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Age Suitability
Add Age Suitabilityviolet_penguin_924 thinks this title is suitable for 12 years and over
blue_cat_7366 thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 12 and 18
Quotes
Add a Quote“I missed you every hour. And you know what the worst part was? It caught me completely by surprise. I'd catch myself just walking around to find you, not for any reason, just out of habit, because I'd seen something that I wanted to tell you about or because I wanted to hear your voice. And then I'd realize that you weren't there anymore, and every time, every single time, it was like having the wind knocked out of me. I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again just to be with you, just to starve with you and freeze with you and hear you complain about hard cheese every day. So don't tell me why we don't belong together," he said fiercely.”
“I missed you every hour. And you know what the worst part was? It caught me completely by surprise. I'd catch myself just walking around to find you, not for any reason , just out of habit, because I'd seen something that I wanted to tell you about or because I wanted to hear your voice. And then I'd realize that you weren't there anymore, and every time, every single time, it was like having the wind knocked out of me. I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again just to be with you, just to starve with you and freeze with you and hear you complain about hard cheese every day. So don't tell me why we don't belong together," he said fiercely.”
“How did you fare with the Queen?" he asked.
"I have no idea," I said honestly. "Everything she said was perfectly nice, but the whole time she was looking at me as if I were something her dog spit up.”
“I had spared the stag's life. The power of that life belonged to me as surely as it belonged to the man who had taken it.”
Summary
Add a SummaryThe Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.
Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?
The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.
But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?
Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.
Comment
Add a CommentI recently had the same thing to say about Laini Taylor. If you've just discovered Bardugo and love her more recent books, this will probably disappoint in comparison; whereas, if you read it when it came out, it may have felt fresh and new.
Shadow and Bone focuses on Alina, a war-orphan raised by a Duke that has taken in many orphans. Other than the fact that it means that she grew up with her best friend, the tracker Mal, for whom she now has feelings, this fact isn't very important. They could have been raised by villagers, or wolves, whatever. The only point is that Alina will do anything to stay close to him, and they join the army together where Alina's powers come to light and she suddenly finds herself one of the Grisha, those special soldiers of the Second Army who use the "small sciences" (magic) to help the kingdom fight its wars.
So much time is given over to Alina's lovelorn angst that it really detracted from the story for me. That said, it was still a good story. Whom should Alina trust? What is the end game of her new boss, "The Darkling"? Can Alina's powers protect her country? We get answers to at least a few of these questions and the final chapters find Bardugo at her best: writing an action-packed adventure. While it's not ground-breaking, those who love the world of Six of Crows will enjoy this for another taste of the same fantasy universe.
The best way too describe this series is by saying it’s an alternate universe 19th century Russia where the main character has some inkling of her abilities but after a certain incident chooses to hide them. For a good portion of the book the author pulls you along into and enchanting story about a boy and a girl, but you keep thinking that the girl is going to end up with one boy most of the book before the author pulls you in the comeplete opposite direction. Mind you it’s been a few years so I should reread it.
Started the Grisha Trilogy after finishing Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. If anything, its a testament to Bardugo's growth as a writer since its publication. The story is fairly predictable and trope driven, but as someone who does enjoy a good YA fantasy novel, it was alright. I'd recommend reading through this so you can get to Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising, as Bardugo pushes away from the tropes of the genre more in her more recent novels.
I'd give the full trilogy 4/5 but this is definitely the weakest example of Bardugo's writing! I'd almost recommend starting with Six of Crows (my personal favorite of the 5 books) just to get a taste of the world lore and get some context before embarking on the Grisha Trilogy.
Definitely a fun easy read. Not remarkable but worth it for the overall quality of the trilogy! If you like the genre, just do it.
I really enjoyed this story. The book was set at a nice space and the world was really developed. I loved all the characters to, and would recommend this book to friends and family. The only downside: the page count. I got this as an ebook and the story finishes at 60% !! The last 40% of the book is just sneak peeks at the second and third book -_- and though that's nice in its own right, I thought I was going to get a much longer read out of the book.
Exceded all my expectations, despite all the mixed reviews saying that Leigh's first book wasn't really good I found the plot, writing style, and overall aura very enjoyable. 5 stars
Fantastic book - albeit with the template of "Girl finds out she has powers and goes to a school to enhance them". It's still worth the read due to the unique setting and terminology. I'm definitely going to read the second one!
Ravka, at war for over 100 years, has been ripped in two by the "Unsea". Orphans Alina and Mal are conscripted into the military, and while crossing the Unsea Alina unexpectedly reveals a rare magical power - one she must learn to use before Ravka's enemies, both external and internal, assassinate her. First in series.
Fantastic book! I had to stop myself from reading it all in one sitting. A definite must read for fantasy readers
This book is AMAZING. You need to read it if you love fantasy with a bit of romance and action. Leigh Bardugo writes great books and I would recommend any of her books.
Loved this book!! Couldn't put it down. Amazing