From the Bookshelf of A Little Bit Of This…

Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone, #1)

Leigh Bardugo

Start date: August 21, 2018

Discussion: The Library

Why we're reading this: September Book of the month
[close] September Book of the month

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 32 topics — 1,119 comments total

The Library

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* ABOUT THIS SECTION
By Valerie · 1 post · 11 views

last updated Sep 14, 2016 06:21PM

Shadow and Bone
By JoAnna , The Workaholic · 1 post · 4 views

last updated Aug 21, 2018 01:33PM

showing 1 of 1 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Sep 29, 2015 Maria rated it liked it

Ελληνική review στο: https://delitrium.wordpress.com/

2.5 STARS

“You're shaking."

"I'm not used to people trying to kill me."

"Really? I hardly notice anymore.”

Starting off, this book left me with mixed emotions. That is because, although, there were good elements, the bad ones were equal in numbers.And even though, the story was promising, in the end the result was not as good as expected.

So, the book begins with Alina, who tells us a childhood story and then she transfers us to the present. Here ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Oct 01, 2015 Cindy ✩☽♔ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, love-triangle

Rating 3.5

Honestly, I am surprised it took me so long to pick up these series. I'd heard good things about it, but also frustrated comments from fans about who the heroine chooses in the end. While I don't read fantasy purely for romance purposes it certainly doesn't hurt to have a great love story tied into a great fantasy adventure.

That being said I liked pretty much everything about this book. There was visual imagery, a well-paced plot, a decent amount of action, twists and turns. It was a ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

May 26, 2016 Kate (Reading Through Infinity) rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, favourite-authors

4.5 stars.

When I started reading this book, the first couple of chapters made expect some of the typical YA stereotypes: the protagonist doesn't think she's pretty but is actually gorgeous, she discovers this huge unrivaled power that will give her the opportunity to change the world, she ends up in a love triangle with two beautiful boys etc. And you could argue that some of these did appear in Shadow and Bone, but they certainly didn't develop in the way I expected (or the way they usually do 4.5 stars.

When I started reading this book, the first couple of chapters made expect some of the typical YA stereotypes: the protagonist doesn't think she's pretty but is actually gorgeous, she discovers this huge unrivaled power that will give her the opportunity to change the world, she ends up in a love triangle with two beautiful boys etc. And you could argue that some of these did appear in Shadow and Bone, but they certainly didn't develop in the way I expected (or the way they usually do) and this book far surpassed my expectations as a result.

The story follows Alina, a cartographer in the King's Army who's serving alongside her childhood friend Mal, a tracker. The country is divided by the Shadow Fold, a large mass of darkness which must be crossed to reach the other side. On the day Alina and Mal's regiments cross the fold they're attacked by the creatures that live within it. Terrified that Mal is about to die, Alina unleashes a power she didn't know she had. She must then join the ranks of Grisha, elementally-powered servants of the King, and hone her powers to help the Darkling (leader of the Grisha) eradicate the Shadow Fold.

Alina is a likable character, who I warmed to pretty quickly. She has flaws that make her realistic, and her sarcastic temperament gives rise to some of the funnies moments in the book. I wasn't too keen on Mal's character at first, but he grew on me as the plot progressed. The Darkling was a very surprising character, and I can't really say more than that without spoiling things.

The plot was fast-paced, and never felt sluggish, which I admire in a novel. There were so many twists and turns that I was constantly having to re-evaluate my feelings for certain characters, and although at times I had an inkling about what was coming, I could never be sure.

Overall, this book thrilled me far more than I was expecting (as you can probably tell from the fact that I read it in two and a half days) and I'm going to have to go and pick up the sequel straight away. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 29, 2016 Anna Kalashnikova rated it really liked it

I'm still rooting for the Darkling and Alina and wish they could end up together. I know it's impossible due to the mind-blowing plot twist which caught me completely off guard, but I do still have a little hope. I reallу enjoyed this book, although I felt like the world-building wasn't clear and solid. The plot itself was intriguing and unputdownable. However, I'm not sure if I read the sequel. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 29, 2014 Steffi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourites

I loved this book and I have already purchased books 2 and 3 as well. The characters are brought to life instantly. I laughed and cried. Yelled at them and cheered them on. Cannot wait to disappear into book 2

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 24, 2015 Ambisaurus Rex rated it really liked it

I'm not going to lie, a part of me did not want to read this book. The hype was simply too big and I was afraid of being let down but due to a lot of waiting today I finally did get beyond page 12 and wound up finishing the whole thing. I just couldn't stop, not with characters like Alina and Mal who were so relatable and a villain like the Darkling that I hated liking. I recommend this book to anyone possibly doubting the hype, it is well worth the plunge and I can't wait to get my hands on the ...more

Like · see review