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aliciaclarereads's Reviews (1.25k)
So much potential for amazing world building, but this book just falls flat on its face instead.
There's so much to like about this book, but this is very much a first book. I finished it wishing I had been told more. Not in the sense of "wow I can't wait to pick up the next book" (which I will) but more of a confusion, "is that it?" The magic is so fascinating and I love the concept of parallel worlds, but I'm still so confused about how everything worked. The big confrontation at the end was a little underwhelming, and felt like it was rushing just to finish. However, I just read the blurb for the second book and now I am pumped to learn about the international community of Red London. I'm not a fan of when fantasy only addresses a single city or country, and I desperately want to know more about the rest of the world. Fantasy international relations? Yes please.
This is pretty formulaic YA, which I figured out within the first couple chapters. Nothing in this book really surprised me unfortunately. But the world was really interesting, and I wanted to read this before Six of Crows which most reviews seem to think is far superior. (Although I am DESPERATE to learn more about how being a Grisha actually works, how does a country split in half by shadows still function properly, what are the surrounding countries like? After just reading A Darker Shade of Magic, clearly I am desperate for more intricate world building in all my YA fantasy). I think I'll pick up the rest of the trilogy eventually, but I'm in no rush right now.
Also, Alina was pretty generic for most of the novel, but I still liked her. However towards the end, I could not believe she was so judgmental towards Genya (who I really liked, no surprise). It's very clear that the King repeatedly raped Genya, so I was in support of her revenge against a powerful man.
Also, Alina was pretty generic for most of the novel, but I still liked her. However towards the end,
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
Reread in 2021: this is a book that sticks with you because WOW did I love it even more in a reread. I would still die for Nina and Matthias
———
This was a much better book than Shadow and Bone, especially since I read these back to back. Bardugo dropped the first person narration (thank goodness) and working on showing and telling much more. However, I didn't walk away from this as ecstatic as seemingly everyone else on Goodreads. It's a really solid novel with a great cast of characters and rather decently fast paced. But I didn't feel like I understood what was going on until a solid third into the book. I think the problem with a heist story is the author has to selectively tell you information in order to keep you surprised and on your toes. Yet, I called nearly every twist in this story many chapters before it happened. OBVIOUSLY Van Eck was going to betray them. I was yelling at the Kaz when he said they were meeting based on Van Eck's terms... c'mon dude. You're clearly not the clever businessman you pretend to be. Another problem could be the issues I had with Shadow and Bone that I barely understand what's going on in this fantasy world. Bardugo just constantly throws words out there and gives no explanation as to what that actually means! I'm not saying she needs to info dump on me, but what the hell is drüskelle? They're some sort of soldiers, but I feel like I don't actually understand what/who they are.
I do like this book enough to read the sequel, mostly because I cannot find summaries of the second and third books in the Grisha trilogy anywhere and I desperately need to know what happens. Also... Nina and Matthias have stolen my heart.
Also I read a review comparing this to the Lumatere Chronicles, and it felt like such a stab in my heart. Melina Marchetta is such a superior writer.
———
This was a much better book than Shadow and Bone, especially since I read these back to back. Bardugo dropped the first person narration (thank goodness) and working on showing and telling much more. However, I didn't walk away from this as ecstatic as seemingly everyone else on Goodreads. It's a really solid novel with a great cast of characters and rather decently fast paced. But I didn't feel like I understood what was going on until a solid third into the book. I think the problem with a heist story is the author has to selectively tell you information in order to keep you surprised and on your toes. Yet, I called nearly every twist in this story many chapters before it happened. OBVIOUSLY Van Eck was going to betray them. I was yelling at the Kaz when he said they were meeting based on Van Eck's terms... c'mon dude. You're clearly not the clever businessman you pretend to be. Another problem could be the issues I had with Shadow and Bone that I barely understand what's going on in this fantasy world. Bardugo just constantly throws words out there and gives no explanation as to what that actually means! I'm not saying she needs to info dump on me, but what the hell is drüskelle? They're some sort of soldiers, but I feel like I don't actually understand what/who they are.
I do like this book enough to read the sequel, mostly because I cannot find summaries of the second and third books in the Grisha trilogy anywhere and I desperately need to know what happens. Also... Nina and Matthias have stolen my heart.
Also I read a review comparing this to the Lumatere Chronicles, and it felt like such a stab in my heart. Melina Marchetta is such a superior writer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence
Moderate: Slavery, Trafficking