Shadow and Bone

EXCUSE ME FOR A MINUTE.

This book deserves a lot of the hype it’s given. Don’t let the Six of Crows duology dissuade you from reading this if you think you’d like it.

Sure, it’s a chosen one story. A girl, Alina, discovers that she isn’t like other humans, she is in fact Grisha, able to manipulate elements, and literally summon the sun, unlike any Grisha that has come before her. As usual in a story like this, she’s expected to save the world and she isn’t quite sure how to do it. Add to this a hopeless one-sided romance with her best friend, and the dangerous allure of the most powerful Grisha in the kingdom, whose quest to end the darkness plaguing their country is clouded by dubious morals.

Sounds kinda lame when I put it show more like that, right? Sorry, I know I haven’t done a good job summing this story up. But— BUT.

There I was, minding my own business, wandering along the book expecting things to get terrible. And it didn't. I'm not saying I'm mad, but could someone have been a little less ambivalent about how heart-pounding-ly good Bardugo's writing is? Everyone is in love with Six of Crows, the Dregs! Ooh, the leader is so heartless, but there are those lovable ragamuffins who tag along, and yeah, even the bad ones grow on you— and that kid, and on and on. Yeah, I’m obsessed with those books, too. But everyone who has read both of her series was like “eh, it’s not as good.”

BUT! But this look that I am getting into Ravkan history is astounding! The drama is terrific! I’m rooting for both sides, I’m so conflicted and IT WAS REALLY INTENSE. Yeah, Alina is "a chosen one" but she’s epic! Her power could light the world on fire!!!

This book has honestly been played down too much. It’s a good length, the writing is fresh and tight, the characters feel fully formed. I'm so grateful for a setting that isn't a rehash of England or the USA.

I’m so h*cking excited to read the next book. show less

"Fight me as long as you're able. You will find I have far more practice with eternity."

I'm upset that I have to put ANOTHER BOOK in three-star purgatory. Honestly I'm a little unsure; I like to rate based on a mix of how much of my SOUL I poured into it and how mechanically sound I thought it was. This was really nicely done, I think. A little formulaic maybe, but, like, it's a damn good story with some really nice writing. I just didn't have much passion for it - nearly none at all. And I lowkey feel bad for that.

I wasn't exactly thrilled or all that invested, but I wasn't ever bored or (too) annoyed. Things I didn't like I could chalk up to them just not being OUTSTANDING, or being a Me problem (the high school drama tone with Zoya show more and co, for example). Alina didn't excite me...but the whole world and ideas did.

That's where the strength is IMO, aaand I'm eternally grateful that Bardugo returned to this world for SoC. Shadow and Bone showed a really glamorous & beautiful side to the fantasy and I was all for it when they went to parties, visited the Palace, and I got passage after passage about the clothes. It was stylish. It was genuinely cool. Every term and new language...I reveled in it. The shadowfold was unique and eerie, albeit a liiittle confusing. I don't know. I just got a smile on my face when I got to dip into speaking Russian. Also I love Bardugo's humour, so - more smiles.

Story was sturdy, that was one hell of a climax, though I do wish there wasn't so much travelling and exposition and draaaagging time-skips/training montages. Mal was meh, Alina was the standard Female YA Protag, but god damn it, the Darkling sparked a TIIIINY bit of interest in me and I'm here for Genya until I die. (okay okay I'll admit that partway through I could feel myself half-ironically feeling a kinship with Alina. She's the standard shy, awkward, self-conscious protag for a reason. Maybe I was just weepy and self-loathy at the time for my teenage self. Ergh.)

I really wish I had more to say but I mean? This book more or less just...happened?

Welcome to purgatory.

(Also there was this SLAM-DUNK quote:
"I love you, Alina, even the part of you that loved him.")

...I'll be finding the sequel eventually. I'm curious as hell..............about Genya. show less

This book had me hoping and fearing on a roller coaster of emotions. You know those books you read and the hero/heroine’s voice sounds predictable and not really believable at all? Like, their thought processes seem kind of juvenile? These characters aren’t like that at all. Alina is so real and genuine, and the banter between her and those around her, especially her best friend Mal, sounds like you really are watching real relationships. All of the characters feel like they’re people you know in real life, which makes their struggles more realistic and they suck you into their lives and you feel everything they’re feeling. This book is one of magic and fear and friendship and deceit and power. It’s a unique story, and one show more that upon finishing, I’d already bought the second book in the trilogy without even thinking twice about it. Between the magical Grisha, the powerful Darkling, the Shadow Fold where the darkness is impenetrable and monstrous winged creatures lie in wait to rip into human flesh, and Alina coming to know who/what she is and the power she holds, you’ll find yourself ensnared in the tangled life in Ravka and you won’t want to leave. It grabs you and just when you think you know what’s going to happen, the plot twists and you’re left struggling right along with Alina. It’s a true talent that an author can have a story set so deep in fantasy, yet turns out to be more realistic than stories set in the real world. I LOVE this story, and it’s earned a distinct 5/5 stars in my book ;) show less

View all of my reviews here.

I love epic fantasy and I also love Russian things. While not set in the real Russia, Shadow and Bone's setting is very Russia-like. The country is Ravka. The fantasy elements are incredibly cool, with the Grisha powers ranking almost Cashore level of original (which is as high as it gets). The Shadow Fold and the volcra, too, are so creepy and fascinating.

Speaking of creepy and fascinating, I have to talk about the Darkling. From the first scene where he appeared, he totally captured me, even though I was pretty sure he was a terrible guy. Seriously, he is like majorly alluring. I don't know whether I should root for him or not, because he's got this whole evil dictator vibe, but also seems like he might be show more better deep down. I don't usually go for bad boys (although that seems a bit mild for the Darkling), but wow.

Of course, he's not the only man candy in this book. Yes, there is a love triangle, but I declare myself okay with this one, so no worries. The other guy is Mal, Alina's childhood friend, who she's been hopelessly in love with for ages. I have to say that I was pretty much immediately into him as well, mostly because his name is Mal. In my head, I see Malcolm Reynolds, so he has to be awesome.

Alina starts out pretty weak, although still with some serious gumption. It was an utter pleasure watching her grow and discover herself. I also really liked the way she changed as she came into her powers. Bardugo has written such a wonderful metaphor for what subverting your real self does to you. By the end of the book, Alina is a definite heroine.

What I hate about this book is knowing how long I probably have to wait for more! The ending of Shadow and Bone isn't a cliffhanger, but there's still tons that needs to be resolved and waiting is going to be painful. I need to procure a copy of this for myself, and so do you! show less

Once in a while, a great book like Shadow and Bone will come along and remind me of why I read YA and why overlooking this category of fiction would be a big mistake. This is another one of those titles which has hung around on my to-read list for much too long, and now I wish I'd listened to the glowing reviews and picked it up sooner.

It has everything I look for in a YA novel: a likeable protagonist, a sweet and believable romance that's not insta-love, and a pace for storytelling that's just perfect. At the beginning of the book, we are introduced to a girl and a boy, two orphans who became friends with each other when a kind nobleman took them in. Years later, both Alina and Mal have ended up in the army and are preparing to cross show more the Fold one day, a wasteland of darkness where savage creatures called Volcra lurk, ready to swoop down on any unsuspecting travelers.

Knowing this, of course they get attacked by Volcra during the crossing. Without understanding how, Alina manages to save the life of her best friend Mal by unleash a brilliant flash of light as bright as the sun, driving away the creatures. Anyway, this book doesn't waste time getting to the meat of the story. It turns out Alina is one of the Grisha, and a special one at that.

Grisha are what you would call the sorcerors of this world, except they would say that their magic is more like a science -- acts of magic are actually the Grisha manipulating and altering matter at its most basic level. It's an interesting system, and I also find it fascinating that the Grisha have their own social structure, politics and culture. When it is discovered that Alina is the Sun Summoner with the power to control light, she is whisked away to learn the ways of the Grisha, and I had the pleasure of learning all about their society through her eyes.

The world of Shadow and Bone has a sort-of Russian flavor, and yes, the way of the Grisha court has some of your usual YA trappings. Normally, I'd be calling for more world building and further expansion into the book's ideas, but I'm actually still a bit amazed and how much it was able to convey, considering this was a relatively short novel and a really quick read. The story finds its momentum early on and it just keeps going like that all the way to the end, and I don't think I would have traded that for anything. Everything you need to know is there, and I liked how we don't get any unnecessary detail or lengthy exposition weighing things down.

But it's the characters that made this book such a joy to read. Alina's a tough girl, and even though she can get a tad too sentimental at times, she's proven herself to be quite capable. Her romance with Mal actually feels natural, and I liked the fact that it was the result of a long-term friendship that grew deeper over time. It definitely makes their relationship more genuine, and I could understand their intense feelings for each other. Finding a YA romance I actually like is quite rare for me, so it makes a big impression whenever it does happen.

It also helps that this book was exactly what I needed at time. If you're ever in the mood for a quick YA fantasy with a decent romance and a bit of adventure and intrigue thrown in, this will do the trick nicely. I found it very enjoyable. show less

I was completely taken with Leigh Bardugo's debut. Shadow and Bone is marvelous... seriously. The world is richly detailed, the main and secondary characters are engaging, and the fantasy elements distinctive. I couldn't put it down!

Alina doesn't think she's anything special, until she accidentally taps into previously unrealized power within to save her best friend... power that marks her as Grisha. The Grisha are revered in Ravka and are much above Alina's current station in life. She is taken under the wing of the Darkling, the mysterious and powerful leader of the Grisha, and is forced to leave her best friend behind in order to train among her new found peers in a world she knows nothing about.

The time Alina spends training with show more her fellow Grisha successfully allowed the reader to observe external and internal changes of the heroine and was a great opportunity to learn more about the culture and world of the Grisha. I love how much depth and detail is present in Shadow and Bone, as it is usually the aspect of YA Fantasy I find lacking.

Bardugo doesn't make things easy for the reader. The reader and Alina are often unsure of who to trust, sharing the same insecurities. Except the reader doesn't have the weight of saving Ravka on their shoulders like the unsuspecting heroine...

And there's romance! And two possible romantic interests! And no love triangle! How is this possible, you ask? I'm not telling... because that would be very spoilery. And who wants that!?

Great YA fantasy doesn't come along every day... do not miss Shadow and Bone! show less

Surprisingly bad, from the author of the very good Six of Crows. I'm glad I read Crows first, because if I'd read Shadow and Bone first I never would have read anything else by Bardugo.

Problems: Pacing, too transparently narcissistic. What I mean is, the main character is constantly whining about how everyone is paying too much attention to her and how she just hates this so much. And it is SO not believable, so "the lady doth protest too much." Bardugo, via her author insert character, is obviously loving this fantasy of being the center of attention, of having everyone stop talking and stare at her when she enters a room.

In this light, it's really intriguing that an author with this problem could improve so much. By the time she wrote show more Six of Crows she had improved as a storyteller enough to make sure that she was entertaining the reader, instead of just putting her "I'm in the spotlight" fantasy on paper. show less