Reviews with content warning for Murder - Shadow and Bone

I went into this book with such low expectations as it feels like everyone says to skip this trilogy and go straight into Six of Crows.

I ended-up being really pleasantly surprised as we had an interesting cast of characters and a magic system that felt fresh. The only thing that I did not enjoy was the romance between

Mal and Alina

as it felt forced by also

whilst not biologically related, they had been raised as siblings and that just felt uncomfortable.

I did feel somewhat confused by how this series was going to be a trilogy as I was reading because there didn't seem to be enough story for 3 books.

Favourite quote:

Fine! Make me your villain!

Content Warnings

theblushbookworm's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

There’s something about a series that just pulls me in. Maybe it’s the cliffhanger ending, maybe the greater opportunity for world building, but they always capture my attention. You’ll love Shadow and Bone if you’re a fantasy person or if you’re just seeking the high of a series.

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jinx_mars's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

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arwenundomiel03's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

WOW WOW WOW!! This book is freaking amazing!! It took me about a chapter to get into it, but once I did, I couldn’t stop reading! I think it’s possibly the quickest I’ve read a book so far this year. The story line is incredible, full of so many completely unforeseen twists and turns, so many moments of feeling secure in what is happening in the world, only for it to be completely stripped away in the next chapter!

The characters are amazing - I really like Alina for all she is flawed. I love her slow journey to understanding herself and her own power, and how she can come to own and use that power for herself, and not as a tool for someone else to wield and use as they please. I love Baghra for helping her to understand that, for being harsh, but for using that harshness to unlock Alina and her power - and to help her see what she really wants, and how it will benefit the whole world to be truly in control of herself. I like Mal, for coming back, even if he was a complete jerk in the beginning.

But the Darkling was a whole different story. He has so many twists and turns to his character - you start by fearing him, then you fall to trusting him, only to be uncertain, to fall again completely and then realise his duplicity and the depths of his darkness. I have never read a book where a character can so completely fool me - you feel absolutely the same way that Alina does, and you absolutely cannot blame her for her falling for him either, or her actions later. When he ‘gives’ her the collar, and takes her power from her - you feel so powerless inside you too - but then the freedom when she recaptures it for herself is incredible.

An absolutely incredible read and I can’t wait to read the next several!!

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