Shadow and Bone (The Grishaverse #1) by Leigh Bardugo - Restarting November 29th 2021

[Georgie]

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[My first impressions of the main character are good. She's very believable (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[Looks like she really doesn't want to end up being a Grisha. Or maybe she's just in shock. (hide spoiler)]

[Cami]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[ I don't know who to trust: Mal seems shady, I kinda don't believe what Baghra said about the Darkling, and Bahgra is extra shady (hide spoiler)]

[Georgie]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ "When we reached the top, I felt like celebrating by lying down and taking a nap" hahaha I connect with this character on a spiritual level (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ Marie reminds me of Regina George. Getting a lot of mean girls vibes off these girls haha (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ I do not understand anything about the small science, but I don't think that matters too much. Alina doesn't seem to either yet. (hide spoiler)]

[Georgie]

Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ Yayy! She finally got her powers to manifest on their own. Why is Mal being such an ass though and ignoring her letters? (hide spoiler)]

[Cami]

Ending
(view spoiler)[ Mal and Alina are cute, but for some reason I still like the Darkling, even though he's an evil jackass. He's gonna cause some shit though. (hide spoiler)]

[Georgie]

Ending
(view spoiler)[ I really enjoyed this book! The ending was full of action and I was so scared that Mal might actually die. I couldn't stop reading. The chapter of them in the cell nearly broke my heart. Really looking forward to reading the next one. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

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Reading from the 16th of October 2015.

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[Eesh]

Might join this one...

[[deleted user]]

I really want to read this book and I'd love to join this buddy read :)

[Ashley]

I started this quite early because I'm still waiting on earlier buddy reads from the library.

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[ I'm already really liking this book, and I think I'm going to end up rating it at least 4 stars. I'm liking the fantasy aspect and the writing so I can see myself loving this series even though it's pretty early to say so already. I love Alina and how she isn't just accepting what's happening to her and she's asking lots of questions. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[ Even though not a ton of action is happening, I'm still really loving this. I guess it's just the fantasy and the writing that's appealing to me. Usually I wouldn't enjoy a book where the protagonist is just training (like in Heir of Fire) but this actually isn't bothering me at all. I hope she can talk to Mal at some point. There's supposed to be a letter from Mal at the end of the book, so I doubt he just ditched and forgot about her. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

Chapter 16: (view spoiler)[ I was really surprised to learn that Baghra is really the Darkling's mother! But if that's the case, couldn't it be possible that she's lying to Alina too? I'm glad she found Mal but at the same time I think she deserves an explanation for why he was so mean to her. He acted like she was doing such a great offense to enjoy getting attention when it seemed like he was the one who would ditch Alina to get with other girls. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[ I think I read that some people thought this book had a REALLY good ending so as I'm approaching the end I'm getting really excited. I'm curious as to how whatever happens is going to initiate the plot for another book. I'm really not liking the Darkling right now, and I hope Genya has a major role in something at the end. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Chapter 8.
I am 30% in and I really like it so far. I like most of the characters, a few things that I wish would be better explain, but it is really good :) I am very excited to continue!

[Abby]

Chapter 3: This book hasn't really gripped me yet. Hopefully it'll pick up. I do love the use of Russian words (At least I think it's Russian.)

[Abby]

I'm abandoning this one for now. I just can't get into it, but I may read it later when I feel more in the mood.

[Max]

Okay, I don't know if anyone else is joining me buuuuut I'm gonna start this after the Diviners. :)

[[deleted user]]

Max wrote: "Okay, I don't know if anyone else is joining me buuuuut I'm gonna start this after the Diviners. :)"

Hey Max! I already read it, but I will be more than happy to discuss this book once you finish it. I have to be honest, I really liked this book. It has its flaws, but I think it was very entertaining and I can't help thinking about some things that happened in the book, theories of what might happen next. :) I hope you enjoy it too.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting August 12th 2016. Happy Reading ☺

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[Cate]

"Before" + Chapter one

(view spoiler)[ the prologue didn't really interest me. And, she's quite mouthy.
-> "Hey," shouted the soldier. "Watch yourself."
"Why don't you watch your fat feet?" I snapped.
-
I'm glad it changes to first perspective in chapter one (hide spoiler)]

[These Violent Delights]

I'm joining in on this!

"Before"
(view spoiler)[ I think Alina & Mal's relationship! They are so adorable. The Grisha seem quite weird.. almost like the boogeyman lol (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1

(view spoiler)[ I agree, she definitely seems very sassy. I don't hate it though. It's nice that Alina and Mal are still friends even though Mal is in the army and Alina is an apprentice mapmaker? might have got that wrong. Awe.. Alina has a crush on Mal even though he doesn't return the sentiment. It's nice that Alina has a friend (other than Mal) Alexei. He seems really sweet and nice. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2

(view spoiler)[ The Fold and the Unsea seems very ominous and dangerous. Just as I was starting to like Alexei, he had to be taken away and most likely killed by the monsters called Volcra.Those things are nasty! I knew one of them would end up being secretly Grisha.. just made a lot of sense. Not really surprised Alina was the one either. (hide spoiler)]


Chapter 3

(view spoiler)[ I don't think any of the soldiers are being that nice, especially to someone who didn't know she was a Grisha in the first place. Plus she was quite clearly saving all of them. Glad that Mal is still alive. Wish Alexei was still there. Oooh Alina is a Sun Summoner? That sounds fun! I kind of like the Darkling, he doesn't seem so bad to me. Annnnd here we go again, Mal and Alina are getting separated again. (hide spoiler)]


Chapter 4

(view spoiler)[ Ivan is kind of snarky but I like it lol. The healer seemed very sweet but we don't get to see much of her. Bullet proof Kefta? I want one! I really like Fedyor as well, he seems like he would be a great friend. This amplifier stuff is pretty cool. The Fjerdans are just freaking nasty. Terrible group of people. Of course the Darkling comes to save the day and of course she rides with you lol. But seriously, that splitting people in half thing could come in handy but it sounds quite nasty. & apparently the Darkling can make people fall asleep, add that to the list of things he can do. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5

(view spoiler)[ All this chapter did was make me like the Darkling more. He's 120 years old, damn! Os Alta sounds beautiful. (hide spoiler)]

[Ozcose]

Chapters Before-3

(view spoiler)[ I was so satisfied when Alina was revealed as Grisha because when they clasped hands the only thoughts I had were that she was either going to hide her power or figure out a way to share it with Mal. I like that they had a ride or die relationship from jump. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 5-20

(view spoiler)[ I found Alina's general can't be assed attitude to be a little peculiar. I feel like someone as "sassy" as her would have been more interested in what her own abilities are and how they could help protect her, especially after seeing the Darkling cut someone in half and people trying to murder her/glare her to death.

And then when the Darkling caught up to her and Mal, which of course they would because how were those two even going to make a necklace out of those antlers, she didn't even bother trying to kill the stag after it was shot. Sure she certainly could have failed but a lot was at stake and she didn't even try. The stag was already dying at that point. I'm not sure why the purity of that animal surpassed her need to stay free and keep Mal alive and unharmed.

I'm curious to see if Mal does possess some power and what the scar on Alina's palm is. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting October 3rd 2016. Happy Reading ☺

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[~T~]

Through chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ Initial thoughts: I've had to do some rereading to try and understand the world but I love it so far. I love Mal but I'm thinking something will happen with this Darkling. He seems sexy and mysterious. (hide spoiler)]

[Luci]

Finished chapter 4

(view spoiler)[It started off really good, showing the close relationship between Mal and Alina almost from the beginning. I'm glad that Mal made it out of the Unsea alive, for a moment there I thought he could have been captured... It looks like the Darkling is full of surprises. I'm curious about how Alina is going to exercise her newfound power, it looks like her role can be crucial for the future of Ravka. But first, she has to make it alive to Os Alta!! (hide spoiler)]

[Luci]

Tasheana wrote: "Through chapter 6 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I know, sometimes it gets confusing with such strange terms, I have to go back and forth to the first pages where all the grisha and their orders are explained, and I still get the colors mixed! (hide spoiler)]

[Luci]

Finished chapter 8

(view spoiler)[I'm curious about this Baghra woman... is she going to teach Alina to use her power? Does she know anything about it that the rest ignores?
I thought that Genya was going to be more arrogant and hateful, but it looks like she's getting on well with Alina, which is nice because she doesn't know anyone else in the palace. (hide spoiler)]

[Luci]

Finished chapter 12

(view spoiler)[Now is when the action begins! Honestly, that flashback was a total surprise to me, she was so certain that nothing special had happened that I believed it, but it turns out that she was just doing an awesome job at hiding it!
I understand why the other Grisha hate her, I would probably do it too if she was the chosen one, I would be so jealous!! (hide spoiler)]

[~T~]

Lu wrote: "Finished chapter 8


(view spoiler)[ I really like Genya too! The Apparat is super creepy.. I'm also wondering when and if Mal comes back into play. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

10% (view spoiler)[I have read the introduction and the first two chapters and I’m enjoying it so far. I like Alina as a narrator.The only problem is that I’m a bit lost with some of the specific vocabulary that is used but I hope that we get some world-building soon in order to understand everything. (hide spoiler)]

[Luci]

Finished chapter 16

(view spoiler)[Too good to be true... I must admit that I was surprised when the Darkling first kissed Alina and didn't really understand it, but I never thought that he would be willing to use her as a tool to subyugate people!!
It was also a surprise to know that Baghra is the Darkling's mother and that she shares his same power, fortunately she doesn't use it to do evil and she helped Alina...
I'm curoius to see how she and Mal do to run away from pretty much everyone. (hide spoiler)]

[Luci]

Finished chapter 19

(view spoiler)[Nooo!! I can't believe what happened!! They were SO close to getting the stag before the Darkling... I understand Alina because I would also feel incapable of killing it, but things went so wrong... What is going to happen now?? They can't yield to the Darkling, they have to find a way out... (hide spoiler)]

[Luci]

Finished!!

(view spoiler)[I really enjoyed the book! For a moment I thought that maybe there was no salvation for Mal, but I'm glad that Alina came up with the strength to confront the Darkling :)
I'm looking forward to know what comes next!! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

26% (view spoiler)[It seems Alina is a Grisha (I don’t know what that exactly is yet) and they are taking her somewhere (I don’t know where yet) to ¿train? her. (hide spoiler)]

[~T~]

Lu wrote: "Finished chapter 16

(view spoiler)[ Grr. Darkling went from sexy/mysterious to creepy. I'm so glad Mal found her though! Can't wait to see what happens with that... (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

42% (view spoiler)[I like seeing Alina trying to learn to be a Grisha in the Little Palace. I also like Alina’s and Genya’s friendship. I find the King disgusting, the Queen super rude and the Apparat really creepy. (hide spoiler)]

[~T~]

Lu wrote: "Finished!!

(view spoiler)[

Totally agree! I have to say, it took me a little while to like Mal, but toward the end he stopped being so serious and let loose a little. And I grew to love him and their relationship. I CANNOT wait for the next book.. :D (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[~T~]

Laura wrote: "42% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Oh my, yes, the Apparat is super creepy.. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

50% (view spoiler)[Yay! I’m happy Alina finally managed to control her ability, and a bit touched about the reason why she learned to supress it: it turns out she just didn’t want to leave Mal behind. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

71% (view spoiler)[Once the Darkling started to kiss Alina for the first time I suspected something wasn’t right. And now it turns out he’s evil and Alina has had to flee in order not to be used as a weapon. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finished! (view spoiler)[When everything seemed lost, Alina realized that she is the one with all the power and she turned things around. The ending was surprising and I’m glad Alina and Mal escaped and now I’m anxious to know what happens next. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting June 4th 2017. Happy Reading ☺

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[Maddie]

Joining :D Starting tomorrow.

[Maddie]

Starting within the next few hours.

[Maddie]

No idea where anyone is XD

[Natalie]

Hopefully starting this shortly! (Too. Many. Books. @_@)

[Maddie]

Oh wow there's someone! Hey Natalie XD I'll be starting it in 20 mins probably.

[Maddie]

Just started Chapter 3, 12% (view spoiler)[Obviously she loves him, and he loves her but doesn't know it yet. That's why he took her hand and stepped back really quickly when she almost got run over.

At least it's the girl loving the boy, not the boy loving the girl like it normally is with life-long friends.

Obviously Alina did something to the volcras that scared them off, hence why she's a prisoner now.
(hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Chapter 3, 18% (view spoiler)[What a shock that she had no idea she did that. How surprising...

I like the way there's different people who can do different things, have different powers.
(hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'm 20% through and probably stopping for the day. I'd like to finish tomorrow, but know I probably won't. I shall just see.