The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
tewkie2000's review
2.0
FRTC… first impressions: I felt very much the same with KOS. Powerful characters, ok plot, but pacing and organization needed some work. I’d only really suggest this to Grishaverse fans; people who enjoyed her previous books and need more. Otherwise, meh, skip both this and KOS.
Bardugo is good at creating memorable characters and developing relationships that really make you emotional. Jesus. I always liked how she ties in and cross-overs plot lines and characters from her other series. There’s a sentimental value to that. It’s there in ROW so you won’t be disappointed by that.
I was trying to put my finger on why it dragged on for so long. I think it was how the story and chapters were organized. Right when I’d really get in to one characters POV the chapter would end. It was unsatisfying. I think this is part of the reason it took me so long because then I had to build up interest for a different character all over again. So it became draining and the book was already long anyway. The flow and the pacing didn’t work until the end. Same experience as KOS.
Yes yes, Hanne blah blah; I’m glad Nina was able to move on and be happy…but it’s not the same. I will not stop loving and rooting for the ship that is N + M.
Final Rating: Mediocre Mal he's hot and we all knew he was the best for Alina in the end... but god damn he's annoying AF.
Credit: @bxromance (watermarked at the bottom)
My Ratings:
⭐= “Feminist King Rhys” Hard pass.
⭐⭐= Mal bleh but better than ⭐️.
⭐⭐⭐= Hawke Liked it but something was off.
⭐⭐⭐⭐= Aidas Oh, intriguing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐= Cardan I have reached nirvana.
Bardugo is good at creating memorable characters and developing relationships that really make you emotional. Jesus.
Spoiler
Legit anytime Matthias comes up in Nina’s storyline, my heart wrenches. Ughhhhh.I was trying to put my finger on why it dragged on for so long. I think it was how the story and chapters were organized. Right when I’d really get in to one characters POV the chapter would end. It was unsatisfying. I think this is part of the reason it took me so long because then I had to build up interest for a different character all over again. So it became draining and the book was already long anyway. The flow and the pacing didn’t work until the end. Same experience as KOS.
Spoiler
ok, I need to get this off my chest: it’s always been about Nina and Matthias for me. Zoya and Nikolai, Alina and Mal, Kaz and Inej have their amazing moments but… I still think these two had the strongest, most beautiful relationship of them all. It kept me going through the Grishaverse after Shadow & Bone (note that I watched the TV series at this point and their characters were the most remarkable out of the cast, imho) Even though Matthias isn’t even physically in this book, when I read something related to them (omg Joran aahhhhh) I tear up. Honestly. Idk why sometimes.Yes yes, Hanne blah blah; I’m glad Nina was able to move on and be happy…but it’s not the same. I will not stop loving and rooting for the ship that is N + M.
Final Rating: Mediocre Mal he's hot and we all knew he was the best for Alina in the end... but god damn he's annoying AF.
Credit: @bxromance (watermarked at the bottom)
My Ratings:
⭐= “Feminist King Rhys” Hard pass.
⭐⭐= Mal bleh but better than ⭐️.
⭐⭐⭐= Hawke Liked it but something was off.
⭐⭐⭐⭐= Aidas Oh, intriguing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐= Cardan I have reached nirvana.
kaleysfullybooked's review against another edition
5.0
Who would’ve thought Zoya would become my favorite character in the entire series? What a badass!
Seriously, read this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Seriously, read this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
thecontrarybookworm's review
4.0
This book was entertaining, although there was a lot of plot going on. The only thing I hated was that
Spoiler
David died.mermads's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
The half star bump is from all the fun cameos and Nina's plotline. This installment felt very fan servicey, but I am a fan who was serviced. So.
The King of Scars duology is my least favorite series in the Grishaverse. It felt like too many plotlines were stuffed into the duology, and that Leigh was trying to shove in the ideas that were left since it's the "last" we'll see these characters in book form.
The half star bump is from all the fun cameos and Nina's plotline. This installment felt very fan servicey, but I am a fan who was serviced. So.
The King of Scars duology is my least favorite series in the Grishaverse. It felt like too many plotlines were stuffed into the duology, and that Leigh was trying to shove in the ideas that were left since it's the "last" we'll see these characters in book form.
shelves_by_sim's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Ravka is vulnerable and with Fjerda intent on war, Nikolai has no choice but to ready his soldiers for battle. But Fjerda's forces are large, they have stronger armies and powerful weapons that Ravka does not stand a chance against. All Nikolai can bring to the table is the element of surprise, and if that fails, Ravka will no longer be.
Zoya is still dealing with what she went through on the Fold. Seeing proof that the Saints are real, fighting one, killing a friend for power and watching as her worst nightmare is brought back to life, well, that can take a toll on you - even if you're Zoya Nazyalensky. But Zoya has never crumbled, and she still won't. She will fight alongside Nikolai no matter the cost. And when she finally embraces her full power, nothing can stop her.
Deep in Fjerdan territory, Nina Zenik is still undercover. She has secured her place right in the center of Jarl Brum's household and no matter how badly she wishes to end him, she needs to get whatever information she can out of him or Ravka will fall. Brum's daughter is the only thing that keeps her head on straight, even though she would throw it all out the window in order to protect her.
My thoughts:
There was an element in KOS that I didn't particularly enjoy which made me really nervous about this book but OH. MY. GOSH. It blew me away. The plot twists in this book had me reeling! Just when I thought one thing would happen, boom! Switch up!! Lol I couldn't put this book down and I absolutely loved it. There was a part that had my heart breaking though and I have to wonder why Leigh does this sort of thing to characters when the dust has settled instead of in the middle of battle when the stakes are high? But either way, this series, this world, is always thrilling and never seizes to amaze me. I'm hoping for another book!
Thank you for buddy reading this with me bestie, @the_bookbasket, I always have SO much fun! ❤️
Zoya is still dealing with what she went through on the Fold. Seeing proof that the Saints are real, fighting one, killing a friend for power and watching as her worst nightmare is brought back to life, well, that can take a toll on you - even if you're Zoya Nazyalensky. But Zoya has never crumbled, and she still won't. She will fight alongside Nikolai no matter the cost. And when she finally embraces her full power, nothing can stop her.
Deep in Fjerdan territory, Nina Zenik is still undercover. She has secured her place right in the center of Jarl Brum's household and no matter how badly she wishes to end him, she needs to get whatever information she can out of him or Ravka will fall. Brum's daughter is the only thing that keeps her head on straight, even though she would throw it all out the window in order to protect her.
My thoughts:
There was an element in KOS that I didn't particularly enjoy which made me really nervous about this book but OH. MY. GOSH. It blew me away. The plot twists in this book had me reeling! Just when I thought one thing would happen, boom! Switch up!! Lol I couldn't put this book down and I absolutely loved it. There was a part that had my heart breaking though and I have to wonder why Leigh does this sort of thing to characters when the dust has settled instead of in the middle of battle when the stakes are high? But either way, this series, this world, is always thrilling and never seizes to amaze me. I'm hoping for another book!
Thank you for buddy reading this with me bestie, @the_bookbasket, I always have SO much fun! ❤️
littletsundoku's review
5.0
I know that there are lapses in this book but I don't really care. My heart is so full from the scenes in this book, and got me through a reading slump so that's why I'm giving it 5 stars.
I WOULD DIE for Zoya and Nikolai y'all. They are the best couple alongside Kaz and Inej. I love them to death!
I also would've loved it if Leigh should've wrapped the story up in this book but hey, a new book featuring the crows won't be all that bad.
The grishaverse has just hyped me in a way that I can't get enough of it especially after watching the show on netflix and reading this after. If there was a world I'd love to visit, I'd choose this one ❤️
I WOULD DIE for Zoya and Nikolai y'all. They are the best couple alongside Kaz and Inej. I love them to death!
I also would've loved it if Leigh should've wrapped the story up in this book but hey, a new book featuring the crows won't be all that bad.
The grishaverse has just hyped me in a way that I can't get enough of it especially after watching the show on netflix and reading this after. If there was a world I'd love to visit, I'd choose this one ❤️
itsallanoxymoron's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced