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hazychapters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What struck me the most were the characters (of course!). I found them so real: I admire Alina who is a strong woman, and I'm proud of how she fights during the whole book. I identify myself to her as the one who doesn't really know who she is, nor with who she has to travel with to discover herself. I think she is, at first, a lonely girl who doesn't understand the world around her, nor the aims of the others. She just wants to help others. And this is why she is manipulated by them because her heart is pure.
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Genocide, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
Abuse, attempted rape, dubious consent, orphan, profanity, suicidal ideationcourtneyreads01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
lifeoflauren'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
Minor: Toxic relationship
safety_pin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Minor: Slavery and Fire/Fire injury
prickly_plant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Moderate: Death and Toxic relationship
lish_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
“I hope you don’t expect fairness from me, Alina. It isn’t one of my specialties.”
The book had a lot of typical YA tropes, but I enjoyed it and it was a quick read.
While the plot was a bit predictable and cliché at times, I’m still interested in reading the next book in the series.
In addition to that there are a few intriguing characters.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Death of parent
redherring's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol
chloevienna'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
4.0
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and War
cluckieduck's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
The setting (the Grishaverse, I guess) has some interesting Russian-esque influences which would have benefit from a bit more fleshing-out. Much of the ‘scene-setting’ is all about cliques, classism, and low-level racial stereotypes.
Alina, as our heroine and 1st-person narrator, could also use some work. So much of her time is spent discussing her looks, and how she’s not beautiful, and doesn’t belong with the Grishas. It’s practically her whole identity, the other being her lack of confidence and disbelief in her own powers.
All in all, I’m not completely put off, and will continue with the series because I think there’s something here. But it seems like it may just be a popcorn fluff, kinda series.
Minor: Toxic relationship and Violence
dlrosebyh'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
3.0
shadow and bone is your typical ya fantasy. it contains of course a love triangle, fantastic world building, escapism, and an old, attractive villain. regardless it being cliche, i definitely still enjoyed it. bardugo’s writing is impeccable— i always have a difficult time understanding the first chapters of her books, but once you grasp it, you’d be amazed with the world building. if it didn’t have cliche elements, i would probably give it a higher rating. overall, i give it 3 stars. (i can’t wait to meet nikolai again in the next book).
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual harassment
Minor: Blood