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outsidestar's reviews
82 reviews
Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
Here’s what I wanted from this book:
- An explanation of what the boat with the two-star flag painted on the mural of Zoya’s room meant.
- Zoya embracing her inner Juris and shape-shifting into a dragon.
- Nikolai forgetting all about marriages of convenience and making Zoya his queen so the two of them could rule Ravka together.
Did I get it? If you’ve read it you already know and if you haven’t I won’t tell you. But I’ll tell you I liked this book a lot. It made me laugh, it made me cry and I will love these characters to death because the Grishaverse’s babies are my babies. I still have a lot to say, though.
WARNING: MILD-ISH SPOILERS AHEAD. CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
First of all, this duology should not be called King of Scars, it should be called Stormwitch because the whole story is more about Zoya than it is about Nikolai or anyone else. Zoya is the character that grows, develops and learns. The character who changes the most from who she was at the beginning of King of Scars to who she is by the end of Rule of Wolves. It is her story.
I found Nikolai surprisingly dull (for Nikolai standards, that is) in King of Scars, like he was just there to make Zoya likeable, but he shone bright again in Rule of Wolves and it makes me so happy. He is the sweetest but wittiest and most charming cinnamon roll there is and the best King any nation could ever have. Fight me on that.
I loved Zoya ever since she joined Alina against the Darkling and I loved Nikolai since the very first moment he made his appearance as Sturmhond. In my mind they make the perfect couple and I was rooting for them to be together since King of Scars. But here’s the thing: I don’t think it really worked? I loved the scene in Zoya’s secret garden and I think they’re perfect for each other, but at the same time that kind of relationship between them seemed forced as the story progressed. They didn’t have the chemistry of Nina and Matthias or Jesper and Wylan. I don’t know, I think it would’ve worked better if it had stayed platonic, strong friendships are highly underrated.
Now, getting into the actual plot. I think a lot of why I liked this book was because of the characters. I found King of Scars to have a slow start but Rule of Wolves jumped right into the story and for a moment there I thought this would be at the same level as Crooked Kingdom. But then it lost momentum and the middle was kinda slow, there were so many POVs, each focusing on a different story that there was a point where nothing was happening because it was all building up.
I do think some of this POVs and plot lines were unnecessary. The Darkling and the blight, for example. The story didn’t need that. Its only use was to leave the door open for another book, which I will absolutely read but I don’t know if we’re stretching things too much here. This is becoming like The Pirates of the Caribbean, where fountains of youth and tridents and hearts in chests will start popping up for Kaz and his crew to somehow find them.
Then we have the Shu Han plot line, which I understand was needed to tie up the loose ends of the khergud threat and I didn’t really mind it but it didn’t really add much.
Also, there’s that unnecessary death that happens but didn’t serve a purpose. Matthias’ death hurt but it somewhat made sense, in this case the story didn’t need that particular character death nor did it benefit from it in any way.
Something else the story didn’t need? The cameos. Don’t get me wrong, I was living for those reunions and I loved to see everyone again but did the story need them? Not really. Did they slow the pacing of the story? Absolutely. Every freakin’ character makes an appearance. Look for any Grishaverse character and you will find them in this book. I was even waiting for Bahgra to somehow show up. It gave the story this nostalgic vibe, like it was a final goodbye to the Grishaverse, but we’re getting another book so it wasn’t that necessary. I did love seeing Jesper again though, truth be told.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-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
“If the wolves come howling we will face them then. For now, the fox will meet them on his own.”
Here’s what I wanted from this book:
- An explanation of what the boat with the two-star flag painted on the mural of Zoya’s room meant.
- Zoya embracing her inner Juris and shape-shifting into a dragon.
- Nikolai forgetting all about marriages of convenience and making Zoya his queen so the two of them could rule Ravka together.
Did I get it? If you’ve read it you already know and if you haven’t I won’t tell you. But I’ll tell you I liked this book a lot. It made me laugh, it made me cry and I will love these characters to death because the Grishaverse’s babies are my babies. I still have a lot to say, though.
WARNING: MILD-ISH SPOILERS AHEAD. CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
First of all, this duology should not be called King of Scars, it should be called Stormwitch because the whole story is more about Zoya than it is about Nikolai or anyone else. Zoya is the character that grows, develops and learns. The character who changes the most from who she was at the beginning of King of Scars to who she is by the end of Rule of Wolves. It is her story.
Zoya felt Genya’s arms around her. Liliyana holding her tight. She felt Nikolai’s presence beside her and Juris’ sword in her hands. With a wild, gasping breath, she felt her wings unfurl.
I found Nikolai surprisingly dull (for Nikolai standards, that is) in King of Scars, like he was just there to make Zoya likeable, but he shone bright again in Rule of Wolves and it makes me so happy. He is the sweetest but wittiest and most charming cinnamon roll there is and the best King any nation could ever have. Fight me on that.
But that was always the way. The world might crumble, but Nikolai Lantsov would be holding up the ceiling with one hand and plucking a speck of dirt from his lapel with the other when it all went to ruin.
I loved Zoya ever since she joined Alina against the Darkling and I loved Nikolai since the very first moment he made his appearance as Sturmhond. In my mind they make the perfect couple and I was rooting for them to be together since King of Scars. But here’s the thing: I don’t think it really worked? I loved the scene in Zoya’s secret garden and I think they’re perfect for each other, but at the same time that kind of relationship between them seemed forced as the story progressed. They didn’t have the chemistry of Nina and Matthias or Jesper and Wylan. I don’t know, I think it would’ve worked better if it had stayed platonic, strong friendships are highly underrated.
“Don’t underestimate King Nikolai. He’ll fight until there’s no fight left in him. And so will I.”
Now, getting into the actual plot. I think a lot of why I liked this book was because of the characters. I found King of Scars to have a slow start but Rule of Wolves jumped right into the story and for a moment there I thought this would be at the same level as Crooked Kingdom. But then it lost momentum and the middle was kinda slow, there were so many POVs, each focusing on a different story that there was a point where nothing was happening because it was all building up.
I do think some of this POVs and plot lines were unnecessary. The Darkling and the blight, for example. The story didn’t need that. Its only use was to leave the door open for another book, which I will absolutely read but I don’t know if we’re stretching things too much here. This is becoming like The Pirates of the Caribbean, where fountains of youth and tridents and hearts in chests will start popping up for Kaz and his crew to somehow find them.
Then we have the Shu Han plot line, which I understand was needed to tie up the loose ends of the khergud threat and I didn’t really mind it but it didn’t really add much.
Also, there’s that unnecessary death that happens but didn’t serve a purpose. Matthias’ death hurt but it somewhat made sense, in this case the story didn’t need that particular character death nor did it benefit from it in any way.
Something else the story didn’t need? The cameos. Don’t get me wrong, I was living for those reunions and I loved to see everyone again but did the story need them? Not really. Did they slow the pacing of the story? Absolutely. Every freakin’ character makes an appearance. Look for any Grishaverse character and you will find them in this book. I was even waiting for Bahgra to somehow show up. It gave the story this nostalgic vibe, like it was a final goodbye to the Grishaverse, but we’re getting another book so it wasn’t that necessary. I did love seeing Jesper again though, truth be told.
Jesper: I’m not supposed to let you in.
Kaz: Why not?
Jesper: Because every time I do, you ask me to break the law.
Nikolai: The problem isn’t that he asks, it’s that you always say yes.
Jesper: But look who he brought, the man with the flying ships. Come in! Come in!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Grief
Fire with Fire by Destiny Soria
adventurous
funny
fast-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
This book reminded me so much of Dragonheart it hurt.
Please tell me you've seen Dragonheart - aka the 90's movie featuring Dennis Quad (and Lupin from Harry Potter) and one of my favorite childhood movies.
Anyways, I heard "dragons" and came running, as I tend to do because that's who I am. And now that I've met Nox, I must say I need a soul-bond with a dragon more than I need a boyfriend (or anything else, really).
Fire with Fire is essentially a story about family, friendship, forgiveness and learning to live with your demons. It is told in alternating POVs between two sisters who come from a family of dragon slayers and can't be any more different.
Eden, the older sister, doesn't let herself be anything less than perfect, she literally sees herself as one of the last bastions protecting humanity from dragonkind, like the world depends entirely on her being able to someday kill a dragon. That is a lot of pressure for anyone so, of course, she suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. I can't tell you how much I loved to see this included in a fantasy. Not every character can handle being a badass with equal grace.
Then we have 17 year-old Dani, who is The Chosen One. She effortlessly achieves every benchmark that Eden had to fight tooth and nail for, but she doesn't really care that much about the whole being a slayer thing, All she wants is to be normal.
So yeah, now throw in a soul-bond with a dragon and some sorcerers and you get a pretty good book.
However, I must say this did somehow feel like something I've seen before. The Chosen One saving everyone from the big bad evil with the help of a dragon. I think I would've 5-star-loved this if I had read it back when I was 15 years-old. I still really liked it, I actually liked it more than I expected to: the pacing as quick, the characters were great, it was funny, the stakes were high... there's nothing bad I can call out.
Maybe the thing about it all happening while their parents were out and them not ever picking the phone kind of bothered me a little. It was obviously the easiest way for the story to progress but it felt unoriginal. Like Eden going to Calla instead of her parents when she finds out about Dani... In what world do you go to someone you know your parents don't trust when you believe your sister has been taken by a dragon that may very well kill her?? I see where she's coming from but in that situation I wouldn't care if my parents get mad at me or not, it's my sister's life and they are the ones known for tracking and killing dragons, not Calla.
Anyways, keep in mind this is a fantasy stand-alone, so there aren't that many side plots that can be explored to elevate the story if you still want to get everything wrapped up by the end without it being a 800 page book.
Also, great rep overall. Not only through Eden's anxiety and panic attacks, but Dani is bisexual and I believe they're half Mexican, half Irish. Tomás' family is from Latin America and Saddie is plus-size.
Please tell me you've seen Dragonheart - aka the 90's movie featuring Dennis Quad (and Lupin from Harry Potter) and one of my favorite childhood movies.
Anyways, I heard "dragons" and came running, as I tend to do because that's who I am. And now that I've met Nox, I must say I need a soul-bond with a dragon more than I need a boyfriend (or anything else, really).
Fire with Fire is essentially a story about family, friendship, forgiveness and learning to live with your demons. It is told in alternating POVs between two sisters who come from a family of dragon slayers and can't be any more different.
Eden, the older sister, doesn't let herself be anything less than perfect, she literally sees herself as one of the last bastions protecting humanity from dragonkind, like the world depends entirely on her being able to someday kill a dragon. That is a lot of pressure for anyone so, of course, she suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. I can't tell you how much I loved to see this included in a fantasy. Not every character can handle being a badass with equal grace.
Then we have 17 year-old Dani, who is The Chosen One. She effortlessly achieves every benchmark that Eden had to fight tooth and nail for, but she doesn't really care that much about the whole being a slayer thing, All she wants is to be normal.
So yeah, now throw in a soul-bond with a dragon and some sorcerers and you get a pretty good book.
However, I must say this did somehow feel like something I've seen before. The Chosen One saving everyone from the big bad evil with the help of a dragon. I think I would've 5-star-loved this if I had read it back when I was 15 years-old. I still really liked it, I actually liked it more than I expected to: the pacing as quick, the characters were great, it was funny, the stakes were high... there's nothing bad I can call out.
Maybe the thing about it all happening while their parents were out and them not ever picking the phone kind of bothered me a little. It was obviously the easiest way for the story to progress but it felt unoriginal. Like Eden going to Calla instead of her parents when she finds out about Dani... In what world do you go to someone you know your parents don't trust when you believe your sister has been taken by a dragon that may very well kill her?? I see where she's coming from but in that situation I wouldn't care if my parents get mad at me or not, it's my sister's life and they are the ones known for tracking and killing dragons, not Calla.
Anyways, keep in mind this is a fantasy stand-alone, so there aren't that many side plots that can be explored to elevate the story if you still want to get everything wrapped up by the end without it being a 800 page book.
Also, great rep overall. Not only through Eden's anxiety and panic attacks, but Dani is bisexual and I believe they're half Mexican, half Irish. Tomás' family is from Latin America and Saddie is plus-size.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Grief, and Murder
Finales Que Merecen Una Historia / Endings That Deserve a Story by Albert Espinosa
hopeful
slow-paced
2.0
The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He
This is kind of a difficult book to review. I think the whole idea for the book was great and different and very well thought out, but I still just feel kinda meh about the whole thing, it was good but I'll forget about it in a week. It didn't resonate with me.
The book is set sometime in the future, when humans have destroyed the planet. Some still live on the surface, where earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters kill millions at a time, and others live in eco-cities high above. As much as this was a dystopia, I could 100% see this happening in real life, which kinda scares me, but the world-building was great and I loved that it tackled issues like climate change and us humans not being able to see beyond our own selfishness.
The story is told in dual perspective. We have Cee, who is stranded in an abandoned island with no memories of what happened before she woke up there 3 years ago. All she knows is that she has a sister named Kay and that she must find her, so she spends her days trying to build a boat to get to her. And then we have Kasey's (Kay) chapters, who is still in the eco-city and with who we figure out what really happened. I must say that the story is kinda slow for the first half and peaks up at around 50-60% in.
As I said, I really enjoyed the setting and the technology aspects. I also liked that Kasey was different to the typical character I'm used to, and the big plot-twist that happens at around 60% was great (although I did see it coming). However, I didn't like either of the romances and I felt like the secondary characters could use some more work, their dad especially. I also didn't like the ending, notCee's initial decision to damn everyone out of spite and not how the real ending was done, without the reader really seeing anything .
Also, can we please admire the beauty of this cover?
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Text Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange of an honest and voluntary review.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"We're not stars," I declare. "We get to choose the places we go and the people we find."
"Do we? I don't think either of us came here by choice. And I think we have even less choice over the ones we're meant to find."
This is kind of a difficult book to review. I think the whole idea for the book was great and different and very well thought out, but I still just feel kinda meh about the whole thing, it was good but I'll forget about it in a week. It didn't resonate with me.
The book is set sometime in the future, when humans have destroyed the planet. Some still live on the surface, where earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters kill millions at a time, and others live in eco-cities high above. As much as this was a dystopia, I could 100% see this happening in real life, which kinda scares me, but the world-building was great and I loved that it tackled issues like climate change and us humans not being able to see beyond our own selfishness.
The story is told in dual perspective. We have Cee, who is stranded in an abandoned island with no memories of what happened before she woke up there 3 years ago. All she knows is that she has a sister named Kay and that she must find her, so she spends her days trying to build a boat to get to her. And then we have Kasey's (Kay) chapters, who is still in the eco-city and with who we figure out what really happened. I must say that the story is kinda slow for the first half and peaks up at around 50-60% in.
As I said, I really enjoyed the setting and the technology aspects. I also liked that Kasey was different to the typical character I'm used to, and the big plot-twist that happens at around 60% was great (although I did see it coming). However, I didn't like either of the romances and I felt like the secondary characters could use some more work, their dad especially. I also didn't like the ending, not
Also, can we please admire the beauty of this cover?
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Text Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange of an honest and voluntary review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Confinement and Death of parent
The Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ruina y ascenso by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
So I kinda read this entire trilogy in a week.
Some random thoughts about it:
Some random thoughts about it:
- Book 1 has everything I love in a book. It was unputdownable. That didn't happen so much with the other two books. Don't get me wrong, they were great but they dragged at certain points or I don't know exactly what it is, but book 1 has something the other two don't have.
- I need a Nikolai in my life. ASAP.
- Loved all the characters, maybe Alina and Mal are the ones I like the least (from book 2 onward). I just want to shake them at some points or just slap them in the face.
- Appropriate ending.
- I cried with the epilogue because well the blue kefta and everything.
- I kinda want to know more about the Darkling. He has done all these terrible things and he shows all the red flags of an abusive relationship, but there's a story there about a little boy who was made to believe certain things growing up and has believed them for centuries. He's just a boy who wants to be loved but has no idea how to do that. A little boy who doesn't want to be left alone. I'm going to see if I can find The Demon in the Wood somewhere.
- The Darkling and Alina remind me of Kylo Ren and Rey from Star Wars. I know these books came first but I can't stop picturing Kylo Ren as the Darkling.
- I can't wait to read Six of Crows and King of Scars because, let's face it, I'll take all the Nikolai I can get.
Asedio y tormenta by Leigh Bardugo
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
4.0
Nikolai is the best thing that happened in this book. Arguably the only one too.
Sombra y hueso by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
fast-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
5.0
Unputdownable. I practically read it in 3 sittings. Loved it. Loved the story, the setting, the writing, the characters. I instantly cared about every character, even the ones I shouldn't care about. I want to know more about all of them. And that's the mark of a great story.
I've had this book in my tbr for so long. I really don't know why I hadn't picked it up before. It's the first Leigh Bardugo book I read and I'm probably going to read everything she writes now.
I've had this book in my tbr for so long. I really don't know why I hadn't picked it up before. It's the first Leigh Bardugo book I read and I'm probably going to read everything she writes now.
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
Holy shit. This duology is everything.
I absolutely adore this bunch of misfits to infinity and beyond. And I still can’t get my head around how extremely well written this is. As great as it is to read, I would have gone crazy trying to write it. The different POVs, the constant flashbacks, the depth and arcs of all the characters… This book is like a cup of hot chocolate in the middle of winter when it’s freezing cold outside. Or, to put it in Leigh Bardugo’s words, it’s like the first sight of land after a shipwreck, if you know what I mean.
I laughed, cried my eyes out and just really enjoyed this book. I have a soft spot for Jesper soI couldn't be happier that everything turned out okay for him and he found someone like you know who to put up with his crazy, although that was obvious since the very beginning of the first book . And then there's Nina. You know what had to happen to you know who for her to be able to go to Ravka and hopefully show up in King of Scars but I still cried with her all along.
What I found incredibly shocking was that whenZoya, Genya and even the love of my life Nikolai show up I couldn’t care less. I just wanted to go back to my 6 new best friends. They're my babies.
Also, has the thought that this could be lightly based on Peter Pan ever cross your mind? I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s Kaz and his crew of lost boys fighting the pirates. Obviously, Kaz would be Peter Pan and Inej would be Tink. Nina would be Tiger Lily. Wylan would be John Darling. Jesper would be one of the lost boys, probably the one that wants to shoot the Wendy bird. And Matthias would probably be the lost boy dressed like a bear who looks like he would be the bully (because he’s the biggest of them all) but then he’s really a sweetie. And Pekka Rollins would be Captain Hook. Although that might make Kaz the crocodile.Maybe Nikolai can be Peter Pan then, just for the fun of it. It does kinda suit him. Although Nikolai is more like the result of mixing Kaz and Jesper. Think about it. I’m just going on a roll again, I’m gonna stop now.
The short version is that I loved this and don't know what to do now that it's finished. Maybe see if I can get my hands on King of Scars.
I absolutely adore this bunch of misfits to infinity and beyond. And I still can’t get my head around how extremely well written this is. As great as it is to read, I would have gone crazy trying to write it. The different POVs, the constant flashbacks, the depth and arcs of all the characters… This book is like a cup of hot chocolate in the middle of winter when it’s freezing cold outside. Or, to put it in Leigh Bardugo’s words, it’s like the first sight of land after a shipwreck, if you know what I mean.
I laughed, cried my eyes out and just really enjoyed this book. I have a soft spot for Jesper so
What I found incredibly shocking was that when
Also, has the thought that this could be lightly based on Peter Pan ever cross your mind? I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s Kaz and his crew of lost boys fighting the pirates. Obviously, Kaz would be Peter Pan and Inej would be Tink. Nina would be Tiger Lily. Wylan would be John Darling. Jesper would be one of the lost boys, probably the one that wants to shoot the Wendy bird. And Matthias would probably be the lost boy dressed like a bear who looks like he would be the bully (because he’s the biggest of them all) but then he’s really a sweetie. And Pekka Rollins would be Captain Hook. Although that might make Kaz the crocodile.
The short version is that I loved this and don't know what to do now that it's finished. Maybe see if I can get my hands on King of Scars.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
tense
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
5.0