Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone, #1) in And So It Begins Reading Challenge

Jun 30, 2012 Christy rated it it was amazing

I really didn’t know what to expect going into Shadow and Bone, I had been putting it off for a while because I wasn’t sure that it would be a book I would enjoy and honestly, it did take me a few chapters to get used to the terms and the names, but once I did, the zombie apocalypse couldn’t have made me put this book down. The world that Leigh Bardugo has created is absolutely breathtaking and I was completely absorbed.

I loved seeing the main character, Alina, grow immensely during this book. A I really didn’t know what to expect going into Shadow and Bone, I had been putting it off for a while because I wasn’t sure that it would be a book I would enjoy and honestly, it did take me a few chapters to get used to the terms and the names, but once I did, the zombie apocalypse couldn’t have made me put this book down. The world that Leigh Bardugo has created is absolutely breathtaking and I was completely absorbed.

I loved seeing the main character, Alina, grow immensely during this book. At the beginning she’s very insecure and she continuously doubts herself but by the end she’s stronger, more determined and she has a lot more confidence in herself and her gift. I have to admit that I really didn’t care for Mal during the first part of the book and it isn’t until he proves how much he cares about Alina that I start warming up to him. The Darkling…ahhhh, I am SOOO confused about my feelings for the Darkling. I was very intrigued by him at first, then I slowly started finding him irresistible and then I started to hate him, but yet I still find myself hoping that we are missing something when it comes to him and that he’s not all terrible. See what I mean, The Darkling has me perplexed!

The world-building is so stunning; I had no trouble visualizing the Little Palace or the Shadow Fold with its horrendous creatures. Bardugo’s writing style is incredible and she will have you fully captivated with the dark and suspenseful world that is Shadow and Bone.

Overall, Shadow and Bone is a wonderful addition to the fantasy genre. It has everything that is needed to make a great book: strong heroine, adventure, a mysterious villain that you love to hate and a fast-paced plot. If you are like me and have been putting this book off, do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Favorite Quotes

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

“If I
told you that I'm trying to save the world, would you believe me?” ...more

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Jan 07, 2015 Skip rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, e-books

3.5 stars. Would have given 4 stars, but found the book sagged in the middle when Bardugo was world-building, and the explanation and role of the glamorous Grishas (different classes/types/colors) was too weak. A glossary would be a smart addition to this series. Good lead characters: Alina Starkov and Mal Oretsev are orphans, raised together in the court of a benevolent Duke, who teaches his protectees to read and write. They really only have each other, but are separated when Alina's power com ...more

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May 07, 2017 Renee rated it it was amazing

Loved it!!! Need more please.

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Oct 29, 2018 M rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-loved

Loved it! Highly recommend, there wasn’t a dull or boring moment.

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May 01, 2012 Carrie Ardoin rated it really liked it

Shelves: posted-on-blog, arc-tour, magic

Alina and Mal are best friends who bonded quickly as young children, both orphans in a benevolent nobleman's home. Soon enough the two grow into young adults, and they must join the military in the fight for their country, which has been ravaged by war for the last 100 years. When Alina and Mal must cross the Shadow Fold, a dark, barren wasteland ridden with bloodthirsty creatures, Alina discovers she has a power that can save not only her best friend, but maybe even the rest of the world.

Alina Alina and Mal are best friends who bonded quickly as young children, both orphans in a benevolent nobleman's home. Soon enough the two grow into young adults, and they must join the military in the fight for their country, which has been ravaged by war for the last 100 years. When Alina and Mal must cross the Shadow Fold, a dark, barren wasteland ridden with bloodthirsty creatures, Alina discovers she has a power that can save not only her best friend, but maybe even the rest of the world.

Alina is soon swept into the world of the Grisha, the magical peoples who are ruled by the mysterious man known as The Darkling. Although Alina has been ripped from Mal and the only comfort she's ever known, she soon finds herself learning more about her power and the Darkling, and why he has placed so much hope within her. But as Alina grows closer to him, she must decide who she can really trust. Making the wrong choice is a sure path to destruction.

I liked this book quite a bit. I truly connected with Alina, and felt for her throughout everything that was happening to her. All of the characters in this book were very well developed, and I enjoyed getting to know them--for better or worse.

The world building in this novel is great. Although the name of the country is Ravka, the terrain description, along with context clues and language, lead me to imagine the story taking place in Russia, obviously. I couldn't really put this story in once certain time, however...this might bother some readers, but it was OK with me. It makes for a timeless tale that can be enjoyed far into the future.

The plot moved rather quickly, though the middle of the story had a lack of action that I found weighed the story down a bit. But when the action took off, I was riveted. The end, particularly, was fast moving for me and I couldn't believe it when I reached the last page. Surely I hadn't reached the end??

I had a couple of problems with the romance in this story. First, the relationship between Alina and The Darkling seemed to have no basis at all--but reading later into the story reveals the delicious twist to why this is so. Alina and Mal were best friends, but the way they acted around each other was just that. I am not sure how the love bloomed between them while they were apart...I don't know. Something about it just bothered me, but in the end their feelings for each other are overwhelming, and heart wrenching.

I am very excited to find out what happens next in Ravka, and will definitely be picking up the next book in this series. ...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Kam Brooksmoore rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2013, fantasy, re-read, read-in-2019, young-adult

The reason I'm reading this again is that, for one, I truly enjoy this story and really love the world of the Grisha that Leigh Bardugo built in this series. It's really a sort of masterclass in worldbuilding that I love to look to when creating my own worlds. I'm also reading it again because I want to binge the entire series from start to finish, finally read the Six of Crows duology, and then, finally, the recently released King of Scars. I feel like I really need a refresher on everything, a ...more

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Apr 28, 2023 Ally rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own, own-series, 2023-reads

Before I got around to Shadow and Bone, I did watch the first episode on Netflix years ago. I then shelved it and decided I wanted to read the books first (which I usually want to do anyway, but it looked so good I couldn't help myself). It took me way too long to finally come back around to this and actually sit down and read it. And I'm mad about that. Because this book was fantastic.

Could it be because it was the first book I've properly read in a year or two? Possibly. That doesn't matter. T ...more

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Nov 08, 2017 Kirstyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: beautiful-cover, fantasy, already-own-it, omg, mystery-and-suspense

Making time to read and it's fantastic! I've been wanting to finish this book for awhile; heard so many amazing things about the Grisha Verse trilogy and author-and they weren't wrong! I am SO mad about The Darkling! Should I be hoping for redemption? I don't know anymore, but I'll definitely be buying Siege and Storm!! ...more

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