Reviews with content warning for Gore - Sombra y hueso

This was a super quick, super fun read. I enjoyed it a lot. I think it's good that I waited so long after finishing the Six of Crows duology before I started this one, though.
I love Leigh Bardugo's writing style. It was really smooth and engaging, the story didn't drag at any point. I love the Grisha world although I think a little bit more world building and magic training would have made it even better. I hope there will be some more of this in the next books.
What surprised me the most was Alina. I usually don't like chosen ones in YA fantasy books. They tend to whine a lot but Alina is just really funny. I loved her humour, her straight forwardness in most situations. I could relate to her a lot.
I was also surprised that I wasn't annoyed by the romance plot/ "love triangle". I guess it's because Alina ist such a cool character to be in the head of. Everything she did and felt was believable to me.
Also, the Darkling? .... let's call him my guilty pleasure character, my problematic fav. I have so many thoughts on him and I really like him as a character.
When it comes to the story, it was solid. I actually quite enjoyed how straight forward it was. The plot twist ... threw me off a little at first but the more I thought about it the more I was on board with it, because it added a layer to the main themes of the book. And I absolutely loved these. It seems like a 0815 fantasy plot with a chosen one and his (or in this case her) mission to save the world. But it also explores deeper themes like the wish to belong somewhere, to feel wanted. It shows how supressing a major part of you can weaken you. These topics still resonated with me although I'm not really the target audience, because they are important for every age range.
So yeah, I was positively surprised by this book and I can't wait to continue the series.

Content Warnings

eve_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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? It's complicated

3.0

Overall Thoughts:
⁕ This book is SO fast-paced. On one hand, this kept me interested. On the other, it resulted in what felt like rushed and unsubstantial character development.

⁕ I may be judged for this, but the scene with “The Cut” and its consequential explanation was super cheesy and I can no longer take it seriously when that power is used.

⁕ Even though I’ve already read Six of Crows, I wish there was more world-building in this one — especially pertaining to Grisha ranking and politics.

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juxarope's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-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

3.75

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blissofalife's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious 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

4.5

Believable characters and world building, constantly moving plot, a plot twist I should’ve seen coming but chose to ignore because I was hoping it wasn’t the case. Loose ends all tied up or obviously coming into play in the next book. I’m a fan.

Content Warnings

betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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adventurous dark fast-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

3.0

I think this is a great introduction into this world, and there's a lot of information in here that I wish I would have known reading Six of Crows. Plus, with the way that it ended, I need to know what happens next. Good thing I checked out all three from the library!

Content Warnings

oliviadeltufo's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It was an enjoyable read and I was left surprised at the fast pace in the beginning of it. However,the timing in this book turns out to be a bit odd. In reality this book moves quickly but there is awhile where you feel as if the character is stuck in the same routine forever. Only to find out it wasn't very long at all in the scheme of things. It had all of the fantasy world building you could want but I personally found it wasn't very attention grabbing. Overall it was a mediocre read but I will be finishing the series.

I found the Darling to be really disgusting and some of the things he did to Alina and their world unforgiveable. I don't see how anyone could wish them to be together. I highly doubt anything that will come up in the next books will redeem him for me.

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