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david_slack110507's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I found that this book was much more gripping that the previous one which very much felt like the first book in a trilogy (Not a bad thing but it definitely had that feeling) whereas while the long chapters remain in this one (And I'm assuming in all of Leigh Bardugo's work) I found it much easier and enjoyable to get through as well as it taking me less time. I liked a lot of the new characters the obvious being Nikolai who I feel brought a lot of charm to the novel and his back and forth with Alina was probably one of my favourite parts of the novel. Speaking of Alina, this time around while she still doubts herself and has her insecurities she felt a lot more involved in the action and getting to see her utilise the Cut and her power was nice to see throughout the novel.
I also really liked that we got to see more of the military-type operation and world of the Grishaverse/Ravka and Alina coming into control of the Second Army was really cool to see as it was a nice change of pace to have her decide to fight back against the Darkling (As briefly mentioned above). Tolya and Tamar were also a pretty good addition to the ensemble of characters even if they don't get a lot of backstory or much to do besides protecting Alina.
I can definitely see how some may not like this book as like how I feel with the first book feeling like the first book in a trilogy the same could be said for this one which can definitely feel like the second book and middle-point in a trilogy with its main goal being to set up the 3rd book/conclusion and filling out the rest of time with character dramas and a larger focus on dialogue and development that action (E.g the main real conflicts only come at the beginning and the end and The Darkling remains out of the picture for nearly all of the book aside from the final confrontation and appearing physically to Alina throughout after her nichevo'ya bite)
Overall, I might have the unpopular opinion that I preferred this book to the first and found it to be much more engaging (Perhaps due to the first book having set up everything that the second book could easily and comfortably ease back into the world). I'm planning on trying to finish this series as soon as possible rather than taking a couple of months break in between like I did with this book and the first.
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Death
Moderate: War, Gore, Grief, Stalking, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cursing, Sexual assault, Animal death, Child death, Sexual harassment, and Animal cruelty
prettynerdy3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Bullying, Classism, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, War, Vomit, Child death, Gore, and Murder
noxygens's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Death, Sexual harassment, and Torture
readwithsophsx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, War, Death, Violence, and Gun violence
sxndaze's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Alcohol
sarahek716's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Gore, and Body horror
konstantina'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
3.5
When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable.
This is an unpopular opinion amongst the fandom but I actually enjoyed this more than Shadow and Bone. Preparing for a war is more exciting than going to school, and Nikolai is one of the best characters in the trilogy.
Alina might have some pick me characteristics but she's a likeable and impressive MC, and I'm excited to see what she does at the finale.
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: War, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, and Animal death
Minor: Alcohol and Blood
neko_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
After actually liking shadow and bone I was so disappointed by this book.
So we all know, mal is an asshole in this book but it’s actually justified. Alina completely fails to communicate with him, especially when she starts seeing the darkling, and while I understand why she didn’t tell I still hate it lol.
Now speaking of the romance, nickolai. Great character, love him, but I can’t help thinking that I think he would have been better if he was just sturmhond. Still a very interesting character though and hes great. But I don’t like the romance between him and Alina. The love triangle sucks
Still on the subject of romance, the darkling and Alina, absolutely not. The darkling is a super evil mass murderer and manipulates Alina for what he wants. I will say it again but I mean he also called himself the darkling. If that’s not cringe I don’t know what is.
To me mal and Alina is the only romance of the book, there just needs to be more communication because seriously.
Now the twins. AMAZING CHARACTERS. Their loyalty, their power and skill, just everything. Need I say more?
Now moving onto plot, honestly I wasn’t really interested most the time. It’s pretty meh to me.
Overall an ok book
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship
louise_outthere's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The first book was amazing, I'm kind of disappointed by this one. Still want to read the third one I heard it was way better!
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Body horror, and War
Minor: Sexual content
infjkiki'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
Graphic: Violence, War, Gun violence, and Gore
Minor: Sexual assault