Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone, #1) in The Reader's Lounge

Feb 14, 2014 Glass rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fangirling-like-crazy, girls-reading-together, magic, tanja-zemira-miss-glass-book-club, fantasy, buddy-read-with-tanja-and-emma

Once again we teamed up with Emma from Never Judge a Book by its Cover and sailed into a new world together. We didn't know what to expect as the hype surrounding this book was really high, we can confirm that the story lived up to the hype and even above it.

How did you feel about Mal and Alina's relationship?

Tanja: As the opening chapter starts with the story about their childhood it was so easy to connect with them. They seemed like two lost souls bond together and I knew that their relation ...more

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Mar 26, 2012 Jasprit rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, read-in-2013, out-2012, ya, favourites

4.5 stars

The Gathering Dark is fantasy at its best. Luckily I had the day off when I picked up The Gathering Dark so I was able to lock myself in my room and devour this book much to the annoyance of my sister who wanted a good natter. But you know that adrenaline rush when you get with certain books when your eyes are just gulping the words in a frenzied pace, that before you know it you’re already halfway through the book and you’re like how the heck have I read so much already? Your hearts th 4.5 stars

The Gathering Dark is fantasy at its best. Luckily I had the day off when I picked up The Gathering Dark so I was able to lock myself in my room and devour this book much to the annoyance of my sister who wanted a good natter. But you know that adrenaline rush when you get with certain books when your eyes are just gulping the words in a frenzied pace, that before you know it you’re already halfway through the book and you’re like how the heck have I read so much already? Your hearts thrumming against your chest and there is so much chaotic-ness going on around you, but you’re lost in a world where it’s just you and your precious book? This is exactly how my reading experience was with The Gathering Dark. When I first heard about this book I honestly didn’t pay it much attention, it was not my typical genre to turn to and so I wasn’t really sure whether it would be my thing. But my great blogging friends changed my mind and I’m so thankful for that, otherwise I would never have discovered this gem of a book.

Alina and Mal are two orphans who’ve grown up together, they’re getting by in life, but everything changes when crossing the Shadow Fold and Alina makes a startling discovery. Alina’s ripped away from the life she’s known, taken away from Mal to Little Palace a world so different to what she’s known, she’s surrounded by beautiful Grisha, given a beautiful room, a kefta and spends time with the enigmatic The Darkling. She’s taught to make the most of her ability and promised great things.

Alina found herself in an extremely difficult situation, but her character development over the course of this book paid off for the tough times she had to deal with. Initially she was a clumsy girl but developed into this strong, kick ass protagonist. But what I loved most about her was that despite getting everything luxurious thrown her way, she still didn’t forget who she was, where she came from and who mattered to her the most. At times she did find herself slightly distracted by The Darkling, but who wouldn’t?

I seem to have this habit lately where I seem to be falling for the guy everyone else isn’t. First it was Warner and now The Darkling, don’t get me wrong I adored Mal, but The Darkling left the greatest impression on me with his big booming claps, dark velvety voice and his constant darkness, it’s bound to make a girl go crazy, his commanding remarks honestly sent shivers down my spine. And I know with the way things went, I should have jumped teams, but come on its The Darkling I won’t give up on him that easily.

Leigh Bardugo has created a gorgeous book in The Gathering Dark, her world building is exquisite and writing is just effortlessly beautiful. I didn’t realise that it would evoke so many feelings in me all in one go! In a way I’m glad I picked up The Gathering Dark up, because it’s given me the extra encouragement to pick more fantasy books right away, but I’m also left a bit glum, as how I have to wait torturous months like everyone else for the next instalment!
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Oct 12, 2016 Pili rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

After Crooked Kingdom I felt like I needed to re-read the Grisha trilogy and audibook is the way to go for re-reads!

I must say that I loved it even more this time around! I remembered the intense allure of the Darkling and how much I loved my dear Genya!

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Aug 23, 2013 Stacie (Shy Book Nerd) rated it liked it

Shelves: my-signed-books, owned-hardcovers, book-outlet, owned-paperbacks

Still just as good reading it a second time. As a matter of fact, I think I enjoyed it more. Mal still gets on my nerves, and the Darkling well....he was good while it lasted lol. I'm Team Alina all the way! Now to finally continue on with Siege and Storm.

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Alina Starkov is sent away after saving her best friend (secret crush), Mal from dying. She is the special Sun Summoner that will help save her kingdom from the evil monsters with win Still just as good reading it a second time. As a matter of fact, I think I enjoyed it more. Mal still gets on my nerves, and the Darkling well....he was good while it lasted lol. I'm Team Alina all the way! Now to finally continue on with Siege and Storm.

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Alina Starkov is sent away after saving her best friend (secret crush), Mal from dying. She is the special Sun Summoner that will help save her kingdom from the evil monsters with wings. Now Alina has to start a new life as a powerful Grisha that she has absolutely no way of knowing how to control. Along the way, she learns how to grow as a person, forget her past, and begins a dangerous but oh so seductive relationship with the Darkling. Not everything is as it seems in the Grisha world, and Alina comes to a heart breaking conclusion on what she has to do.
There was plenty of action in this book, starting right from the beginning with the horrific monsters. Lots of fighting scenes too through out the book! The middle part slows down a little, but it in no way stops the story from getting dull. There isn't that much romance in this book. Though the chemistry between Alina and The Darkling is undeniably steamy! He is sooo hot and mysterious...why does he have to be bad?!?! I felt they had more of a connection than Alina did with Mal. He's a charming guy too in his own way, but I felt they had more of a puppy love connection. Maybe that will change for me in book two, and also maybe the Darkling will become good?! After all, it looks like he has small soft spot for Alina, no? Wishful thinking I know.
Overall, it was a spectacular start to the series. I was engrossed with the book from the beginning, to the nerve wracking ending! Alina was a strong, sarcastic, and independent character. She never let anyone get to her (especially the snotty little witch), and she always followed her own heart whether she liked it or not. I also enjoyed the new friendship Alina made with Genya. I just hope they don't become enemies.
This was an awesome book that I highly recommend. It's different from other YA books out there too! I can't wait to read the sequel, Siege and Storm, to see if my feelings change between Alina and Mal. ...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Danielle rated it it was amazing

Read more reviews at What Danielle Did Next

4.5 stars

Dear Danielle.

There is a book out there with your name on it...well not really, it's called SHADOW AND BONE and it contains everything you love - sweeping epic plotlines, swoony men, awesome females, gorgeous writing and did I mention RUSSIAN influences. Remember your obsession with all things Russia, thinking you were Julie Christie in Doctor Zhivago? Yeah all that? THIS BOOK and you are an idiot for letting it languish on your TBR while you ...more

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Mar 01, 2013 Pili rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I was expecting to like this book, and it really didn't dissapoint!

All the Russian references, even to their own version of Rasputin, sound so genuine and so their own. The magic in the story doesn't take for the gritty reality found in the story, but amplifies it.

Alina is taken from a place where she doesn't feel like she fits, to a place of wonder and privilege, but she still doesn't believe she belongs. Being average and invisible all her life makes it difficult for her to believe she really ...more

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Jul 12, 2013 Emma rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, paranormal, dystopia, ya, part-of-series

Shadow and Bone, a highly acclaimed fantasy of 2013. Now, I reread it with the lovely ladies Glass and Tanja from Ja čitam, a ti? and I enjoyed it even more. Could that really be possible? As all three books of this series are released we decided to read them all, so right now I'm reading Siege and Storm and I can say that reading them together is so much better rather than waiting a year for it to be released. I can say that I've never been lost in book like, Shadow and Bone.

So as a group read ...more

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