Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone, #1) in The Rebellious Readers

Mar 22, 2021 rania rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-stars

”If I told you that I’m trying to save the world, would you believe me?”

3.5 stars

I first read this book somewhere in 2020 (I don’t really remember when, that whole year is a blur to me), and I remember thinking that there was nothing special about this book. I just wasn’t interested. And because of that I never finished the series.

But now, because of the upcoming release of the Shadow and Bone Netflix show, I desperately wanted to finish this series. No matter how much torture it put me thro ...more

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Jul 24, 2020 constance rated it liked it · review of another edition

3⭐️
I think I’m more invested in the darkling than the main characters, but I still want to see how the story progresses.

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Jan 12, 2021 Sara L. rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, made-me-cry

I love you Mal!!!
I love you Aleina!!
I love you book!!
I love you Leigh Bardugo!!

AMAZING!!!! I LOVE THIS!!!! To good to be true! I wish I could read these books forever!! I wish they could never end! This book is amazing. Sorry to all who read my review of SIX OF CROWS...I will be deleting it very soon. My review for Six Of Crows wasn't fair because I didn't start from the beginning! I hope that since I've started from the beginning of all the books, I understand this series better!

Alina Starko I love you Mal!!!
I love you Aleina!!
I love you book!!
I love you Leigh Bardugo!!

AMAZING!!!! I LOVE THIS!!!! To good to be true! I wish I could read these books forever!! I wish they could never end! This book is amazing. Sorry to all who read my review of SIX OF CROWS...I will be deleting it very soon. My review for Six Of Crows wasn't fair because I didn't start from the beginning! I hope that since I've started from the beginning of all the books, I understand this series better!

Alina Starkov is happy living as a mapmaker, as long as she has her best friend, Mal, by her side. They've been together through thick and thin since their days at an orphanage. Then one fateful day changes everything for Alina. The Grisha, a group similiar to witches and wizards who rely on the elements to get their power, discover that Alina is one of the most powerful of their kind. She can summon light and take away the darkness. The leader of the Grisha, the Darkling -- a sexy, mysterious man who wields his magic like a deadly weapon -- wants to train and mold Alina so she can learn to harness her power and destroy the Shadow Fold, a place of nightmares where frightening creatures roam. But the Darkling's ulterior motive is to make Alina his own. Alina must learn to trust her instincts and to stay true to herself or pay the price -- with her life.

I cried, laughed, furiously threw the book (which I deeply regret) and cursed like hell. The emotions this book brought out of me was crazy! SHADOW AND BONE is fast-paced, with shocking twists and turns and a powerful ending that leaves me anxious for more, that is why I shall read the next book no matter what time it is! Conversation I had with my mom about this:

I DO NOT CARE IF IT'S 3:00 AM MOM!! I SHALL CONTINUE WITH THE NEXT BOOK!! I KNOW I HAVE SCHOOL TOMORROW, PLEASE!! 1 MORE CHAPTER!
And so it continued for 2 hours.... If you're wondering who won the conversation...I won :)

I give this book 5/5 stars! I totally recommend it! *Thank you - Madeleine for this recommendation* ...more

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Apr 21, 2021 Books 'n' Baes rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 14, 2020 Nina rated it liked it

Shelves: books-i-own

This book was nice to read, but the plot was a bit generic and I've read many books were the plot is very similar to this. I didn't really like the main character and I didn't think much actually happened in this book, however, it was only the first one and I thought it was a good beginning to the series. I really liked some of the non main characters and overall I would give this book 3.5 stars because it was still a good read. ...more

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Jan 05, 2021 Caitlan 🌺 rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021, ya, fantasy

Review in 10ish words: I get it now. Immaculate writing and a new take on fantasy worldbuilding. 4/5

How to consume: Something to warm your chest. Something brutal. Heck, the Russian vibes from Shadow and Bone make me want to say Mishka vodka for a laugh- but get your hands on a half decent vodka you can sip. Or shot. Whatever your preference. Play some heavy instrumentals and cozy on in for a ride.

Synopsis:
Ravka is torn by war- the Shadow fold stands as an abyss separating the country and causi

Review in 10ish words: I get it now. Immaculate writing and a new take on fantasy worldbuilding. 4/5

How to consume: Something to warm your chest. Something brutal. Heck, the Russian vibes from Shadow and Bone make me want to say Mishka vodka for a laugh- but get your hands on a half decent vodka you can sip. Or shot. Whatever your preference. Play some heavy instrumentals and cozy on in for a ride.

Synopsis:
Ravka is torn by war- the Shadow fold stands as an abyss separating the country and causing unrest, with enemies closing in from every direction.

We meet Alina Starkov- An orphan who has been painfully average for her life- especially in comparison to the gifted Grisha (all around legends and masters of the small sciences).
Everything changes for Alina when her regiment is attacked and she is forced to unmask unknown power. Shadow and Bone is gripping, dark and beautiful to read.

MY THOUGHTS:

It is well known news in the Grishaverse that the much loved and adored Shadow and Bone is being made into a Netflix series. It is due to hit our screens in April 2021 and I am not going to lie, this definitely pushed me to move it up my TBR.

Shadow and Bone was the first Young Adult read I have enjoyed in quite a while. I love a dark, complex villain and I love a strong female lead- enough said.

What sets this book apart you might ask? Apart from some of the most extensive world building I have seen, Leigh has drawn on Russian/Mongolian influences for Ravka- A welcomed changed from the usual landscape of the genre. Her inclusion of more modern warfare was also a nice touch.

In terms of characters- I adored watching Alina develop. I had an affiliation with her and the idea of not dimming your own light to protect the feelings of someone else was enjoyable. There is a wealth of goodness to draw from this book- love, war, good and bad and where that line is drawn. I started the book for the the hype and stayed for the impressive storytelling.

The Darkling is a much loved villain for good reason. Although I loved him, I wanted more- I wanted more of his character. I wanted to know more. I think most importantly I wanted to see him outside of Alina's perspective- (check out the extra chapter at the end from Genya's perspective- this is what I wanted more of!). Ultimately, this drove me to give it a 4/5 over a 5/5. In contrast- I found Mal (Alina's childhood friend) annoying and difficult to trust. I spent the book doubting his sincerity at every turn and just thought he was generally unlikable.

I am super interested to see what book two and three brings- Hopefully more Darkling! I am super keen to see where Alina's journey takes us. In further adoration of her world building ability I am also dying to check out the other series set within the Grishaverse!

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Apr 17, 2021 Isha rated it really liked it

3.5 stars

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May 24, 2021 Lauren Long rated it really liked it

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to crack on immediately with the second! My only quandary was that I preferred the programme as we got more perspectives/ stories from it. I also wanted much more from Alina and The Darkling’s (very short lived) relationship.

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Jan 11, 2021 Marina Melo rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2021, english

*3.5

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Dec 26, 2020 Moony 394 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Well, it's 12:39 am, but I finished it 😅😂
This is a great book and I just love Leigh Bardugo's writing so much!

I found Genya's character really cool, and also Baghra.
I enjoyed being introduced to these characters. I will say that I wish I read this trilogy before the six of crows duology, because I now know for sure that certain characters won't die, so that will probably take away some of the suspense. It's not really that big of a deal though, and I could have had much worse spoilers!
Alina's p ...more

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Nov 16, 2020 cj rated it liked it · review of another edition

i thought this was pretty good!!
i thought alina wasnt really main character material? i thought she could've been better. the darkling is just a walking bad boy cliche. i don't have many feelings on mal, although at the moment i ship alina with nobody. i think she should just be and stay single. i dont care about romance, i want action and badass women type shit. that is not what i got and thats ok! (but if anybody has action and badass women type shit recs pls lmk asap)

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