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emilywemily6's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
I loved this book and need to continue the series asap! I read the Six of Crows duology first and so far think I enjoyed those books slightly more because they really sucked me in; this book didn’t fully immerse me in the world. I love the characters, loved seeing Alina grow as a character, and I love the twist at the end! I also appreciated that the ending wasn’t such a huge cliffhanger that I had to start the next book immediately. I feel like there is more nuance and depth to the Darkling too, so I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the series goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Blood
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gaslighting, Sexual content, War, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Alcohol
s1x0fh03s's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Body horror, Violence, and War
lovejasmine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Grief, Blood, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, and Physical abuse
eguare's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read the Shadow & Bone trilogy after reading the Six of Crows duology, and I'm sad to report that I found the plot, writing, and characters of the follow-up duology to be much more compelling than the Shadow & Bone trilogy. I found the magic system's rules confusing and not particularly well explained, and after reading SoC, the main character and main villain felt much more YA trope-y than original creations. That said, some of my favorite characters of the Grishaverse originate in this trilogy, and the complex political tapestry that Bardugo has woven begins here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, War, and Violence
abookwormspov's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Torture, War, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Slavery
Minor: Sexual assault
giulianalb99's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
⚠️THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS⚠️
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo is a YA fantasy that takes place in the kingdom of Ravka. It is a world at war inhabited by Grisha, people who have the ability to manipulate elements such as fire and wind. This book follows Alina Starkov as she discovers she is a rare Sun Summoner, destined to bring down the Shadow Fold, a band of living darkness dividing Ravka. Treachery and danger wait at every turn, and Alina must use all of her wits and power to stop those who would use the Fold as a weapon.
➵What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.
I have a lot to say about this book, so buckle up because THIS IS MY RANT OF THE DAY!
First of all, let's talk about the characters, shall we?
I don't like Alina too much, to be honest. Throughout the whole book, I just couldn't connect with her. I felt like she was just a pick me girl and I hate when women are written like stupid and naive characters who need men to save them. Even though she knew some of her actions were wrong, she kept on making mistakes to later on realizing she fucked up, like please girl grow tf up. Also, instead of worrying about what might happen to the world, she only cared about Mal (someone who I felt didn't care about her at all) and about the fucked up Darkling, because after she found out his secret intentions, she let him kiss her... sorry, what???? I hope in the next books she develops a huge character development, cause if not, I will go mad.
Am I mentally ill and in need of a therapist if a say I liked The Darkling? probably yes, but I
don't care because I just kept imagining Ben Barnes and that man has my entire permission to run me over, period. I would've liked to know more about his past (and I know there's a graphic novel about him, but I was told I couldn't read it until I read the second book of the series) and how he became who he is, but I guess I'll just have to wait. His dark aura and how mysterious he is I think is what I liked the most about him, but I didn't like how he treated Alina (the gaslighting was huge). Also, I'm 100% sure he's not dead.
Now... Mal is horrible, I'm sorry. Why does he blame Alina for HIS actions?? Shut up, dude! And I have these weird vibes because I think he's hiding something from Alina. This man being the love interest is just a fucking crime.
I liked Baghra, but I don’t understand why she kept on bullying Alina. I know se was preparing her to something huge, but the bullying was unnecessary.
I think the only character that I loved since the very first second she appears is Genya. Again, I think it would've been so much better if I knew a little bit of her, but I think Bardugo just doesn’t like you to know more about the characters she writes.
➵The problem with wanting is that it makes us weak.
Okay so my sincere opinion on this one I would say it’s kind of neutral. I didn’t have any kind of expectations before diving into it so that was much better considering my disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, the book is good, but it felt bland to me.
1. The worldbuilding is not the best, and I know it’s a YA but believe me when I say I’ve read other YA books that the worldbuilding was a freaking masterpiece, so I’m sorry but that’s not an excuse. I don’t know if this was the author’s first ever written book, but it’s just meh.
2. The amount of times I’ve read the word kefta it’s insane. Has anyone ever told Bardugo that a dictionary of synonyms EXIST???? And yes, I know it’s the Grisha’s outfits, but she could’ve said COAT of ANY OTHER WORD, but not kefta a billion times!!!
3. I was really excited of knowing that it was inspired by Russian culture, but it was like any other fantasy book, the only thing that changed was that there were a few words in Russian and that’s it. I was expecting to read at least a glint of their culture but nope, zero.
4. Regarding n3, it would’ve been SO much better if at the end of the book there was a glossary with the meaning of the words because girl, I👏🏼DON’T👏🏼KNOW👏🏼SHIT👏🏼ABOUT👏🏼RUSSIAN👏🏼.
5. There wasn’t any huge character development, and I hope we get a GOOD one out of Alina, because so far I can’t stand her. PLEASE GIRL STOP GOING WITH MEN THAT DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU (that’s why you need to listen to You’re on your own, kid by Taylor Swift, please girl).
6. I couldn’t wait to finish it, istg the last chapters were longer than my fucking existence.
7. Why is there a king in the fucking palace if you’re not going to say ANYTHING about him??? Like, why is he there? What does he exactly do? Why is there a monarchy to start with?
8. Why didn’t the author explain just A LITTLE of the world they all live in, the magic, the traditions, etc.? This book had such a wasted potential, and I’m 100% sure it would’ve been so much better if it was LONGER.
9. I probably have more stuff to say but I tend to forget everything so yeah, bare with me and just be content with all I said👍🏼.
➵Fine. Make me your villain.
Now, the good things, YAAAAY!!!
1. I think this is a great book to start with fantasy, so if you’re new to the genre, give this book a try!
2. I read it really fast actually, it is short so that’s a good point.
3. Ben Barnes.
4. The 3rd point.
5. It is entertaining.
6. The 0.25 extra was because of the ending, btw. It was kinda good(?).
7. Did I read this so I can read Six of Crows after finishing the trilogy? Yes.
8. I will read the other books! My kindle is ✨prepared✨ (I don’t thing I will buy them though, sorry not sorry).
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo is a YA fantasy that takes place in the kingdom of Ravka. It is a world at war inhabited by Grisha, people who have the ability to manipulate elements such as fire and wind. This book follows Alina Starkov as she discovers she is a rare Sun Summoner, destined to bring down the Shadow Fold, a band of living darkness dividing Ravka. Treachery and danger wait at every turn, and Alina must use all of her wits and power to stop those who would use the Fold as a weapon.
➵What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.
I have a lot to say about this book, so buckle up because THIS IS MY RANT OF THE DAY!
First of all, let's talk about the characters, shall we?
I don't like Alina too much, to be honest. Throughout the whole book, I just couldn't connect with her. I felt like she was just a pick me girl and I hate when women are written like stupid and naive characters who need men to save them. Even though she knew some of her actions were wrong, she kept on making mistakes to later on realizing she fucked up, like please girl grow tf up. Also, instead of worrying about what might happen to the world, she only cared about Mal (someone who I felt didn't care about her at all) and about the fucked up Darkling, because after she found out his secret intentions, she let him kiss her... sorry, what???? I hope in the next books she develops a huge character development, cause if not, I will go mad.
Am I mentally ill and in need of a therapist if a say I liked The Darkling? probably yes, but I
don't care because I just kept imagining Ben Barnes and that man has my entire permission to run me over, period. I would've liked to know more about his past (and I know there's a graphic novel about him, but I was told I couldn't read it until I read the second book of the series) and how he became who he is, but I guess I'll just have to wait. His dark aura and how mysterious he is I think is what I liked the most about him, but I didn't like how he treated Alina (the gaslighting was huge). Also, I'm 100% sure he's not dead.
Now... Mal is horrible, I'm sorry. Why does he blame Alina for HIS actions?? Shut up, dude! And I have these weird vibes because I think he's hiding something from Alina. This man being the love interest is just a fucking crime.
I liked Baghra, but I don’t understand why she kept on bullying Alina. I know se was preparing her to something huge, but the bullying was unnecessary.
I think the only character that I loved since the very first second she appears is Genya. Again, I think it would've been so much better if I knew a little bit of her, but I think Bardugo just doesn’t like you to know more about the characters she writes.
➵The problem with wanting is that it makes us weak.
Okay so my sincere opinion on this one I would say it’s kind of neutral. I didn’t have any kind of expectations before diving into it so that was much better considering my disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, the book is good, but it felt bland to me.
1. The worldbuilding is not the best, and I know it’s a YA but believe me when I say I’ve read other YA books that the worldbuilding was a freaking masterpiece, so I’m sorry but that’s not an excuse. I don’t know if this was the author’s first ever written book, but it’s just meh.
2. The amount of times I’ve read the word kefta it’s insane. Has anyone ever told Bardugo that a dictionary of synonyms EXIST???? And yes, I know it’s the Grisha’s outfits, but she could’ve said COAT of ANY OTHER WORD, but not kefta a billion times!!!
3. I was really excited of knowing that it was inspired by Russian culture, but it was like any other fantasy book, the only thing that changed was that there were a few words in Russian and that’s it. I was expecting to read at least a glint of their culture but nope, zero.
4. Regarding n3, it would’ve been SO much better if at the end of the book there was a glossary with the meaning of the words because girl, I👏🏼DON’T👏🏼KNOW👏🏼SHIT👏🏼ABOUT👏🏼RUSSIAN👏🏼.
5. There wasn’t any huge character development, and I hope we get a GOOD one out of Alina, because so far I can’t stand her. PLEASE GIRL STOP GOING WITH MEN THAT DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU (that’s why you need to listen to You’re on your own, kid by Taylor Swift, please girl).
6. I couldn’t wait to finish it, istg the last chapters were longer than my fucking existence.
7. Why is there a king in the fucking palace if you’re not going to say ANYTHING about him??? Like, why is he there? What does he exactly do? Why is there a monarchy to start with?
8. Why didn’t the author explain just A LITTLE of the world they all live in, the magic, the traditions, etc.? This book had such a wasted potential, and I’m 100% sure it would’ve been so much better if it was LONGER.
9. I probably have more stuff to say but I tend to forget everything so yeah, bare with me and just be content with all I said👍🏼.
➵Fine. Make me your villain.
Now, the good things, YAAAAY!!!
1. I think this is a great book to start with fantasy, so if you’re new to the genre, give this book a try!
2. I read it really fast actually, it is short so that’s a good point.
3. Ben Barnes.
4. The 3rd point.
5. It is entertaining.
6. The 0.25 extra was because of the ending, btw. It was kinda good(?).
7. Did I read this so I can read Six of Crows after finishing the trilogy? Yes.
8. I will read the other books! My kindle is ✨prepared✨ (I don’t thing I will buy them though, sorry not sorry).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Death, Gaslighting, Torture, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Cursing
onalark's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual harassment, War, and Gore
Minor: Torture and Death
danaslitlist's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Alina is one of the most pick me, author insert characters I’ve read in a while and honestly that dragged this entire reading experience down. She does nothing but whine, hate on the other girls around her (for the same behavior she partakes in), and refuse to use her brain.
She has a weird obsession of judging everyone’s appearance and dictating whether or not they’re attractive (surprise most of the time she deems them not). Her one personality trait is self deprecation and self hatred towards her appearance. We get it, Alina, you’re not pretty. You’re skinny and have bumpy skin (like geez thanks so much Bardugo for saying that flawed skin is ugly! That’s great.) and you can’t fight or ride horses or do your job.
I found the fatphobic remarks in this book pretty nasty as well, same with the unfavorable description of a character “being pretty but it couldn’t distract from her pig nose”. It’s just unnecessarily catty and rude.
Neither love interests work as love interests and barely work as characters since Mal really doesn’t have much of a role in this book. The Darkling is interesting and a damn good villain. I like that he’s just a trash person who wants power.
Not to mention the really weird decisions to refer to the Shu Han as people who carve up Grisha and the way she writes the one Shu characters’ accent. Gross gross gross.
The plot was compelling enough and I really only kept reading for the supporting characters. Bardugo has some moments are stand out writing in this book and I wish that would’ve happened more frequently. But a lot of the dialogue and ideas felt clunky and not thought out completely.
This one of the few times I have no issue telling people to go watch the show and enjoy the changes made to some of the out of left field plot twists (she just knows that about the stag in the end??) and the actors make the characters palatable.
She has a weird obsession of judging everyone’s appearance and dictating whether or not they’re attractive (surprise most of the time she deems them not). Her one personality trait is self deprecation and self hatred towards her appearance. We get it, Alina, you’re not pretty. You’re skinny and have bumpy skin (like geez thanks so much Bardugo for saying that flawed skin is ugly! That’s great.) and you can’t fight or ride horses or do your job.
I found the fatphobic remarks in this book pretty nasty as well, same with the unfavorable description of a character “being pretty but it couldn’t distract from her pig nose”. It’s just unnecessarily catty and rude.
Neither love interests work as love interests and barely work as characters since Mal really doesn’t have much of a role in this book. The Darkling is interesting and a damn good villain. I like that he’s just a trash person who wants power.
Not to mention the really weird decisions to refer to the Shu Han as people who carve up Grisha and the way she writes the one Shu characters’ accent. Gross gross gross.
The plot was compelling enough and I really only kept reading for the supporting characters. Bardugo has some moments are stand out writing in this book and I wish that would’ve happened more frequently. But a lot of the dialogue and ideas felt clunky and not thought out completely.
This one of the few times I have no issue telling people to go watch the show and enjoy the changes made to some of the out of left field plot twists (she just knows that about the stag in the end??) and the actors make the characters palatable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and War
casdelvo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Genocide
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual violence
jjjjo's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, War, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Racism, Murder, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, and Racial slurs