outsidestar's reviews
82 reviews

This book was a lot less about Nikolai and a lot more about Zoya and Nina than I expected. I still haven't made up my mind on whether that's a bad thing, a good thing, or just a thing.

I found that, as much as I loved Nina in Six of Crows, I didn't really care about her story line other than for the references to Matthias, Jesper, Kaz and the rest of the SoC gang.

Then there's Nikolai's and Zoya's story, where Nikolai is basically a side character. I didn't dislike Zoya in Shadow and Bone, especially not by the end of the trilogy, and I really enjoyed her story and arc in King of Scars. Shout-out to her relationship with Juris, by the way. Chef's kiss.

And let me point out our beloved king Nikolai. I feel like his character was basically used to make Zoya more likeable and give the rest of the crew at the palace something to do (which I didn't really care much about either). He was a side character in his own book. I was expecting the awesomeness of the Nikolai we met in Siege and Storm, the Nikolai who charmed us all into loving him, but here he was kind of... dull? As dull as Nikolai can get, that is.

Although I did find this book was kind of slow at the beginning, I was happy to see all the crew back together again. I loved the dynamics between them, seeing how they have become a family, especially the friendship between Genya and Zoya, and I really really really hope Nikolai and Zoya will realize they are perfect for each other and actually dare to act on it. That's basically all I care about, I honestly don't care about

the war looming in the horizon or the return of you-know-who.

I loved this book, but I don't think it fully made it to 5 stars for me.

Before I get into what it's about, let me say that I am now hopelessly in love with TJR's writing. That's how I want to write someday. The whole book is written flawlessly, but that beginning? She had me at the prologue. I knew I was going to love it right then and there.

Now, back to the topic at hand. Malibu Rising tells the story of the four Riva children, the story of their parents, the story of family bonds and, in some way, the story of fire. The book takes place over one single day of August 1983 but, as the day unfolds, we get flashback chapters on everything that came before, starting in 1956 when June Costas met Mick Riva.

This is a story of childhood and growing up, sometimes faster than you should; a story about the struggles of being a single parent, especially when the money is tight; a story about realizing you don't owe anything to people who hurt you or betray your trust, whoever that may be; a story about healthy relationships and toxic ones; and ultimately it's a story about Nina Riva, a strong as hell female character who will do whatever it takes because that's just how fiercely loyal she is.

I don't want to say much more because this is one of those books you're better off reading without knowing much about it to begin with. Just know that you will love Nina, Jay, Hud and Kit in every possible way and that I cried.