Book Review: Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1) by Leigh Bardugo

  

Summary:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Age Group: YA

Source: Purchased

Reviewed by: Madi B

Review:

Wow. Just wow. This book was amazing. AMAZING!!! I’m just blown away!! I haven’t read a book this good in a while! It was the type that consumes your life and makes you feel like you just can’t go another moment without reading more! And did I mention that this was the author’s first book?!?!?!? Wow. The characters, the concepts, the plot, the world the author created, everything was just wow. I absolutely loved the whole Russian feel of the setting. It put me off at first (the first sentence has the word malenchki in it… MALENCHKI!) but I got used to all the names and the setting!! I really loved the whole Grisha concept. The whole people having powers thing is not a new concept, but Bardugo made me feel like it was one.

 

I absolutely LOVED the characters! Alina was perfect. I loved how relatable her character felt and how she dealt with her struggles. The Darkling was awesome. He was this dark and lonely character that you can’t help but root for. Mal was Alina’s best friend that gave me mixed feelings at first because he was totally oblivious to Alina’s feelings for him!!! Not cool!!! But then he grew on me with all his loyalness etc.

At a glance, this book may seem like a typical YA. Love triangle, magic powers, etcetera etcetera but let me tell you, Shadow and Bone puts the stereotype to shame. Filled with fantasy, adventure, and plot twists galore, it’s sure to keep you on your toes, and far from your responsibilities.