The Grishaverse Series by Leigh Bardugo - Reading from 'Shadow and Bone (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy #1)' from September 20th 2019

[Courtney]

Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ I dont know who I ship with Alina more. Mal or Nikolai? I am surprised this is not annoyinf me actually. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ Baghra is Morozova's daughter! (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ The Darkling found the palace thanks to Sergei. Also I am pretty sure Baghra just killed herself. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Jenn wrote: "Tiera wrote: "
Chapter 2: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 5: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 7: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 8: [spoilers removed]
Chapter 11: [spoilers remo..."

I agree with you both.

[Jenn]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[I'm not really feeling the Nina chapters. They tend to drag me out of the story which is sad because I was finally starting to like her during my rereads of the SoC series. But the shit going on with Nikolai and him becoming the monster. Who's ready for the Darkling to return because I feel we're heading that way. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 22: (view spoiler)[ Soo grisha women are being forced to breed under parem? That's rather dark. Still not really liking Nina povs but they're getting more interesting. Meanwhile Nikolai is trapped in the fold with dead saints who I don't really trust (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ Sadly I didn't love it as much as I wanted to. But I totally called the Darkling coming back and that at least one of the "saints" would betray them (hide spoiler)]

[Tiera]

20% (view spoiler)[ Good book so far. Man what is up with Nina and Matthias?! Im sensing heaps of drama!! Gimme! (hide spoiler)]

[Tiera]

29% (view spoiler)[ "Someday you'll meet a boy who will learn your favorite flower, your favorite song, your favorite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won't matter because he will have taken the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns your heart." I feel like I've read this before... It feels so familiar maybe something similar in a different book. (hide spoiler)]
34% (view spoiler)[ I am fast falling in love with these characters, the humorous banter is a stupid quick way straight to my heart! Honestly why does Kaz wear the gloves though? Is it just part of the "look"? or is there another darker reason? (hide spoiler)]
37% (view spoiler)[ Nina and Mathias 😍! Totes shipping them forevs! (hide spoiler)]
68% (view spoiler)[ Kaz has found Pekka... and of course the chapter ends!! /sigh maybe we will get some info later. (hide spoiler)]
79% (view spoiler)[ Inez facing her biggest fear and weakness.. Inez can't be caught! I refuse to believe it! (hide spoiler)]
82% WTF Mathias! NOOOOOOOO! (view spoiler)[ 5 seconds later.... whew I thought Mathias had gone freaking rogue! Thank you Jesus! 🙌! (hide spoiler)]
Finished: This already is better than the first 3 GrishaVerse books. I feel like all in all the chemistry between the characters was on point in comparison to Alina's story. I am a little confused as to where in the timeline of Grisha history this is? After Alina or before? Kaz is mfin brilliant! The Sherlock Holmes of bad boy thieves! The whole thing had a "Now You See Me" or "Oceans" vibe that was stupid amazeballs! Loving this so far

[Jenn]

It takes place after the events in the first trilogy :)

[Tiera]

Ill be starting Crooked Kingdom Tomorrow for the March Challenge!

[Tiera]

9% (view spoiler)[ Whew I was wondering when we would get to Inej! (hide spoiler)]
29% (view spoiler)[ "Do not like Wyvil. Does someone want to write thatt down?" LOL. I love how these tense planning meetings are broken up with humor! (hide spoiler)]
32% (view spoiler)[ Kaz stole the bullets out of his gun... like a boss. (hide spoiler)]
36% (view spoiler)[ Zoya!! don't know why I am so happy to see her.. I never really liked her lol. (hide spoiler)]
54% (view spoiler)[ "If you couldn't beat the odds, you changed the game." Motto of the whole book. (hide spoiler)]
62% (view spoiler)[ Wait what kind of Grisha is Jesper.. I don't remember it ever saying. How did it kill his mom? (hide spoiler)]
76% (view spoiler)[ NIKOLAI!! Totes fangirling right now!!! (hide spoiler)]
83% (view spoiler)[ I'm still not exactly sure what has happened to Nina's power? It never really explained it in detail. It mentions shadows.. and for a second I thought she was doing the magic like in the first series.. but it says it rejuvenated her so... ?? (hide spoiler)]
91% (view spoiler)[ OH no, not Matthias... Why!!! (hide spoiler)]
Finished: So is there supposed to be another book in this series? (view spoiler)[ Despite this particular story ending the whole main story line of the Parem seems a little unfinished still, right? Besides I still need more Kaz and Inej in my life I think! I'm not necessarily disappointed with where this story has ended but I would be disappointed if this were the end so to speak. (hide spoiler)]

[Bri]

Question--I have not read any Leigh Bardugo books, but I really want to read Six of Crows. Do I need to read the the Shadow and Bone trilogy first?

[Wiktoria]

is there any people reading this now?

[Eva Luna]

Yes, I started Shadow and Bone today!

[Eva Luna]

Chapter 1-4
I really did not know what to expect from this book, my boyfriend gave it to me as a gift and we are currently both reading it. He is the slower reader so I am following his pace. (view spoiler)[ So far I am just very confused, but not in a bad way. I just have no clue where this story is going. I do always find it funny when a book has a character with your own name, But... at least I don't have a pig nose! :')

So far I am just really curious why they didn't find out she was a Grisha at age 8. Someone came to check if Mal and Alina were Grisha, now I wonder what kind of check it is. If she accidentally went unnoticed, or that someone made sure she wasn't noticed. I am curious to find out.

Also, will Mal be an important part of the story? Curious to see when they will reunite again.

(Also, I would have not liked to see a body that has been sliced in two either!) (hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

chapters 1-5
(view spoiler)[ woah, I've no idea what's happening here XD I don't know what my expectations were going into this book but it definitely wasn't this.
although, I'm also very intrigued... I like the writing style and it seems like a very fast, fun read! definitely a nice break from the thriller I'm also reading XD (hide spoiler)]

[Eva Luna]

@Wiktoria Yeah, I also have no clue what is going on haha. Good to know it isn't just me! :p

[Wiktoria]

up to and incl chapter 11
(view spoiler)[ this is getting very interesting. I'm still very confused but I don't mind it that much. I wonder if mal is going to end up being a bigger part of the story or if he'll remain a mere memory. I don't see why she didn't want the black hefta (or however you spell that). genia is such an awesome character though! I love her so much... unlike the others in the court... the people there remind me of my school hahaha (hide spoiler)]

[callie]

Can I join in for

[Jill]

Starting

[Jill]

Callie wrote: "Can I join in for "

Yes, a few of us are reading it!

[Eva Luna]

Yay more people! Fun!

[Eva Luna]

I think I am up to chapter 8 now, only reading one chapter a day since that is what my boyfriend is doing. :p

[Eva Luna]

Up to chapter 8.
(view spoiler)[ So I am finally a bit less confused and getting into the story.

There is one thing bothering me in the last few chapters, and that is the focus on beauty. I mean it might just be my but I feel like they are really trying to get the point across that she is not extremely pretty. What annoys me is that apparently that is a problem that needs to be fixed. I just... meh... it just rubbed me the wrong way.

I wonder what they have in store for her, what are they going to 'use' her for? Will she be okay with what she is going to be used for? (And when is she seeying Mal again?)
(hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

whooo more people! XD
chapter 13
(view spoiler)[ oooohhkayyy so it's gonna be that type of book! can't say I wasn't expecting the darkling to be into her because come on, it's YA, but that kiss was still quite the shock :') (hide spoiler)]

[Eva Luna]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[Poor kids, they get taken away and never see their family again. :( That doesn't seem like something that is healthy... (hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

Eva Luna wrote: " Chapter 9
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ oh god I didn't even really think about that. The way the girl brushes it off as if it's nothing is quite disturbing indeed... (hide spoiler)]

[Eva Luna]

Wiktoria wrote: "Eva Luna wrote: " Chapter 9
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ Yeah exactly. it's like: 'Wewww, we found out your special. Now please leave everyone you love and play house with us!' (hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

chapter 14
(view spoiler)[ oh god her reaction when she found out the darkling was in the palace for a day and didn't come to see her... girl you're not that special stop being such a typical YA heroine. also, it really annoys me how obsessed everyone is with beauty in this world... sometimes i'm sitting here like.... STOP!!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

chapter 17
(view spoiler)[ she almost got raped twice already, jesus! (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[Looks like this is going to be a humble beginnings turned VIP hero story. Alina is a Sun Summoner with the potential to change/save the country. Idk how her power flew under the radar or what it encompasses. Is she going to fall for the Darkling now or stay crushing on Mal? What's going to happen to her now that she's at the palace? I think her parentage is going to become a plotline at some point and they're gonna be big important people. Maybe not in this book though (hide spoiler)]
Ch 5

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[ So Alina is not doing well in her classes, but I think after more time she's going to start to kick ass and become a major threat. People are already intrigued by her. I wonder why Mal won't answer any of her letters and when they will meet again. I like Genya a lot. She's helping Alina without judging her like the rest of the people.

In general, I like how this book is a spin off/inspired by Russia. It's fun to read. I'm still clear as mud on how this world works but enjoying it nonetheless. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 10

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[Ughhhh so I kind of was liking the romance between Alina and the Darkling. When they kissed I kind of died. And then all my dreams got shattered when Baghra revealed the truth ugghhh he's actually the bad guy. I think Alina has the power (mentally) to take him down. She's one tough B. Also curious as to what really happened with Mal. Why didn't he get any letters and why does he look so terrible? Can't wait to see how this all unfolds.. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 15

[Wiktoria]

Jill wrote: "
[spoilers removed]
Ch 15"

(view spoiler)[ really? I loved that twist! (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

Wiktoria wrote: "Jill wrote: "
[spoilers removed]
Ch 15"

[spoilers removed]"

Its definitely good. It made me sad though :(

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[I figured it would end with Alina and Mal as fugitives. I like the whole dark vs light theme of this story. Also I LOVE Alina and Mal together. (hide spoiler)]
End

[callie]

Is anyone still reading this? I checked this out 2 weeks ago and meant to join in but it took me a lot longer to finished some other books then expected.....

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Hi Callie, I'm not 100% sure but I think Eva Luna might still be reading this one ☺

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

It is still on her currently reading. ^-^ I think she has just been sick lately.

[Jill]

Yeah Eva Luna mentioned that she’s reading a chapter a day with her bf. you should totally jump in!!

[callie]

Ok, thank you. I will!!

[Eva Luna]

Yesssss Sarah and Jill are totally right, I am still reading this one Callie. :)

[Eva Luna]

And Book is right, I also have been sick a lot lately so i havent been updating things as much. But Jill is also right, I am reading this book a lot slower because of my boyfriend. :p

[Eva Luna]

Well i just wrote a enormous update, but Goodreads ate it. :( ugh!!

[Eva Luna]

Up to chapter 15
Second try, a bit shorter since I got a bit annoyed :p
(view spoiler)[ First of all, my most important question got answered! We know why Alina didn't get noticed when she was little. It was pure willpower, she pushed the power down and unknowningly did that for the years to come!

One thing I really, really, really, really didn't like was Alina's first meeting with Mall. Why? How? Who? Like, it seems so unreal to me, and not fitting in the story. I mean, even if Mal didn't get her letters, had no way of contacting her, was worried about her and hated the attention the Darkling gave her he still had no reason to behave like that. They grew up together, they have such a special bond. The whole thing just seemed unreal to me, but maybe that is just me. :P

Also, the darkling being evil did not suprise me at all. Ever since that first kiss I felt like something was wrong, and apperently he was just tricking her! Curious if Alina can escape in time! (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

Eva Luna wrote: " Up to chapter 15
Second try, a bit shorter since I got a bit annoyed :p
First of all, my most important question got answered! We know why Alina didn't get noticed when she was little. It was pu..."

(view spoiler)[ IK it was a good twist, but I was low key sad about it. I kinda shipped them -_- (hide spoiler)]

[Eva Luna]

Up to chapter 20
(view spoiler)[ Okay, the book was a bit slow but now suddenly there is a lot of action.

I still don't agree with the Path the author choose for the meeting between Mal and Alina. Especially because he suddenly is in love with her and is willing to do everythig for her. Just feels so unreal.

Also, I really hoped she would bond with the stag or something, without killing it. But I guess it had to die. Now that the darkling has taken her I wonder what will happen next.... (I hope Mal will be fine.)

(hide spoiler)]

[Eva Luna]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ YES! I am so happy she is connected to the stag too, because she saved it! Made me so happy! Also Mal surviving made me really happy, also them escaping from the Darkling made me really happy! And like her, I will also miss Genya with her! I will probably rate it 4 stars. :) It was pretty good!
(hide spoiler)]

So, people reading Siege and Storm too next month?

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

I saw someone somewhere in this group talking about reading Siege and Storm next month. 🤔