the_pale_woman's Reviews (542)

I don't feel like I fully understand everything that is happening here but I still enjoyed it. The POV is interesting and you really get the sense that your seeing the situation through the lense of the character. Excited to see what happens next.

Awesome. It's entertaining, it's thought provoking, it tests the limits of imagination, it's unique, it's pure science fiction. This has everything I love about the sci-fi genre but at the same time it felt refreshingly modern. Round of applause for Liu Cixin. 👏

I wasn't excited to read the conclusion of this series. The first one was decent but the second was hard to listen to. I did all three as audio but I would recommend against that. Maybe I would have enjoyed this more if there wasn't another layer of annoyance tacked on.

But beyond all that... I don't get it. Why is this so highly rated? Why is this on every booktube list? 

It spends so much time in the character's head just going in circles. You don't learn anything new of the world or the cultures. Characters from previous books are just seemingly jammed in at random to pretend it's wrapping up story lines. The time line of events, past and present, seem inconsistent. It doesn't even try to explore its own magic system anymore. And how are there autonomous drones? You can't add tech like that into a fantasy series like this without explanation. Or use it to its potential. If there were things like that in this world they would use them in war. And not just big air ships.

She keeps talking about an army of Shaman but then when it comes time to actually do that you get three of them? THREE. That is not an army. You have 64 gods in this world but it never feels like that. The north as a region is completely glossed over. You can't add a new culture and magic system then pretend it never existed. At least not in a book that has 4.5 ratings. 
The trio is killed off in the most uninspired and unimaginative way. She pits her enemie against them, they get bombed and it all works out? As the reader your like, they're not dead, but then dude is like "I felt them die"... okay. But its so unbelievable and ridiculous that Rin even goes into a fit about it later because it's doesn't even make sense in the narrative. The only reason this isn't a 1 star review is because she died. I was happy it was over and that she was dead.

So what is it? So why all the hype? Am I supposed to hate the main POV? I don't hate her because she's stupid or because she kills lots of people. I hate bc she's just an unstable teenager and I had to listen to her thoughts for like 70 hours. Stop recommending this series. Just read more. Trust me there are better stories out there.

There are a few parts of this story that bug me but thats bound to happen in a YA. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. There's one plot twist that I approve of...

The prince getting turned into a dark fiend

. and an other plot twist that was annoying

Mal being the third amplifier

The ending was okay... I guess.

They live not that happily ever after. Sad they don't have their powers? Running an orphanage? They just resign to being boring for the rest of time? Not the best ending for a fantasy. Would have been more interesting if Mal was dead or Alina. Or maybe if there was more questions into if she had survived the last battle. Just seemed a little too clean is what I'm saying.

Fantastic! I really liked the first book but this sequel is incredible. I'm surprised it's not more widely praised. It's epic, it has its own voice, the story is thought out and layered, the world is filled with culture and defined characters. What else are you looking for in fantasy? I have high hopes for the next two books in the series. 

I wish Kuni had received more recognition upon his death. Where were the gods? Why would they not show respect for this hero as they did Mata? They talked to him but that's not the same as the show they put on for Mata's funeral.

This is one of those books where none of the characters ever have a satisfying conversation. It's all brooding and loneliness which can get on my nerves occasionally. At least have the POV character do something interesting with their time if you are not going to provide catharsis. Maybe if it had more world lore or something. At least overall the book was a quick easy read. 

Having Mal kiss that Zoya was heartbreaking. On top of that he's not sorry he hurt her, he's glad he got to rub it in her face. Except for the beginning of the story I get the impression that Mal doesn't really want to be around her, let alone protect her. Like if she died he would mourn not for a woman he loved but for having simply failed and having to feel guilty about it. Which makes me think he doesn't really love her. He never really shows it other than through jealousy and snipitz of friendly banter. But isn't having friendly banter with everyone his thing? After all this it would seem forced for them to actually end up happy together at the end. I hope one of them dies. 
An other issue is her "losing" her power at the end. It's the worst, most predictable chosen one challenges. 🙄

Not as good as the first two but a serviceable ending. Slightly disappointed yet mostly satisfied.

I enjoyed how this story went in unexpected directions. It's heavy with foreign languages. And full of references of both the historical and literary variety. I think it was done well but that's not my favorite troupe. I find it portentous and that lowers my enjoyment level.

This is okay. Nothing really memorable about it but not bad. Just okay.