Okay, this book was a little bit better than the first one and therefore it gets a 3.5/5⭐️'s.
I reread the book for the second time, as I did with the first one, and again I couldn't remember a single thing. I really forgot everything that I read back in 2017 which felt, at the same time, great because it was as if I was experiencing everything in the story again for the first time, so there's that. I wasn't really spoiled by my previous memories! Anyways. Let's get reviewing!
The ending of the book was just flawless. I adored the pure chaos of it all and actually enjoyed the relationship-issues between Alina and Mal? I will soon get into more detail about that. ;)
Note: I'm so sad. I wrote an entire review of me ranting like a crazy person, and when I pressed 'published' my laptop said I had no internet connection meaning I lost nearly everything I wrote :'( can someone please just cry along with me while I'm trying to recreate my rant????? Thank you! Also, PS, there are some spoilers in here because I did get a little carried away with the word vomit coming out of me! So, beware...
Now, the beginning was a little bit weary for me. What was the entire point of them running away from the Darkling if they're gonna be captured again by him in, like, the first 20 pages of the book??? It was super confusing and made no sense to me. It felt like a waste of writing and I assume Leigh Bardugo didn't know how to start up the story again after ending the first book so they're just discovered again in 5 seconds. Anyways, I found it pointless and was flabbergasted that the book just commenced like this.
Luckily, everyone's favorite privateer comes into play soon and made me enjoy reading a lot more! Nikolai is a character who keeps the flow of the story going. He's lighthearted, flirty, and an all-around fun character to have in the book. He even made it possible for me to like Alina a little bit more??? How did that happen? I don't know, but he put he helped her give some more depth into her own thoughts. And I did not know that was possible with such a plain character!
Another thing I enjoyed was the dynamic of Alina and Mal. Yes, finally something that feels 'realistic' between the two of them. I could completely understand Mal of feeling that he gave everything up just to follow Alina. Like, yes dude, you should be annoyed with her. She's just being mean to you and expects you to follow her everywhere like a little puppy. You're your own man! She's not what makes you, you!(Although debatable because, still, they don't have really specific character traits so I don't really know him that well... but here's to changes in the hope of the next book).
What did disappoint me was the lack of action in the middle of the book? I think we spent like 200 pages doing nothing? Just strutting around on the palace grounds and denying proposals? Don't get me wrong, I loved the dialogue with Nikolai (and lucky for us, he's in nearly everything), but I lost track of why they went all the way back to the palace? She wanted the Second Army of Grisha, but nothing happened with them? What was the point then? Nowhere in the book, I had the feeling that she would be a good leader to them? Does she barely interact with them? This was just a little frustrating.
The Darkling, on the other hand, I still don't understand? Is he still a possible ship or not? Like, why is he so attracted to Alina??? Just because of her power? Even then, a little bit more of 'relationship depth' could be written here... Also, the thing about "like calls to like" what is that about? Alina is NOTHING like the Darkling? The only thing they have in common is that they're both powerful, but that's that??? And she's like that because of everyone enabling it to her. She's being seen as a literal Saint and being treated like a freaking princess? The only person who's not doing that is Mal, and even he is being pushed away in this scenario. No, I'm not on board with the whole "like calls to like" thing. She's powerful, but I just wonder how powerful in comparison to other Grisha? Because that's never been truly discussed or explained. So yeah... that's that rant.
Overall, the book was good and better in comparison with the first one. Hopes are, that the last book will be even better! Although, I don't want my hopes to get too high for the grand finale as I barely can remember what happens. Only of the very last pages, I have a vague memory of. All in all, this means the trilogy is almost over and I can soon move on to my beloved Six of Crows!
xoxo, peace out
Elke
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