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A review by rorikae
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
'Shadow and Bone' by Leigh Bardugo is a fun YA Fantasy with a fascinating magic system and engaging characters.
We follow Alina, a mapmaker traveling to the Shadow Fold, a swath of darkness that has cut the country of Ravka in two. The Shadow Fold is full of monsters and making the journey across it to reach Ravka's coast is dangerous. But when her group is attacked inside the Shadow Fold, Alina reveals a power she didn't know that she held. This draws the attention of the Darkling, who believes Alina may have the power to change Ravka's future.
I've heard a lot about 'Shadow and Bone' but I had never had a real interest in reading it until I saw the trailer for the Netflix adaptation. I don't think that the blurb does the story justice. Bardugo has created a fascinating world with a really engaging magic system that I feel we only get a taste of in this first book. Alina is a likable character, full of faults but also full of hope. The full cast of characters are complex and I can't wait to see how they grow as the story progresses. I can tell that Bardugo has just scratched the surface with this first book and I am very thankful that I have the full trilogy and the Six of Crows duology to follow. I'm really happy that I decided to read the series before watching the show and I hope that the show further builds upon this great world that Bardugo has introduced.
We follow Alina, a mapmaker traveling to the Shadow Fold, a swath of darkness that has cut the country of Ravka in two. The Shadow Fold is full of monsters and making the journey across it to reach Ravka's coast is dangerous. But when her group is attacked inside the Shadow Fold, Alina reveals a power she didn't know that she held. This draws the attention of the Darkling, who believes Alina may have the power to change Ravka's future.
I've heard a lot about 'Shadow and Bone' but I had never had a real interest in reading it until I saw the trailer for the Netflix adaptation. I don't think that the blurb does the story justice. Bardugo has created a fascinating world with a really engaging magic system that I feel we only get a taste of in this first book. Alina is a likable character, full of faults but also full of hope. The full cast of characters are complex and I can't wait to see how they grow as the story progresses. I can tell that Bardugo has just scratched the surface with this first book and I am very thankful that I have the full trilogy and the Six of Crows duology to follow. I'm really happy that I decided to read the series before watching the show and I hope that the show further builds upon this great world that Bardugo has introduced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Xenophobia