Caroline’s Comments (group member since Dec 17, 2020)

Caroline’s comments from the Books Make us Less Miserables group.

I really enjoyed this novel, 4/5 stars. It was really interesting and the twist at the end definitely got me, which is always impressive. At some points it felt repetitive and laborious, like the Celia-Evelyn miscommunication back and forth or the number of husbands. Sometimes it just felt like a bit much. I will also say that the frame narrative was not particularly well done, as we did not get enough time with Monique (the narrator) and so her voice and story did not feel significant. But overall the plot was really compelling and I found it super well written. I adored Harry and Evelyn was quite a unique, though flawed, character. Good read!

I finished Rule of Wolves in 2 days and... wow. Just, wow. I have to say, Leigh Bardugo's writing only gets better with each new book. She is literally one of my favorite authors of all time and I always trust her when a new book comes out, but this one blew me away. I was reading it while in school which is always crazy, yet I had to put off my work and social plans just to devour this novel.

I don't even know how to put it into words. With a certain character's death (no spoilers), I was broken and teared up (I rarely cry at books these days so this was big). The character development of Zoya was literally everything to me, I adore her. And I actually enjoyed Nina's plotline a bit more this time, which was nice because it felt a bit lackluster in King of Scars. And Nikolai, the perfect man. I ADORE HIM!!!!


SPOILER:
I do take issue with Nina's ending a bit. I just cannot understand how this is her ending when she's only a teenager and has so much life left to live. It also is frustrating that she has to stay in Fjerda. I understand that she wants to be with Hanne and change Fjerda, but she truly suffers there. She has to look different than she is, behave differently, and live a lifestyle she despises. I just did not understand how she could be okay with that, even if it was to be with Hanne. They're so young and I was just a bit disappointed that Nina will spend the rest of her life in Fjerda and not with any of the other people she cares about.

But I loved the ending for Zoya and Nikolai. I did not see it coming that Zoya would become queen but I LOVED it, and it was a perfect resolution that I couldn't anticipate but makes 100% sense. As well, it fits each of the characters perfectly. Just incredible.

I also loved the appearance of the Crows, my heart just really needed that. And the book set up a ton of new plots for more books, including some with the Crows, that if they don't come to fruition I will be eternally heartbroken.

I just adored this book and already want to reread it. Amazing!

Sorry this is super late, forgot to ever post my thoughts on the book! I gave this book 3.5 stars. This book got a lot of hype and I both get it and I don’t. I guessed the major plot twist within the first 100 pages or less. I found Hawke to suck quite honestly despite the sexual tension because it felt just ~off~ in general and very exploitative, while also being kind of a jerk. Plus, the dialogue often had me frustrated.

But on the plus side, I finished the book in three days so I was pretty hooked. The world building was interesting, I’m glad there was ultimately a reason that the Ascension was not explained right away (I thought initially it was an error in a poorly written fantasy world), I loved Viktor and Tawny, and the internal journey Poppy goes through is very compelling (though sometimes she’s absolutely dense, irrational, or grating which makes her not my favorite heroine). I also admire Armentrout’s ability to truly make me hate both people and situations, and to occasionally throw me for a loop.

From Blood and Ash left me wanting to read the sequel, so it deserves at least three stars, and with these positives it’s at least a 3.5, but I can’t give it an honest 4! Still excited for the next one though, hehe! :)

Yay! So excited!

I gave this book a 3/5 stars because I was simultaneously very intrigued by the world building while also having to push myself to keep reading quite a few times. I think some of the characters had good bones, like Hans, but I genuinely did not like Raisa. Her primarily conflict for the majority of the novel was "I want to go to a lot of parties and kiss a lot of boys," which just does not make her compelling and in general she is pretty childish and selfish. I did appreciate her charitable donations, though. Hans, on the other hand, was dynamic, fun, interesting, and has already experienced significant growth before and during the novel.
What I liked best were the tribes in Hanalea. I thought they were super interesting and loved that they were not without magic themselves, but it was of a different ilk.
I also particularly didn't like how the author dealt with Hans' family, quite honestly. It felt rushed and cheap.
I agree with the others' opinion as well that it was a bit too long and a bit prequel-esque, but I also was kind of jonseing to read the next book once I finished so it still overall got a 3 star from me!