Leigh Bardugo

Orphaned by the Border Wars, Alina Starkov is taken to become the protegâe of the mysterious Darkling, who trains her to join the magical elite in the belief that she is the Sun Summoner, who can destroy the monsters of the Fold.

Shadow and Bone

*The Grishaverse will be coming to Netflix soon with Shadow and Bone, an original series!* Enter the Grishaverse with book one of the Shadow and Bone Trilogy by number one New York Times-bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo. Perfect for fans of Laini Taylor and Sarah J. Maas. Now with a stunning new cover and exclusive bonus material: The Demon in the Wood (a Darkling prequel story) and a Q&A with Leigh Bardugo. Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Orphaned and expendable, Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first trek across the Shadow Fold - a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. But when her regiment is attacked, Alina unleashes dormant magic not even she knew she possessed. Now Alina will enter a lavish world of royalty and intrigue as she trains with the Grisha, her country's magical military elite - and falls under the spell of their notorious leader, the Darkling. He believes Alina can summon a force capable of destroying the Shadow Fold and reuniting their war-ravaged country, but only if she can master her untamed gift. As the threat to the kingdom mounts and Alina unlocks the secrets of her past, she will make a dangerous discovery that could threaten all she loves and the very future of a nation. Welcome to Ravka . . . a world of science and superstition where nothing is what it seems. Read all the books in the Grishaverse! The Shadow and Bone Trilogy (previously published as The Grisha Trilogy) Shadow and Bone Siege and Storm Ruin and Rising The Six of Crows Duology Six of Crows Crooked Kingdom The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic

The Shadow and Bone Trilogy #1

amelia <3

she said. "But mostly I wanted to see the look on that bitch's face when she saw you in the Darkling's color."

Ian Brakspear

 I didn’t belong in this beautiful world, and if I didn’t find a way to use my power, I never Would

best friends to lovers never had a bad track….

kari <33

“I missed you every hour. And you know what the worst part was? It caught me completely by surprise. I’d catch myself walking around to find you, not for any reason, just out of habit, because I’d seen something that I wanted to tell you about or because I wanted to hear your voice. And then I’d realize that you weren’t there anymore, and every time, every single time, it was like having the wind knocked out of me. I’ve risked my life for you. I’ve walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I’d do it again and again and again just to be with you, just to starve with you and freeze with you and hear you complain about hard cheese every day. So don’t tell me we don’t belong together,” he said fiercely. He was very close now, and my heart was suddenly hammering in my chest. “I’m sorry it took me so long to see you, Alina. But I see you now.”

“Did you miss me when you were gone?” 

But we were friends again, and sleep came more easily than it had in a long time. 

He didn’t laugh as easily as he once had. But when he did, some of that grim coolness lifted from him and he seemed a bit more like the Mal I used to know. It gave me hope that he might not be lost forever. 

We laughed until we couldn’t breathe, until our sides ached and our heads spun with it. I couldn’t remember the last time I had laughed like that. 

I’d been lonely my whole life, but I’d never been truly alone before, and it wasn’t nearly as scary as I’d imagine. 

“You think I don’t love my son,” she said. “But I do. It is because I love him that I will not let him put himself beyond redemption.” 

surtified™

Their Eyes meet and beatrice forgets to count the seconds. Something warm and nameless wings between them. 

Elin Hakvoort

“I did the graceful thing and stuck my tongue out at her” ~ Alina Starkov

Megan Martin

They are orphans again, with no true home but each other and whatever life they can make together on the other side of the sea.

“You think I don't love my son," she said. "But l do. It is because I love him that I will not let him put himself beyond redemption.”

“Dear Mal,” I'd written. “I haven't heard from you, so I assume you've met and married a volcra and that you’re living comfortably on the Shadow Fold, where you have neither light nor paper with which to write. Or, possibly, your new bride ate both your hands.”

“I’ve been waiting for you a long time, Alina," he said. "You and I are going to change the world." 

Emma N Harrell

I smiled and shook my head. The other Grisha might look down on Genya, but she had her own kind of power and influence.

He knew the look of a man defending his home with nothing but a rock in his hand.

Chloe Heisserer

"I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again just to be with you, just to starve with you and freeze with you and hear you complain about hard cheese every day. So don't tell me we don't belong together," he said fiercely. He was very close now, and my heart was suddenly hammering in my chest. "Im sorry it took me so long to see you, Alina. But I see you now."

Eslie

"there’s nothing wrong with being a lizard either. Unless you were born to be a hawk."

This is a fun read that is perhaps being rated too poorly by me because of the high standard of literature I've read around it.

I found the characters shallow and one dimensional and the overall lack of depth in the book was disappointing. The world is interesting and the story is good. The world and characters have the potential to be rich and fascinating but the author spends no time developing it in the book. 

Liam Richardson

This is a fun read that is perhaps being rated too poorly by me because of the high standard of literature I've read around it.

I found the characters shallow and one dimensional and the overall lack of depth in the book was disappointing. The world is interesting and the story is good. The world and characters have the potential to be rich and fascinating but the author spends no time developing it in the book. 

Shadow and Bone is the first novel in Leigh Bardugo’s popular Grisha Trilogy, and it plunges readers into a dark, magical world full of danger, betrayal, and self-discovery. Set in the fictional kingdom of Ravka—a land torn apart by war and a swath of darkness known as the Shadow Fold—the novel blends Russian-inspired fantasy with coming-of-age themes and compelling characters.

The story follows Alina Starkov, an orphan and mapmaker in the army who discovers she possesses a rare and powerful magical ability. When her power is revealed during a deadly encounter in the Shadow Fold, she is taken away to be trained as a Grisha—elite magical soldiers led by the mysterious and powerful Darkling. As Alina adjusts to her new life, she begins to uncover secrets that could threaten not only Ravka, but her own life and identity.

Alina is a relatable and strong protagonist, whose journey from insecure orphan to powerful Grisha is engaging and believable. The Darkling, with his charm and secrets, is one of the most intriguing characters, adding tension and complexity to the story. Mal, Alina’s childhood friend, plays a key role as her anchor to the past, though his character can feel underdeveloped at times. The supporting cast adds colour and depth, particularly Genya, a Grisha tailor with her own heartbreaking past.

The world-building in Shadow and Bone is one of its strongest elements. Ravka is a richly imagined land inspired by Tsarist Russia, complete with snowy forests, golden palaces, and military camps. The Grisha system of magic—called the “Small Science”—is original and well-structured, and the Shadow Fold, a swath of unnatural darkness filled with monsters, provides a chilling and symbolic backdrop.

The blend of magic and political intrigue keeps the story moving at a fast pace. Bardugo’s prose is accessible and atmospheric, pulling readers into Alina’s world without overwhelming them with too much detail. The themes of identity, power, and trust resonate throughout the novel, making it more than just a fantasy adventure.

I enjoyed Shadow and Bone for its rich world-building and morally gray characters. While some plot twists are predictable and the romance occasionally leans into cliché, the story remains gripping and emotionally satisfying. It sets up a promising trilogy with plenty of room for growth and deeper exploration.

This book is perfect for teens and young adults who enjoy fantasy with strong female leads, magical academies, and dark secrets. Fans of Harry Potter, Throne of Glass, or The Hunger Games will likely enjoy Shadow and Bone as well. Adults who appreciate YA fantasy with a well-developed setting and emotional stakes might also find it worthwhile.

Keisi

Shadow and Bone is the first novel in Leigh Bardugo’s popular Grisha Trilogy, and it plunges readers into a dark, magical world full of danger, betrayal, and self-discovery. Set in the fictional kingdom of Ravka—a land torn apart by war and a swath of darkness known as the Shadow Fold—the novel blends Russian-inspired fantasy with coming-of-age themes and compelling characters.

The story follows Alina Starkov, an orphan and mapmaker in the army who discovers she possesses a rare and powerful magical ability. When her power is revealed during a deadly encounter in the Shadow Fold, she is taken away to be trained as a Grisha—elite magical soldiers led by the mysterious and powerful Darkling. As Alina adjusts to her new life, she begins to uncover secrets that could threaten not only Ravka, but her own life and identity.

Alina is a relatable and strong protagonist, whose journey from insecure orphan to powerful Grisha is engaging and believable. The Darkling, with his charm and secrets, is one of the most intriguing characters, adding tension and complexity to the story. Mal, Alina’s childhood friend, plays a key role as her anchor to the past, though his character can feel underdeveloped at times. The supporting cast adds colour and depth, particularly Genya, a Grisha tailor with her own heartbreaking past.

The world-building in Shadow and Bone is one of its strongest elements. Ravka is a richly imagined land inspired by Tsarist Russia, complete with snowy forests, golden palaces, and military camps. The Grisha system of magic—called the “Small Science”—is original and well-structured, and the Shadow Fold, a swath of unnatural darkness filled with monsters, provides a chilling and symbolic backdrop.

The blend of magic and political intrigue keeps the story moving at a fast pace. Bardugo’s prose is accessible and atmospheric, pulling readers into Alina’s world without overwhelming them with too much detail. The themes of identity, power, and trust resonate throughout the novel, making it more than just a fantasy adventure.

I enjoyed Shadow and Bone for its rich world-building and morally gray characters. While some plot twists are predictable and the romance occasionally leans into cliché, the story remains gripping and emotionally satisfying. It sets up a promising trilogy with plenty of room for growth and deeper exploration.

This book is perfect for teens and young adults who enjoy fantasy with strong female leads, magical academies, and dark secrets. Fans of Harry Potter, Throne of Glass, or The Hunger Games will likely enjoy Shadow and Bone as well. Adults who appreciate YA fantasy with a well-developed setting and emotional stakes might also find it worthwhile.

this took me forever to actually pick up and read, but it was honestly enjoyable. the beginning was really slow and boring, but the last 40% made up for it. i just don't like how abrupt the dynamic between alina and the darkling changed. they barely interacted and suddenly he was all she could think about? i don't blame her though, i'm drawn to him as well. 

alina and mal are both slightly annoying and i reallyyyy hope they aren't endgame. i do like that she wasn't immediately good at using her powers, though. it seemed slightly more realistic than most YA fantasy main characters. as for the darkling, i love him, i don't care if he's ancient and evil. he's hot. i'm all for villains realizing what they're doing is wrong, so i hope the darkling turns out to be a decent person. 

ultimately, i don't feel the need to read the next book, but i probably will anyways because i want to see more of the darkling.

kaii

this took me forever to actually pick up and read, but it was honestly enjoyable. the beginning was really slow and boring, but the last 40% made up for it. i just don't like how abrupt the dynamic between alina and the darkling changed. they barely interacted and suddenly he was all she could think about? i don't blame her though, i'm drawn to him as well. 


alina and mal are both slightly annoying and i reallyyyy hope they aren't endgame. i do like that she wasn't immediately good at using her powers, though. it seemed slightly more realistic than most YA fantasy main characters. as for the darkling, i love him, i don't care if he's ancient and evil. he's hot. i'm all for villains realizing what they're doing is wrong, so i hope the darkling turns out to be a decent person. 


ultimately, i don't feel the need to read the next book, but i probably will anyways because i want to see more of the darkling.

this took me forever to actually pick up and read, but it was honestly enjoyable. the beginning was really slow and boring, but the last 40% made up for it. i just don't like how abrupt the dynamic between alina and the darkling changed. they barely interacted and suddenly he was all she could think about? i don't blame her though, i'm drawn to him as well. 

alina and mal are both slightly annoying and i reallyyyy hope they aren't endgame. i do like that she wasn't immediately good at using her powers, though. it seemed slightly more realistic than most YA fantasy main characters. as for the darkling, i love him, i don't care if he's ancient and evil. he's hot. i'm all for villains realizing what they're doing is wrong, so i hope the darkling turns out to be a decent person. 

this took me forever to actually pick up and read, but it was honestly enjoyable. the beginning was really slow and boring, but the last 40% made up for it. i just don't like how abrupt the dynamic between alina and the darkling changed. they barely interacted and suddenly he was all she could think about? i don't blame her though, i'm drawn to him as well. 

alina and mal are both slightly annoying and i reallyyyy hope they aren't endgame. i do like that she wasn't immediately good at using her powers, though. it seemed slightly more realistic than most YA fantasy main characters. as for the darkling, i love him, i don't care if he's ancient and evil. he's hot. i'm all for villains realizing what they're doing is wrong, so i hope the darkling turns out to be a decent person. 

ultimately, i don't feel the need to read the next book, but i probably will anyways because i want to see more of the darkling.

it took me SO long to read this book, there was absolutely nothing moving the plot forward, the characters were uninteresting and i simply did not care for the story. :(

sophie bastow

I absolutely loved this book so much that I'm going to read it for the second time it's slow paced it's fantasy it's anything and everything you could ask for in a loved story.

Katie.O

Fast-paced, easy to understand, romance subplot. Continuing this series immediately.

Lauren R

Jennifer Gosnell

Really loved the Grishaverse! I’ve been trying to get back into fantasy for awhile and this book totally hooked me. It was an easy read while being complicated enough to be really interesting. The world-building and plot pace were perfect in my opinion. On to the next in the series!! Can’t wait!

Linara K.S

** spoiler alert **
           If I had to give a grade to this book on 100 % I'd give it a 70 %. 
Let me explain; 1) I did not like the main character 'cause for me, she was kind of in retreat in this story she gets used and never has an opinion on what to do; first she was taken away by the Darkling though she did struggle and when she fled him she followed Mal around. She doesn't take her life in her own hands that's what perturbates me. 2) I did not like Mal. Perhaps it's because we don't get to know him profoundly 'cause he has a minor role in the book. I think I would like him If I knew him as Alina does. 3) The plot twist is a bit confusing and the Darklings affection is unexplained. Though I see why they fell in love with each other, Alina and the Darkling, the Darkling was a little too quick on his emotions. Well, I don't know if I'm right or wrong but it's my opinion.
Okay so these the bad thoughts let me give you the good ones;
1) The storyline is well done and I can see that Leigh Bardug did a wonderful job in world-building I really felt like being there while reading. 2) Apart from ALINA the character's were intriguing, yes Mal too. My favorite has to be the Darkling 'cause I can just see that he has a tender side to him and that even though he is the villain of the book, I adore him!! He is similar to an iceberg, we saw only the tip of the iceberg but I hope to see him in his entirety in the two sequels. 3)Though the plot twist was confusing, I did not see it coming and on top of that when Alina discovers it I still don't believe it. Plus I always figure the plot twists before they occur and this time I did not so it was rather refreshing to be surprised.

Very cool book with very cool worldbuilding. I don't know what but something was missing in the scenes that were supposed to be heart-wrenching. Maybe it is because I was accidentally exposed to a major spoiler. Anyway, still a pretty cool book. Also, it is probably the only book I have read in one day since maybe 5 years.

Anna 

** spoiler alert **
           i have to admit that i enjoyed this book. i did not have high expectations from it so i was not disappointed with the fact that it's a cheesy YA fantasy with the chosen main character and a love triangle. it was easy to read and the pacing was quick so i read it in 4 days which was quick for me since i'm a slower reader. 
alina was punchable the whole time because she just couldn't wrap her head around the fact that she had some duties to do since she became like... the strongest grisha to ever live but i am kinda used to this type of main characters from other young adult books. she also cared about mal when she had other things to focus on and it was.. well i hated her for that. when you become so powerful and the whole world relies on you you have other things to care about than your best friend/boyfriend. i'm sorry but main characters need to hear this, especially in YA.
darkling was sure... something. yet another immortal to groom a teen. not sure why this trope is so popular among YA authors but as i said... i'm kind of used to it now so I wasn't even surprised at this point. which is concerning. 
but yeah i don't really want to hate on this book, it has a huge impact on the booksta community and i overall really enjoyed reading it. plus the whole russia-inspired world was quite unique and interesting.

prawnie

Anjorin Molayo 

3.5 ⭐️

the plot leaves something to be desired. i honestly tried to like the book, but i think i prefer the show.

Alina and Mal made this book so boring! they went ahead and gave nothing! talmbout Mal saying he sees Alina now. you literally lived with her almost all your life bro. 

the darkling was the only interesting plot. i love him. he knew what he wanted and went straight for it!

kelsey

*update 8/7/21

i’m changing this bc it was eh but still the best of the trilogy 😂

Anne

The perfect fantasy, I'm in love with the Grishaverse. Anticipating to read the rest of the series 🩵

clau☁️

arwen

the moment his lips met mine, the connection between us opened and I felt his power flood through me. i could feel how much he wanted me—but behind that desire, i could feel something else, something that felt like anger. i drew back, startled. “you don’t want to be doing this.” “this is the only thing I want to be doing,” he growled, and I could hear the bitterness and desire all tangled up in his voice. “and you hate that,” i said with a sudden flash of comprehension. he sighed and leaned against me, brushing my hair back from my neck. “maybe i do,” he murmured, his lips grazing my ear, my throat, my collarbone.

Helena

** spoiler alert **
           finally read this !! 
3 1/2 ⭐️
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know more about the grishaverse and it was pretty fast paced and easy to read. the thing I was a bit disappointed about is i didn’t find alina to have the depth of a mc and she definitely wasn’t my favorite in the book, but also the darkling was a bit overrated in my opinion, so maybe it’s the high expectations. mal wasn’t even the bad (for now) and i really liked genya. I’m curious to see what happens next but mainly because i want to know more about the world and specially the other countries mentioned.

Hanna Rybchynska

5 stars!
I just loved this! 

This book hooked me from the first chapter! Yes, it was kinda predictable but I really like Alina. She is young, insecure, and naive. And I think it made the story more interesting for me. (I still like the main characters who are not convinced that they are the best. I mean, I don't mind badass characters but sometimes it is over the top). I also like how she grows by the end. I felt Katniss vibes here!

The story itself was fast passed but it was easy to follow. 

Really excited to start the second book! Also can't wait for the TV Show!

Enter the Grishaverse with Book One of the Shadow and Bone Trilogy by the number one New York Times-bestselling author of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. Perfect for fans of Laini Taylor and Sarah J. Maas. Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Orphaned and expendable, Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first trek across the Shadow Fold-a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. But when her regiment is attacked, Alina unleashes dormant magic not even she knew she possessed. Now Alina will enter a lavish world of royalty and intrigue as she trains with the Grisha, her country's magical military elite - and falls under the spell of their notorious leader, the Darkling. He believes Alina can summon a force capable of destroying the Shadow Fold and reuniting their war-ravaged country, but only if she can master her untamed gift. As the threat to the kingdom mounts and Alina unlocks the secrets of her past, she will make a dangerous discovery that could threaten all she loves and the very future of a nation. Welcome to Ravka . . . a world of science and superstition where nothing is what it seems. Praise for the Grishaverse: "Utterly, extremely bewitching." The Guardian "There's a level of emotional and historical sophistication within Bardugo's original epic fantasy that sets it apart." Vanity Fair "Unlike anything I've ever read." Veronica Roth, bestselling author of Divergent "This is a great choice for teenage fans of George R.R. Martin and J.R.R. Tolkien." RT Book Reviews Read all the books in the Grishaverse! The Shadow and Bone Trilogy (previously published as The Grisha Trilogy) Shadow and Bone Siege and Storm Ruin and Rising The Six of Crows Duology Six of Crows Crooked Kingdom The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic

It had been a few years since I last read an YA novel. Thought for quite awhile that I was done with YA and it was not for me anymore...

Well... turns out I was wrong! Nothing that a little bit of fictional fantastical world  cannot fix! 

I have to say the romance in this book so far has felt awkward and unnecessary and lacks intent. Maybe my opinion will change in the next books, but for now I really don't care for the romance of it all. 

This book also made me realise that I am more of a fast reader than I imagined, since after days of procrastination, I ended up reading and finishing more than half of the book in a few hours. Props to this book for that! 

Alina and Mal as of now are quite uninteresting  for me and I am hoping a better character development on the next books.

Shadow and Bone has quite a few interesting characters to it: The Apparat, Genya, the princes (even thought they were barely mentioned, I have a feeling they will be reoccurring characters) and the most interesting of them all is of now, the infamous Darkling. 

Anyways, I wish I already had the next book right here with me so I could satiate my curiosity but oh well. 

Marta

It had been a few years since I last read an YA novel. Thought for quite awhile that I was done with YA and it was not for me anymore...

Well... turns out I was wrong! Nothing that a little bit of fictional fantastical world  cannot fix! 

I have to say the romance in this book so far has felt awkward and unnecessary and lacks intent. Maybe my opinion will change in the next books, but for now I really don't care for the romance of it all. 

This book also made me realise that I am more of a fast reader than I imagined, since after days of procrastination, I ended up reading and finishing more than half of the book in a few hours. Props to this book for that! 

Alina and Mal as of now are quite uninteresting  for me and I am hoping a better character development on the next books.

Shadow and Bone has quite a few interesting characters to it: The Apparat, Genya, the princes (even thought they were barely mentioned, I have a feeling they will be reoccurring characters) and the most interesting of them all is of now, the infamous Darkling. 

Anyways, I wish I already had the next book right here with me so I could satiate my curiosity but oh well. 

Emily

I continue to not understand why people dislike this book so much. I had so much fun reading it and I can't wait to read the rest of this series. 

I didn't want to put it down at all. I felt so immersed into the world that at times I genuinely felt like I was there. 

The only reason it's not a 5 star is because I didn't feel like anything in the plot was surprising. Of course I was very happy when I guessed the plot twist but I shouldn't have been able to guess everything that was going to take place throughout the book. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it was a little too predictable for my tastes. Even when I was actively trying not to guess where it was going to go.

Thankfully, predictablility doesn't mean I can't thoroughly enjoy a story.

Riley Bell

I decided to reread this before the show comes out this Friday. Alina felt a little all over the place and not very strong as a female MC. Like she has too many different characteristics trying to mold her into whatever the reader may connect with. Apart from that I really liked her connection with Mal and just knew that the Darkling was going to be up to no good. I know I enjoyed this a lot when I first read it, but since I’m rereading it in my 20’s, it feels very YA. Can’t deny the epic world and magic building though. Would have to say that Six of Crows remains my favorite of the two series. Extremely excited to see how this world will be brought to life!!

Alina is an expendable soldier, but when her unit is attacked, she discovers magic she did not know she had. When she trains with the Grisha, she is bewitched by their leader, the Darkling. He believes her powers can destroy the Shadow Fold and reunite the country. A secret from her past could destroy the nation and everything she loves.

Sombra Y Hueso

hemera

Me ha gustado mucho, Alina es un personaje real, aunque siento que hay veces que sus actitudes no tienen sentido. Los demás personajes también son reales y palpables. También me ha gustado mucho esa dicotomía del bien y el mal, que en el bien hay mal y en el mal hay bien; que son dos lados de una misma moneda, que nada es absoluto.

kait

Very glad I finally started this series! I definitely enjoyed this book, although I did feel like some of the characters fell flat at times. I watched the first season of this show while I read this and there were so many inconsistencies that I think I ended up getting confused and a little disinterested. The characters felt like they had a little more development in the show but that might just be because we can actually visualize them. The writing in the book was good and I enjoyed the plot line a lot, so I do think I am going to continue with this series. I especially loved meeting the crows in the show so I am very ready to finish this series and move on to that, as they were my favorite characters in the show.

Shadow and Bone

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