3 stars out of 5. 
 My overall feelings for the series is also 3 stars out of 5. 
 Its just a meh series. Nothing spectacular or whatever. Its damn engrossing, I have to say. I flipped the pages fast because I wanted to know what happens next. But when I did find out, I'm like, that's it? Eh. 
 Work building is alright. Ravka is interesting but idk, I feel like there's sooooo many unsolved mysteries. Like the dark human bird thing. Like how did it happen? No one will find out. The back story and history was lacking. I guess that's why there's novellas. 
 Writing style is simple to understand. I didn't really notice much. 
 The characters we're meh EXCEPT for Nikolai. I LOVED HIM. Alina is and okay protagonist. Not annoying but also, not memorable. The darkling is creepy and cruel but I pity him. I understood why he did what he did but still, that doesn't excuse or atone for his sins. I didn't like Mal. I liked him I n the first book. The second he was annoying with the in love with Alina but not good enough and then he went with Zoya, it's just, unnecessary and lame love triangle. I loved Nikolai. And like for a moment, I shipped him with Alina because of how sweet and genuine he is. Ahhhhh why can't protagonists go for the sweet genuine guy? Always go for the bad boy or the lame childhood friend who's always been in love. 
 Would I recommend this series? Well, yes if you're interested in the grisha world. The first book was good. Second was suffering from Second Book Syndrome. And this book meh. 
 Spoilers below. 
 I didn't buy the Mal was the third amplifier. It felt way random and it didn't have the shock effect on me as it was intended to be I guess. 
 Ummm I also didn't get the Alina lost her powers and the people around her have the sun power. Im still confused. But oh well. I kinda wished that Mal really died and so did Alina. Would've been beautiful. The Darklings death was lame to me. 
 I think this book lacked something. Idk what though. Is it charm? Hahah Idk. 
 Idk what to feel about Alina lying about her death and she and mal went back to the orphanage and lived their lives there. 
 I loved the Nikolai scenes. And also the darkling hearing his real name, Aleksander. Gosh that was a moment. And the part her 'body' and his burned side by side, gosh the feels. If only the datkling was good, he and Alina would've been my major otp. But I actually shipped Nikolai and Alina at one point. Idk why Mal was just eww. Okay, not that bad. But like, he's just not a likable love interest. The typical nice childhood best friend who's always been in love with the protagonist have the most bland personality and gosh, he was soooooo annoying in the second book. he got jealous and then got with zoya. Just, no. I usually lose interest when the guy tries to make the protagonist 'jealous'. Gah. However, i did like him in the first book. Where he went after alina after she went away from the darkling. That was good. He WAS good then after that, just nah son. 
 Also, the side characters are all not that memorable save Zoya. Hahha. 
 Well anyway, despite the many flaws for me in this book and series, it was a good substitute to pass time. It was really engrossing but the action lacked. So from there, you can tell Leigh has amazing writing style. she just need to improve her plot, WHICH SHE DID IN SIX OF CROWS. GOSH I LOVEEEEEED THAT BOOK. 
 Quite glad i read six of crows first. Because if i read grisha first, i wouldve lost interest or took a long time to pick up Six of Crows.