Aneta Jadowska’s novels are definitely among my favourites. I read most of her books when they were first published. Not all of them – because while I loved Dora or Witkac, I felt an unjustified aversion towards the tough and, in my opinion, too hardcore Nikita. Several years had to pass, and the series itself gained a new setting, for me to decide that it was time to make up for the shortcomings.
Starting at the end has its advantages
I admit – when I felt that I finally had the strength to spend more time with this heroine, the first volume of Neighborhood Chronicles came out and I reached for it in the first place. So you can say that I started from the end. However, I think it’s a good thing because I’ve already met a slightly different version of this woman and it was thanks to her that I decided to get to know the initial stages of her path, i.e. the Girl from the Wonder District , the Midwife of the Gods and the Ferris Wheel . Even though the order wasn’t right, it turned out to be the perfect one for me. It was easier for me to accept the old Nikita, knowing what the new one looked like. It was also interesting to follow the formation of the relationship between Nikita and Robin and learn the details of her past.
First he shoots, then he asks – this is Nikita
Compared to Dora’s hexalogy, the Nikita trilogy is a much darker and detective-oriented series. In my opinion, this is the most emotionally difficult reading by Jadowska and not everyone may like it (as you can see, I also had to mature to it).
Without going into details: the main character is a highly trained assassin with an added genetic bonus. Her role is to eliminate specific individuals and work for the Order (at the top of which is her personal mother). The girl has never functioned like a normal person, so she is not the best at establishing and maintaining relationships. However, fate decides that a mysterious Robin, assigned to her as a partner, stands in Nikita’s way, and the latest case takes the heroine to areas related to her earlier romance. The first part, which fits perfectly into the noir style , is the perfect beginning of the path that the main character takes to follow it through the next two parts.
Who am I? Do I have to have a family?
The Nikita trilogy is a well-planned journey about finding yourself and finding answers to important questions for the heroine. We learn a lot about the history of this woman: how she grew up, who she dealt with and what influenced the formation of her character. Of course, there is a whole range of different personalities in the books, so even if you are still not convinced by the main character, believe me – it is worth reading this series to get to know Robin better, or to appreciate the references to mythology used. As it happens in Jadowska’s novels, the whole world is incredibly vivid, the behavior of the characters is logical, and the plot is engaging and exciting. Personally, I rate the third volume the highest, i.e. Ferris Wheelbecause we become part of a kind of rolling stock-circus troupe, and this is a theme I really like.
Not now, later
Let me repeat myself – starting the adventure with Nikita from Neighborhood Chronicles turned out to be a good decision. If you haven’t felt chemistry with this killer before – I encourage you to give her a second chance. I don’t regret it, and I’m even delighted with the adventure it took me on.
