Alina Starkov was one of those characters that I'm still not sure what to think of. There were times where I was proud of her and she was the strong female character that I like to read about and come to relate and get invested in. However, there were times where she was too self-centered, too unsure of what she was doing, too scared. There was something about her at times that I just didn't understand. She wants to do things and whats to help, but not until the end of the book does she a
A boy and a girl, orphaned by war, grow up together as the best of friends. By the time they're serving in the same military unit, Alina realizes she's in love with Mal but he's oblivious. When they're nearly killed on a dangerous mission into the Shadow Fold which separates Ravka from the sea, Alina exhibits the magical elemental control powers of a Grisha and is swept away for training. But the struggle to master her gift without Mal by her side is not the only challenge she will face.
Overall I was surprised and very pleased with this book, Bardugo has a clear voice and distinct style and it serves the story very well.
Dark and very original with a lot of unexpected twists, this is a great beginning of what looks to be a very promising series. Interesting characters with depth that evolve and make hard decisions. I found the Darkling a bit silly as a name, but the character was anything but silly. Looking forward to [b:Siege and Storm|14061955|Siege and Storm (The Grisha, #2)|Leigh Bardugo|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1362166252s/14061955.jpg|19699752]!
Grade: B /
Thenia 
/ Apr 25, 2015
How does one even begin to review a book this amazing? I am so glad my best friend recommended this to me and we read it together. What an excellent read with superb world building and characters. Leigh Bardugo hits it out of the park with her writing and breathes fresh life into the young adult genre. The Darkling steals every scene he's in and he is the bad guy you love to hate, or maybe just love to love! I will have to think more about what I want to say as my head is full of thoughts--what
Grade: A /
sunshine / Apr 21, 2016
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