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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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The appearance of Nikolai was quite spectacular, but I tried, for this rereading, not to be fooled by his beautiful manners. What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men. And Nikolai is no exception. He too wants the power. And it's interesting to analyze the approach he has. A real politician. I tried to give Mal more credits, but it was quite complicated just looking at Alina's point of view. I understood her distress, and I just wanted to slap Mal sometimes. But then I said to myself: "but he isn't in her head, he does not understand her unhappiness". The Darkling is less present, or at least in an intangible way. I find it even more threatening! But shit then, he is so toxic and manipulative! I was glad that Alina has measured herself against him, it will bring him back down to earth!
Graphic: Animal death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Kidnapping, Murder, and Alcohol
paularize's review against another edition
2.25
- this started out somewhat promising and I was really excited in the beginning when they went to Novyi Zem because it’s a country we don’t know a lot about but then they immediately left again to go back to Ravka AGAIN
- Nikolai is fun! Would’ve loved to see more of him!
- I thought we would spend more time with his Sturmhond persona on the funky pirate (privateer, sorry) ship tbh. I don’t know if that is because I’ve only known him as Sturmhond for the past 4 years or because I am not immune to sea adventures and secret identities but it didn’t happen anyway so. Hm.
- imagine having the whole little palace at your feet and still choosing the former darkling‘s rooms like?? they made you commander if you don’t want to sleep there just say it girl
- speaking of commander, I am so glad the netflix show aged these people up thank god
- speaking of the show, I was pretty bored for huge chunks of this book (what even happened. Did anything happen) but at the same time it has the potential to work a lot better in the show and I am super intrigued what they will make out of it, especially if they take the time to explore some of the themes more deeply like the cult around the sun summoner or Alina‘s inner conflict with power.
- Tamar <3
- whenever Kerch or Ketterdam is mentioned I’m like!! Maybe I should reread six of crows again (I won’t. unless)
- I have nothing to say about Mal, he was just There™
- it’s pretty clear this is mostly a filler book to get to the important plot points in book 3 but I’m just not invested enough in a lot of the side characters to read another little palace training arc
I have to wait a few weeks for the 3rd book which is a blessing because i need a break after this but I genuinely hope it will be more exciting than this
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and War
illgiveyouahint's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
kaetheluise_nckl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
limiwh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment
meder25's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault
princess_azula's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence
sushmita's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
TW: sexual harassment, assault, abuse & pedophilia
It’s beyond me why anyone would ‘stan’ The Darkling. After reading how he treated Genya, Baghra & Alina, I was fuming with anger. Where is the complexity that everybody speaks of? because I don’t see it. There is nothing complex about a 500 year old pedophile who abuses & enslaves people, who shape-shifts into a teenage boy so he could touch & kiss his vulnerable teenage girlfriend mid-sleep.
The Darkling is not a good villain. He is just your regular old bad guy who does atrocious & unspeakable things in his hunger for power. Good villains, on the either hand, make you want to side with them despite their gray sense of morality. The Darkling’s morality wasn’t gray. It was pitch dark & swirling in shadows with the volcra & the nichevo’ya.
According to me, Mal’s human insecurities about being surrounded by powerful royals & even more powerful Grisha who belittled, spoke down to & spread rumours about him, was more understandable and complex than The Darkling’s entire arch [Being othered as a child, is no excuse to feel emboldened enough to abuse & enslave people]
In this series I find myself to not be that big a fan of The Darkling, Alina or Mal. My heart is more swept by Genya, Nikolai, Zoya, Tolya & Tamar. Their characters seem more rich & interesting for me to read & enjoy.
Overall, this book is a three star book for me as even though it took me on an emotional roller coaster ride, it managed to leave me underwhelmed. I don’t see myself ever re-reading this series or recommending it.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, and Blood
megplant'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
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Stalking