Reviews with content warning for Genocide - Shadow and Bone

“And there's nothing wrong with being a lizard either. Unless you were born to be a hawk.”

“Like calls to like.”

I had a lot of fun with this book. I legitimately read the whole thing in one day. The adventure was a lot of fun and I enjoyed the world-building. I would give adult readers the caveat that this is very much a young adult novel. I've seen quite a lot of reviews that dragged the book because the characters acted like young adults. For example, I've seen a few reviews that really disliked Alina because she really embodied the Not-Like-Other-Girls trope. Which is completely fair, because she definitely does, but the story is also told in the first person so, as someone who works with young adults, Alina feeling out of place and like she doesn't belong 100 percent rings true to me. This book also features the Chosen One trope which I enjoy a lot. One of my only actual critiques is that I wish we would have been able to get to know Mal a little bitter. As a reader, I cared about him because Alina did but it would've been to care for him as a character in his own right. I'm definitely going to pick up the next two volumes.

Content Warnings

astoryofpages's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-paced

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

5.0

This rereading was incredible! I'm just in love with Leigh's universe and her characters. I really have something with this book! I find it powerful and meaningful. It's the fourth time that I read it, and I have the impression to rediscover the whole story each time.

What struck me the most were the characters (of course!). I found them so real: I admire Alina who is a strong woman, and I'm proud of how she fights during the whole book. I identify myself to her as the one who doesn't really know who she is, nor with who she has to travel with to discover herself. I think she is, at first, a lonely girl who doesn't understand the world around her, nor the aims of the others. She just wants to help others. And this is why she is manipulated by them because her heart is pure.

Content Warnings

therobinjoyce's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Shadow and Bone really is one of the greatest Young Adult/New Adult fantasy series I’ve ever read.

Not only does it encompass tropes such as the found family, the chosen one, a thrilling love triangle, and friends to lovers, but we also see so many amazing and wonderful creatures and countries through the eyes of her characters.

The writing style is just incredible and so easy to read. It sucks you right into the story. All of the characters are so diverse but so well written, their character arcs providing just the perfect amount of tension and fulfilment.

There’s still a debate open whether this series will have me leaning more towards darklina or malina but I’m so excited to dive into Siege and Storm and find out.

Content Warnings

jstarshine16's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

Content Warnings

tothelibraryandbeyond's review

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

chaptersonapage's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional 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? Yes

4.0

Shadow and Bone is the first book in the Shadow and Bone Trilogy and the first in the Grishaverse as a whole.

We are introduced to the world through the eyes of a girl named Alina. She grew up as an orphan and now works as a mapmaker. Her best friend, Mal, grew up with her at the orphanage, and he’s a tracker. They’re traveling with the armies and about to make their way across the Shadow Fold.

The Shadow Fold is a blemish on the world that splits the country. It’s where darkness flourishes and light dies. It’s filled with creatures called the volcra, which are only to eager to snatch up anyone they come across in their midst.

As they cross the Fold, a massive attack comes from the volcra. All seems to be lost with everyone getting slaughtered, but as the last rays of hope start to fade away, Alina unleashes a blinding power she didn’t know she had and revealing her long dormant Grisha abilities.

The world of the Grisha is very interesting. Each one has a different kind of power, and they’re categorized based on what they do. Only the Darkling stands alone, ruling over the rest. They learn at the Little Palace, where Alina starts her training. Alina is thrown into this life, and things come hard to her. Her power doesn’t seem to want to come forth, but she toils day after day, working to feel worthy of her new place with the Grisha.

I liked Alina. She made the best she could out of the situation she was given. Being taken away from the only life you ever knew can be hard, but she did all she could and grew into herself. She faced challenges she never knew she’d have, and she persevered.

Mal was also a great character. I loved the beginning, showing their closeness and how they care for one another. They grew up together and have such a special bond.

The Darkling was a mysterious character. So much about him is unknown to everyone around him. Alina has heard about him through stories, but meeting him is different than anything she’s ever imagined. He’s charming, but she seems to have trouble getting a proper read on him. I found him interesting to read about. I always want to know the ins and outs of things, so mysteries always draw me in. I wanted to know his true story, not just the rumors and fairytales whispered throughout the lands.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. Some things and parts felt like they could have been fleshed out a little more, especially closer to the end, but it’s still a great book. I’m interested to see the direction the next book takes!

Content Warnings

hibou's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

książka bardzo fajna, styl lekki, jednak czegoś brakowało, ciężko mi stwierdzić czego
zobaczymy co będzie w oblężeniu i nawałnicy (ㆁωㆁ)
edit: ocenę zmieniam na wyższą, ponieważ książka miała świetny klimat
bardzo polecam

Content Warnings

More...