Reviews with content warning for Violence - Shadow and Bone

I think I had a vague idea of how this would be and ended up being a different thing. People praise these books so much but for my taste this is too YA with a very foolish chosen one who made me feel a bit angry by the end so I was considering if I wanted to even continue with the trilogy...

I never saw this thing the author wanted to do between Alina and The Darkling, it felt so stupid and forced and well she's clearly an hormonal teenager because girl I need you to use your BRAIN and realize how you don't know shit about him except for all those darks stories?? I'm sorry but insta love is not my thing, I need building in the relationship, I need for them to get to know each other.

She had this crush on Mal for so long and when it is finally clear that he also has feelings for her it feels weird, as if she doesn't love him anymore (or more like she doesn't deserve him in my eyes)

This started with what felt like a big and crazy world building, and I ended up disliking everything because I absolutely thought Alina was so freaking stupid by the end omggg she made me so mad! and if Mal died because of her I think I would've DNF the trilogy (although she still has a chance to kill him with her stupid decisions lol)

So yeah maybe this will be just a 3 ⭐

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creolelitbelle's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional 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

5.0

The world and magic systems are creative yet also rooted in reality without holes that leave me asking logic questions. I love the complexity of Alina and the surrounding characters who bring the story together. Book 1 is as much about sacrifice and belonging as it is becoming who you are meant to be. Many of the shocking moments felt half expected for me because of my consideration of the characters. One event that should have been predictable took me off guard, having thought I understood the Darkling's motivations and calculations. Ravka is a country I would not want to live in, because it is very dark and deadly. Those qualities are what I love about the book, though, along with the Russian influences of the world. Starting this series took me entirely too long. Most of the book I read in 2 days. I would have liked more flashbacks of Mal early on to bring forth more sympathy about him and Alina's loss of her friend, but their present time together feels reminiscent of the past in a weird way.

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torturedreadersdept's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

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bexi's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional

4.0

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junglejelly's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and sped through it. I really enjoyed the simple but effective world building.

While there are many things to like about the book, there were a few things that didn't make it quite perfect. I wanted more:
* Grisha lore;
* location descriptions;
* and connection with the prologue and epilogue.

While not perfect, I couldn't put the book down and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

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cr1na's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-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? It's complicated

3.75

I liked this book but Mal is insufferable as a love interest. I just found myself completely unable to route for any love interest but most of all him. Reminded me too much of one of my friend's shitty boyfriends. If you get easily annoyed by painfully average guys being love interests of super-powered women, I'd avoid this story.

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meant2breading's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

As a reader new to fantasy in adulthood over the last six months, this felt like a nice, quick entry level fantasy read to start with. I really love the concept of the various abilities and aspects of the world building, but wanted more explanation and detail of that within the story. I am sure I will learn more as I keep going. In all honesty, I am motivated to read through them all so I can get to the Six of Crows duology. 😆 I didn’t rate this higher stars as for me it doesn’t stack against some of the other fantasy books I couldn’t get enough of and it’s hard for me to read about

animal death

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However, due to the author’s recent lack of solidarity and dismissal of genocide, I will not be continuing her books at this time.

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sunflower7skull's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I thought it was a good book! I went into it knowing a ton of people like it, which I think was my problem - I was expecting exceptionality, and though the book definitely was, it didn't live up to the hype in my head. I still would definitely recommend it though!

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