Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

January 06, 2017 24 Comments

Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

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.

I'm the kind of person who reviews a book the moment I finish reading it. Recently when I read some books I loved (ie; books that broke my heart) I realized I was incapable of writing a review immediately. I came to the conclusion that when I read a book I LOVE, the feels are so much that writing a review is impossible. But today I learned that when I read a book I REALLY REALLY LOVE, the feels are so so much that I need to write a review IMMEDIATELY so as to not be suffocated to death by the feels. So here goes...

Alina is the kind of protagonist I love. I admit that she does come off as a cliched character but Leigh Bardugo being the wonderful writer that she is has crafted Alina pretty much perfectly. I found myself connecting with her and loved seeing her character development throughout the book. I felt her second hand embarrassments, fears, sadness and happiness as my own. Also, great sense of humor girl!

The Darkling. Oh now I know why everyone talks about the Darkling. I can't even say anything without spoiling stuff for those who haven't read it but oh my!! The most interesting, and not to mention, the sexiest character in the entire book. READ THE BOOK FOR THE DARKLING.

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Mal, Genya and Zoya were characters I enjoyed reading but they didn't make as huge an impression on me as Alina and the Darkling. But they were epicly well written too!

I did my best to not be spoiled for this book and I'm proud to say I succeeded. So the TWIST (those who've read it you know what I'm talking about) had me reeling. I was torn and I'm guessing that's what Ms. Bardugo wanted us to feel. I was definitely not expecting that. I believe I looked like a fish out of water; shocked, gasping and ultimately, dead.

Also I want to say something here. This book is kind of trope-y. It has the chosen one (Kind of), A love triangle (sort of), and certain other things but to tell you the truth, if I'd just been a reader (and not a reviewer too), i might not even have noticed these. The writing and the way the plot is brought out to the readers is so fantastic that the tropes DIDN'T BOTHER ME EVEN A BIT (This has never happened before). I've come to the conclusion that Leigh Bardugo is a Magician...and no ordinary one.

FREAKING AMAZING!! I was hooked from page one. And the world building is utter perfection. It is oh so quotable. Loved the dialogue and the action scenes so much! The Palaces! I can picture every column and decoration in my mind from just her words.