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lianmudd's review against another edition
3.0
I originally put this at book at 4 stars but upon further reflection, it has been demoted.
I really enjoyed the camaraderie and banter throughout this book. I loved reading more about other characters (that are actually ON the FMC’s side) and their personalities. It was a nice contrast to Ninth House which was alotttt of narration. The action never ceased which was also an interesting switch up from Ninth house.
The insane amount of detail put into this world is intriguing (although, CONFUSING at many times). But I have to respect the amount of work the author put into creating this entire story. The writing is incredible in my opinion.
However, the plot. Ugh the plot in this one. It chased its tail in circles over and over again. I kept thinking okay how much longer can she drag this journey out? Get to the point, please! Every time we concluded a huge development, the author said SIKE! We are starting over at square one again! Sigh.
Anyway, in conclusion, I beg for more of Darlington in the third book. PLEASE.
3 stars.
I really enjoyed the camaraderie and banter throughout this book. I loved reading more about other characters (that are actually ON the FMC’s side) and their personalities. It was a nice contrast to Ninth House which was alotttt of narration. The action never ceased which was also an interesting switch up from Ninth house.
The insane amount of detail put into this world is intriguing (although, CONFUSING at many times). But I have to respect the amount of work the author put into creating this entire story. The writing is incredible in my opinion.
However, the plot. Ugh the plot in this one. It chased its tail in circles over and over again. I kept thinking okay how much longer can she drag this journey out? Get to the point, please! Every time we concluded a huge development, the author said SIKE! We are starting over at square one again! Sigh.
Anyway, in conclusion, I beg for more of Darlington in the third book. PLEASE.
3 stars.
lionwitchandthelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
alannaf182's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
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? Yes
4.75
nassguhl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75
alexandra_ninelives's review against another edition
4.0
Darlington is kind of like a gentleman version of Kaz Brekker. Does that make sense?
scoutee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
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
4.0
blurrypetals's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't like Ninth House. It's objectively pretty well written and I thought some of the ideas in it were interesting, but at the end of the day, it was a genuinely, deeply unpleasant book.
So...why did I read this book? The answer is: the potential. I loved Darlington as a character and I was very excited by the cliffhanger at the end of the last book. A trip to hell to save the gentleman demon? Let's fuckin' go, y'all! Despite that, I was still a little wary...
...but I shouldn't have been! I obviously knew Leigh Bardugo had it in her; the Grisha books are all time favorites around these parts. But I just wasn't prepared to enjoy this book as much as I did!
I loved the group of characters that was gathered to rescue Darlington. It was such a great crew with a wonderful rapport and I loved learning deeper into everyone's stories. Gun to my head, I would never have remembered Tripp from Ninth House before this book. Now, though? He's a certified Great Character™ who has a very interesting arc,
It's not a spoiler to say I was delighted to have more Darlington in a way in this book, but also more of Alex being more sure of herself without him, in preparing to save him. She was a genuinely dour, depressing character to be with in the first book, so the fact that she spends a lot less time feeling sorry for herself in this book and a lot more time doing something about her situation really pulled a lot of weight.
I'm strangely very excited to read whatever comes next and I never thought I would be saying that going into this book! All in all, an extremely pleasant surprise with a wonderful promise for more? I'm so in. Just please don't take so long between books this time, Leigh, please! I'm actually looking forward to the follow-up this time!
So...why did I read this book? The answer is: the potential. I loved Darlington as a character and I was very excited by the cliffhanger at the end of the last book. A trip to hell to save the gentleman demon? Let's fuckin' go, y'all! Despite that, I was still a little wary...
...but I shouldn't have been! I obviously knew Leigh Bardugo had it in her; the Grisha books are all time favorites around these parts. But I just wasn't prepared to enjoy this book as much as I did!
I loved the group of characters that was gathered to rescue Darlington. It was such a great crew with a wonderful rapport and I loved learning deeper into everyone's stories. Gun to my head, I would never have remembered Tripp from Ninth House before this book. Now, though? He's a certified Great Character™ who has a very interesting arc,
Spoiler
one I'm extremely excited to see more of after that fucking cliffhanger! Leigh's just knocking it out of the park with these end of book cliffhangers in this series, gang.It's not a spoiler to say I was delighted to have more Darlington in a way in this book, but also more of Alex being more sure of herself without him, in preparing to save him. She was a genuinely dour, depressing character to be with in the first book, so the fact that she spends a lot less time feeling sorry for herself in this book and a lot more time doing something about her situation really pulled a lot of weight.
I'm strangely very excited to read whatever comes next and I never thought I would be saying that going into this book! All in all, an extremely pleasant surprise with a wonderful promise for more? I'm so in. Just please don't take so long between books this time, Leigh, please! I'm actually looking forward to the follow-up this time!
yaramarie's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Gosh I love Alex, my new Manon for real. I just really care for these characters. And when I found out Trip and Darlington were still somewhat okay I was so relieved. And I’m happy Turner had such a large part in this book, I really like his chemistry with Alex.
Which leads me to the love triangle I made up in my own head. I want to see some Darlington and Alex smut, I’m not going to lie. The physical attraction there is tangible and they would be so hot together. But I just think Turner and Alex would be so good for each other. I don’t really see it happening but I wouldn’t complain if it did.
I had the same problem with hell bent that I did with ninth house. Where the beginning and ending were so strong I just wanted to keep reading but the middle didn’t really hold my interest. As well as how graphic Leigh Bardugo writes scenes which is a blessing and a curse. I didn’t really need that Bobbit scene, it made me so angry.
I am happy everyone is safe, I stopped reading before they went to hell the first time because I was just so scared they wouldn’t make it and I’m so glad they all did. I for sure thought Tripp wasn’t going to make it (which in some ways he didn’t). I liked how Hellie was incorporated in the book in some way, I think it might’ve given Alex more closure.
In the next book:
- I really want to learn more about who and what Alex actually is
- As well as about Linus Reiter
- And Tripps new vampire life
- I want to see Dawes and Turner have succes in their careers
- I want to see steamy Alex x Darlington scenes
- I want a slow burn romance between Alex and Abel (I mean come on even their names go together)
- I want Hellie to be in this book in some way as well
- I think Lauren might find out about the magic through Mercy
- I think Linus Reiter might get a low-key redemption arc
- I think Alex might become the new queen of the underworld
- I want to know why Darlington is swearing himself to Alex, and what he knows that we do not
- And I want him to finally put his head between her thighs
And I think that is a beautiful note to leave this review on
Gosh I love Alex, my new Manon for real. I just really care for these characters. And when I found out Trip and Darlington were still somewhat okay I was so relieved. And I’m happy Turner had such a large part in this book, I really like his chemistry with Alex.
Which leads me to the love triangle I made up in my own head. I want to see some Darlington and Alex smut, I’m not going to lie. The physical attraction there is tangible and they would be so hot together. But I just think Turner and Alex would be so good for each other. I don’t really see it happening but I wouldn’t complain if it did.
I had the same problem with hell bent that I did with ninth house. Where the beginning and ending were so strong I just wanted to keep reading but the middle didn’t really hold my interest. As well as how graphic Leigh Bardugo writes scenes which is a blessing and a curse. I didn’t really need that Bobbit scene, it made me so angry.
I am happy everyone is safe, I stopped reading before they went to hell the first time because I was just so scared they wouldn’t make it and I’m so glad they all did. I for sure thought Tripp wasn’t going to make it (which in some ways he didn’t). I liked how Hellie was incorporated in the book in some way, I think it might’ve given Alex more closure.
In the next book:
- I really want to learn more about who and what Alex actually is
- As well as about Linus Reiter
- And Tripps new vampire life
- I want to see Dawes and Turner have succes in their careers
- I want to see steamy Alex x Darlington scenes
- I want a slow burn romance between Alex and Abel (I mean come on even their names go together)
- I want Hellie to be in this book in some way as well
- I think Lauren might find out about the magic through Mercy
- I think Linus Reiter might get a low-key redemption arc
- I think Alex might become the new queen of the underworld
- I want to know why Darlington is swearing himself to Alex, and what he knows that we do not
- And I want him to finally put his head between her thighs
And I think that is a beautiful note to leave this review on