You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
evie_lumby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Rape
anielabooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Blood, War, and Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Slavery, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Rape, Excrement, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
thesecretsapphic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization
leahmaslin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape
maryjames'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
2.5
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying and Blood
Minor: Rape and Death of parent
mustnotblink'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? It's complicated
4.75
In Alina we have a protagonist who is both learning more about her world that she did not know and figuring her own self out. It is a satisfying journey with revealed truths that really up the drama and get the adrenaline running. It is the ultimate ‘I don’t fit it in school’ to ‘shoved into the real world to make grown up decisions’ speed-run.
There is a bleakness to the ending, but it feels more like the overcast before the suns breaks back through than a truly dark ending.
Minor: Animal death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence
breannajailene'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Murder
Minor: Child death, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and War
muchroom_prince's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Rape and Death of parent
chaptersonapage's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
We are introduced to the world through the eyes of a girl named Alina. She grew up as an orphan and now works as a mapmaker. Her best friend, Mal, grew up with her at the orphanage, and he’s a tracker. They’re traveling with the armies and about to make their way across the Shadow Fold.
The Shadow Fold is a blemish on the world that splits the country. It’s where darkness flourishes and light dies. It’s filled with creatures called the volcra, which are only to eager to snatch up anyone they come across in their midst.
As they cross the Fold, a massive attack comes from the volcra. All seems to be lost with everyone getting slaughtered, but as the last rays of hope start to fade away, Alina unleashes a blinding power she didn’t know she had and revealing her long dormant Grisha abilities.
The world of the Grisha is very interesting. Each one has a different kind of power, and they’re categorized based on what they do. Only the Darkling stands alone, ruling over the rest. They learn at the Little Palace, where Alina starts her training. Alina is thrown into this life, and things come hard to her. Her power doesn’t seem to want to come forth, but she toils day after day, working to feel worthy of her new place with the Grisha.
I liked Alina. She made the best she could out of the situation she was given. Being taken away from the only life you ever knew can be hard, but she did all she could and grew into herself. She faced challenges she never knew she’d have, and she persevered.
Mal was also a great character. I loved the beginning, showing their closeness and how they care for one another. They grew up together and have such a special bond.
The Darkling was a mysterious character. So much about him is unknown to everyone around him. Alina has heard about him through stories, but meeting him is different than anything she’s ever imagined. He’s charming, but she seems to have trouble getting a proper read on him. I found him interesting to read about. I always want to know the ins and outs of things, so mysteries always draw me in. I wanted to know his true story, not just the rumors and fairytales whispered throughout the lands.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Some things and parts felt like they could have been fleshed out a little more, especially closer to the end, but it’s still a great book. I’m interested to see the direction the next book takes!
Graphic: Animal death, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Genocide, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Sexual harassment
luluslittlelibrary's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence