Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Shadow and Bone

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and sped through it. I really enjoyed the simple but effective world building.

While there are many things to like about the book, there were a few things that didn't make it quite perfect. I wanted more:
* Grisha lore;
* location descriptions;
* and connection with the prologue and epilogue.

While not perfect, I couldn't put the book down and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

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cr1na's review

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adventurous medium-paced

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? It's complicated

3.75

I liked this book but Mal is insufferable as a love interest. I just found myself completely unable to route for any love interest but most of all him. Reminded me too much of one of my friend's shitty boyfriends. If you get easily annoyed by painfully average guys being love interests of super-powered women, I'd avoid this story.

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meant2breading's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

3.25

As a reader new to fantasy in adulthood over the last six months, this felt like a nice, quick entry level fantasy read to start with. I really love the concept of the various abilities and aspects of the world building, but wanted more explanation and detail of that within the story. I am sure I will learn more as I keep going. In all honesty, I am motivated to read through them all so I can get to the Six of Crows duology. 😆 I didn’t rate this higher stars as for me it doesn’t stack against some of the other fantasy books I couldn’t get enough of and it’s hard for me to read about

animal death

.

However, due to the author’s recent lack of solidarity and dismissal of genocide, I will not be continuing her books at this time.

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milkylilia's review

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adventurous challenging dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Stuff happens but it sure doesn't feel like it. Every character ultimately falls flat and no one stands out. Anyone remotely interesting is a brief side character whose existence feels like it's only serving Alina in the story (Genya, Baghra etc.) I get that they aren't the focus, the book would surely be better if they were, but no one feels real. I kinda just ended up hating everyone.

The worldbuilding and lore are starting off great, but the way its presented just isn't it. The story just doesn't have the cast to back it up. It feels hollow.

Also it was personally horribly triggering to me because (TW)

I see so much of my abuser and rapist in the Darkling.

. I don't understand how his behaviour isn't talked about more.

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bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

So I read the Six of Crows duology first because I loved the Crows in the TV series. But I want to now read the King of Scars duology and was told that in order to fully understand the next 2 books, I must read the trilogy. Plus the show got cancelled and I need to know how it ends 😅

Very true to the Netflix show, which is maybe why I got so bored with the book because I knew what was coming! A little too much telling over showing especially in the middle when it’s less action packed. There was a lot of good world building without info dumping right away which I always appreciate!

Entertaining enough, the first third was good but by the halfway point I was ready to be done 😩

The last couple of chapters were good and back to action packed, it really slumped in the middle. Alina is the typical YA “chosen one” in that she constantly points out how she’s not pretty which got annoying.

I need to read book 2 soon simply because it is a library book otherwise I wouldn’t be in any rush to continue the series. Six of Crows/Crooked Kingdom are waaay better and I’m hoping the King of Scars duology is better too 🤞🏻

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