Shadow and Bone - Book Review

in #hive-1801642 years ago

Why most of the antagonists are intelligent, smart and handsome?

Is it only me or anyone else also likes them more than protagonists? For instance, Tom Riddle, Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy were my most favorite characters from Harry Potter.

If not antagonists, then why troubled protagonists are more charming than typical ones? For instance, Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows duology.

I have just finished reading the first book of Shadow and Bone trilogy and I can't help desperately hoping for the villain to miraculously end up with the lead protagonist or at least he has to genuinely fall for her by the end of the series. Otherwise, I am going to throw a big-big rant.

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Introduction to Book

Shadow and Bone is another trilogy by Leigh Bardugo which is set in Grishaverse. The name of the three books from the series are:

  • Shadow and Bone
  • Siege and Storm
  • Ruin and Rising

I am done reading with the first book so will only be reviewing it in this post.

This trilogy is the first series among all the Grishaverse books by the author. However, I read Six of Crows duology first but if you are also like me then don't worry, both series happen in the same Grisha world but have completely different stories, so you won't be missing out on anything. Infact, I think Six of Crows has the best explanation of all the Grisha and how they work, among all the books.

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Summary

Alina Starkov, a no one, scrawny, ordinary, orphan is a cartographer and serves in the Ravkan Army. She sets on a journey to cross the Unsea with her regiment. The Unsea is a vicious sea that divides East and West Ravka and is cursed with a Shadow Fold. The Fold is filled with absolute darkness and deadly creatures like Volcra. Most of the people don't make it to the other end of the sea and die on the way.

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When Alina's ship enters into the sea, they are attacked by Volcra; there is chaos; there are causalities. Soon she and her childhood sweetheart Mal are also under attack and there she magically blinds the Volcra and sends them away with a blazing light. No one including her knows how she suddenly got that power.

Alina is taken to the Ravkan King to demonstrate her power, for everyone is now hopeful that she might be the solution to get rid of the deadly Fold. She stays in the Little Palace to get her training and is under the supervision of Grisha Commander, the Darkling.

Rest of the book is all about Alina's new life which is nothing like she led before - luxury, royalty and fame.

Little did she know that there are darker things waiting for her and the whole world depends on her newly found power.

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Critical Analysis

It's the first book of GrishaVerse so I expected from the author to describe the Grisha in more detail. There are descriptions but I think they were explained in Six of Crows with more details.

I shouldn't be comparing both the series, but I think Shadow and Bone was an easy read with reasonable information and it was captivating from the first chapter. Whereas, Six of Crows was full of information, complex, numerous plot twists and first half was just a slow build-up, the story sped up in the second half. Both series are good in their own ways.

I liked how the author developed Alina's character. She's insecure and victim of self-doubt. Since she's the narrator of the story, so it was easy to relate to her and get to know her better.

I didn't like the character of Mal, Alina's best friend and love interest. There relation is weird. I found him jealous and selfish and yet Alina longs for him.

Then there is Darkling. It was him that I was referring to when I talked about antagonists in the beginning. He's the perfect villain but I hate why he has to be so charming that I wish him to end up with Alina. Haha

Darkling's character is deep, mysterious and powerful and I totally like it.

Other than these main characters, I think Genya Safin and Bhagra are interesting characters. However, Bhagra could have been described in more detail, I couldn't totally grasp her character.

This book has been adapted to Netflix Series. It's more or less same as book, just a few little changes. I totally recommend watching it but not before reading the book.

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I rated this book 5/5 on Goodreads.

Let me know, if you have read it. Which is your favorite character?

P.S. All pictures are taken by me.


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You quite must have enjoyed reading the book, I haven't read it but I hope it's really good 👍
Reading from @dreemport

Reading all the books of Six Crows was entertaining for me and I enjoyed it! Coming to Shadow and Bone, I enjoyed but I had a few issue with it but one was how the story background was developed lightly. It was like was through into the story to ride on. This is a fantastic review! I enjoyed reading your post!

!discovery 30

Exactly, my mind was blown when I read Six of Crows. The author nailed that series.

I was worried that I might not like Shadow and Bone like you said the background was very lightly written but I like any book that manages to grab my attention and I forget to put it down. It was like that with this book despite the few shortcomings. 😀

Glad to found somebody who knows the Grishaverse. 😍

Shadow & bone is nice. I loved your review. I would add it to my readlist.

My favorite character is forever Stormhound a.k.a Prince Lantsov although he's introduced in the second book😅


I really loved this trilogy and I loved six of Crows too😍
Leigh Bardugo is really trying 🔥

Wow, definitely adding this book to my to read list. Thanks for sharing, cheers 🥂.

Got to read your wonderful post via @dreemport

Why most of the antagonists are intelligent, smart and handsome?

That appears to be the case. Perhaps, they were made that way so that others could sympathize with them? it is also to mimic real life that there is no black and white when it comes to person, life, and living itself. There are also many protagonist that despite good-mannered and its good characteristic would have its own flaws.

You are so right. I didn't think from that perspective. No one is perfect. Everyone has his/her own flaws.

Exactly what I thought because I always sympathize with them. I always do!

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Nice review :) I agree that it would be nice to see the antagonist be the love interest sometimes... human life is too complex to only showcase the desirability of pretty boys!

Thanks for sharing, Dreemport brought me to you this evening :)

This review is now featured on The Shadow and Bone Trilogy book and Leigh Bardugo's author pages!


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