Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo review.
Okay so I finished Shadow and Bone last night and I loved it. 🔅🔅🔅🔅/🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅 (was going to do stars, but suns suit this book a litte better 😉)
I initially read this book because this series (and Six of Crows) is set to be a Netflix original series ! And I am so glad that I did!
I both read a physical book and listened to this book on Audible. The narrator was wonderful. I urge you to read or listen to this book.
First things first this is non-spoiler.
Summary: Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.
Characters: I loved the characters in this book, but I didn’t instantly connect with all of them.
Alina- I liked her from the start, and I enjoyed her journey through this novel, and I am looking forward to seeing how she develops in the succeeding novels. Plus her power is awesome!
Mal- he was a character I didn’t connect with instantly, in fact it took the entire book even start to like him. I’m interested to see what he’s like in the next books as well.
The Darkling- this one is hard, I have no idea what to think about him, every time I thought I had my feelings settled something happened, so I guess I will see as I continue the series.
Genya- I love her!! She was my favourite character in this book and I loved her friendship with Alina! Fingers crossed I see her more in the next books!
Plot and world setting: I thought the plot was well written and interesting. I had read the Six of Crows duology previously so I had an idea of the world already, but OMG learning more about the Grisha powers has been wonderful. I really like Alina’s and Genyas’ powers and I’m intrigued by The Darkling’s. Ravka sounds so interesting I’m interested to learn more about it.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward for continuing the series.