Ever since I’ve finished the Six of Crows duology, I’ve been debating whether or not I should read this series, especially after seeing more than a few negative(-ish) reviews. Now, half a year later and with King of Scars coming out in a few days and a TV show in the making, I’ve decided to finally give it a chance.

The story focuses on Alina Starkov, a girl that has been considered average her entire life. While crossing the Shadow Fold with her military regiment, their skiff is attacked by the volcra—beasts that live in the Fold and feast on human flesh—and Alina’s powers manifest. It is soon revealed that she might be the key to destroying the Fold once and for all. But first, she needs to learn to control her powers at the Little Palace, the place where Grisha are trained and sinister shenanigans are at work.

Despite being warned about it not being almost anything like Six of Crows plot- and character-wise, I was still taken aback by how “basic” this book actually was. The more I think about it, the more I realize that it practically didn’t have anything that really set it apart from dozens of other YA Fantasy books. A Chosen One™ heroine who starts off as an ugly duckling and turns to a swan and a love triangle between her, her hot childhood best friend and a tall, dark guy she’s just met—we’ve definitely seen those numerous times before. That doesn’t necessarily make the plot bad though, just way too predictable. I had most characters figured out within the first few chapters and, although there were a few scenes and twists which I didn’t really see coming, the ending ended up being quite underwhelming as it happened in the exact fashion I expected it to.

Still, even with it following the already well-known YA scheme, I wouldn’t say that the plot was the main problem I’ve had with this book. Even the dullest-sounding plot can pleasantly surprise you if combined with a good writing style (which this book had) and interesting protagonists that add their own twist to the story—which Alina unfortunately wasn’t.

When we first meet her, Alina is a physically weak, quite sickly and plain looking girl, torn from everything she knew, including her lifelong male best friend (whom she is, of course, secretly in love with) and thrust into a play of power and manipulation and Grisha. She is your typical YA “heroine”—constantly afraid, not particularly sharp, and way, way, way too gullible. I waited for the moment when she would realize at least some of her mistakes and try to change for the better, but unfortunately it didn’t seem to come. She remained the same naïve and scared girl throughout the whole book. She was overly childish and irrational, ridiculously vain, gave up way too easily and kept waiting for others to tell her what to do or make choices for her, which unfortunately influenced the story arc as well.

I didn’t quite enjoy this book, but I’m planning on finishing the trilogy.

Alina Starkov, young orphan, and mapmaker, believes she is ordinary most of her life until one day her friend is badly injured and she discovers her extraordinary power. She is sent to train with other Grisha under the supervision of powerful and mysterious Darkling, who hides many secrets. After all, Alina’s power might decide the future of Ravka and, perhaps, the entire world.

First of all, this book has a really boring plot. Even though I love this universe author created, this book was really static. Most of the book was Alina’s training and besides last chapter, there was no real action.
I usually don’t like the first-person perspective and this book was no exception. Reading from Alina’s perspective was horrible, because I did not like her as character at all. She is too naive and not really bright. She believed anyone who offers her anything that could or might make sense. She is very weak-minded and gives up to easily. She didn’t even try to fight Darkling even though she had multiple chances to free herself or Mal.
Only character I actually liked was Mal. Even with everything he endured he kept fighting and learned from his mistakes. I hope to read something from his perspective. At least whiny Alina has someone with a bit sense.

I expected something more after Six of Crows, but this book isn’t bad. I recommend it to everyone who likes classic YA fantasy books with a female teenage protagonist.