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onefineelephant's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
6/10. I am only rating this book this high because I like the premise and some of the side characters but I could hardly stand the actual plot and main characters. I am going to go through the small bits I liked and the big bits I disliked.
Likes:
I liked the part when they break out of the underground cathedral. The scene in the kitchen especially is one of the best scenes in all of the books, imo. The journey to the surface was well done and I like most of the times that everyone is together, almost as a family. The scene where they are being cornered in the field and then Nikolai comes and saves them also was very good.
The Spinning Wheel is really cool and I liked that part of the book. I liked how Baghra sacrificed herself so that Alina and them could escape, it seemed badass and fitting. [After they escaped the Spinning Wheel, I liked the book significantly less.] I also liked the epilogue, it seemed very fitting for Alina and Mal and it was good to read that they and the orphans were able to have some joy.
Dislikes:
I can't stand Alina's power-craving sentiments or Mal's self-sacrificing bs. We barely got Nikolai in this book and then he was turned into a monster. Sergei's death really rubs me the wrong way because it makes it seem like people with mental health conditions are better off dead. The Darkling crashing the Spinning Wheel was super jarring to me and it felt like the author didn't know how to move the plot along so she decided to make him attack (even though it doesn't make any logical sense as to how he got all the way to the Spinning Wheel without being noticed). Nikolai becoming a monster doesn't seem logical either, it felt like a device for the author to just get him out of the picture for a while. Also, the big plot twist of how Mal is the third amplifier is honestly nauseating to me, especially how Alina "knew" the firebird wasn't the third amplifier because of how he "told" her. Then Alina freaking stabs Mal and murders him only to have her immediately lose all of her powers and have them transferred to all the non-Grisha in the area. None of the ending battle scene is logical and all of it makes me mad. Mal is somehow resurrected even though it is not explained at all. And then Alina doesn't even need to have any powers let alone all three amplifiers to stab and murder the Darkling simply because they "lost their connection so he didn't see it coming." It was extremely anti-clamactic and Alina showed too much pity and grace toward him. She stayed with him as he died, humored his request of saying his name, and then allowed him to be honored in death with a proper ceremony and no grave. It honestly makes me sick to think that this man who needlessly murdered and maimed hundreds of people because he "loved his country" was comforted during his final moments. He deserved no mercy.
Likes:
I liked the part when they break out of the underground cathedral. The scene in the kitchen especially is one of the best scenes in all of the books, imo. The journey to the surface was well done and I like most of the times that everyone is together, almost as a family. The scene where they are being cornered in the field and then Nikolai comes and saves them also was very good.
The Spinning Wheel is really cool and I liked that part of the book. I liked how Baghra sacrificed herself so that Alina and them could escape, it seemed badass and fitting. [After they escaped the Spinning Wheel, I liked the book significantly less.] I also liked the epilogue, it seemed very fitting for Alina and Mal and it was good to read that they and the orphans were able to have some joy.
Dislikes:
I can't stand Alina's power-craving sentiments or Mal's self-sacrificing bs. We barely got Nikolai in this book and then he was turned into a monster. Sergei's death really rubs me the wrong way because it makes it seem like people with mental health conditions are better off dead. The Darkling crashing the Spinning Wheel was super jarring to me and it felt like the author didn't know how to move the plot along so she decided to make him attack (even though it doesn't make any logical sense as to how he got all the way to the Spinning Wheel without being noticed). Nikolai becoming a monster doesn't seem logical either, it felt like a device for the author to just get him out of the picture for a while. Also, the big plot twist of how Mal is the third amplifier is honestly nauseating to me, especially how Alina "knew" the firebird wasn't the third amplifier because of how he "told" her. Then Alina freaking stabs Mal and murders him only to have her immediately lose all of her powers and have them transferred to all the non-Grisha in the area. None of the ending battle scene is logical and all of it makes me mad. Mal is somehow resurrected even though it is not explained at all. And then Alina doesn't even need to have any powers let alone all three amplifiers to stab and murder the Darkling simply because they "lost their connection so he didn't see it coming." It was extremely anti-clamactic and Alina showed too much pity and grace toward him. She stayed with him as he died, humored his request of saying his name, and then allowed him to be honored in death with a proper ceremony and no grave. It honestly makes me sick to think that this man who needlessly murdered and maimed hundreds of people because he "loved his country" was comforted during his final moments. He deserved no mercy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, War, and Body horror
soph22's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death, War, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Confinement, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
saoreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
I have to take note, especially with the beginning and last parts, where an introductory and ending phase speak of a story about a girl and a boy, like "Once upon a time." It was lovely and memorable. I'm quite satisfied throughout the reading progress as the way it emits and affects emotions really makes you stirred up inside. It amassed plenty of plot twists that continually thickened until that kind of hunger was depleted and finally contentment snuck in gradually.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, War, Blood, Violence, Torture, Cannibalism, Death, and Grief
alltimelion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Grief, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Blood
aliyachaudhry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Drug use, Genocide, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Classism, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Rape, and War
breedawnwriter's review
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Honestly? This was a very satisfying conclusion to the Shadow and Bone trilogy. It dragged a little bit in the middle, but overall it was emotional and beautifully heartbreaking.
Content warning: Sex scene (not overly graphic, but still clear that the two characters are having sex), mentions of rape, violence, blood, and death.
Content warning: Sex scene (not overly graphic, but still clear that the two characters are having sex), mentions of rape, violence, blood, and death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, War, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
lalaylinn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.25
I enjoyed the last book of the trilogy much better than expected. The story had multiple really emotional parts that even made me cry and the plot twist was well done and I did not anticipate it. I personally would have wished for her to end up with somebody else but it makes sense story wise. Great book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
anielabooks's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Overall, this was a great series. I felt very attached to the characters, and I am excited to read the other books inside the grishaverse. Normally, I would get bored with talk of war plans but I think Bardugo did a good job at keeping it interesting. I also loved the ending she gave Alina; It was very heartwarming to see. The plot twists were well done and I hadn’t seen many of them coming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, War, Murder, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, Rape, Suicide, Death of parent, Grief, and Body shaming
Minor: Infidelity, Incest, and Bullying
angelsfw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, War, Murder, Death, Gore, and Violence
bookswstella's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I didn’t get the ”wow-feeling” but it was good! Between all of the three books I liked Siege and Storms the most!
In like the end of Siege and storms I started to wondering whether if I wanted Alina to end up with Mal or Nikolai, and that thought followed me through Ruin and Rising too! I still don’t know if I would have liked it more if Alina ended up with Nikolai.
My favorite character from R&R is definitely Misha!! I adore the the small little moments when Mal is With Misha, especially when Misha is curled up against Mal! Those moments make me like Mal more!
I think all three of these books had pretty long boring parts, like in my opinion the book was kinda only thrilling when it was ”war”. Those boring parts was what didn’t give the triology the ”Wow-feeling”.
But I love the moments where the darkling shows himself vulnerable because that makes him more human which I like.
And I also love that you get to know his real name!
In like the end of Siege and storms I started to wondering whether if I wanted Alina to end up with Mal or Nikolai, and that thought followed me through Ruin and Rising too!
My favorite character from R&R is definitely Misha!! I adore the the small little moments when Mal is With Misha, especially when Misha is curled up against Mal! Those moments make me like Mal more!
I think all three of these books had pretty long boring parts, like in my opinion the book was kinda only thrilling when it was ”war”. Those boring parts was what didn’t give the triology the ”Wow-feeling”.
But I love the moments where the darkling shows himself vulnerable because that makes him more human which I like.
And I also love that you get to know his real name!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Deadnaming, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, and Slavery