Turner Keith Reeves
asked:
Ok, ok, ok.. i know this is vague and redundant, but is this a good read? I am looking for something dark, not a "lovey-dovey-im-an-emotional-preteen-oh-does-he-really-love-me" YA novel that is so annoyingly prevalent these days.
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Anna
The 1st book in the series isn't really dark, but books 2 and 3 are. At the begining of Shadow and Bone Alina (main heroine) is very insecure and she has some "does-he-have-any-feelings-for-me" moments, but she goes through an AMAZING character development later, especially in book 2 & beginning of book 3. Also in later books there are more dark themes, like hunger for power & losing yourself in that hunger, and more brutality than in Shadow and Bone. So, it depends whether you are a patient reader and are willing to wait for darker themes - then I would recomend you to read the series - or you expect something that is dark from the very beginning - then Shadow and Bone might not be the right book for you... All I can add is that I enjoyed the series very much, especially book 2, Siege and Storm.
Ara
its not dark at all it is exactly a "lovey-dovey-im-an-emotional-preteen-oh-does-he-really-love-me" kinda book. i dont recommend it
Rebecca
Read Daughter of Smoke and Bone instead. Or Sabriel.
Khristine
If you want something within this universe, read Six of Crows. To be honest, it's a whole lot better than Shadow and Bone and a lot darker. There is a little "does he love me" but not really like it popped up here and there but doesn't go through with it. But Six of Crows is a huge alternative if you want Grishaverse and Leigh Bardugo. And you don't necessarily need to read Shadow and Bone trilogy, although it would help as everything take place years after the events of that trilogy and it sets up the world a lot better than Six of Crows.
Desy
It is VERY worth the read. Shadow and Bone is the first book in one of my most favorite series: the Grisha trilogy, aside from the legendary Harry Potter. Yes, it is a dark fantasy (the author even said she was going for a dark fantasy vibe while writing the trilogy). There is enough romance to give you shivers and goosebumps, but it's not lovey-dovey at all, in my opinion. I HIGHLY recommend you read this book!
Kendrick
Try Six of Crows there isn't much lovey dovey stuff from the main characters. The story is dark and brooding as well as it is in the same universe as shadow and bone.
Jean
If you are looking for something dark to read try:
Daughter of the Blood (The Black Jewels #1) by Anne Bishop.
It is regualr fiction, not YA.
Daughter of the Blood (The Black Jewels #1) by Anne Bishop.
It is regualr fiction, not YA.
Zoe’s Book Obsession
Shadow and Bone isn very dark; Siege & Storm and Ruin & Rising are a little dark. I highly recommed the Six of Crows Duology
Lillian
Shadow and Bone isn't exactly one thing or another. It is a unique book with a balance of many points and topics. Yes, there is a considerable amount of romance, and "oh-does-he-really-love-me", but looking past that, Shadow and Bone is a book that will capture your imagination. The colorful characters strewn throughout this beautifully written story will keep you guessing, page after page. This book is definitely worth reading!
Jonathan
Me: 63 year old male. I am very demanding of quality. Terror, SciFi, Fantasy. Historical fiction and History.
I found this to be completely predictable. It is the classic "Hero" Format a-la Joseph Campbell.
Dorothy, an orphan living in bleak Kansas. So very plain goes to Oz, has wonderful power, changes the world and has evil nemesis to overcome.
Luke, an orphan living in bleak Tatooine. So very plain goes to Space, has wonderful power, changes the world and has evil nemesis to overcome.
Alina, an orphan living in bleak fill blank. So very plain goes to fill blank, has wonderful power, changes the world and has evil nemesis to overcome.
We then add a dose of Twilight teen anguish, I'm so ugly (over and over), (I'm unloved) I love the bad guy who is OBVIOUSLY bad, only to return to my one true love.
Is it a "lovey-dovey-im-an-emotional-preteen-oh-does-he-really-love-me YA novel"
Why yes it is, and while engagingly written, book one at least is extremely formulaic.
If you like that sort of thing, absolutely go for it. I actually enjoyed it...in a simplistic way.
PS at about 80% complete (book one) I quit.
I found this to be completely predictable. It is the classic "Hero" Format a-la Joseph Campbell.
Dorothy, an orphan living in bleak Kansas. So very plain goes to Oz, has wonderful power, changes the world and has evil nemesis to overcome.
Luke, an orphan living in bleak Tatooine. So very plain goes to Space, has wonderful power, changes the world and has evil nemesis to overcome.
Alina, an orphan living in bleak fill blank. So very plain goes to fill blank, has wonderful power, changes the world and has evil nemesis to overcome.
We then add a dose of Twilight teen anguish, I'm so ugly (over and over), (I'm unloved) I love the bad guy who is OBVIOUSLY bad, only to return to my one true love.
Is it a "lovey-dovey-im-an-emotional-preteen-oh-does-he-really-love-me YA novel"
Why yes it is, and while engagingly written, book one at least is extremely formulaic.
If you like that sort of thing, absolutely go for it. I actually enjoyed it...in a simplistic way.
PS at about 80% complete (book one) I quit.
Paige hardy
READ SIX OF CROWS
Abigael | A City Girl's Thoughts
This is pretty much that. Not 100% but almost. However, if you're planning to read the Six of Crow series and King of Scars then you'll have to read this series first since the abovementioned build off of the world in this series
Jamine
One of the darkest books iv'e ever read was the 2nd and 3rd book of The Young Elites series by Marie Lu. The 1st book is pretty good to but the 2nd and 3rd are extremely dark as a theme. I forget which one as more dark. But I really suggest them, they are one of my favorites for this reason. I loved the dark aspect.
Jean Willow
It’s not as bad as most YAs out there, but not very good either. If you want something dark and interesting read her other series Six of Crows. It’s much better
Lynn
I know this answer is 3 years after the question, but if you're looking for a good, dark series try Karen Azinger's Silk & Steel Saga as well. Excellent reading, without schmaltzy teen insecurities
Helen Cui
It's definitely a "lovey-dovey-im-an-emotional-preteen-oh-does-he-really-love-me" book, which isn't necessarily bad if it's your type. But you've made it obvious that it isn't. I haven't read the rest of the series though, so it could make a turn like Anna says. But if you are looking for a dark fantasy book I'd go for Lost Boy by Christina Henry. Or any of the recommendations in the other reviews. A few sound really good.
Hannah O'Connell
I loved the whole trilogy. Shadow and Bone was my least favorite, but it was still good I recommend you read the whole trilogy because it does get darker throughout the trilogy and they just get better as they go. For example I could not put Ruin and Rising down. I have become so addicted to this trilogy and it ranks up with Harry Potter in my books (in case you have not read Harry Potter you should their good too) overall this is a very good trilogy and you should read it.
Ashley
You might try The Diviners by Libba Bray. It gets pretty creepy. Also, if you don't mind descriptions of gore, a smart series I absolutely love is the John Cleaver series (I Am Not A Serial Killer) by Dan Wells.
Fa Mulan
dark romance and tortured souls.... Try "Into the dark lands"
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