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wee_ramekin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Torture, Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
ronan_lesh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual assault
blume13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Genocide and Torture
Minor: Sexual harassment
elenamarmiroli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Questo libro mi è piaciuto, ma non in modo eccessivo, probabilmente a causa della protagonista a cui faccio difficoltà a connettermi e del personaggio di Mal, che soprattutto verso la fine non riuscivo quasi a tollerare.
A parte ciò ho trovato la storia interessante, anche se leggermente tendente al lento, e il mondo interessante.
La parte migliore dell'opera è stata però il finale, che mi ha fatto alzare il voto complessivo e mi ha fatto domandare perché l'opera non potesse essere più simile ad esso.
A parte ciò ho trovato la storia interessante, anche se leggermente tendente al lento, e il mondo interessante.
La parte migliore dell'opera è stata però il finale, che mi ha fatto alzare il voto complessivo e mi ha fatto domandare perché l'opera non potesse essere più simile ad esso.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
princess_azula's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence
kaiulanilee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.0
Book two down!
On the whole I enjoyed this so much more than the first. The characters were much more enjoyable and filled out, the writing was much less up and down for me, and it kept me much more engaged throughout. Nikolai, Tolya and Tamar have to be some of my favorite characters in the series and I enjoyed every moment with them. This book really solidified itself as a fantasy novel/part of a series that has its own unique charms whereas I felt with the first book it was a bit too trope heavy and felt too similar to other fantasy novels I’ve read. I really like how much more Leigh Bardugo addressed the class issues and politics of the world as opposed to simply touching on it. The novella at the end that focuses on Genya completely tore my heart out and I felt it was context for her character that was really needed, despite the fact that I wished it hadn’t come in the form of a simple novella at the end.
My main issues with the book lay mostly with moments where writing simply felt too melodramatic or where things that happened felt quite rushed (one being Alina’s extremely quick transition to being confident as a leader). On the whole though, the writing improved a TON. I do find myself getting quite bored with the consistent love triangle/jealousy trope going on and while I understand that people enjoy that type of story, it feels a little bit unnecessary when I personally would prefer more having to do with the politics, adventure and other characters. That being said, I thought that the dynamics of the relationships were much more enjoyable to read in this book so it’s not a huge issue.
My only other critique is a small one but has to do with being identified by his “dark skin”. I’m wondering whether he’s quite literally the only POC in this series (or in this part of the world maybe?) to the point where he would be identified by that or if he simply has the darkest skin there. I feel like Leigh Bardugo simply threw that in as a way to make it canon that there were in fact POC in the books but instead it just feels like he’s the only one? Or the only major enough to have a descriptor of his looks used. I think this was more of a carelessness error but regardless it caught my attention and thought it should be mentioned. I’m hoping this gets better in later books and I know the Netflix cast is completely different from how people are described in the books, for the most part, so i feel better about that but still, I wish more thought had went into this. Most of the characters who were described physically in any way had some mention of blonde hair or blue eyes or something along those lines that is usually thought of to be a white feature so it felt a little jarring to hear someone being described as “dark-skinned” when it seems he was the only one (so far) to have any mention that would point to him not being white. I hope the future books do better in this regard.
On the whole I enjoyed this so much more than the first. The characters were much more enjoyable and filled out, the writing was much less up and down for me, and it kept me much more engaged throughout. Nikolai, Tolya and Tamar have to be some of my favorite characters in the series and I enjoyed every moment with them. This book really solidified itself as a fantasy novel/part of a series that has its own unique charms whereas I felt with the first book it was a bit too trope heavy and felt too similar to other fantasy novels I’ve read. I really like how much more Leigh Bardugo addressed the class issues and politics of the world as opposed to simply touching on it. The novella at the end that focuses on Genya completely tore my heart out and I felt it was context for her character that was really needed, despite the fact that I wished it hadn’t come in the form of a simple novella at the end.
My main issues with the book lay mostly with moments where writing simply felt too melodramatic or where things that happened felt quite rushed (one being Alina’s extremely quick transition to being confident as a leader). On the whole though, the writing improved a TON. I do find myself getting quite bored with the consistent love triangle/jealousy trope going on and while I understand that people enjoy that type of story, it feels a little bit unnecessary when I personally would prefer more having to do with the politics, adventure and other characters. That being said, I thought that the dynamics of the relationships were much more enjoyable to read in this book so it’s not a huge issue.
My only other critique is a small one but has to do with being identified by his “dark skin”. I’m wondering whether he’s quite literally the only POC in this series (or in this part of the world maybe?) to the point where he would be identified by that or if he simply has the darkest skin there. I feel like Leigh Bardugo simply threw that in as a way to make it canon that there were in fact POC in the books but instead it just feels like he’s the only one? Or the only major enough to have a descriptor of his looks used. I think this was more of a carelessness error but regardless it caught my attention and thought it should be mentioned. I’m hoping this gets better in later books and I know the Netflix cast is completely different from how people are described in the books, for the most part, so i feel better about that but still, I wish more thought had went into this. Most of the characters who were described physically in any way had some mention of blonde hair or blue eyes or something along those lines that is usually thought of to be a white feature so it felt a little jarring to hear someone being described as “dark-skinned” when it seems he was the only one (so far) to have any mention that would point to him not being white. I hope the future books do better in this regard.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Fatphobia, Genocide, Gun violence, Grief, and Suicide attempt
ceilidhwilliams's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Torture, Kidnapping, and Murder
theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Going into this sequel, I had low expectations. Not because I thought it would be terrible, but because I wanted to be extra pleased if it was extraordinary. I was really happy with the fact that it didn't have "middle book syndrome" in the slightest.
This story picks up immediately where the first left off, which made it easy to get into. There's very little lag on the world-building in this trilogy and I sincerely appreciate that. I want to be immersed and fully aware of my surroundings when reading a book like this. Bardugo does an excellent job of being detailed without explaining too much so that you're surprised when you need to be but also not confused about what's happening or why.
My friend described these characters as nesting dolls and I can understand why. They're little onions, with lots of layers and each time you think you've gotten them figured out, they show a new side to themselves that has you intrigued and wanting more.
I hate Mal. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but I don't really care. I hated him in the first book and I hate him even more now. He's manipulative, whiny, and childish. He makes Alina feel bad for things outside of her control and doesn't treat her as any kind of equal - suddenly interested in her when she came into power. Some might think The Darkling is the toxic one, but at least he displays his toxicity on his sleeve. Mal hides it beneath a "soft" exterior. Bleh.
This story didn't lack anything, in my opinion. I'm just looking forward to the finale book even more now!
This story picks up immediately where the first left off, which made it easy to get into. There's very little lag on the world-building in this trilogy and I sincerely appreciate that. I want to be immersed and fully aware of my surroundings when reading a book like this. Bardugo does an excellent job of being detailed without explaining too much so that you're surprised when you need to be but also not confused about what's happening or why.
My friend described these characters as nesting dolls and I can understand why. They're little onions, with lots of layers and each time you think you've gotten them figured out, they show a new side to themselves that has you intrigued and wanting more.
I hate Mal. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but I don't really care. I hated him in the first book and I hate him even more now. He's manipulative, whiny, and childish. He makes Alina feel bad for things outside of her control and doesn't treat her as any kind of equal - suddenly interested in her when she came into power. Some might think The Darkling is the toxic one, but at least he displays his toxicity on his sleeve. Mal hides it beneath a "soft" exterior. Bleh.
This story didn't lack anything, in my opinion. I'm just looking forward to the finale book even more now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Body horror and Torture
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.0
Unfortunately, I think this book suffers from second book syndrome. I had a hard time staying focused by the end, but maybe that's because I'm in the mood to read more YA queer rom-coms. Anyway! There are a lot of characters introduced in this book, which makes it difficult to follow at times.
Of course, there's still a cliffhanger ending which means I'll definitely be reading the third book. And still watching the show! I have hopes that the third book will make up for the issues in the second one. Interested in seeing how this all plays out!
Of course, there's still a cliffhanger ending which means I'll definitely be reading the third book. And still watching the show! I have hopes that the third book will make up for the issues in the second one. Interested in seeing how this all plays out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Torture and Toxic relationship
a_novaturient_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence