Reviews

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

gvin's review against another edition

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

3.5

fataleangel's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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

the_bookholic_girl's review against another edition

adventurous 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? It's complicated

5.0

Dive into the mystical realm of Shadow & Bone, where darkness intertwines with destiny. Brace yourself for an adventure that'll keep you turning pages like a Grisha manipulating the elements!

@lbardugo weaves a captivating tapestry of fantasy in "Shadow & Bone." Set in the enigmatic land of Ravka, where sunlight casts long shadows & magic lurks in every corner, this novel introduces us to Alina Starkov, an unsuspecting heroine with a destiny as complex as the Fold itself.

Bardugo's world-building is nothing short of spellbinding. From the eerie expanse of the Shadow Fold to the opulent halls of the Little Palace, every detail is meticulously crafted, immersing readers in a vivid & atmospheric experience. The Grisha magic system adds an extra layer of fascination, blending elemental powers with a touch of the mystical.

The characters, ah, they're a symphony of flaws & virtues! Alina's journey from an overlooked cartographer to the linchpin of a world-altering prophecy is both relatable & empowering. The enigmatic Darkling, with his allure & ambiguity, keeps you guessing until the very end.

Bardugo's prose dances effortlessly between lyrical & straightforward, making "Shadow & Bone" a breeze to read. The pacing is well-executed, ensuring that every chapter leaves you hungry for more.

At its core, this book is not just about magic & mythical creatures; it's a tale of self-discovery, power, & the choices that define us. As you navigate the twists & turns, be prepared for unexpected alliances, heart-wrenching betrayals, & a climax that will leave you eagerly reaching for the sequel.

"Shadow & Bone" is a fantasy masterpiece that will enchant both seasoned fantasy readers & newcomers alike. Bardugo's ability to blend rich storytelling with compelling characters makes this a must-read for anyone seeking an escape to a world where shadows hold secrets, & destinies are forged in darkness.

annabellelikesreading1989's review against another edition

4.0

I loved this book and the plot twist was great.<3

lili_blum's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Another fantasy with Russian vibes and a really cool magic system. I spotted quite a lot of similarities to ACOTAR (which was published after this) and at first I thought I might end up loving it even more. Definitely didn’t happen despite some details that might’ve been a big inspiration for Sarah. 
Where do I begin? So first off, I love Genya as the supportive, badass bestie! I sadly couldn’t care about Mal and imo he lacked depth and somehow so did Alina. The first like 60% had me lusting after the Darkling and Alina together but then the huge plot twist was revealed (could’ve seen it coming, decided to close my eyes and pretend he could be good deep down oopsie), so the last 40% I was mainly mourning this love interest lmao. Baghra reminded me of the one older woman in The Cruel Prince and especially after having read the prequel I felt so bad for her. I was never bored when reading and enjoyed me time immensely, if the character develop to be more multidimensional in the sequels, I’m all for it. I’m very interested to see where the next book leads!

flowers_and_cows's review against another edition

5.0

Woah! I couldn't put it down. After being in a reading slump this pulled me right out of it. 

I was surprised with people's true alliances amd identities and wasn't expecting that at all. I also wasn't sure how things would go in the Fold. But I think it was the best thing that could have happened in that moment. 

Pumped to read the next one!

zoldyeck's review against another edition

4.0

“The problem with wanting ... is that it makes us weak."

4.5🌟

I LOVED IT!!!
This book was light, enjoyable and so much fun to read. I really couldn't put it down and finished it in a day. It is fast paced and I really liked that because I usually struggle with slow-paced books.

But, I cannot deny the fact that the book had a limited world building and left me with many unanswered questions. I wanted to know more about the powers of the Grishas, how they get it and how to control and develop that power. Why is the power of the Sun Summoner considered a unique power? (Of course, we know that it would help them get rid of the Fold but before the Fold came into existence why was this power important, how rare is it!! etc.)

Also, although the main characters are Alina, The Darkling, and Mal with Alina being the heroine, Mal is absent in almost half of the book. And when he is there we don't get to know much about him except for the fact that he is a good tracker, Alina's best friend and the man she loves. Alina herself is not that interesting. I liked her but she was complaining all the time and she's not happy with neither her body nor power.

And despite all this, I loved this book so much because it had the Darkling to make up for the lack. OH how much I LOVED him ❤!! His characterization was perfect!! He is dangerous, mysterious, handsome, sexy, powerful, caring at times but careful not to show it... The Grishas fear him but also respect him!
He intrigued me. I wanted to know his motives and I was also hoping for a different ending. The villain role fits his character but I still feel that he isn't 'bad' and that despite everything he's done he is still attractive and complex that I just cannot judge him. And I also like his vision of peace; at least he has made up his mind and is not whining.

So yeah, I think that the Darkling was the dark star of the book and his presence made things interesting for me. But it would have been great if Bardugo focused on Alina and Mal's characters too and provided background information. But since this is the first book things will (hopefully) get better.

raeswainpage's review against another edition

5.0

Total book hangover.

I need the next one now.

sevve's review against another edition

3.0

"Cień i Kość" to o wiele lepsza książka niż się spodziewałem. Po moich ostatnich przygodach z YA, obawiałem się, że dostanę płytką historyjkę z jeszcze płytszym światem, ale pozytywnie się zaskoczyłem. Nie zrozumcie mnie źle - to wciąż YA ze wszystkimi idącymi za tym plusami i minusami, ale kilka motywów przewodnich jest tu całkiem wciągających. Kraj rozdarty na pół przez mroczny Fałd, do tego klimat pseudo-carskiej Rosji z magiczną szkołą i podziałem na klasy magii. Kurcze, fajne to. Sporo z tych rzeczy mogłoby zostać nieco bardziej rozbudowane, ale tak jak wspomniałem wcześniej, YA rządzi się swoimi prawami, a za tym idzie jak największa minimalizacja. Szkoda, ale wiedziałem w co się pakuję. Wiedziałem też, że pakuję się w romans i tu niestety, mimo mojego mentalnego przygotowania, zdarzało mi się troszkę cringeować. Za to proza, o ile bardzo prosta, przypadła mi do gustu. W żadnym momencie nie czułem, że autorka idzie na skróty. Dialogi trzymały się kupy i ogólnie oceniłbym lekturę jako przyjemną.

Jedyna poważna rzecz, do której chcę się przyczepić, to pierwszoosobowa narracja z perspektywy Aliny. Uważam, że książka bardzo dużo by zyskała, gdyby była pisana z trzeciej osoby, lub gdybyśmy dostali drugą perspektywę i nowy wątek. Czytałem gorsze postaci niż Alina, ale nie jest wystarczająco interesująca, żeby spędzić w jej głowie całą książkę.

starsandvellum's review against another edition

2.0

I don’t know what I was expecting but this wasn’t it… there was nothing bad about it but nothing good either. It felt like the start of a story, it felt unfinished; like a prequel almost. With all the hype surrounding this series (and others in the Grishaverse) I expected so much more.

I’ll continue with the series at some point, hoping the other books are better.