Ok so. The reasons to read this series are: World building, Nikolai, and the Darkling (do not look at me like that I am aware that he is the worst but I have a fucking type). Alina and Mal are incredibly boring and having to be in Alina's head is exhausting. If I didn't love Six of Crows and Nikolai so damn much I probably wouldn't be finishing this series. But the writing is really good and I guess I'm willing to put up with these characters I hate for the minor characters that I love.