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soffi_ramirez's Reviews (186)
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was a little disappointed by this book. Even though I always manage my expectations with YA books, given the fact that I'm not the target audicence by my age but I greatly enjoy them anyway, this book let me down a lot. And that is because it had great potential.
The concepts explored in this book are great. The curse that Tamsin have, the magic system with these "sources", how different sources and witches approach magic were great. The characterization of both main characters was also really well establish, to their detriment. I'll explain why all of this was detrimental to the book.
The book felt too short for what it was aiming and that was my issue. Tamsin and Wren were good main characters, with a dynamic that I'd have loved if the book took its time with it. But it felt very shallow, rushed and not very believable; the baggage that both these girls were carrying with them was so well grounded that it felt too fast how they started to bond, even under dire circumstances. These concepts weren't explored enough to give me satisfaction. It was like "here are this cool things, but we don't have enough pages to talk much about them" and that made especially the middle part of the book boring. The writing also struggle with that. Sometimes things happened and they were so out of nowhere that took me out of the book and made me wonder if I just skipped a paragraph or something. That made me feel the worldbuilding really clumsy.
For my other big issue, I'll leave it as a spoiler:
The main "antagonist" was really underwhelming. I hope it wasn't the intention to surprise us that it was Marlena, because it felt really evindet from the beginning. The predictability is usually not an issue for me, because I like to see how we arrive there, and not the destination in itself. However, I feel the author took more time fleshing her out as a character and her motive than the actions in itself. I liked her resentment towards Tamsin and I like that by the end, she wasn't ready to forgive her. It was the highlight for me, because it speaks volumes on how hard these matters are and how is not easy to forgive someone, even if it is someone you used to love. But the way we got to her felt too easy, the steaks didn't feel high and even though the fight was kinf of cool, it felt like it was really hyped up during the book to just two or three chapters. The chase wasn't thrilling and I feel it is because the facing her was too short. If she had been more present as her present self, not just her diary entries, it'd have given her more chance to develop as an antagonist and exploit all that characterization that she had. Same as before, there was a lot that wasn't used in the end for me.
For the good: even though I didn't like how rushed the relationship felt, I still knew and wanted for the romance tothrive. Again, fascinating concepts. The way Wren, as a source, described magic was beautiful. Those were my favourite paragraphs, because I could basically feel what she was feeling, see and hear and taste what she was in that moment. It made me wonder and marvel at how rich this world could have been, given more pages to be created with more pacience. Also, for a character without any prior knowledge like Tamsin regarding magic, her ignorance didn't feel bothersome or annoying. I was in Wren's shoes and even though there was (logically) a lot of exposition, I liked how not absolutely everything was explained. The diary was a nice touch and I was intrigued everytime I noticed a new entry came.
If you like magic, it may be an okay book. However, it may also feel a little disappointing like it felt to me. I'd say it was a quick read that midly entretained me for a while, so that is why I up to 3 stars and didn't leave it in 2 stars.
Having not read the first trilogy, but having watched the Netflix show, I dived into this world with that knowldege and it was pretty enough in my opinion.
I love this book. I love the characters, which clearly are the heart and soul of this story, but I also liked how we explored something other than Ravka. For me, heist stories are quite tricky since I'm not sure if the author will be able to keep the steaks high while executing a complex, but believable plan. I thought I would be drawn to the trio of Inej, Kaz and Jesper, which were my favourite from the series, but I found really caring for Matthias, Nina and Wylan.
The exploration of trauma is so awesome too. I can't talk about it without major spoilers, so:
I was really impressed with Kaz's exploration of trauma. How strong it was depicted, I was afraid it wouldn't be compelling or believable, but it truly was. And the extent on how it affected Kaz and his relationships, especially with Inej, broke my heart. The other thing that came out of nowhere for me but I was like "omg that's so COOL" was the fact that Jesper is a Fabrikator. I never saw it coming but it make sense and how it later affected him when he had to attack and probably kill those Tidemakers. Wow. Nina's reaction to the Ice Court, the pyres and the latent fear she feels is extremely upsetting, and Inej's trauma regarding the Menagerie and her little revenge on Heleen when stealing her diamond necklace was so rewarding, as well as her new purpose.
I'm happy to have Crooked Kingdom already, because I'll definetely jump it right away. I love this story and this characters and the ending of Six of Crows leaves you right there to dive in the next entry.
I love this book. I love the characters, which clearly are the heart and soul of this story, but I also liked how we explored something other than Ravka. For me, heist stories are quite tricky since I'm not sure if the author will be able to keep the steaks high while executing a complex, but believable plan. I thought I would be drawn to the trio of Inej, Kaz and Jesper, which were my favourite from the series, but I found really caring for Matthias, Nina and Wylan.
The exploration of trauma is so awesome too. I can't talk about it without major spoilers, so:
I'm happy to have Crooked Kingdom already, because I'll definetely jump it right away. I love this story and this characters and the ending of Six of Crows leaves you right there to dive in the next entry.
I have no words to describe how much I loved this book. SoC and CK are a great duology, that was entretaining and very clever and with great characters. I love the main 6 so much, I love their character development, I love Ketterdam and I sure not want to live there, but that's the point.
I can't say anything without spoiling, but if you think SoC is good, CK is a great ending for this duology.
Now, spoilers:
WE WERE SUPPOSED TO LIVE! ALL OF US! When Matthias died, I was like... you're joking ,right? RIGHT? NINA BRING THIS BOY BACK. And she couldn't and he died after a beautiful character development and I was so angry and sad, but then after everything that happened, it make sense not all of them survived. BUT STILL. CHAPTER 40 RIPPED MY HEART OUT WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. There are so many things that I want to talk about, but I'll put some bullet points just mentioning them, because my heart is not ready and no one is ready for my rambling. So:
- Nina's new Grisha power. She's is fucking OP.
- Kanej gives me life.
- INEJ'S PARENTS. KAZ I FUCKING LOVE YOU BUT AAAAAAAAAA HOW DID YOU LEFT IT THERE, I CAN'T BREATHE NOW
- Wylan baby I love you
- Jesper baby I love you and your dad
- KAZ FUCKING OWNING PER HASKELL
- Pekka Rollin's last chapter: it was the most realistic shit ever. A total: fuck this shit I'm out
So yeah, I love this duology. Thanks, Leigh Bardugo.
I can't say anything without spoiling, but if you think SoC is good, CK is a great ending for this duology.
Now, spoilers:
- Nina's new Grisha power. She's is fucking OP.
- Kanej gives me life.
- INEJ'S PARENTS. KAZ I FUCKING LOVE YOU BUT AAAAAAAAAA HOW DID YOU LEFT IT THERE, I CAN'T BREATHE NOW
- Wylan baby I love you
- Jesper baby I love you and your dad
- KAZ FUCKING OWNING PER HASKELL
- Pekka Rollin's last chapter: it was the most realistic shit ever. A total: fuck this shit I'm out
So yeah, I love this duology. Thanks, Leigh Bardugo.
Don't ever talk to me or my 6 magical children or my two gay dads or my sassy sprite
5/5 warms to the heart
5/5 warms to the heart
Edit 07/06/21: Okay, after sleeping on it, my final rating is 4.5/5
Edit 06/13/22: I lowered down to 4. I still like it and recommend it a lot tho!
Still very happy with this book. Madeline Miller's prose is beautiful without being too adorned. Even though you basically have the spoilers from the beginning if you know the Achilles myth, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from Patroclus point of view. The only thing that it took that half star from me is the fact that during the 10 years Trojan war, Patroclus read a lot like a damsel in distress. He wasn't a soldier, yes, but he was a skilled medic and the men respected him a lot. It was touched, but not enough for me. But other than that, I loved this completely and would totally recommend.
Don't know if this last comment is spoiler, so just in case: Pyrrhus you little piece of shit. I hate you.
I still need to keep processing what this story meant to me, but what I can say right now is that The Song of Achilles made me fall all over again for Greek Mythology and made me love a small character like Patroclus.
Edit 06/13/22: I lowered down to 4. I still like it and recommend it a lot tho!
Still very happy with this book. Madeline Miller's prose is beautiful without being too adorned. Even though you basically have the spoilers from the beginning if you know the Achilles myth, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from Patroclus point of view. The only thing that it took that half star from me is the fact that during the 10 years Trojan war, Patroclus read a lot like a damsel in distress. He wasn't a soldier, yes, but he was a skilled medic and the men respected him a lot. It was touched, but not enough for me. But other than that, I loved this completely and would totally recommend.
Don't know if this last comment is spoiler, so just in case: Pyrrhus you little piece of shit. I hate you.
I still need to keep processing what this story meant to me, but what I can say right now is that The Song of Achilles made me fall all over again for Greek Mythology and made me love a small character like Patroclus.
I overall like it. I bought this in an impulse, since I'm also a chemistry PhD student who struggles mentally, though of course our situations are very different. It is very raw, very personal, so it might not be for everyone. The writing is interesting, not my favourite, but it didn't bother me much.
However, the ending was a little what? for me. Did she try to go back with Eric or did she heal enough to be able to move on when she wrote him?
What a book.
I'll say something really brief, otherwise I'd make this too long to be of use to anyone.
This begins as the story of Rin. However, even if we follow Rin, this stops being only her story. This becomes the story of the Nikada and the horrors and trauma for war. This is a powerful story and you need to be prepared for that. But once you feel prepared, you will never regret reading this.
I'll say something really brief, otherwise I'd make this too long to be of use to anyone.
This begins as the story of Rin. However, even if we follow Rin, this stops being only her story. This becomes the story of the Nikada and the horrors and trauma for war. This is a powerful story and you need to be prepared for that. But once you feel prepared, you will never regret reading this.