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A review by chelsloukelly
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
3.0
3.5/5 Stars: ‘Shadow and Bone’ (Book #1 of ‘Shadow and Bone’) by Leigh Bardugo.
→ Age Range: Young Adult.
→ Genre: Adventure, High Fantasy.
→ Trigger Warnings: Violence, Gore, Murder.
In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★★★★
→ Character Development: ★★★
→ Setting: ★★★
→ Entertainment Level: ★★★★
→ Writing: ★★★
General Comments: Inspired by 1800s Tsarist Russia; this alternate world in old-timey Russia has every magical and fantasy element, combined with an adventurous steampunk theme. Lyrical, light, and witty. The world-building is, however, continually undercut by clunky colloquialisms; yanking readers out of this carefully constructed, mostly pre-industrial world. Familiar tropes abound and cliché romance too.
Favourite Quote: ‘“The problem with wanting,” he whispered, his mouth trailing along my jaw until it hovered over my lips, “is that it makes us weak”.’
Time Read: Two Days.
→ Audiobook: Yes.
→ Audiobook Narrator: Lauren Fortgang.
→ Age Range: Young Adult.
→ Genre: Adventure, High Fantasy.
→ Trigger Warnings: Violence, Gore, Murder.
In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★★★★
→ Character Development: ★★★
→ Setting: ★★★
→ Entertainment Level: ★★★★
→ Writing: ★★★
General Comments: Inspired by 1800s Tsarist Russia; this alternate world in old-timey Russia has every magical and fantasy element, combined with an adventurous steampunk theme. Lyrical, light, and witty. The world-building is, however, continually undercut by clunky colloquialisms; yanking readers out of this carefully constructed, mostly pre-industrial world. Familiar tropes abound and cliché romance too.
Favourite Quote: ‘“The problem with wanting,” he whispered, his mouth trailing along my jaw until it hovered over my lips, “is that it makes us weak”.’
Time Read: Two Days.
→ Audiobook: Yes.
→ Audiobook Narrator: Lauren Fortgang.