Book: Shadow and Bone
Author: Leigh Bardugo
My Rating: 3.5 Bones
Attention YA Fantasy lovers! There’s a new series coming to Netflix based on one of my favorite fantasy series by Leigh Bardugo and I am equal parts nervous and excited. I highly recommend you read the Shadow and Bone series first (also Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom that I reviewed here last year)! It’s a wonderful, creative world full of cool magic, religion, war and politics, broody complicated villains, and a messed up royal family. I loved it, and now it’s been adapted for the screen. All the characters I’ve loved and hated, brought to life by Netflix. UGH. To say I’m nervous is an understatement.
The Shadow and Bone series focuses on Alina and Mal, two insignificant orphans who enlisted in the Ravkan Army to fight against the ever growing darkness of the Shadow Fold. When Mal is gravely injured, Alina reveals a long dormant power that changes her life and the fate of Ravka forever. I loved how creative the magic was in this world. People with these special powers are called “Grisha” and they’re led by a mysterious and broody guy called “The Darkling” who might be my all time favorite villain. I loved how big and detailed the world was in these stories. Ravka is just one country of many, and the politics of a country on the brink of collapse would normally be boring to me, but in this case it was intriguing.
The main reason I didn’t rate this series higher is because there was a kind of annoying love triangle plot line if you squint, and I hate love triangles with a passion. I also thought Mal was kind of boring and a teensy bit selfish. And we have to deal with his attitude for all three books, by the end I was kind of over him. I definitely thought the most interesting character was the bad guy – so I don’t know if that says something about the cast of characters, or about me as a person, but take that how you will. Overall, I think reading this as an introduction to the “Grishaverse” is a great place to start, even though I enjoyed the Six of Crows duopoly much more than this one. They’re all stories that are tied together in the same universe, and whether I love it or hate it, I can’t wait to see it play out on Netflix in April.
Krystle Goodman is a crazy cat lady, who loves to drink exorbitant amounts of coffee, and read a shocking amount of books. She lives in Benton with her husband Josh, her son Roman, and their two cats Roxanne and Abby. When she isn’t reading, you’ll find her cooking, painting, or watching true crime shows. Watch for Krystle’s book reviews every other Friday. Send fanmail to: [email protected]
See more of Krystle’s reviews at www.mysaline.com/krystle.