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jiao_li's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Continuing Alina's journey to confront the Darkling, "Siege and Storm" pretty much focuses on her role as the Sun Summoner and her mission to locate other amplifiers.
Following the events of "Shadow and Bone," Alina and Mal are now together. So the book also includes their romance and explores the complexities of their relationship. This addition injects a refreshing twist into the story, a much-needed change from what I found a bit boring.
What I find the most interesting aspect of the book is the introduction of new characters. I like Nikolai and the twins, Tolya and Tamar. Nikolai is pretty charming and with his brilliant mind, he pretty much steals the show. Maybe this book would be more interesting if he appeared more. Tolya and Tamar are also interesting characters; they are strong and unique.
I must admit this book was an improvement from the first one, but I still pretty much skimmed the contents because it was boring. While certainly better, I wouldn't go so far as to label it great—it's just okay. I keep going because I'm curious about the Grishaverse and I want to at least know what happened in each book.
Following the events of "Shadow and Bone," Alina and Mal are now together. So the book also includes their romance and explores the complexities of their relationship. This addition injects a refreshing twist into the story, a much-needed change from what I found a bit boring.
What I find the most interesting aspect of the book is the introduction of new characters. I like Nikolai and the twins, Tolya and Tamar. Nikolai is pretty charming and with his brilliant mind, he pretty much steals the show. Maybe this book would be more interesting if he appeared more. Tolya and Tamar are also interesting characters; they are strong and unique.
I must admit this book was an improvement from the first one, but I still pretty much skimmed the contents because it was boring. While certainly better, I wouldn't go so far as to label it great—it's just okay. I keep going because I'm curious about the Grishaverse and I want to at least know what happened in each book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
matthiasreads's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and Confinement
aidareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
lovejasmine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
like most YA trilogies the middle book is often necessary, but also ... not a lot happens between the beginning and the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Alcoholism, Death, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Animal death, Bullying, Blood, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
this_is_naomimi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
eguare's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read the Shadow & Bone trilogy after reading the Six of Crows duology, and I'm sad to report that I found the plot, writing, and characters of the follow-up duology to be much more compelling than the Shadow & Bone trilogy. I found the magic system's rules confusing and not particularly well explained, and after reading SoC, the main character and main villain felt much more YA trope-y than original creations. That said, some of my favorite characters of the Grishaverse originate in this trilogy, and the complex political tapestry that Bardugo has woven begins here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Emotional abuse
tays_books's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexual assault
nataliebootlah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The friends who warned me this book was slower than the first were not wrong. But when you’re stuck on an airplane with only one book, you read on. There wasn’t a ton of action for the second book of a trilogy, but I could feel the build-up to a (hopefully) action-packed third installment.
Alina and Mal race across land and sea in an attempt to outrun the Darkling and discover how Alina’s powers can save their world as they know it. Their romance was all over the place and no where at all, but not in a fun way. I needed more from them but luckily, some new characters held this book on their backs, so here’s to seeing where those storylines end up!
Alina and Mal race across land and sea in an attempt to outrun the Darkling and discover how Alina’s powers can save their world as they know it. Their romance was all over the place and no where at all, but not in a fun way. I needed more from them but luckily, some new characters held this book on their backs, so here’s to seeing where those storylines end up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Domestic abuse
Minor: Stalking
i_write_on_occasion's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
2.5
Quite boring and only got interesting towards the end. One of the sub plots was not well executed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence
casdelvo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual violence and Torture