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sophie_at_morning_daylight's review against another edition
4.0
I am not sure on my thoughts of this trilogy so far. . .
The books are of a decent length, and I appreciate and enjoy that they are not as long as other fantasy novels. However, even with fewer words I feel sometimes the plot can drag on the slow parts of the book. Slower parts were better handled in this book 'Siege and Storm' than the first book 'Shadow and Bone'. I find often authors struggle to understand there can be months of tedious training sessions or planning or waiting and still events can take place to do with and move the plot, rather than going back and forth.
This book was a stark improvement from Leigh Bardugo's first 'Shadow and Bone' (I did rate Shadow and Bone 4 stars as well, because first books tend to have a more concise plot, even if in the middle it was somewhat lacking). The plot takes place at sea, on foreign lands and explores more of Os Alta. Alina Starkov's journey has drastically changed and shes is now facing many challenges but most disturbing and present is the inner turmoil or the darkness inside her and who she really is. Great character dynamics between Alina and Mal play out and truly represent how she changes throughout the book. There are also more characters to contend with and most don't feel placed there just for the sake of it or to bring minor thoughts in the plot but hold their own story and purpose. The writing isn't some complex masterpiece but it mostly suffices for a short - mostly action packed - YA fantasy.
I realised a MASSIVE piece of plot that was hinted and can now only be explored in the last book 'Ruin and Rising'. I was daydreaming and a thought of a scene pages back randomly came to mind. My consciousness didn't even have time to process that my brain was putting the pieces together and I bolted upright as the realisation came, grabbing the book to reread the scene. This is huge and I don't know the wider picture and how everything works and will play out but I get the striking point and I'm excited and scared.
The books are of a decent length, and I appreciate and enjoy that they are not as long as other fantasy novels. However, even with fewer words I feel sometimes the plot can drag on the slow parts of the book. Slower parts were better handled in this book 'Siege and Storm' than the first book 'Shadow and Bone'. I find often authors struggle to understand there can be months of tedious training sessions or planning or waiting and still events can take place to do with and move the plot, rather than going back and forth.
This book was a stark improvement from Leigh Bardugo's first 'Shadow and Bone' (I did rate Shadow and Bone 4 stars as well, because first books tend to have a more concise plot, even if in the middle it was somewhat lacking). The plot takes place at sea, on foreign lands and explores more of Os Alta. Alina Starkov's journey has drastically changed and shes is now facing many challenges but most disturbing and present is the inner turmoil or the darkness inside her and who she really is. Great character dynamics between Alina and Mal play out and truly represent how she changes throughout the book. There are also more characters to contend with and most don't feel placed there just for the sake of it or to bring minor thoughts in the plot but hold their own story and purpose. The writing isn't some complex masterpiece but it mostly suffices for a short - mostly action packed - YA fantasy.
I realised a MASSIVE piece of plot that was hinted and can now only be explored in the last book 'Ruin and Rising'. I was daydreaming and a thought of a scene pages back randomly came to mind. My consciousness didn't even have time to process that my brain was putting the pieces together and I bolted upright as the realisation came, grabbing the book to reread the scene. This is huge and I don't know the wider picture and how everything works and will play out but I get the striking point and I'm excited and scared.
creative_dallas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.5
isabelroper's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
2.75
a_kira'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? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sbhumphreys's review against another edition
4.0
I wouldn’t say this is the perfect book, but I did enjoy it. I might switch my rating to 3 stars? But overall I think it comes down to personal taste. This book is well written, the plot is coherent and interesting, and it starts to explore the darker sides of the characters and story. The twists feel realistic/believable and not just thrown in. I was going to avoid spoilers, but I think the first “twist” of immediate capture really set the tone for helplessness, futile resistance, etc. I’ve seen a lot of complaints about just cutting the first part of the book, but I like my stories having some turns. Who wants a straight path? It is YA, so I understand why it doesn’t go full dark, but I sort of wish it would? Again, overall I really liked it and thought it was well written.
I am creeped out by how much people love the darkling, but that’s not the book’s fault. Seriously y’all. He’s *several centuries her senior.* He’s a creep. And I think both books so far make that very clear lol we do love a good villain I guess
I am creeped out by how much people love the darkling, but that’s not the book’s fault. Seriously y’all. He’s *several centuries her senior.* He’s a creep. And I think both books so far make that very clear lol we do love a good villain I guess
yrahmed28's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️ 1. Holy shit 2. Thank you Nikolai Lantsov for your existence
meggriffin88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? No
4.0
clobee's review against another edition
3.0
why does every man alive want to marry alina in this book?
there was a significant lack of baghra content in here. it gets points up for the david, nikolai, tolya and tamar content - they carried.
also, i cannot deal with this fucker mal for another book; someone end his ass rn.
there was a significant lack of baghra content in here. it gets points up for the david, nikolai, tolya and tamar content - they carried.
also, i cannot deal with this fucker mal for another book; someone end his ass rn.
mikitius_arkensaw's review against another edition
2.0
This is undoubtedly one of the most boring fantasy books I have read.
Just... nothing happens between pages 51-380 or so. The plottwist at the end made me feel like this was just a waste of time and... ugh.
But I liked the new character, Nikolai, who was undoubtedly the best part of this book. I can't honestly wait to finish the trilogy to get to read King of Scars.
Just... nothing happens between pages 51-380 or so. The plottwist at the end made me feel like this was just a waste of time and... ugh.
But I liked the new character, Nikolai, who was undoubtedly the best part of this book. I can't honestly wait to finish the trilogy to get to read King of Scars.