The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo

Again this was a novel that I expected to enjoy and was just underwhelmed by it. I don't know if it as its simplicity (there's only 6 stories), or if it lacked a certain quality I associate with Grisha.

There were 2 things about this novel that ultimately gave it 3 stars. The writing is perfectly eerie for fairy tales. Especially if you take into consideration the history of fairy tales. The original Hans Christian Anderson and Brothers Grimm were not for the faint of heart. So I enjoyed that these ones felt like "going back to the roots." I also really, really loved the illustrations. If you haven't picked this up and scanned through the pages, DO IT!! For each story, the illustration becomes more and more elaborate. It's like it's own special brand of magic. Then at the end of the story is the complete picture, which gives a whole new meaning to the phrase. Beautifully done, and the artist should treat themselves to a special celebration.

I rated this 3 out of 5, and I guess I just wanted to see more Grisha. I think I also misunderstood because I was hoping for the different Saints and their stories. They weren't there. I think it would have tied in more with the Grisha verse to have those stories plus more Fjerda. I don't think 6 stories was enough to give us the feeling of Grisha like the actual multiple series do.