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A review by arwenundomiel03
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
WOW WOW WOW!! This book is freaking amazing!! It took me about a chapter to get into it, but once I did, I couldn’t stop reading! I think it’s possibly the quickest I’ve read a book so far this year. The story line is incredible, full of so many completely unforeseen twists and turns, so many moments of feeling secure in what is happening in the world, only for it to be completely stripped away in the next chapter!
The characters are amazing - I really like Alina for all she is flawed. I love her slow journey to understanding herself and her own power, and how she can come to own and use that power for herself, and not as a tool for someone else to wield and use as they please. I love Baghra for helping her to understand that, for being harsh, but for using that harshness to unlock Alina and her power - and to help her see what she really wants, and how it will benefit the whole world to be truly in control of herself. I like Mal, for coming back, even if he was a complete jerk in the beginning.
But the Darkling was a whole different story. He has so many twists and turns to his character - you start by fearing him, then you fall to trusting him, only to be uncertain, to fall again completely and then realise his duplicity and the depths of his darkness. I have never read a book where a character can so completely fool me - you feel absolutely the same way that Alina does, and you absolutely cannot blame her for her falling for him either, or her actions later. When he ‘gives’ her the collar, and takes her power from her - you feel so powerless inside you too - but then the freedom when she recaptures it for herself is incredible.
An absolutely incredible read and I can’t wait to read the next several!!
The characters are amazing - I really like Alina for all she is flawed. I love her slow journey to understanding herself and her own power, and how she can come to own and use that power for herself, and not as a tool for someone else to wield and use as they please. I love Baghra for helping her to understand that, for being harsh, but for using that harshness to unlock Alina and her power - and to help her see what she really wants, and how it will benefit the whole world to be truly in control of herself. I like Mal, for coming back, even if he was a complete jerk in the beginning.
An absolutely incredible read and I can’t wait to read the next several!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder