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A review by jessica_z
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
5.0
I give this book five stars because I loved it so much, and I don’t know why it took me so long to finally read it. I’ve heard only great things about it, but nothing about the plot. The book felt like a quick read based on the writing style, but that didn’t bother me at all because I was so immersed in it. The concept was great, the characters were fantastic, especially the Darkling because he felt so complex. And I can’t forget the plot. Though it has the cliché main character discovers they have powers that are meant to save the world, but I feel this book has so much more to offer in the way of storytelling, and character development.
The first question that I kept asking myself after finishing the book was did the darkling really like Alina or was he just manipulating her? As I think back in the book I say yes he does like her. I have reasons, but they contain spoilers and I dislike spoilers so I don’t wish to bring them upon anyone that is thinking or reading this because for some reason they haven’t yet. Though I have to say that the romance between the Darkling and Alina felt a little forced or insta-lovey just a touch, but opposites attracted and those two are very opposite. I love the Darkling. (*Swoon*) His character is amazing. He’s twisted, but he thinks what he is doing is right for his people. He likes Alina against his better judgment and tries to use it to his advantage in a way. Moving on Alina was great, she really wanted to fit in somewhere and even though she didn’t fit with the army she still had Mal. She becomes a little girly, but is still a very strong and brave person. And I don’t care that her thoughts were clouded with the Darkling because she’s only had a crush and finally there is some one that likes her back, I would get a little starry eyed if I were her. Mal was a great. He’s good for Alina, but I still like the Darkling better. Even in the end. Tangent over, Mal is a strong, self assured guy that I would probably fall for in real life, but don’t really care for in the fiction realm. That’s the only way I would describe him at the moment.
I liked how there really wasn’t an antagonist throughout the book. I figured that the Darkling was going to be the bad guy, based on his title, but it did really lead that way in till you wished he wasn’t going to be. The book felt like a training montage that leads into the next book, but I loved it either way. I can’t wait to see how this goes. I really want to get the second book and third because I have a feeling that I will be reaching for it after the second one. Read it because it is amazing.
The first question that I kept asking myself after finishing the book was did the darkling really like Alina or was he just manipulating her? As I think back in the book I say yes he does like her. I have reasons, but they contain spoilers and I dislike spoilers so I don’t wish to bring them upon anyone that is thinking or reading this because for some reason they haven’t yet. Though I have to say that the romance between the Darkling and Alina felt a little forced or insta-lovey just a touch, but opposites attracted and those two are very opposite. I love the Darkling. (*Swoon*) His character is amazing. He’s twisted, but he thinks what he is doing is right for his people. He likes Alina against his better judgment and tries to use it to his advantage in a way. Moving on Alina was great, she really wanted to fit in somewhere and even though she didn’t fit with the army she still had Mal. She becomes a little girly, but is still a very strong and brave person. And I don’t care that her thoughts were clouded with the Darkling because she’s only had a crush and finally there is some one that likes her back, I would get a little starry eyed if I were her. Mal was a great. He’s good for Alina, but I still like the Darkling better. Even in the end. Tangent over, Mal is a strong, self assured guy that I would probably fall for in real life, but don’t really care for in the fiction realm. That’s the only way I would describe him at the moment.
I liked how there really wasn’t an antagonist throughout the book. I figured that the Darkling was going to be the bad guy, based on his title, but it did really lead that way in till you wished he wasn’t going to be. The book felt like a training montage that leads into the next book, but I loved it either way. I can’t wait to see how this goes. I really want to get the second book and third because I have a feeling that I will be reaching for it after the second one. Read it because it is amazing.