furlong101's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
hopett's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
heidimrogers's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series. I'm conflicted about the ending though.
fancypotato1995's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
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
meggles10's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-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
3.5
cloudlg's review against another edition
4.0
solid 4 star book liked it a lot more than the first book and i love Nikolai with all my heart (for now
hanas_library's review against another edition
3.5
*3.5 Stars* I was enjoying this about as much as the first book, but Mal annoyed me so much that he brought it down a little for me. I'm really hoping the final book makes Mal likeable again lol. Also Nikolai is a silly little guy and tbh Alina should just be with him instead lmao. Nikolai and the Darkling are probably my favorite characters so far
amouria's review against another edition
3.0
I’m still having a hard time clicking with Alina, especially in her push for being with Mal. I don’t care for Alina/Mal, which has been my feeling since the end of Shadow and Bone. Plot-wise, the Darkling is a nuisance—creepy ex bf/Voldemort vibes. I’m more invested in his backstory and Morozova’s amplifiers. I wish Alina’s story was independent of the men in the story considering she doesn’t have any close female companions and is mostly surrounded by men. But, finally glad to have characters that I love—Nikolai and the twins. Their addition to the story helped me like this book more than the first.
brinxleyx's review against another edition
4.0
The first half was honestly horrible in my opinion. The pacing felt wrong and I couldn't stand the characters. The second half was SIGNIFICANTLY better, and it resolved my complaints about the first half, including most of my qualms with Alina and Mal. The new characters especially deserve extra praise. I am so obsessed with them