From the Bookshelf of The Introvert Readers…

Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone, #1)

Leigh Bardugo

Start date: April 1, 2021

Finish date: April 30, 2021

Discussion: BOTM

Discussion leader: Maple

Why we're reading this: It won the April BOTM Poll
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What Members Thought

Apr 21, 2021 Tharindu Dissanayake rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites-fiction

"The usual. Life. Love. The melting point of iron ore."

Having read Six of Crows first, I was a little worried about reading Shadow and Bone. Based on a lot of reviews, I thought this will fall way behind SoC, resulting in a dull read. Turns out all that anxiety was not necessary at all. This might not be as conniving or eventful as SoC, but things turned out way better than I had hoped. I know it's not fair to compare the two, with Shadow and Bone series coming first, so I'm going to stop myself "The usual. Life. Love. The melting point of iron ore."

Having read Six of Crows first, I was a little worried about reading Shadow and Bone. Based on a lot of reviews, I thought this will fall way behind SoC, resulting in a dull read. Turns out all that anxiety was not necessary at all. This might not be as conniving or eventful as SoC, but things turned out way better than I had hoped. I know it's not fair to compare the two, with Shadow and Bone series coming first, so I'm going to stop myself from doing that as much as possible...

Compared to the average YA fantasy book, I have no complaints about the plot. It felt unique, thrilling, and plenty interesting (again, when not compared to SoC). It's always great to dive in to a new world of fantasy, full of interesting characters, and complemented by a vivid world. We all know how great Bardugo is at that. This first book of Grishaverse offers a fast-paced series of events, with some minor twists here and there. I would've preferred it be a little more complicated, with a couple of interesting side quests, but, we are only progressing along a single story line for now. Still, it's a good one.

"Close your mouth. You look like a trout."

I have to hand it to Bardugo for her consistent, and engaging style of writing, which is something that's going to captivate the reader from beginning. Just like with SoC, she effortlessly build up the world, with some amazing elements. With that said, this is all a lot less complex than Kerch. I loved the set of characters as well. Alina Starkov, the firs-person protagonist is so much fun, and there was never a dull moment with her. Secondary characters were also interesting, even down to villains.

I'm still somewhat confused on whether or not I should've read this trilogy before SoC. Even though the trilogy came first, I feel like reading SoC first wasn't mistake. It made me fall in love with the world Bardugo created (much better than Shadow and Bone would've done if this had been my first visit to this world), and I believe it helped me navigate this one smoothly. SoC gave me a great first impression to this amazing world, which will not fade away easily. True, this does not come even closely to SoC when it comes to suspense, or the complexity of characters, but it was interesting enough. Had I started with this one first, I can't help but wonder, things might've been different, and not for the better. With that being said, as interesting as this one was, when compared, it didn't have the same energy to pull in the reader as it was with SoC duology. But I'm hoping that things will continue to better with next two.

"Why can a Grisha possess but one amplifier? I will answer this question instead: What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men."
...more

451 likes · Like · see review

Mar 11, 2021 Gabriela Almeida rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, friends-to-lovers

Me: today in the YA world we are going to interview the principal cast of shadow and bone. Here with us we have the bright Alina, her friend Mal and the best villain Darkling 💕

Alina: Hi everyone I am so happy for being here

Mal: Hi

Darkling (silence)

Me: first question is for Alina. How did you feel when you discover your power?

Alina: Well, at first, I was scared and sad because I would have to leave Mal behind

Mal (holding Alina's hand) You know I will never leave you behind

Darkling: puff

Ali ...more

61 likes · Like · see review

Dec 12, 2020 Charmel rated it liked it

Shelves: enemies-to-loverss, fantasy

Ok so. I FINISHED BINGE-WATCHING THE NETFLIX SHOW!!! i loved it, i freaking loved it so much! i am simping so hardd❤️😭
i loved Alina, Mal, the crows, aaaahhhhh everything! can't wait for season twooo <3

and as they say: "No spoilers, no funerals"
excited for yall to watch it!

Look how everyone is gorgeous:

———

original cringy review: deleted
im also not changing my rating. ...more

58 likes · Like · see review

Jun 22, 2021 Hershey rated it liked it

Shelves: expectations-at-mt-everest, buddy-reads, reviewed, sue-booktok, not-like-other-girls, he-is-mine, she-is-mine, hype-with-a-capital-h, boo-the-hype

“I’ve been waiting for you a long time, Alina,” he said. “You and I are going to change the world.”

Trigger and Content warnings
• Classism
• Ableist language
• Fatmisia
• Slavery (mentioned)
• Kiss without consent
• Blood and gore depiction, dead bodies and physical injuries
• Death of a friend and parents (recounted)
• Murder and attempted murder
• Kidnapping, hostage situation and blackmail
• War themes
• Graphic animal death

Buddy read with the awesome Blobbie and Jai!
Check out her review her ...more

38 likes · Like · see review

Dec 03, 2020 Charlie ~ Happy Pride Month! rated it really liked it

Non spoilers!

Okay. This was a solid fantasy. I don't get why it's so hyped, but I also do? Anyways if you like:

-Good character development
-A villain that you can't help but love
-An amazing love interest
-Wonderful side characters
-A well built fantasy world

Than read this book!

I was conflicted at first. For the first half, I didn't like it. At all. But if you stick it through, then you'll love it! At least, you might. Hopefully. I wouldn't want to recommend an awful book for you.
I would also like ...more

32 likes · Like · see review

Apr 28, 2021 Braylynn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: owned-books, reviewed, read-2021, 4-and-a-half-stars, will-make-you-cry

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 4.5/5 stars rounded up

RTC

okay so I read this book more than 10 days ago so I might as well review it now.

I loved the book it was really good my first fantasy read actually and it was very enjoyable I liked the sort of world building into it I have to read the other two books to obviously finish the series which I'm excited but I don't own them right now so I will read them eventually.

Alina is a little annoying considering she's obsessed with Mal and I wanted Mal to die every second of the book ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

May 24, 2021 gwyneth rated it liked it · review of another edition

This took me almost a week to finish because of how the information and terms were kinda complex for my mind to comprehend when I first read half of the book. I had to re-read some parts and chapters again and again just so I could have a clear understanding and image of what is happening. Honestly, for me, it only got only interesting when I got to the peak of the book. I think that was one of the ways for the author to let the reader maintain interest to proceed to the sequels. I picked up thi ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Oct 07, 2020 ~farnia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

اوه مای گاعددد

7 likes · Like · see review

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

3 likes · Like · see review

May 31, 2021 Charity (Booktrovert Reader) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Best book I have read in a long time. Finally followed the hype and read the book. Love the story and the world that is created. Thought reading it close to the end, it reminded me of certain other series such as Throne of Glass.
This book does happen in a way that makes you wonder what will happen next which is a far cry to what I am use to reading. Would recommend this book to anyone.

3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 15, 2020 Tris rated it liked it · review of another edition

Loved the writing style. The audiobook is also amazing! I listened to it while reading the test and it was a wonderful experience. I liked Alina as a protagonist. She is a relatable character and acts to her age unlike some of the other YA characters and I hope this is maitained even as her character developes in the series. She is pretty humorous and made me crack up several times in the story. I didn't like Mal that much(if not hate him) and absolutely hated his relationship with Alina in the ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

May 11, 2022 Xoxonur rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-i-need-to-read-in-2022

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

2 likes · Like · see review

May 09, 2021 ❀ Bridget ❀ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: march-tbr

will write a review soon...

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 20, 2022 Lαυɾαღ rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2022-bookshelf

I'm sure I could say my favourite character is Darkling. I'm literally in love with him. Somewhere I wanted the Darkling to be an unappreciated good character. *SPOILER* he is not...I really liked the story, the world building, the characters.
I'm so excited to start the show and watch everything on screen. ...more

Like · see review