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devangarri's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
rylee_vaughan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.5
bridgetress's review against another edition
5.0
I put this book off for the last 4 years. I heard everyone raving about it and I was nervous I 1. Wouldn’t like it, or 2. Would love it and fall into a book slump.
Well I clearly loved it. Learning about the magic and ghosts and how this all worked in these hidden societies made it such a fast read. There were plenty of surprises and a few times it was hard to follow because so much was rapidly changing for being explained.
I have immediately jumped into Hell Bent and can’t wait to see where the Alex Stern series goes.
Well I clearly loved it. Learning about the magic and ghosts and how this all worked in these hidden societies made it such a fast read. There were plenty of surprises and a few times it was hard to follow because so much was rapidly changing for being explained.
I have immediately jumped into Hell Bent and can’t wait to see where the Alex Stern series goes.
jontel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overrated, slow pacing and repetitive then packs on too much at the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Gore
milliemarilyn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked Alex Stern as a character, she is a strong yet imperfect young woman, I grew to really like her. I wasn’t expecting the book to be quite so eery. I also feel like a lot happened yet nothing actually happened.
rigale's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ldillaway's review against another edition
2.0
I really like Bardugo’s YA novels so I was hoping to really like this as well but…it was just ok.
In general I liked the plot, I was interested in the mystery, the magic and secret societies, and I thought Alex was an interesting character and a fine narrator (although I kind of agree Darlington is the best character). But it felt like Bardugo added a lot of triggering content more to add shock to the book then to actually have something interesting to say. My biggest issue was the multiple sexual assaults, none of which I think were handled particularly well. The book used them as a way to move the plot forward or make sure the reader really understood that the traumatized character was, in fact, traumatized rather than engaging in any meaningful discussion about trauma, power or abuse.
In general I liked the plot, I was interested in the mystery, the magic and secret societies, and I thought Alex was an interesting character and a fine narrator (although I kind of agree Darlington is the best character). But it felt like Bardugo added a lot of triggering content more to add shock to the book then to actually have something interesting to say. My biggest issue was the multiple sexual assaults, none of which I think were handled particularly well. The book used them as a way to move the plot forward or make sure the reader really understood that the traumatized character was, in fact, traumatized rather than engaging in any meaningful discussion about trauma, power or abuse.