I buddy read this fantastic book with the equally fantastic Elenenca. We've come up with a conversation like format for this review which we hope you lovelies will like!
Uma
- First things first. Kaz Brekker is BAE. Okay now that we’ve got that out of the way, OH MY GOD!! Leigh Bardugo sure knows how to write her characters… I loved all my precious dregs. And while Kaz IS bae, my most favorite of them all has to be Inej. Man I loved how freaking amazing, badass and realistic she was.
“Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?""Knife to the throat?" asked Inej."Gun to the back?" said Jesper."Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina."You're all horrible," said Matthias.”
Elenenca
- I have to say I really love the cast of characters Bardugo presented us. Not only are they diverse and amazingly written since the start with an incredible deep characterization, they also grow through the book, they adapt to each other and become a better, more united group than they were when they left Kerch. It’s really hard for me to pinpoint a favourite because I loved them equally, and each one has their strong point. But if I had to choose one, so far it would be Nina. She’s strong and independant and believes so much in what she does. She’s been through a lot but still keeps her chin up and tries to see a brighter future for her and for Matthais.
“It's not natural for women to fight.""It's not natural for someone to be as stupid as he is tall, and yet there you stand.”
Uma
- See, I love Nina; especially her love for food but no one quite surpasses Inej for me. She is brave but not without her fears. Thing is she does such badass things even when she’s afraid. Towards the end she does this amazing thing when she is the MOST afraid and I just wanted to jump into the pages and pull her into a dance. Also she takes no bullshit from her fellow dregs, especially Kaz. She tells him when she thinks he’s being an idiot and I LOVED that.
“The heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true.”
Elenenca
- I believe they’re both amazing characters, ready to sacrifice themselves for what they believed in - Inej, her new dream and Nina, getting the mission accomplished.
Elenenca
- To be honest, I really enjoyed reading this novel and although I believe it’s mainly character driven, I have to admit that I enjoyed the plot too.How it looked ‘small’ at first , but then grew to be something more!
Uma
- I agree it’s more character driven than plot driven. Even though the plot is complex, it’s the characters and each of their stories that adds so much to the reader’s experience. But I must admit, the plot had me hooked! I wanted to know what would happen next and how the subplots would play out.
“I'm a business man," he'd told her. "No more, no less.""You're a thief, Kaz.""Isn't that what I just said?”
Elenenca
- Same here! I must say kudos to Leigh Bardugo for writing an incredibly well balanced novel. An addicting plot, interesting subplots and incredibly realistic 3 dimensional characters.
What I loved most is how the main plot and the different subplots (narrated in flashbacks) flowed seamlessly from one another, enriching the narration and not heaving on it; as it happens sometimes.
Uma
- That is true. Back and forth narrations are so hard to balance and feel choppy in many books but Bardugo makes it work perfectly! There is no confusion or choppiness in her method of narration.
Elenenca
- I gotta say, I have nothing to complain about Leigh Bardugo’s writing style. It’s clear and it flows without interruptions. I feel like even someone who has English as a second language like me can read it easily.
Uma
- I LOVED the dialogue in the book so so much! There is so much humor and emotions sprinkled throughout the writing that keeps the reader engaged. I have so many favourite quotes from this book! There were these epic quotes that LITERALLY gave me chills!!
“Oh, I see. I'm the wicked Grisha seductress. I have beguiled you with my Grisha wiles!"She poked him in the chest."Stop that.""No. I'm beguiling you.”
Elenenca
- The sass! I agree completely. The sass and the irony was amazing!
“The easiest way to steal a man’s wallet is to tell him you’re going to steal his watch. You take his attention and direct it where you want it to go.”
Uma and Elenenca - What's not to like??
Uma and Elenenca - Nothing at all!
It was an absolutely wonderfully written heist story for fantasy lovers with the most adorable little diverse group of characters and a plot that keeps you guessing till the end.
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