Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Shadow and Bone

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Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

109 reviews

jstarshine16's review against another edition

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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

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shaylee_reads'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? Yes

4.0

This book was nothing like I expected, I had expected to have to push myself to read this book because I had heard that it was pretty boring and that it wasn't very good but honestly I disagree. I had no problem getting into this book and I actually found it boring although the ending did get kinda slow but other than that it kept me hooked the whole time and I just could not put it down.
I know a lot of people don't like this book because they don't like Alina the main character and they just didn't really connect with any of the others but I was the exact opposite. I loved Alina yeah she could make some stupid chooses and was very easy to manipulate but honestly the reason I liked her so much is because she reminds me alot of myself… like seriously we are pretty much the same person. I also really loved Gyna and found her to be a really good character that I just loved and want to know more about.
I went into this book fully expecting to fall deeply in love with the darkling like everyone else and well… I did. He's just so dark and amazing! I just can't help but love a villain and he was just… something else and I can't wait to learn more about him.
I still don't 100% understand the magic system and everything but hopefully that will change once I read the next books but I don't think me not understanding it affected me enjoying the book.
There is one thing that I didn't enjoy and that was her relationship with Mal….

Like honestly I didn't give two craps if Mal died or not at the end because we barely get to see him the whole book and when we do see him he's kinda of an asshole. Instead of not only building up his character and their relationship we are just supposed to believe that they are in love with each other and give a crap if he dies. I think I would have cared a lot more if we had seen them growing up with each other and actually seen how Mal acted around Alina and the feelings he has for her because the little scenes we do have of them together it seems like Alina is just the girl who loves her best friend and he's just cares about other girls and doesn't even see her in that way instead of seeing him loving her and just not wanting to admit it

Another then that all together I really enjoyed this book and felt like it was a great introduction to this world and story. It has definitely done its job and has me hooked.

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readwithde's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring 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? No

4.0

Ravka. A country torn in half by darkness, the Fold -- a thick wall of night full of death and monsters -- with most of its people cut off from the sea, from imports and goods needed to survive, and from weapons to defend from their enemies. To the north, Fjerda, which views the Grishas as witches to be burned; to the south, Shu Han, where Grisha are experiments to study. Across the Fold, west Ravka has become New Ravka, and has begun to pull away from the "old country" in order to fend for themselves.

In the midst of war, politics, and chaos, Alina rises to power as the first known Sun Summoner, a bringer of light that can allow many to be able to cross the Fold, or perhaps destroy it all-together.

While the book reminded me of many YA series (Hunger Games particularly), it felt fresh and distinct in telling this similar story. The war and politics reminded me of Firefly and Serenity, especially the volcra as surrogate reavers. Despite the fact that the story seemed familiar, I was hooked and delighted all the way through, and genuinely surprised by some of the events that happened.

My one biggest complaint is the lack of chemistry and romantic tension between Alina and most other characters.

It is easier to understand her love for Mal given their strong bond and history, but the story between Alina and The Darkling came out of nowhere and ended just as abruptly; it is never fully explained or addressed, and while it could have been his attempt to manipulate her, we're given very little knowledge as to why it may work. They don't flirt, they barely talk, and no reason is developed for her to like him at all or even see him as a possible relationship. It just came across as very odd to me.

Despite that blip, the worldbuilding is spectacular, the characters seem very grounded in the world, and I'm excited to jump into Siege and Storm soon.

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