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laerugo's review against another edition
3.0
y'know i knocked this down to three stars because i could not in good conscience place it above an le guin book after just having finished one too, and i think three stars is pretty deserved, although i enjoyed it more than three stars really implies.
"enjoyed" does not really translate to "think it was a great book," though. it was fine, i guess, lol. it reads like what i'd expect a first-timer's young adult romance novel would read like. there was an attempt at a sort of Girl Power story, but it fell a little flat when we are reminded of how unfair it is that women aren't allowed the same advantages and freedoms as men, as if we don't already have a cultural conscious about historical female subjugation, or as if we've somehow forgotten katsa's grumbling about it since the last page. the parallels to other books, particularly to katniss and peeta from THG, were so monumental i couldn't help comparing them at times, but since i'm coming off a THG high at the moment and katniss/peeta is one of my favorite book couples, this wasn't a deterrent.
the world-building wasn't that inspiring (why do these characters only eat bread and meat?); the writing was passable (please stop using the same ten words in a conversation!); the characters were a little one-note, save the three main characters, who got all of the character development, which was admittedly a lot of fun. that was fine, actually. the ending broke my heart a little bit, and i didn't expect some of the twists that came. most of them i saw coming maybe a few pages before they happened, but one did surprise me.
i had a thought that was bugging me as i read, and now that i've finished i think i can put a name to what i noticed and say that this book reads like it was written with certain chapters or scenes imagined very firmly in the mind, and then the entire plot was constructed around these scenes, and everything else was filler, or an attempt to rush through the details until those scenes or montages arrived. like, that is to say i think you can see what kristin cashore was Really Excited to write. we want to establish that katsa is a Good Person with practical, altruistic ambition, so we rush through a hand-waved justification to establish how we have a teenager sort of running a bizarre underground anti-establishment gang, which is simultaneously so big to have missions being planned and coordinated in the council's name without her oversight in other nations, yet she tells po she oversees every mission (presumably she means just those planned out of the home base) but during most council meetings they just chat about rumors and the weather. we wanted to get to katsa and po's arguments because that's when Character Development happens with big red sirens, but we skip over their first "getting to know you" sparring scenes which are arguably *more* important than the arguments because characters tend to actually INTRODUCE themselves in them, all of it done just to get to the reveal of his true superpower and then we spend pages on her hurt feelings. then we spend ages traveling in the woods to form a relationship that ultimately falls in place at the speed of lightening. then we want to get to katsa and po finding bitterblue, so we rush through leck's first introduction (to the point where it takes maybe two pages after 10+ chapters of buildup?) to get them back into the wilderness on the run.
there was overall a lack of depth for most characters that weren't the main trio—katsa, po, bitterblue—most characters are either "good" or "bad" people, or occasionally "annoying" or just "misinformed," but background characters have no other traits or depth, which is something i tend to expect from juvenile writers. and it didn't escape my notice that for a book that talked a lot about women being strong, there were, what only three named female characters, although admittedly the main two's surprise relationship became one of my favorites in the book.
that said, did i still enjoy it? hell yeah i did, no sense and all. it was a nice, goofy way to spend a day reading. would i recommend it to a friend? probably not if i value their opinion of me. will i be reading the next ones? who am i kidding, i already have them on hold at the library.
"enjoyed" does not really translate to "think it was a great book," though. it was fine, i guess, lol. it reads like what i'd expect a first-timer's young adult romance novel would read like. there was an attempt at a sort of Girl Power story, but it fell a little flat when we are reminded of how unfair it is that women aren't allowed the same advantages and freedoms as men, as if we don't already have a cultural conscious about historical female subjugation, or as if we've somehow forgotten katsa's grumbling about it since the last page. the parallels to other books, particularly to katniss and peeta from THG, were so monumental i couldn't help comparing them at times, but since i'm coming off a THG high at the moment and katniss/peeta is one of my favorite book couples, this wasn't a deterrent.
the world-building wasn't that inspiring (why do these characters only eat bread and meat?); the writing was passable (please stop using the same ten words in a conversation!); the characters were a little one-note, save the three main characters, who got all of the character development, which was admittedly a lot of fun. that was fine, actually. the ending broke my heart a little bit, and i didn't expect some of the twists that came. most of them i saw coming maybe a few pages before they happened, but one did surprise me.
i had a thought that was bugging me as i read, and now that i've finished i think i can put a name to what i noticed and say that this book reads like it was written with certain chapters or scenes imagined very firmly in the mind, and then the entire plot was constructed around these scenes, and everything else was filler, or an attempt to rush through the details until those scenes or montages arrived. like, that is to say i think you can see what kristin cashore was Really Excited to write. we want to establish that katsa is a Good Person with practical, altruistic ambition, so we rush through a hand-waved justification to establish how we have a teenager sort of running a bizarre underground anti-establishment gang, which is simultaneously so big to have missions being planned and coordinated in the council's name without her oversight in other nations, yet she tells po she oversees every mission (presumably she means just those planned out of the home base) but during most council meetings they just chat about rumors and the weather. we wanted to get to katsa and po's arguments because that's when Character Development happens with big red sirens, but we skip over their first "getting to know you" sparring scenes which are arguably *more* important than the arguments because characters tend to actually INTRODUCE themselves in them, all of it done just to get to the reveal of his true superpower and then we spend pages on her hurt feelings. then we spend ages traveling in the woods to form a relationship that ultimately falls in place at the speed of lightening. then we want to get to katsa and po finding bitterblue, so we rush through leck's first introduction (to the point where it takes maybe two pages after 10+ chapters of buildup?) to get them back into the wilderness on the run.
there was overall a lack of depth for most characters that weren't the main trio—katsa, po, bitterblue—most characters are either "good" or "bad" people, or occasionally "annoying" or just "misinformed," but background characters have no other traits or depth, which is something i tend to expect from juvenile writers. and it didn't escape my notice that for a book that talked a lot about women being strong, there were, what only three named female characters, although admittedly the main two's surprise relationship became one of my favorites in the book.
that said, did i still enjoy it? hell yeah i did, no sense and all. it was a nice, goofy way to spend a day reading. would i recommend it to a friend? probably not if i value their opinion of me. will i be reading the next ones? who am i kidding, i already have them on hold at the library.
dreadspawn's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Animal death, Death of parent, Violence, Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content, Pedophilia, and Sexual harassment
oliviawaligorski's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
toastyghosty13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I read this book as a kid and loved it. I completely forgot everything about it besides some key points, and I am glad I found it on Everand to read again. I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator does a great job.
I thoroughly enjoyed Katsa as a main character. I hope that there is more of her in the following books, since I know that they follow other characters for the most part.
Katsa and Poe were a lot of fun to read about and I loved their adventures. I will probably buy this as a physical copy and revisit the print version sometime soon. Read this if you like books about cool assassin girlies that have a good group of friends that make up a great found family.
I thoroughly enjoyed Katsa as a main character. I hope that there is more of her in the following books, since I know that they follow other characters for the most part.
Katsa and Poe were a lot of fun to read about and I loved their adventures. I will probably buy this as a physical copy and revisit the print version sometime soon. Read this if you like books about cool assassin girlies that have a good group of friends that make up a great found family.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
danip97's review against another edition
3.5
It was my first full cast audio, and I can’t say I’m a fan. The acting felt very disconnected. Some plot points were built up and then forgotten. However I liked the characters, their magical abilities and growth.
squidlucy's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this book. It was soo interesting how the book progressed with endless twists to the story right too the end. It was a thrilling read and I'd recommend it to anyone.
beachybookstack's review against another edition
4.0
I have mixed feelings about elements of this book, mainly with Katsa's ridiculous issue with love and control. I think it might come off as 'oh wow she's so strong and refuses to be married ever, how feminist'----fuck that, make your relationship what you want it to be, if she married Po someday or doesn't, who cares. It doesn't put you in a bird cage or adle your mind. Hey, you do you, but this felt really heavy handed when it didn't need to be.
Katsa as a character is essentially a rogue assassin trapped in Randa's court. She could leave but is scared of what would happen if she did, that control is clear. THAT is where she is a bird in a cage. He even speaks of her like a pet. Many characters call her Wildcat, which is sort of endearing from few friends but mostly creepy from Randa. I like her friendship with cousin Raff and would hope that he would become King in the next book or so.
The villain is mysteriously introduced then disposed of quickly, which is fine by me. It wasn't his story anyways. His Grace was creepy and OP.
I'm unsure if I'll continue the series right now, it's a heavy maybe. I don't think I can endure more Katsa though I do like her and Po together. SPOILERS he basically ends up with monk blindsense (I do not apologize for the dnd terminology) which is pretty cool. Think I'll leave their story where it ends and consider another book series next. I can always come back for more strange Grace powers and dagger throwing.
Katsa as a character is essentially a rogue assassin trapped in Randa's court. She could leave but is scared of what would happen if she did, that control is clear. THAT is where she is a bird in a cage. He even speaks of her like a pet. Many characters call her Wildcat, which is sort of endearing from few friends but mostly creepy from Randa. I like her friendship with cousin Raff and would hope that he would become King in the next book or so.
The villain is mysteriously introduced then disposed of quickly, which is fine by me. It wasn't his story anyways. His Grace was creepy and OP.
I'm unsure if I'll continue the series right now, it's a heavy maybe. I don't think I can endure more Katsa though I do like her and Po together. SPOILERS he basically ends up with monk blindsense (I do not apologize for the dnd terminology) which is pretty cool. Think I'll leave their story where it ends and consider another book series next. I can always come back for more strange Grace powers and dagger throwing.
lenny_04's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
4.0