3star
Ürünstar 4.0
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
I'm a huge fan of fantasy novels, and Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone series is right up my alley. This epic tale combines Russian folklore with a gripping storyline and characters that'll stick with you long after you finish reading. If you're looking for a must-read that's full of adventure, magic, and self-discovery, look no further.
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Shadow and Bone Falls Flat
summarizeEditor's Summary
I'm a fan of young adult books, but Shadow and Bone didn't quite live up to my expectations. The story feels rushed, with too much happening too quickly, and some plot points are glossed over or resolved too quickly. The world-building is decent, but it's not enough to save the book from its many flaws. If you're a die-hard fan of the Grishaverse, you might enjoy this, but for me, it was a total letdown. I was expecting a more substantial story, but Shadow and Bone feels like a lightweight, easy read that lacks depth and complexity. The characters are likable, but they're not particularly well-developed, and their motivations and backstories are not fully explored. The romance is sweet, but it feels forced and convenient, and it doesn't add much to the story. The book relies too heavily on convenient plot devices and contrivances, which feel like a cop-out. The themes are timely, but they're not explored in a particularly nuanced or thoughtful way. The book ends abruptly, with no sense of resolution or closure, which is frustrating and unsatisfying.
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Dil7/10
KararKötü
Orjinalite4/10
HikayeKalitesi6/10
I've devoured my fair share of young adult books, and while I'm not obsessed with the Grishaverse, I do enjoy Leigh Bardugo's work - I've only read two of her books so far, and I should probably write about those too.
The name 'Shadow and Bone' initially put me off, but when I had nothing else to read, I finally picked it up.
What struck me was how small the book was - I was expecting something a bit more substantial, but it flew by, though!
Shadow and Bone review by Leigh BardugoSo, 'Shadow and Bone'.
There's this massive country called Ravka, and it's divided by this terrifying place called the Shadow Fold - it's like a swirling darkness, and inside, there are these monstrous creatures called Wraiths (or Volcra) that eat people.
The Shadow Fold was created over 100+ years ago, and it's been scaring and demoralizing people ever since, which is why someone should probably get rid of it - but how, exactly, has been a mystery for 100+ years.
Enter Alina Starkov, a girl who can potentially destroy the Shadow Fold. By the usual YA genre rules, Alina's backstory is pretty familiar - her parents were killed in a border war, and she grew up in an orphanage, where she befriended a boy named Mal.
When Volcra attack Mal, Alina discovers she's not just an ordinary orphan with a plain face - she's actually a vessel for magical power. And it turns out that Alina Starkov might just be the only one who can save Ravka from this awful Shadow Fold.
Now, our Harry Potter-esque protagonist Alina is whisked away to the royal palace of Ketterdam, where she'll be learning magic alongside other young mages, so she can eventually go back to the Shadow Fold and destroy it...
In the palace, she'll encounter the enigmatic Darkling, plenty of Grisha, and a whole lot of secrets.
So, what do you think? Has it piqued your interest?
Honestly, I wasn't blown away by this one, because there are just so many similar stories out there - especially in the young adult genre, where it seems like almost every third book is a retread of the same old tropes.
Take 'The Glass Throne' by Sarah Maas, for instance - it's basically the same thing, just with a few minor tweaks. I'm not sure why I'm even bothering to review it, to be honest.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, read by the author That being said, the books I'd read by Leigh Bardugo before this one were definitely more unique, and I was a bit disappointed to find that this one was more of the same old cliches.
I mean, thanks, I guess, for at least making it a quick read.
As for the Grishaverse itself, I have to admit that I found it pretty amusing at first. In this world, the Grisha are a special caste of mages (there are Alchemists, Corperians, Substantials, etc.) - but to me, the name 'Grisha' is just kind of funny, because when Alina is told in the book that she's now a Grisha, I'd literally fall out of my chair laughing for about five minutes.
Of course, I realize that for people who aren't from the former Soviet Union, this might not be as funny.
Anyway, these Grisha live in Ravka and have various magical abilities - some can summon the wind and fill sails in a dead calm, some can slow down your heart rate to the point where you pass out (or die), some can change their appearance without plastic surgery, and so on.
The main character, Alina Starkov, could have totally been a Grisha from birth, but instead she was just a regular kid who grew up in an orphanage. Now, her thing is that she's a Sun Summoner and can basically glow like a crazy firefly on steroids, which is pretty handy for taking down the enemy.
Shadow and Bone read review by Leigh BardugoI love how power works in this book - it's a refreshing change of pace. In most YA novels, the main character's powers drain them, and they need time to recharge. But in Shadow and Bone, it's the opposite - if you don't use your powers, you'll start to fade away. And if you do use them, you'll feel invigorated, like a juicy persimmon from Herson.
Shadow and Bone read review by Leigh BardugoHowever, despite this unique take on power, Bardugo doesn't stray too far from YA literature cliches. Even with her intelligence and creativity, she still relies on familiar tropes.
Take Alina Starkov, for example. She's got that same old 'chosen one' vibe going on - a plain, unremarkable girl who's destined to save the world. It's a familiar story, and one that's been done to death.
And of course, there are the love interests. Because what's a YA novel without a love triangle? It's like clockwork - the main character will be surrounded by a cast of handsome, brooding guys, and she'll be torn between them. It's a classic move, and one that Bardugo uses to great effect.
But why does she rely on these cliches? I'm still not sure. Maybe it's just a case of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.'
Shadow and Bone author - Leigh Bardugo read reviewSetting aside these familiar tropes, the world of Grishaverse is actually pretty interesting. If you can manage to forget that you've seen it all before, you might just find yourself getting lost in the story. And who knows, you might even finish the book in one or two sittings.
Personally, I'm still a bit confused about the Grisha, their uniforms, and who's in charge of what. But hey, that's just part of the fun, right?
But maybe it's not Bardugo's fault and the complexity of the story, it's just my memory being a bit wonky.
Aside from the main character Alina, I also found Jenya - the red-haired girl with the magic, really intriguing. I mean, reading about all her improvements was super interesting.
Shadow and Bone review author - Leigh Bardugo read reviewShadow and Bone read review author - Leigh BardugoAs for Mal, who's either Alina's best friend or her love interest, it was a bit of a snooze fest. The little tracker who protects Alina - yeah, he's not that interesting, and their relationship is kinda codependent...
Shadow and Bone read review author - Leigh BardugoI have to say, Darkeeling didn't really impress me - maybe it's because I'd already heard about him before reading Shadow and Bone? I mean, come on, he's just your standard handsome bad guy. I'm way past the age of being swooned by pretty villains. Yeah, he's got power, he's got magic, and all that - but his personality is just so... generic...
And with guys like that, you need a love interest, right? There is one, but it's so weak and cheesy, I won't even bother mentioning it...
Okay, fine. I'll admit it - my motivation for reading this series was that Netflix decided to adapt it into a show (Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows). The trailer looks amazing, by the way. The Shadow Fold is so ominous, and Darkeeling is, of course, gorgeous (although they could've found someone even more handsome, I guess... or maybe that's just personal taste)
I have to say, the book 'The Shadow and the Bone' was pretty unimpressive, but I'm curious to see how it translates to the TV series.
If this book didn't quite hit the mark, here are some other options:
A Holistically Dark Fairy Tale
A Quality Winter Fairy Tale
A Book with a Pretty Cover
A Snake and a Dove Story
A Typical Romantic YA Book
A Mara and Morok Story
The Final Book in a Magical Trilogy
The Start of an Interesting Series
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What's the premise of Shadow and Bone?
Shadow and Bone is set in a world where a dark, swirling force called the Shadow Fold divides the country of Ravka, and a young orphan named Alina discovers she has the power to wield the magic that could save the world.
Is Shadow and Bone part of a series?
Yes, Shadow and Bone is the first book in the Grishaverse series, which includes several other books and short stories set in the same world.
What's the tone of the book?
The tone of Shadow and Bone is generally dark and foreboding, with a sense of urgency and danger lurking beneath the surface.
Are the characters well-developed?
Unfortunately, the characters in Shadow and Bone are not particularly well-developed, with some feeling like cardboard cutouts and others feeling more fleshed out.
Is the romance in the book a major part of the story?
The romance in Shadow and Bone is a significant part of the story, but it feels forced and convenient, and it doesn't add much to the plot.
What's the deal with the Shadow Fold?
The Shadow Fold is a dark, swirling force that divides the country of Ravka, and it's the main source of conflict and danger in the book.
Is Shadow and Bone a quick read?
Yes, Shadow and Bone is a quick read, with a fast-paced plot and engaging writing that makes it easy to devour in a single sitting.
What's the overall verdict?
Unfortunately, Shadow and Bone didn't quite live up to my expectations. While it has some engaging elements, it's ultimately a disappointing read that feels rushed and underdeveloped.
Is the world-building in Shadow and Bone any good?
The world-building in Shadow and Bone is decent, with a richly detailed setting and a unique magic system.
Are the characters in Shadow and Bone likable?
The characters in Shadow and Bone are likable, if a bit one-dimensional, and the romance is sweet.
check_circlePros
- •The world-building is decent, with a richly detailed setting and a unique magic system.
- •The characters are likable, if a bit one-dimensional, and the romance is sweet.
- •The writing is engaging, and the pacing is quick, making it easy to devour the book in a single sitting.
- •The concept of the Shadow Fold is intriguing, and the idea of a dark, swirling force that divides the country is creepy and compelling.
- •The book has a strong sense of atmosphere, with a foreboding, ominous tone that sets the stage for the story.
- •The themes of hope and resilience are timely and relevant, and the book explores them in a thoughtful way.
- •The story has a good sense of momentum, and it's easy to get caught up in the action and adventure.
- •The characters have some nice interactions and relationships, which add to the story's emotional depth.
cancelCons
- •The story feels rushed, with too much happening too quickly, and some plot points are glossed over or resolved too quickly.
- •The characters are underdeveloped, and their motivations and backstories are not fully explored.
- •The romance is sweet, but it feels forced and convenient, and it doesn't add much to the story.
- •The book relies too heavily on convenient plot devices and contrivances, which feel like a cop-out.
- •The themes are timely, but they're not explored in a particularly nuanced or thoughtful way.
- •The book ends abruptly, with no sense of resolution or closure, which is frustrating and unsatisfying.
- •The story has some major plot holes and inconsistencies, which can be frustrating to read.
- •The characters' motivations and actions sometimes feel inconsistent or unexplained.
