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natalieyanka's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
fangslibris's review
4.0
So fun! Predictable and a bit light on world building, but I had a good time reading it.
Biggest complaint is that I really hate Mal. That guy is just the worst.
Biggest complaint is that I really hate Mal. That guy is just the worst.
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
3.0
Almost a bit too fast paced, but I still enjoyed it. It’s no secret that YA fantasies typically don’t wow me so I’m not surprised that I gave this an average rating, but I thought the characters were interesting. I’m hoping I like the other two books in the series a bit more, but for an early 2010s book in a genre I don’t usually like, I’m pretty satisfied.
hearts4bon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
fflur_jones's review against another edition
3.0
Tried and tested YA formula - felt a little predictable. Not a massive fan of one POV first person narration, not helped by the fact Alina was incredibly bland (classic I'm very special trope). The world building was cool though!
ame3_33's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Una buona introduzione al mondo Grisha. Mi piace lo stile di scrittura, non mi è dispiaciuta la narrazione in prima persona, mi ricorda molto Hunger Games. Per ora non mi ha presa molto, non me ne sono innamorata alla follia, ma di certo leggerò il prossimo libro.
fantasynovel's review against another edition
4.0
Read this in one 3-hr sitting this morning. LOVED it. What can I say? I love those YA fantasy tropes, and Leigh Bardugo hit a bunch without beating them in with a hammer. Main character with a really cool power? You bet. Main character who has to work r e a l l y hard to master her power? YOU BET! Petty pretty mean girls . . . unfortunately. Gorgeous girl who isn't ohmygawd a totes evil bitch for liking pretty things? Hello, Genya! Also, I love, love, love Russian novels, and I loved the Russian feel of the book. It's not nearly as complex as the actual Imperial Russia was, but most YA books fantasy books based on real countries aren't nearly as complex. Also, a bunch of problems would be overcome by the equivalent of Alina clapping her hands and believing in fairies, which I think was a weak way out.
But the characters, tho!!! I know a bunch of ppl didn't really like Alina, and there was definitely shit she did that I didn't like. Marie and Nadia didn't seem that bad, but Alina was judging them way harshly. But Alina was a fun narrator, and there was just so much trope-y goodness going on. Usually I forking hate love triangles, but this one was bearable bc its ending was so obvious. And I love those plots that are like "struggle between going and evil."
And the Unsea (a way scarier name than the Fold, BTW) was the coolest shit ever. Unfortunately, the coolest shit ever only appeared in the very beginning and very end of the book. The middle was chill with no thrill. She just went to an uninteresting boarding school for Grisha's for a while. And I think that magical boarding schools are the coolest things every, so I don't know why this one couldn't be cooler. There was just so much . . . filler. Hopefully the second book with have more Unsea and less Uni.
But the characters, tho!!! I know a bunch of ppl didn't really like Alina, and there was definitely shit she did that I didn't like. Marie and Nadia didn't seem that bad, but Alina was judging them way harshly. But Alina was a fun narrator, and there was just so much trope-y goodness going on. Usually I forking hate love triangles, but this one was bearable bc its ending was so obvious. And I love those plots that are like "struggle between going and evil."
And the Unsea (a way scarier name than the Fold, BTW) was the coolest shit ever. Unfortunately, the coolest shit ever only appeared in the very beginning and very end of the book. The middle was chill with no thrill. She just went to an uninteresting boarding school for Grisha's for a while. And I think that magical boarding schools are the coolest things every, so I don't know why this one couldn't be cooler. There was just so much . . . filler. Hopefully the second book with have more Unsea and less Uni.
litliz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Toxic friendship, War, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Animal death, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Violence, Stalking, Torture, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Confinement, Classism, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
samirasreads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
4.0
RE–READ.
4 STARS.
When I read this book for the first time, a year or so ago, one of my biggest issues with it was that I found it dragging in the middle. I’m not sure if I was falling into a slump at that time or if it was because it was a re-read, but this time I read the book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I found the book humorous, and also gained a new appreciation for the relationships between the characters. Leigh Bardugo’s ability to write compelling and complex and interesting characters is something that I hadn’t seen previously.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
I remember reading through the book for the first time, and finding Alina a bit bland but I was able to see the intended character this time. She is a person who wants to do good, but isn’t sure how to do it AND she doesn’t know who to trust. Her background provided a good reason as to why she was looking to be what everyone else expected from her, and especially why she was quickly bewitched by the Darkling.
Speaking of him, Bardugo’s ability to make villains likeable is something to be studied. Even though I knew the truth about his character and how horrible he was, I found that I was still excited to read about him.
SPOILERS END!
To sum it up, I would like my own Malyen Oretsev — who deserves so much more love from the reading community. :)
4 STARS.
When I read this book for the first time, a year or so ago, one of my biggest issues with it was that I found it dragging in the middle. I’m not sure if I was falling into a slump at that time or if it was because it was a re-read, but this time I read the book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I found the book humorous, and also gained a new appreciation for the relationships between the characters. Leigh Bardugo’s ability to write compelling and complex and interesting characters is something that I hadn’t seen previously.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
I remember reading through the book for the first time, and finding Alina a bit bland but I was able to see the intended character this time. She is a person who wants to do good, but isn’t sure how to do it AND she doesn’t know who to trust. Her background provided a good reason as to why she was looking to be what everyone else expected from her, and especially why she was quickly bewitched by the Darkling.
Speaking of him, Bardugo’s ability to make villains likeable is something to be studied. Even though I knew the truth about his character and how horrible he was, I found that I was still excited to read about him.
SPOILERS END!
To sum it up, I would like my own Malyen Oretsev — who deserves so much more love from the reading community. :)