Leigh Bardugo

Discover the start of a grand and sinister destiny in Demon in the Wood, the must-have graphic novel prequel to the bestselling book series and international Netflix sensation Shadow and Bone from spectacular new talent Dani Pendergast and #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo.

Before he led Ravka’s Second Army, before he created the Fold, and long before he became the Darkling, he was just a lonely boy burdened by an extraordinary power.

Eryk and his mother, Lena, have spent their lives on the run. But they will never find a safe haven. They are not only Grisha―they are the deadliest and rarest of their kind. Feared by those who wish to destroy them and hunted by those who would exploit their gifts, they must hide their true abilities wherever they go. But sometimes deadly secrets have a way of revealing themselves . . .

Demon in the Wood Graphic Novel

Before he ruled Ravka, before he was the Darkling, he was just a lonely boy with an extraordinary gift. In this prequel story to the New York Times-bestselling Grisha Trilogy, Leigh Bardugo takes us into Ravka's mysterious past, when Grisha lived as fugitives and the Darkling took his first steps on the path to power. Discover new territory in the Grishaverse, as well as two chapters from the soon-to-be-released Six of Crows.

A Darkling Prequel Story

The Demon in the Wood

Dustin

I hadn’t expected such a short short story. It was good and I was wrong in my assumptions first (having remembered something that obviously didn’t happen in the main books).

Marian L

Demon in the Wood

Lara Engle

Pretty basic story and storytelling, but the art is pretty and there is one rather shocking moment. If you're into the Grishaverse, this Darkling origin story is worth the brief time it takes to read it. Otherwise, it's nothing special.

freya.nightwolf

I loved it. 5 stars for this beautiful and heartbreaking story and also for the talented artist Dani Pendergast who made this story come alive in a whole different way. 

I read this story after the first trilogy and it was perfect for me because I didn't particularly appreciate how Ruin and Rising ended and needed more of the Darkling. And this book did not disappoint. It was perfect.

Nessa Luna

Ok let me be honest, the first time I read this I still kind of liked the Darkling, so this story was amazing IMO. Now, five years later, I actually do not like the Darkling anymore at all (I think he's an amazing character, I just really hate him *shrug*) so I couldn't justify giving this novella 4 stars. I've brought my rating down to 3,5. Yeah, it's still a nice story and nice backstory for the Darkling but meh.

The story gets like a 3 star, but I gave it an extra star for the artwork which is just absolutely amazing. I just can't bring myself to rate the story higher because I hate the Darkling with a passion. (view spoiler)[ And like I know, he's not the character he is in the S&B trilogy in this story, but still I just fucking hate him, ok?! (hide spoiler)]

Vicky (A City Girl's Thoughts)

Very short but Leigh Bardugo gives us a glimpse into The Darkling's upbringing and how he became the way he is. I expected it to be longer with more background information but other than that it's great!

Skye

I absolutely loved being able to finally read this in hardback format. This is an amazing origin story for one of the most iconic characters in the Grishaverse. Read if you’d like more insight into the Darkling and his path to infamy.

Monique Nagel

I really enjoyed this, and I really enjoyed Ben Barnes’ voice in die audiobook!

menna

I enjoyed the drawings and getting back to the Grishaverse, but I don't really see the point of this graphic novel...

Philippine

brianna

could not care less about the darkling but god!! the art style is breathtaking

I wished this lasted longer, but from the very beginning I was invested and with each page turn I got more and more invested. 

A prequel to the Shadow and bone series. 

Shanelle M.

I wished this lasted longer, but from the very beginning I was invested and with each page turn I got more and more invested. 

A prequel to the Shadow and bone series. 

I got it today but the absolute hold the grishaverse has on me is insane (also the art 😫🤌🏻)

Smaug

Unnecessary but a nice little supplement 

Lizeth Garcia

Jagoda

Beautiful pictures, still don't like Darkling, but at least the grisha had safe space for awhile.

I like the fact that I got to see how the darkling became the darkling and what inspired him to do these things. this doesn’t make sense but anywho

katerina

Annabella

LB can pry my love for Aleks from my corpse.

Courtney

Anna

J’ai dépensé 25€ pour un roman graphique sur le Darkling ? OUI. Et c’est un putain de super achat. 

Je suis allée dans une librairie anglaise pour l’avoir, le grishaverse sont mes livres préférés donc quand j’ai vu ça à l’étranger j’étais obligée de le vouloir !!! 
Vraiment collector, incroyable et je suis trop contente de l’avoir lu. Je pensais que ce serait vraiment sur sa vie, comment il a fondé le Little Palace etc, mais en fait non c’est une anecdote de sa vie, un moment au cours de ses escapades quand il cachait le fait qu’il était Grisha. Au final c’est pas si mal !

Tbh I only wish it was longer :) that's ky only complaint

 ☆RoRo☆

THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE SO PRETTY

Tbh I only wish it was longer :) that's ky only complaint

riven

honestly i found this enjoyable. i’m always a fan of leigh’s writing.

Story remained the same as the novella, but the illustrations added so much more. Adds more depth to the Darkling, especially because throughout the rest of the Grishaverse we see him mostly through other people’s eyes!

(Bre)anne✨

TW to be added later

Story remained the same as the novella, but the illustrations added so much more. Adds more depth to the Darkling, especially because throughout the rest of the Grishaverse we see him mostly through other people’s eyes!

Beautifully cinematized and developed, Bardugo and Pendergast have brought us an immaculate origin telling of our favorite anti-villain, The Darkling, through a pivotal point in his life.

To not only devour the words chosen, but also the stunning artwork of this graphic novel is a gift for the ages. Both amazing creators captured the intricacy of this character in both literary and artistry forms. 

Aleksander would forever be infamous for his creation of The Fold among his extortion of Grisha and followers alike in his later life, but at the beginning, he was nothing more than a boy who wanted to find somewhere to call home. It's heartbreaking to see how strongly he craved permanency in his life as well as the ache to discard the false names adorned, and just be himself. 

This book also showcases more intimate goings between him and his mother. As such delicately woven characters, Bardugo was able to portray the nature of their relationship more translucently, and show just how devoted Baghra is to her son (in her own way, of course). 

Though short, this novel is well-worth adding to your GrishaVerse collection and furthering the thought of if Aleksander was born malevolent, or forged into The Darkling. 

Cassie Burke

Beautifully cinematized and developed, Bardugo and Pendergast have brought us an immaculate origin telling of our favorite anti-villain, The Darkling, through a pivotal point in his life.

To not only devour the words chosen, but also the stunning artwork of this graphic novel is a gift for the ages. Both amazing creators captured the intricacy of this character in both literary and artistry forms. 

Aleksander would forever be infamous for his creation of The Fold among his extortion of Grisha and followers alike in his later life, but at the beginning, he was nothing more than a boy who wanted to find somewhere to call home. It's heartbreaking to see how strongly he craved permanency in his life as well as the ache to discard the false names adorned, and just be himself. 

This book also showcases more intimate goings between him and his mother. As such delicately woven characters, Bardugo was able to portray the nature of their relationship more translucently, and show just how devoted Baghra is to her son (in her own way, of course). 

Though short, this novel is well-worth adding to your GrishaVerse collection and furthering the thought of if Aleksander was born malevolent, or forged into The Darkling. 

Demon in the Wood Graphic Novel

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