Alina and Mal are long-time childhood friends but when they get attacked by Volcras, some secret force mysteriously helped them overcome the attack. When she is confronted about the attack with the Darking, Alina tries to convince everyone that she doesn't have anything to do with the deaths of all those Volcras but the Darkling knows better than to listen to the mere words of a little girl. He cut her arm and uses an Amplifier to extract the power from her body and finds out that she's a Sun Summoner, a powerful type of Grisha. The Darkling brings her to the palace and trains her with his mother who later on, tells Alina that her son is making an evil plan to destroy the world, but it's too late-Alina has already fallen in love with him. She did the easiest thing possible. She ran away and hoped that no one would ever find her and that she would live a pleasant and peaceful life. It didn't really work. Mal found her very quickly and a couple of days later, the Darkling found her too. What will happen to her? Will she be able to save her friend? Why does the Darkling absolutely wants to posses Alina?
I think Bardugo could've put a little more effort in the settings because other then "Oh Look! A couple of mountains and plains" here and there, I really didn't know where did the story takes place. I had to base myself on some Russian sounding names and references that for all I know aren't even correct. Not that I mind that they aren't correct but if you're going to pluck in some references from a particular culture, at least do a bit a research please. Because apparently Mikael got drunk on Kvass and that's like Cooler-it's practically juice with 1% alcohol. Why didn't you just take the most stereotypical drink: Vodka? That would've made more sense. Also, I can't stand Alina. I feel like I was reading the POV of a 12 years old kid . Come on, just accept the fact that you're a freaking Sun Summoner and stop dwelling on how miserable you are. The only good thing about this book was probably the Darkling. He's mysterious and lonely and he only wants the Grisha to have a better life but he doesn't know how to get to his goal so he resorts to destruction and murder. Cute character.
2 stars
I think Bardugo could've put a little more effort in the settings because other then "Oh Look! A couple of mountains and plains" here and there, I really didn't know where did the story takes place. I had to base myself on some Russian sounding names and references that for all I know aren't even correct. Not that I mind that they aren't correct but if you're going to pluck in some references from a particular culture, at least do a bit a research please. Because apparently Mikael got drunk on Kvass and that's like Cooler-it's practically juice with 1% alcohol. Why didn't you just take the most stereotypical drink: Vodka? That would've made more sense. Also, I can't stand Alina. I feel like I was reading the POV of a 12 years old kid . Come on, just accept the fact that you're a freaking Sun Summoner and stop dwelling on how miserable you are. The only good thing about this book was probably the Darkling. He's mysterious and lonely and he only wants the Grisha to have a better life but he doesn't know how to get to his goal so he resorts to destruction and murder. Cute character.
2 stars