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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I really couldn't stand this book. I got about 80% of the way through it and DNF. Apparently not my cup of tea.
THE PLOT WAS ONE OF THE CRAZIEST, MOST WELL WRITTEN AND MIND BOGFLING I'VE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE TO READ HSJSJWJJWJWJQJ ACTUALLY COULD'VE FINISHED IT IN A DAY WDYM??? I DIDN'T THINK I COULD ENJOY FANTASY THIS MUCH (I usually do it's just that this is on a WHOLE other level)
I loved it. I think the new characters are such a great addition and it made me excited for the 3rd one.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a reread for me and honestly: I'm of the opinion that sequels are the worst, and this one takes the cake. It was fortunate that I read this book during a readathon, or otherwise I probably would have slogged through this so slowly. There is very little that happens throughout the majority of this book and I found myself eager to move onto to the next story beat....which didn't occur for another 100 pages.
It's very interesting how as an adult I'm finding YA rereads to be even more difficult to suspend disbelief for. I just can't buy that Alina and Mal are so thick headed to not be able to have a normal conversation about their feelings and problem solve. I'm not patient enough anymore for these teenage shenanigans. Especially when the main character takes very little accountability for anything.
With all of that being said, I'm still enjoying the series if you can believe it. And honestly, it's all for Nikolai at this point. He was and continues to be the King of my heart and I am loyal to him to the end.
C/W: War, death, violent fight scenes
It's very interesting how as an adult I'm finding YA rereads to be even more difficult to suspend disbelief for. I just can't buy that Alina and Mal are so thick headed to not be able to have a normal conversation about their feelings and problem solve. I'm not patient enough anymore for these teenage shenanigans. Especially when the main character takes very little accountability for anything.
With all of that being said, I'm still enjoying the series if you can believe it. And honestly, it's all for Nikolai at this point. He was and continues to be the King of my heart and I am loyal to him to the end.
C/W: War, death, violent fight scenes
adventurous
mysterious
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
I didn't agree with some of the FMC's thoughts and decisions, but I loved the book anyway. It was surprising and intriguing
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Complicated
While much darker than the first book, Shadow and Bone, I personally think this book fell short. To start with the positives, Alina and Mal's relationship in the first chapter is amazing and we see a new bond as if their lives are finally returning to normal. I enjoyed the addition of Tolya and Tamar but I would have liked to see Alina build a stronger relationship with Tamar. Another great addition was Prince Nikolai, but I don't know if it was necessary to give Alina a 3rd love interest.
One character I want to talk about is Mal. Shadow and Bone, was a very likable character, and the reader rooted for him and Alina. In this book, he was possessive, toxic, and greedy. Any time Alina did anything, he clenched his fists and walked away. One example is when he leaned in to kiss Alina and she saw the darkling, he said “You should have stopped me. All the time I was standing there, going on like a fool. If you didn’t want me, you should have just said so.” Then he dared to say “is it Nikolai” when it's Mal's fault for distancing himself from Alina. Mal’s pride was too big to see how hurt she was that he kissed Zoya. Alina had the strength to turn down Nikolai’s kiss, even though she wanted to.
To be honest, if it wasn't for Alina's obsessiveness and Mal’s toxic attitude, this book would be five stars, but it's a 4 for me.
One character I want to talk about is Mal. Shadow and Bone, was a very likable character, and the reader rooted for him and Alina. In this book, he was possessive, toxic, and greedy. Any time Alina did anything, he clenched his fists and walked away. One example is when he leaned in to kiss Alina and she saw the darkling, he said “You should have stopped me. All the time I was standing there, going on like a fool. If you didn’t want me, you should have just said so.” Then he dared to say “is it Nikolai” when it's Mal's fault for distancing himself from Alina. Mal’s pride was too big to see how hurt she was that he kissed Zoya. Alina had the strength to turn down Nikolai’s kiss, even though she wanted to.
To be honest, if it wasn't for Alina's obsessiveness and Mal’s toxic attitude, this book would be five stars, but it's a 4 for me.