Leigh Bardugo

*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

Shadow and Bone

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.” 

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.

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."

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 Herruzo

** 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. 

Elif Türker

** spoiler alert **
           Güzeldi ama kız gerçekten mal. Yani Allah sana bir beyin vermiş kullan diye kız herhalde kullanınca yan etkisi olacak falan diye düşünüyor. Onun dışında darklinge bayılıyorum. ne kadar azıcık sadist olsa da yöntemi düşüncesi ve planı çok iyi.

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.

Fantasy World ist slay, aber ehrlich, wer nennt den Bösewicht der Story „Darkling“ ? Das klingt niedlich, nicht grausam 😂 typisches love triangle, typischer main character, nichts weltbewegendes aber auch nicht schlecht. Es gab eine Seite am Ende, die fand ich sehr poetisch, ansonsten war’s ok💃🏻

Leon

Luke Harkness

This time round (having read many more books) I think I could appreciate the uniqueness of the world and the characters involved. The villain was fairly dull and undeveloped, but the story wasn't too linear and the main protagonists had just enough chemistry and personality to warrant caring about them.

Christine

reading this after soc/ck was literally a punch in the gut

jxczoiwueac;fiuwekd?????? 
i can't give it just one star bc i still love the world too much for that but like. *bangs head against wall* i'm ALL for the (view spoiler)[childhood friends to lovers trope cuz hell yea i love that in the right places but this was straightup dumb ngl mostly because of the Darkling and bc alina was way too fricken obsessed with mal even though he barely paid attention to her until she left. oh also i fricken highly disliked the Darkling PLEASE kaz is so much better no comparison needed (hide spoiler)]
literally all i was interested in was genya

i just hope the show actually makes me like the characters. jessie mei li is a QUEEN

it was…okay. super easy to read but felt like reading a no brain romance book.

Laura

Meg Ma. Guerrero 

having read this months after watching the show, i'm pleasantly surprised that most of what i remember in the show actually happens here (or better phrased: most of the things in the show are true to the book!). there seems to be very little that they changed in the show so props to the creators for being faithful to this book in particular. 

i'm about to read six of crows next so i'll see if they're faithful to that, too, lmao

as for the book itself, i can see why a lot of people like the darkling in a romantic sense but also lol would you actually fall in love with someone whose real name you don't know (esp given that all they call him is THE DARKLING like that just screams evil... even after "getting to know" him, i'd still likely be sus) 

my copy also had the bonus content of mal's letter to alina so that was really cute

Orphaned by the Border Wars, Alina Starkov is taken from obscurity and her only friend, Mal, 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.

(3.5/5) sombra y hueso es el primer libro del grishaverse, y creo qué, para ser un libro prácticamente introductorio al mundo creo que funciona bastante bien. la escritura de Bardugo es fácil de leer y muy fluida, por lo que el libro se lee muy rápido, y a pesar de que se nos presentan los primeros atisbos del universo, ya sea para bien o para mal, está hecho de una forma bastante simple, que no abruma ni confunde al lector. puede que falten explicar cosas, pero estoy segura de que a lo largo de los otros libros se irá develando más información, por lo que tampoco me asusta demasiado.
en general no tengo quejas de la trama como tal, es simple y quizá pueda ser un poco predecible pero el libro está narrado de tal forma que no aburre en ningún momento.

lo que a mi parecer es el punto más débil de la obra son los personajes. Alina es claramente la típica protagonista feucha (pero al mismo tiempo lo suficientemente guapa para tener detrás como 500 pretendientes), débil y encima huérfana, y aunque tiene sus momentos para brillar, no encontré ninguna escena que me hiciera tenerle un cariño desmesurado. 

por otro lado, Mal me parece el interés romántico más aburrido y plano del mundo. su personalidad se basa en ser lindo y correr atrás de Alina básicamente, no sabemos prácticamente nada de él y para mí hubiera sido preferible que siguieran siendo amigos a una pareja romántica (aunque en este libro aún no pasa mucho así que quién sabe, voy a mantener mis esperanzas de que al menos se vuelva un poco más interesante).

por último tenemos al oscuro, que venía siendo super prometedor y de repente pierde toda la gracia. empezó siendo un villano carismático, que podía llegar a caerte bien incluso, y al final nos quedamos con un tipo que básicamente es malo porque sí, no pregunten por qué porque no hay respuesta. me molesta que el conflicto entre él y Alina sea tan blanco y negro, que los buenos sean siempre buenos y los malos siempre malos y no haya punto de inflexión, que no se explique la historia detrás del oscuro y el por qué de que quiera básicamente gobernar al mundo entero (por favor, estoy rezando para que me expliquen esto en alguno de los otros libros).

en general es un buen libro para introducir al mundo pero tampoco es como que wow, me haya dejado sin palabras. entiendo que la autora se estaba aclimatando al mundo y todo, y supongo que en los siguientes libros se verá una evolución. 

ah, y otra cosa que también me molestó es que esté escrito en primera persona, no le perdono a Leigh Bardugo que empieze el prólogo ese extraño en tercera persona y enseguida pum primera persona todo el libro.

liana

3.25⭐️


⚠️THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS⚠️


Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo is a YA fantasy book that takes place in the kingdom of Ravka. It is a world at war inhabited by Grisha, people who have the ability to manipulate elements such as fire and wind. This book follows Alina Starkov as she discovers she is a rare Sun Summoner, destined to bring down the Shadow Fold, a band of living darkness dividing Ravka. Treachery and danger wait at every turn, and Alina must use all of her wits and power to stop those who would use the Fold as a weapon.


 


➵
  Do you ask your heart to beat or your lungs to breathe? Your power serves you because that is its purpose, because it cannot help but to serve you.



I have a lot to say about this book, so buckle up because THIS IS MY RANT OF THE DAY!
First of all, let's talk about the characters, shall we?
I don't like Alina too much, to be honest. Throughout the whole book, I just couldn't connect with her. I felt like she was just a pick me girl and I hate when women are written like stupid and naive characters who need men to save them. Even though she knew some of her actions were wrong, she kept on making mistakes to later on realizing she fucked up, like please girl grow tf up. Also, instead of worrying about what might happen to the world, she only cared about Mal (someone who I felt didn't care about her at all) and about the fucked up Darkling, because after she found out his secret intentions, she let him kiss her... sorry, what???? She needs a huge character development, cause if not, I will go mad.
Am I mentally ill and in need of a therapist if a say I liked The Darkling? probably yes, but I don't care because I just kept imagining Ben Barnes and that man has my entire permission to run me over, period. I would've liked to know more about his past (and I know there's a graphic novel about him, but I was told I can’t read it until I read the second book of the series) and how he became who he is, but I guess I'll just have to wait. His dark aura and how mysterious he is was what I liked the most about him, but I didn't like how he treated Alina (the gaslighting was huge). Also, I'm 100% sure he's not dead. 
Now... Mal is horrible, I'm sorry. Why does he blame Alina for HIS actions?? Shut up, dude! And I have these weird vibes because I think he's hiding something from Alina. This man being the love interest is just a fucking crime.
I liked Baghra, but I don’t understand why she kept on bullying Alina. I know se was preparing her to something huge, but the bullying was unnecessary.
I think the only character that I loved since the very first second she appears is Genya. Again, I think it would've been so much better if I knew a little bit of her, but I think Bardugo just doesn’t like you to know more about the characters she writes. 


➵
  The problem with wanting is that it makes us weak.



Okay so my sincere opinion on this one I would say it’s kind of neutral. I didn’t have any kind of expectations before diving into it so that was much better considering my disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, the book is good, but it felt bland to me. 
1. The worldbuilding is not the best, and I know it’s a YA but believe me when I say I’ve read other YA books and the worldbuilding were a freaking masterpiece, so I’m sorry but that’s not an excuse. I don’t know if this was the author’s first ever written book, but it’s just meh.
2. The amount of times I’ve read the word kefta is insane. Has anyone ever told Bardugo that a dictionary of synonyms EXIST???? And yes, I know it’s the Grisha’s outfits, but she could’ve said COAT or ANY OTHER WORD, not kefta a billion times!!!
3. I was really excited of knowing that it was inspired by Russian culture, but it was like any other fantasy book, the only thing that changed was that there were a few words in Russian and that’s it. I was expecting to read at least a glint of their culture but nope, zero.
4. Regarding n3, it would’ve been SO much better if at the end of the book there were a glossary with the meaning of the words because I👏🏼DON’T👏🏼KNOW👏🏼SHIT👏🏼ABOUT👏🏼RUSSIAN👏🏼.
5. There wasn’t any huge character development, and I hope we get a GOOD one out of Alina, because so far I can’t stand her. PLEASE GIRL STOP GOING WITH MEN THAT DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU.
6. I couldn’t wait to finish it, istg the last chapters were longer than my fucking existence.
7. Why is there a king in the fucking palace if you’re not going to say ANYTHING about him??? Like, why is he there? What does he exactly do? Why is there a monarchy to start with?
8. Why didn’t the author explain just A LITTLE of the world they all live in, the magic, the traditions, etc.? This book had such a wasted potential, and I’m 100% sure it would’ve been so much better if it was LONGER.
9. Why Alina didn’t know how to use her powers and all of a sudden she’s an expert??????? Nonsense🤷🏻‍♀️.
10. I probably have more stuff to say but I tend to forget everything so yeah, bare with me and just be content with all I said👍🏼.


➵
  Fine. Make me your villain.



Now, the good things, YAAAAY!!!
1. I think this is a great book to start with fantasy, so if you’re new to the genre, give this book a try!
2. I read it really fast actually, it is short so that’s a good point.
3. Ben Barnes.
4. The 3rd point.
5. It is entertaining.
6. The 0.25 extra was because of the ending. It was kinda good(?).
7. Did I read this so I can read Six of Crows after finishing the trilogy? Yes. 
8. I will read the other books! My kindle is ✨prepared✨ (I don’t thing I will buy them though, sorry not sorry).
9. If you’re wondering why 3 stars if it was meh, that’s because of The Darkling😉.


➵
  What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.



Before you come after me, THIS IS MY OPINION! If you liked this book or don’t agree with me it is totally understandable but at least respect other people’s opinions☺️.







(English is not my first language, if you find any mistakes please let me know).

Ana Luiza

3.5 estrelas! Foi uma leitura divertida que eu recomendaria. O universo é muito fácil de entender, apesar dos nomes diferentes, e faz com que desde o primeiro capítulo você consiga engrenar na leitura (o que quem lê fantasias sabe o quão é raro). Além de fácil, achei o mundo construído pela autora muito legal, e posso ver como ele pode expandir de uma maneira ainda melhor. E é basicamente por isso, e pela série da netflix haha, que pretendo continuar a leitura dos próximos livros. Por que do restante eu não gostei.
A começar pela Alina que é muito boba, se prende a detalhes nada a ver. Eu esperava um desenvolvimento de personagem a partir do que aconteceu com ela no começo e nada aconteceu, ela se adaptou à nova vida em 1 capítulo e foi isso aí. Maly é insuportável, zero personalidade, terrível interesse amoroso, pode jogar fora. E além disso ele e Alina tem zero química. É obvio que estou do lado do Darkling, que também não é tão cativante e nem tem tanta química assim com Alina mas é melhor que Maly. Claro que nem sei se teria como esse romance acontecer depois do que rolou nesse livro, mas já vi de tudo em fantasias rs.
Os outros personagens também não me cativaram e não tive muito interesse em ninguem. Ia falar que gostei da Artesã mas nem estou lembrando o nome dela.
O plot em si é legal, divertido, com um plot twist que me pegou. Mas com certeza merecia ser mais explorado. Mas sei que Leigh Bardugo só melhora sua escrita com o passar dos livros então mal posso esperar para continuar, já comprei o restante haha :)

gabby

15 year old me would have adored this book. I do like the plot, but the writing suits younger me better.

maryam

This book had the potential of being very good, and it just felt flat for me. I'm actually very disappointed, but I'm going to read the second one and give it a chance.

chloe rae

Re-read 2018:

I think I liked this more the second time around! Definitely a strong 4 Star read! I just love this world. It’s really nice getting to revisit it from the beginning. And I think I liked Alina more during this read than the first time (Mal is still kind of on the fence for me). Pumped for the rest of the series!



Original review:

*3.5

For the longest time, I had very little interest in reading this series. I'm not sure why but it never sparked my interest. Then 2 things happened: 1. Everyone was raving about Six of Crows and I REALLY want to read it but I feel weird not reading the first series that took place in this world and 2. I was walking through my local used bookstore and found a copy for $5. So why not pick it up? If I hate it, I skip to Six of Crows and bam, no harm no foul. But I actually ended up really enjoying this book! I mean, it didn't blow me away but I found the story to be really fun!
My favorite aspect is definitely the world. The author pulled a lot of inspiration for the story from Russian culture and I freaking loved it. I wanted more in some aspects but I thought the setting was overall pretty dang perfect. My favorite character is definitely the Darkling. I thought there was going to be a love triangle for a split second and I was like NO but thank God that didn't end up happening. But I love him! He's so damn interesting! I feel like the Darkling was also the most well-written character in this book. For the two main characters I feel like she was a little off the mark. Alina was too wishy-washy for me. She was one way and then another and I found her annoying at times. And I really wanted to like Mal (I mean, I DO like Mal!) but I feel like I barely know him and there was so much POTENTIAL. I feel like the author used Mal and Alina's childhood friendship as a crutch so she didn't have to actually build a romance between the two. We're just supposed to BELIEVE it's there. I don't know. I just thought it could've been wayyy more in-depth and substantial.
With all of that being said, I did seriously enjoy this. I'm pumped to pick up the next in the series! And honestly, I think if I hadn't just read the A Darker Shade Of Magic series, this would've been even better. But that series was so good that everything else just kind of pales in comparison.

Mel 

The Darkling made this book 4 stars. One of the most fascinating characters I have read in a long time. The magic system is also really cool. 
Alina is a bit meh for me and I don’t like Mal for some reason.

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

I can’t believe Leigh Bardugo is making me give 5 stars to a book in which not much even happens. This is bullying. YET, here we are.

Crackling with magic, chemistry, and mystery, the first book in the Grishaverse series has sucked me in so fast and so completely that I was fully invested before I even knew what was going on.
Although Six of Crows is still my favorite by a long shot, and Kaz&Inej will be my babies always, Shadow and Bone definitely has its own magnetic pull. Now, I am off to panic-read the rest of the trilogy before Netflix spoilers come for me.

Shadow and Bone The Shadow and Bone Trilogy #1

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