee's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
By far my favorite of the three. I think the pacing and character work was the most well done and I found her writing developed really well. I had often felt while reading the other two that she was teetering on the edge of making things dark but not doing so because they’re YA novels. I think Ruin & Rising had the perfect amount of darkness and graphic descriptions to it where it felt both hard hitting but also appropriate for its age group. All in all, a super solid fantasy novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Religious bigotry, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Genocide, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape
horizonous's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Well.. overall I'm not that invested in any of the characters or the story, so I don't have strong feelings about this series. All I can say is, I had fun reading the first book, Shadow and Bone, and then it went downhill.
The second one, Siege and Storm, was pretty much pointless because it basically ends how it starts, but I thought maybe that's just second-book-syndrome, but no.. Ruin and Rising was even worse. A lot of people criticize the pacing and maybe they are right, but I was just glad we weren't waiting around anymore for something to happen like in the previous book. So, that was fine with me. The problem is, what was happening wasn't great and the most irritating thing to me is, I now have more questions than answers, but I don't even care enough to write down all of my issues with it.
In the end I don't hate myself for reading this trilogy, so.. 🤷🏻♀️ I mean, the only reason I picked it up in the first place was the upcoming adaptation, which I learned yesterday, is apparently based on Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows? I guess, that means I know what I am going to read next?? At least I think that's better perceived than the conclusion to this series?? Maybe??? I don't know.. but here's the thing: I actually like the world and the magic system, so my hope is to get a more satisfying plot and - most importantly - good characters out of the Six of Crows and maybe even the King of Scars duologies. We'll see..
The second one, Siege and Storm, was pretty much pointless because it basically ends how it starts, but I thought maybe that's just second-book-syndrome, but no.. Ruin and Rising was even worse. A lot of people criticize the pacing and maybe they are right, but I was just glad we weren't waiting around anymore for something to happen like in the previous book. So, that was fine with me. The problem is, what was happening wasn't great and the most irritating thing to me is, I now have more questions than answers, but I don't even care enough to write down all of my issues with it.
In the end I don't hate myself for reading this trilogy, so.. 🤷🏻♀️ I mean, the only reason I picked it up in the first place was the upcoming adaptation, which I learned yesterday, is apparently based on Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows? I guess, that means I know what I am going to read next?? At least I think that's better perceived than the conclusion to this series?? Maybe??? I don't know.. but here's the thing: I actually like the world and the magic system, so my hope is to get a more satisfying plot and - most importantly - good characters out of the Six of Crows and maybe even the King of Scars duologies. We'll see..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Rape
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, and Vomit
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