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A review by abigailnoack
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Shadow and Bone is a classic fantasy series. I have previously read the Six of Crows duology so I was already a bit familiar with the world. (Although I think reading this series for the knowledge of the Grisha would have been more helpful in reading Six of Crows, but alas, that did not happen.) Six of Crows is far superior in its writing, plot, and character development, but I don't want to spend this entire review comparing the two.
I thought it was interesting enough. The characters and plot were pretty good, but nothing really made it a stand out. It's a pretty typical girl discovering her powers, training, becoming a part of a new world, etc. I would have liked more consistent action - it doesn't really pick up till 3/4 of the way through, and by that point, I found it kind of anticlimacticthat we spend so much time with Mal and Alina tracking the Stag, and then they don't kill him and Alina becomes the Darkling's slave anyways. That kinda made me mad because what was the point? I'm not team Mal or Darkling I guess. I am not here for the "mysterious-old-man-who-lives-a-long-life-is-suddenly-chatty-and-charming-when-he-meets-an-average-girl-whose-not-like-other-girls." I love friends to lovers so I should probably be on team Mal, but idk, I just didn't think he was developed enough, didn't fall for the chemistry, I'm not sure what, but it was missing something for me.
Also just want to point out that I still really hate it when authors don't do their research about horses. It's such a minor thing near the beginning, but as a horse person, it always bugs me when stuff isn't accurate. I've been riding for 9 years and I have never thought I could fall asleep on a moving horse, especially at a trot or canter, even more so if Alina isn’t a very good rider. If they travelled 200 miles on horseback, they would definitely need to switch out their horses several times. And if you’re double riding, the second rider is definitely not the one in control. Just small details, but they do matter when it comes to making an authentic believable story.
I thought it was interesting enough. The characters and plot were pretty good, but nothing really made it a stand out. It's a pretty typical girl discovering her powers, training, becoming a part of a new world, etc. I would have liked more consistent action - it doesn't really pick up till 3/4 of the way through, and by that point, I found it kind of anticlimactic
Also just want to point out that I still really hate it when authors don't do their research about horses. It's such a minor thing near the beginning, but as a horse person, it always bugs me when stuff isn't accurate. I've been riding for 9 years and I have never thought I could fall asleep on a moving horse, especially at a trot or canter, even more so if Alina isn’t a very good rider. If they travelled 200 miles on horseback, they would definitely need to switch out their horses several times. And if you’re double riding, the second rider is definitely not the one in control. Just small details, but they do matter when it comes to making an authentic believable story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Genocide, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Stalking