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catmac15'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Murder, Gore, and Sexual harassment
maybefoxtrot'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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Gore
theirgracegrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Confinement, Murder, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Grief, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Torture, and War
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: Alcohol, Animal death, Gun violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Torture, and Physical abuse
therobinjoyce's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Torture, Murder, Mass/school shootings, Gun violence, Grief, Gore, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, and Child death
maegnoche's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Minor: Murder, Toxic relationship, War, and Violence
lavenderbluestories's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death
readwithde'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
4.5
The characters felt even more grounded and real, if that is possible. I'm so used to reading fantasy novels (or watching fantasy) where the heroes constantly fight their flaws and think only of the big picture. It is refreshing to have Alina realize how much she wants power, how much she has obsessed over getting the amplifiers. I love that she is constantly overwhelmed and still full of grudges and emotion; it has been only a year (if that) since she discovered she was a Grisha, and she should be overwhelmed
Even the love triangle (square?) seems real and grounded in the characters:
While a few of my guesses were correct, most of the last hundred pages were a complete and welcome surprise.
I am very intrigued by the Sun Cult led by the Apparat. While in the shadows for most of the book, they proved to be useful allies, not to be overlooked by the Crown or Alina. I was completely unprepared for Tolya and Tamar to be part of it, but I'm excited to see where this will lead. If anything, it's a safe place for Alina to recover from her fight.
And, oh my gosh, what a crazy standoff we had between Alina and The Darkling. They have such a creepy codependent relationship, like a dark fantasy Catherine and Heathcliff, "whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same," that is both enthralling and horrifying. Alina is clever though, and she found a weakness (just as Nikolai taught her, every person has a price), and all the talk of Saints and martyrdom definitely got into her head. Twice she has left him for dead and escaped with Mal, and twice she has been forced into hiding as he survived. I guess third times a charm.
Moderate: Blood, Death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, and War
kathshiroma'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
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Murder, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
asthxte's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Torture, and War