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hannan_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bewitchedandbewildered's review against another edition
5.0
Unlike anything ive ever read... LOVED IT. I loved the Darkling in the beginning but by the end i was in love with Mal. I cant wait to read seige and storm next and see what happened since the ending.
nikolinaza's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5
A few years ago, I had my hands on the Indonesian translated version of this book, and I really couldn't get into the story, so I let go of the book. But as I read the English version, and well... it's not as bad as how people (and I did, too) said. Boring and plain, yes, a little bit, but not THAT bad. Probably it was the clumsy translation that made me DNF-ed it.
I do feel like this was a rough draft in lieu of a full, whole story. There's so much happening already in book #1, but since everything was explained quite briefly, I couldn't really feel anything other than mildly interested by the whole concept of small science and the world building. I also didn't really feel the chemistry between Malina or DarkLina because their relationships were just didn't exist enough in the whole story. The writing felt a little too juvenile—but understandable, though. It was a debut book, it has a lot of potential, but also need a lot of polishing.
My favorite part was the ending... where Alina finally stopped whining. Seriously, it felt like I was reading Scarlett Dragna's POV. They would make a good sisters, I think.
Will be reading the next book—I hope it gets better because I am interested in King of Scars too.
A few years ago, I had my hands on the Indonesian translated version of this book, and I really couldn't get into the story, so I let go of the book. But as I read the English version, and well... it's not as bad as how people (and I did, too) said. Boring and plain, yes, a little bit, but not THAT bad. Probably it was the clumsy translation that made me DNF-ed it.
I do feel like this was a rough draft in lieu of a full, whole story. There's so much happening already in book #1, but since everything was explained quite briefly, I couldn't really feel anything other than mildly interested by the whole concept of small science and the world building. I also didn't really feel the chemistry between Malina or DarkLina because their relationships were just didn't exist enough in the whole story. The writing felt a little too juvenile—but understandable, though. It was a debut book, it has a lot of potential, but also need a lot of polishing.
My favorite part was the ending... where Alina finally stopped whining. Seriously, it felt like I was reading Scarlett Dragna's POV. They would make a good sisters, I think.
Will be reading the next book—I hope it gets better because I am interested in King of Scars too.
lilliandm's review against another edition
4.0
It's been so long since I read this last that I actually forgot most of the twists until they were happening which made my reading experience very good.
crawfsie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i also wouldve folded for the darkling i get it
noni2002's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Good book, good fantasy looking forward to reading more. I liked the characters they weren’t too annoying like some, I’m not like other girls I’m not pretty’ characters are
pawstoodream's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
emilyh84's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
maddiemoiselle's review against another edition
4.0
I read Shadow and Bone when it first came out more than ten years ago and LOVED it. I was intrigued by the world and the magic and the characters. I liked that it didn’t fit the stereotypical YA Fantasy mold. I also remember wanting Alina and the Darkling to end up together and if that doesn’t say a lot about me, I don’t know what does. Weirdly enough, I didn’t end up reading the rest of the trilogy and I’m not sure why.
It’s a quick read, I finished it in half a day. The story is relatively unique but still falls prey to tropes of the genre. For instance, the “I am disgusting and ugly until I have a lavish bath and finally eat some food, then I am stunning” trope. It didn’t bother me too, too much but it does feel juvenile and definitely reinforces that this is a YA novel.
Alina is a pretty average YA Fantasy FMC. She isn’t anything too exciting but I didn’t mind reading from her perspective. I think her romance with Mal is sweet but there is a part of me (a big part lol) that wishes she’d end up with the Darkling.
It’s easy to see that this is Bardugo’s first novel. I think it is obvious that her later series (specifically Six of Crows) are much better. The character development isn’t quite where it needed to be. I loved the dark nature of the Darkling’s character (har har), but his motivation and background felt weak. Mal, too, felt unpolished and boring at times. Alina also could be annoying lol. Still, I liked the unpredictable nature of the Darkling and I loved reading about Grisha.
Overall, I would rate Shadow and Bone a 3.5 star read, and I did enjoy reading it, but I’m not itching to read it again any time soon. It feels slightly unfinished? Is that the word I’m going for? It feels not as good as it could’ve been. I am going to actually finish the trilogy this time and I’m hoping the next two books really step up in terms of character development and plot.
It’s a quick read, I finished it in half a day. The story is relatively unique but still falls prey to tropes of the genre. For instance, the “I am disgusting and ugly until I have a lavish bath and finally eat some food, then I am stunning” trope. It didn’t bother me too, too much but it does feel juvenile and definitely reinforces that this is a YA novel.
Alina is a pretty average YA Fantasy FMC. She isn’t anything too exciting but I didn’t mind reading from her perspective. I think her romance with Mal is sweet but there is a part of me (a big part lol) that wishes she’d end up with the Darkling.
It’s easy to see that this is Bardugo’s first novel. I think it is obvious that her later series (specifically Six of Crows) are much better. The character development isn’t quite where it needed to be. I loved the dark nature of the Darkling’s character (har har), but his motivation and background felt weak. Mal, too, felt unpolished and boring at times. Alina also could be annoying lol. Still, I liked the unpredictable nature of the Darkling and I loved reading about Grisha.
Overall, I would rate Shadow and Bone a 3.5 star read, and I did enjoy reading it, but I’m not itching to read it again any time soon. It feels slightly unfinished? Is that the word I’m going for? It feels not as good as it could’ve been. I am going to actually finish the trilogy this time and I’m hoping the next two books really step up in terms of character development and plot.