obscurepages's reviews
374 reviews

(You can also find this review on my blog.)

The author sent me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The fictional fantasy world, royals, and magic really got me excited to delve into this one!

The writing
The writing was good. It was mysterious yet easy to follow. I actually figured out some of the plot twists before it was even revealed! I still enjoyed reading it though. It was simple, but it still keeps you at the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next.

I liked that the questions and the mysteries presented in the first part of the book were answered towards the end. I was afraid that the author would leave me hanging, but no! She was able to clear up confusion and intrigue towards the end.

There were a lot of information and history about their world and the characters, too, so there were times when it felt like I was reading too much information. Apart from that, everything is good. 

The characters
The characters were okay. Emry was passionate and determined about her beliefs and her vision to unite their divided country Enlennd. Her abilities are impressive, and dare I say, infinite. We see her powers and her abilities one by one throughout the book, and she doesn't seem to run out of it. It's impressive, yes, but I also find it odd. All of her abilities seem to make her strong and amazing. I wanted to see a flaw in her. Or maybe not even a flaw, just something that will tell me she's not good at everything or that she doesn't have the ability/power for anything.

I also liked Declan enough. He was a strong, brave soldier. He endured a lot of challenges and suffering and yet he is still devoted to the cause of The Mistress.

I liked the two protagonists but I feel like their chemistry lacked. Or maybe I just needed more interaction with them to see it completely. Either way, I liked them as two separate characters.

The plot
The plot was also good. Here we have a nation divided by cruel and unjust Royals and justice-seeking commoners known as Rioters. It was not too complicated but it was still enjoyable enough. I have to say though, there were moments when certain plot points and details were muddy, so there were times when I was a bit confused. Also, as I've said, I got to guess some of the plot twists and I was right at the end. 

The world-building
The world-building is my favorite part in this book! The story is set in a world where people have different powers and abilities based on the colors of their eyes. There are ruby-colored eyes, teal-colored eyes, silver-colored eyes, pale blue, orange, and more! Plus the royalty was a good addition to the fantasy world-building. It was really intriguing and I wanted to know more as the world seems to be so rich.

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

That was such an epic conclusion to an epic journey! WOW. WOW. WOW. I loved the last few chapters particularly The Prince's Tale and King's Cross! In The Prince's Tale, we learn everything about Dumbledore's plans, we learn about Snape's backstory and his true loyalty. In King's Cross we get that closure between Harry and Dumbledore and that broke and filled up my heart at the same time. We also get to read about Dumbledore's point of view, his own faults and shortcomings, his flaws. That was such an awesome chapter indeed.

Anyway. I absolutely loved this. I have so much feels and emotions for this book, and so much love for this epic series.

I'm about to reread the Grisha trilogy so I decided to read this prequel/Darkling origin story. It was nice. As usual, Leigh's writing is really good. And although I'm not a big fan of the Darkling, it was really nice to read about his story and his perspective, their struggles, and everything else.

I AM SO MAD AT MYSELF FOR NOT READING THIS SOONER.
This book has been sitting on my shelf unread for a couple of years now (YES YEARS, I KNOW I KNOW). I've read the first few chapters, I liked it, but that was it. Didn't have the time to finish it anymore.
BUT I FINALLY READ IT (finished last night) AND BOOYYYYY, IT WAS SO GOOD.

"I stop struggling. A call rings through me. Something within me rises up to answer.
I can’t breathe. It’s like I’m kicking up from the bottom of a lake, about to break the surface, my lungs aching for air.
The woman in red watches me closely, her eyes narrowed.
I hear Mal’s voice through the library door. Alina, Alina.
I know then. I know that we are different from one another. Terribly, irrevocably different.
Alina. Alina!
I make my choice. I grab hold of the thing inside me and push it back down."

I am sucker for fantasy novels, so getting into this story, reading all about this new world, was so good! I wanted to know more about Ravka though, I felt like I didn't get much details about the place/country. But I did love reading all about the culture and the Grisha magic that surrounds Ravka.

I love the flow of story-telling that the author uses. Bardugo was able to pull me in using darkness/mystery that surrounds not just the fictional world, but the individual characters as well. Reading through Alina's perspective was also good. I was able to witness her journey as she is thrown upon a new world that seemed far away from what she has known. I was also able to witness how she tried to coped with her self-realizations as she discovered new people and her true power.

The plot was good as well!

I knew I was right to be wary of the Darkling! I just really wasn't feeling his character. I wasn't buying the bad-guy-that's-actually-a-good-guy-when-you-get-to-know-him trope. Nope, just nope. Turns out he's actually the bad-guy-that's-really-a-legit-bad-guy.

It's interesting enough that can keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next thing to happen, and then take your breath away for a couple of moments.

All in all, this is 4.5 stars for me!
I'm so excited to read the rest of the series! I can already feel, that I'm going to love them as well!

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Thoughts on my second read:

I may have to lower my actual rating to somewhere between 3.5 or 4, but it was still a good read all the same!

I still adore the world-building, of course. Diving again into the Grishaverse? Wow.
I still adore the writing style, it was good but it could be better. Leigh's writing has greatly improved on the Six of Crows duology.
I still didn't fall for the Darkling's charms! Haha, sorry guys, I know a lot of fans adore him. He's a great villain, I recognize that and I applaud Leigh for writing an intriguing character.
And I still like Alina. I loved getting to know the story through her perspective (that much didn't change). But now, I realized I like her because I could relate to her. I could relate to her about feeling lonely and feeling alone, about feeling afraid of not doing good enough, about trying so hard to fit in somewhere or somehow, and trying to let go of unrequited love. These past few months I noticed some people don't like her all too much, but I do. I know she's not this amazing/mind-blowing character, but I could relate to her and I could empathize with her, and that's why I loved delving into the story through her eyes.

10 STARS! I KNOW THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE SINCE STARS ARE ONLY UP TO 5 BUT WTF, THIS BOOK DESERVES MORE THEN 5 STARS.

Okay, okay. I've calmed down. But seriously, guys, I can't believe I just read that.
Shadow and Bone was so good! But Siege and Storm, maaan. IT WAS AMAZING.

For one it's more intense. The plot is bigger, but it's not too complicated for me to keep up with. I love that at the back of the book, it says "Darkness never dies", and it's kind of a metaphor, and reality, and foreshadowing altogether. The Darkling stirs and hunts for Alina once again.
I didn't like seeing Alina sort-of helpless in the early parts of the book, that the Darkling has grabbed hold of them once again. So when she finally turns the table around near the end of the story, I was definitely silently cheering her on!

I let go of my fear, my guilt, my shame. There was darkness inside me. He had put it there, and I would no longer deny it. The volcra, the nichevo'ya, they were my monsters, all of them. And he was my monster, too."

The plot surrounding the amplifiers from mythical animals thickens as well. I love that they started from myths, stories, and now they can either help save Ravka or destroy it. (And now I finally realize the significance of the covers and the connection it has to the story!)

I love the addition of new characters as well! Sturmhond was a breath of fresh air, so was Nikolai. He was right downright hilarious, and a bit annoying, but that just adds to his personality. And Tamar, I love her! Fierce female characters are what I live for. These three—four—characters (four including Tolya, let's not forget Tolya and his coolness!) play different yet equally important roles in the plot. Vasily is a downright idiot.

No one can convince me otherwise that it was his idiocy is what got him killed.

I have no sympathy for him. Sorry not sorry.

I also like that somehow, I felt like there were hints of psychological elements in this book. Alina keeps seeing things that she shouldn't have—leaving her confused and scared, and dragging her further away from Mal. And in then, in the end, she confronts the darkness inside her.

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT MAL AND ALINA (Or Malina, my newest ship!). I admit, in the first book I wasn't fond of the pairing yet. I know they're best friends but I wasn't on board with Team Malina just yet. But in this book, we see just how much their new situation is straining their relationship, as friends and as lovers. Chapters 20 and 21 messed with my feelings, okay?! I seriously felt like putting the book down and just cry my heart out. I didn't like seeing them so disconnected with each other.

And can I mention once again how much I love the author's style of writing?! It's so so good. Bardugo really has that ability to hook you on a character, on the plot, and the entire story itself. She's becoming one of my favorite authors now!

LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK. I'm so excited for Ruin and Rising! Although, I'm not sure if my heart will be able to take it.
MILLION STARS FOR THIS ONE.
ALSO HAVE YOU SEEN THE COVER?! IT'S GORGEOUS.

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Thoughts on my second read.

Well. I loved this book the, I still love this book now.

Vasily is still and idiot, Tamar and Tolya are seriously the best, and of course, our dear Nikolai is as charming as ever. I realized Mal was kind of annoying here, tho. But I tried to grasp his situation and understand him.

This reread also forced me to finally face and accept something I've always thought about though. Alina should have died in this book. Don't get me wrong, I don't want her to die! I adore here! But, I really felt like she should have died in this book 'cause it would have ended everything. She was willing to give her life, she was willing to die for Ravka, for her friends, for all the people who died. But she didn't. I guess I kind of understand it though. If she died in the second book, there would be no third book, there would be no ending to the mystery surrounding Morozova, and there would be no closure in the subplots and all.

Still, I loved this book. And let me say it again, THIS COVER IS GORGEOUS!

Wow. Okay, so, I didn't know what I expected from this book being the last of the trilogy, but now that I've finished it, I can't think of a more proper ending.

This was so, so good. Again, I applaud Leigh Bardugo for her story-telling/writing skills. I'm so hooked with every chapter, of every book, every character, every plot twist. This book left me breathless and wistful.
I couldn't think of a better ending because those three books were packed with so much rush, action, romance, and mystery, and the peaceful ending was a nice contrast to everything that happened beforehand. I feel like it's what Alina deserves after being used, deceived, almost gotten killed, and anything else that happened to her. She and Mal deserves that solemn, tear-jerking ending, I swear. *wipes tears*

"And yet, lying there, I realized I wasn't afraid. After all I've been through, there was no fear left in me—sadness, gratitude, maybe even hope, but the fear had been eaten up by pain and challenge."

The characters were amazing yet again! Even Zoya started growing on me, even just a little bit! Harshaw and his Oncat were a fave as well! (Well I happen to be a sucker for cats, so it's no surprise that I loved Oncat haha!) And Nikolai, oh Nikolai just keeps getting more charming and charming. I was so heartbroken when I got to that part where he was a victim of the Darkling. I'm so glad he didn't die, but at the same time I can feel that the incident turned something melancholic about him.

Also the plot twists in this book was AMAZING. I've had my suspicion and own theory about Baghra's real connection to Morozova. And I was almost right! ALMOST.
The plot twist about the amplifiers though, now, I didn't see that one coming. And when I read about that part, the clues and foreshadowing was always there all along. I just didn't notice it. (Again this made me applaud Bardugo! That was so brilliantly written!)

Again, wow. Such a nice conclusion to a whirlwind of a story. This trilogy is now one of my favorites. And Leigh Bardugo just became one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to read her other books!

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Thoughts on my second read:

I don't know why, but I appreciate this book more now? Must be because Nikolai's character just keep getting better and better and now I'm so excited for his own book. Or maybe because my heart aches for Mal and Alina as I realized they were so willing to set their love aside for the future of Ravka (Mal was so willing to let her go, and Alina was starting to accept the fact that Nikolai wants her to rule with him). Or maybe because I really saw how great of a villain The Darkling is (he's an intriguing and complex character, and I applaud Leigh for writing such a good character). Or maybe because, though I liked the ending, it still made me sad. Sad and satisfied (if there's anything like that.)

Anyway, love this book and the conclusion of the story! (Also, I read this under 24 hours this time? Whaaatttt)

(This book review is also posted on my blog.)

Heart-racing, astounding, beautifully-written. King of Scars took my breath away. This book is one of my most anticipated reads this 2019 and it certainly delivered! My queen Leigh Bardugo certainly knows how to give her readers quite a ride! 

The writing
Ah, yes. Leigh Bardugo's writing. It never fails to amaze me! Her writing still weaves that same alluring story, but this time it made me anxious. It made me anxious because I really did not know what to expect, and because the pace at the first part was a tad slow. Despite that, I found myself absorbing the details of every scene.

The author also managed to make her characters standout. She told their stories in a way that will really get the readers invested. As I read on, I couldn't help but sympathize with Nina, feel for Nikolai, and understand Zoya. Leigh's writing style will always be my favorite thing. 

The characters
The characters were simply amazing, well-written, and at the end you will certainly be attached to them. 

I loved Nikolai in The Grisha Trilogy. He was charming, funny, intelligent, and very passionate in helping Ravka, in rebuilding Ravka. Now though, he is plagued by what happened at the war. We see his struggle, his demon, his determination, his doubts, his fears, his wants, his sadness once he realized that he cannot really get what he wants, his strength, and his sacrifices. 

Zoya, oh my goodness. In the Grisha Trilogy, I thought about how there was more to her, and that there was more to her story. I just wasn't convinced enough when she said she was turning her back on The Darkling because she had an aunt on Novokribirsk. I told myself that her aunt must have been truly, truly important to her. And I was right! Here, we really get to know Zoya and her backstory. We get to know her fears, her beliefs, her anger. I loved getting to know her. And if I had shed a tear or a hundred reading about her, well, no one needs to know. 

Nina, oh my darling Nina. It was heartbreaking reading her first few chapters. We see how she is coping with everything that went down in Crooked Kingdom. We see how she is doing with a new mission, a new purpose. Although I loved seeing this new journey of hers, I was bothered. It was good yes, but I was looking for that connection between her perspective and the perspectives of Nikolai and Zoya. Something that would really bind their stories together. I'm crossing my fingers that we get that in the second book. 

Of course, the minor characters were good as well! It was great getting to know the new characters. And it was also great seeing the old characters from the Grisha trilogy and seeing how they all are now. 

The world-building
Just when I thought the world-building of the Grishaverse cannot get any better, it does. This is what I've been waiting for ever since Shadow and Bone! I have craved for that certain world-building that will really catch not only the reader's attention, but their whole consciousness. And this is what happened to me in this book. I was really deep in the world-building—the places, the people and their thinking, the magic, the politics, the legends and myths. Everything! I originally thought the world-building in this book would be average (as I already know it quite well), but boy was I wrong.

The plot
The plot. WOW. WOW. WOW. I do admit, the first few parts of the book were slow. The kind of slow that makes you wonder when is it going to pick up, and when is the plot going to make sense. But I swear, once you get past that, you are in for the ride of your life! So many twists and and turns! The author pulls you in and you just never expect what will happen next.

I was at the edge of my seat holding my breath, shaking (I'm not even kidding, I was literally shaking), my heart racing, as I turn the page and read. The plot was just so unpredictable and so immersive, and at the end, I was gasping for more. 

Can I give this book a million exploding stars? Because that is what I felt like when I finished reading this book. Truly amazing! Thank you queen Leigh for another great book. I can't wait for the next one!

(You'll also find this review on my blog!)

The Language of Thorns proved to me just how brilliant Leigh Bardugo is. It was dark yet beautiful, and atmospheric altogether.

The writing
I said it once, and I'll gladly say it again: Leigh Bardugo's writing is AMAZING. AMAZING. I fell in love with her writing when I first read Shadow and Bone. I fell in love with it more when I read Six of Crows. And I fell in love with it again last night when I finished reading all the six stories included in this book. 

It was dark and raw and beautiful and haunting, all at the same time. Leigh Bardugo managed to take some of the well-known fairy tales and folklore in the world, put her own twist and story, and made them her own. 

I also loved how the stories reflected human nature—the human psyche—showing the readers just how imperfect we are. That even our own family has evilness inside, that sometimes the people who we believed are monsters are the innocent ones, that even our closest friend can betray us, and so on and so forth.

Beautiful and enchanting. 

The characters
The characters of the six different stories were also very interesting. And I loved it because at first glance, you think you know the story and how it goes, and what the character will do. But in this book, it was impossible to tell for me. These characters were enchanting and also very dark and realistic in a way, because they do symbolize humanity at its worst and its best. 

I definitely loved Ulla's character in When Water Sang Fire. There was so much mystery and pain that surrounds her. And Bardugo's writing style just made her story even more haunting. 

The plot
I loved the plot in each of these short stories, seriously. These were inspired by folklore and fairy tale but Bardugo definitely managed to put her own twist and made them her own.

The plot twists were brilliant. In The Too-Clever Fox, I literally let out a loud gasp when I got the the climax. The same thing happened when I was reading The Witch of Duva. Bardugo's weaving of the plot twists is legit genius! 

The world-building
Of course, the world is Grishaverse so I already love it. But still, Leigh Bardugo captured the different settings in these different stories and laid it down for the readers so perfectly. Whether it be on a ghost town, at the bottom of the ocean, or the menacing, dark woods. Every world in every story was atmospheric, and it just pulls you right in.

Also, I just want to say that this book is beautiful! BEAUTIFUL. Not only the stories, but I am saying the whole book is beautiful inside and out! Just look at the naked hardcover right here. Also the illustrations inside look AMAZING. Kudos to the illustrator, Sara Kipin!

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Thoughts on my second read:

I wasn't over my Grishaverse/KoS high, so I decided to reread this beauty. It was still so, so gooooooddd. The stories plus the illustrations? Wow. Wow. Wow.

(This book review is also on my blog.)

The Strange Books secretary gave me a copy in exchange for an honest review. Seeing the synopsis, I was intrigued right away. A collection of short stories filled with mystery and magic? Count me in!

The writing
I really liked the writing in this book. It was easy to read and to follow, yet it was eerie and disturbing. These short stories, though they seem like simple bedtime stories at first, can be awfully spooky as you read on. Apart from being mysterious, these stories were also poetic and oftentimes philosophical—it makes you think. It makes you think about the characters, it makes you think about their world, it makes you think about humanity and our world. As a reader, I applaud the author for achieving that.

The characters
The characters, what I loved about them is that they have this aura of innocence. In each of the stories included in this book, I really noticed that there are characters who hold such innocence and yet they are the ones who are different, the ones who push the story forward. I loved that.

The plot
The plot was easy to follow, and as mysterious and disturbing as they are, I really liked it. There were a couple of stories though, in which the plots were a little vague. And though there were answers to the mysteries, some were a bit confusing. The rest, I really loved.

I particularly loved the last story in this book. It was truly poetic and so real, and the plot was written well.

This was such a quick read and yet it's a book that makes you think and scratch your head. All in all, it was spooky, entertaining, and an awesome read. I give this one 4 stars!

(This book review is also on my blog.)

After reading King of Scars, I was in some sort of hangover. I didn't know what to read next, I had no motivation to read another book (it is frustrating!). I knew I needed something contemporary, something light as I've binge read so much fantasy novels this month. Fortunately, See You in the Cosmos is exactly what I needed to refresh my reading mood and my senses! It was beautiful, touching, fun, and downright wonderful.

The writing
The writing style of this book is really refreshing! It was light, it was funny, and so, so innocent. I also liked the fact that the story was written differently. It was written as if they were the transcriptions of Alex's recordings on his Golden iPod. That was really unique, and I kept thinking about how the audiobook version must be superb.

Furthermore, the writing style really captures the innocent point of view of such a magnificent child towards the complicated, adult world. It was so simple, yet so moving. The author took us to a journey of making friends, finding family, discovering love, and growing up. The story was just so incredibly human.

The characters
Alex is such a sweet, intelligent, and honest child. Reading the story through his point of view, his recordings, is such a blessing. This kid just has so much innocence, brilliance, and compassion in him that he changes the people around him, affects them for the better. I loved him as the protagonist. I would have liked more representation though. Alex and his brother is half-Filipino, and I would have loved if there were more details and more background about it. (Filipinos represent! )

Zed was really cool, and I knew from the start that his story has more to it. And at the end, it was really nice seeing his character development!

Terra was also a good character for me. It was so nice witnessing her journey, and how much Alex affected her life.

Steve was really annoying to be honest, but I'm glad that he manned up at the end, and started to act more like a responsible adult.

And of course, my favorite character here is the dog, Carl Sagan. Bless him.

The plot
The plot was simple enough to follow, and yet so many things happened. First there was the SHARF, then Las Vegas, then LA, then back home. They went to a lot of places, met a lot of new people, but despite that, I loved how the plot was centered in family. I loved how it progressed, and I certainly loved how all the questions and the conflicts got resolved.

And there you go, 5 stars for this wonderfully-written book! I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. In the end, I'm so glad I read this!