Bardugo, Leigh; Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1) - Buddy Read "Revisit"- (Start date 28 December, 2014) - November 7, 2015; Revisit starts June 15, 2018

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This topic is open for Discussion of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. Be prepared for SPOILERS.



What is a buddy read?

Synopsis
The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.




Note: This book was first read as a buddy read with NBRC in August 2013. Discussion questions are available on that thread which can be found here

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

reserved

[Skandia]

Yay, I'm in! I have heard so much good about this series and this Russian kind of theme could be very good if done right.

[Khaoula E.]

Oh great! I'm in :)

[RachelvlehcaR]

I'd like to join.

[Kristie]

Woot! I should be able to join this one, since it's after Christmas. :)

[Erin]

I've been meaning to reread this so I can finish the series so I think i'll join in too

[Trinity]

So many great books to buddy! I have to join in on this :D

[Sydney]

I'm in!

[~Melissa~]

I've been looking at this one for a while now. I will join too.

[Ashley Marie]

I'm in! Had this one on my shelf for probably a year.

[Nicole]

Oh goodness, I just realised what the date of this buddy read was going to be. I might actually read the second one in the series on my own ;)

[~Leslie~]

I have to read this one for another challenge now as well and would love to join!

[~Melissa~]

~Leslie~ wrote: "I have to read this one for another challenge now as well and would love to join!"

:)

[Cynthia]

I'm reading it earlier than 12/28. It's a library book and it's due well before that.

[Nicole]

Hey Cynthia I had the same problem. If you are ready to read the second book in a couple of weeks, definitely let me know!

[Cynthia]

I'm going to read the first one on vacation. I put in a request for the 2nd book today. I'm the next on the list, so I should have it when I get back home.

[Nicole]

Yaay! Looking forward to it.

[Cynthia]

I'm reading this one today, and picking up Siege and Storm tomorrow. I'd love to see this turned into a series read.

[Erin]

I agree, a series read would be great

[Cynthia]

It's so good! I'm up to Chapter 12, and I keep thinking that (view spoiler)[
the Darkling is going to bring Mal to the Little Palace, but so far Alina still knows nothing re his whereabouts. Either that, or the Darkling will send Mal to some horrible unit because he thinks of him as a rival for Alina. Because it's so obvious they'll have some kind of romantic issue. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Finished the first chapter. So far it's good but I'm not really sure what is going on.

[[deleted user]]

Finished ch7

Still pretty much enjoying it but still don't really know what's going on.

(view spoiler)[Lots of questions at this point.

What's the relationship between the King and the Darkling? The Darkling seems to be more powerful and more intelligent than the King.

What's the fold exactly? And what is the world like in the other countries? (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

I'm hoping to be able to start this one today or tomorrow!

[[deleted user]]

Finished ch 14

(view spoiler)[Meh. So many reviews talk about how this book is original and maybe if we were to learn more about the world it's set in it may be but so far it's become like so many other YA fantasy novels.

We have the heroine who thinks she's plain but it turns out is actually quite pretty and all the boys fall for her. We have the girl who thinks she's normal, average, a nobody but it turns out actually she's pretty special. To top it off the girl then spends most of her time whining about how everyone thinks she's special but she's sure she will let everyone down as she's not really special and she can't do what they need her to do.

I was really hoping that there would be no romance with the Darkling as that would be different but nope he's hardly spent any time with Alina but is already stealing kisses. She's supposed to be all heart broken over Mal, didn't take too long to get over him but wait there he is, acting all jealous so we can get a bit of a triangle going on.

There's a bit of a weird priest, a war that's being going on for a hundred years, a possible plot by the Darkling to get power from the King, a possible plot to make Alina some kind of leader, people from other countries want to assassinate her and then there's the fold. All interesting things but the book is being taken up with who she may be in love with, make overs, parties and mean girls. (hide spoiler)]

[~Melissa~]

I will start this on New Year's Day - sorry still finishing up some stuff need for Dec

[[deleted user]]

Finished

(view spoiler)[So, looks like no love triangle, yay.

I didn't like this one. I wasn't keen on Alina and felt the author did a lot of telling and not showing. The world was interesting and I would have liked it a lot more if it hadn't been told in the first person and I had learned more about the world and heard less from Alina. (hide spoiler)]

[Sydney]

I am about half way through the book. I was confused in the beginning, but some of it is starting to make sense now.

[Sydney]

I just finished. I really liked the book. It was different from the other books that I have read recently. It will be interesting to see what the plots will be for the other two books.

[CassieV]

Pigletto wrote: "Finished ch7

Still pretty much enjoying it but still don't really know what's going on."

This was me through a lot of the book :). I started being able to follow better I'd say about halfway.

[CassieV]

I'm half and half on this book. I get Pigletto's problems with the book, and over all I'd say I agree. The world building just wasn't at the depth I would have hoped for. (Major spoiler -->) (view spoiler)[Also, I felt like everything just came together a little too easily. I mean, her finding a way to overcome and take control of the amplifier?? Really?? (hide spoiler)].

That being said, I also wouldn't say I didn't like this book, because I did. It sucked me in just like sugery chick-lit does. So, I gave it three stars.

Just think of it as chick-lit fantasy ;). Not quite fantasy, not quite chick-lit.

[[deleted user]]

CassieV wrote: "I'm half and half on this book. I get Pigletto's problems with the book, and over all I'd say I agree. The world building just wasn't at the depth I would have hoped for. (Major spoiler -->) [sp..."

I think that's my problem with these type of books. I like fantasy but I'm not a fan of chick-lit.

[CassieV]

Pigletto wrote: "CassieV wrote: "I'm half and half on this book. I get Pigletto's problems with the book, and over all I'd say I agree. The world building just wasn't at the depth I would have hoped for. (Major ..."

ah, well that would do it...


Anyone have plans to read the second?

[Becca]

40% through, not sure of chapter (missed it on audio)
(view spoiler)[Really enjoying it so far, but I'm lost like it seems everyone was in the first half. I definitely started understanding more once she got to the palace. I really love "the tailor", I can't remember her name, and The Darkling. I keep feeling like he must have another name, cause that name is weird XD But yeah, I really love those two and want more of them asap! :) I love the sense of humor in this book too.

I'm dreading that Mal is going to inevitably show up again. I am already wanting Alina and The Darkling together XD bahahah, they just play off each other really nicely and he's so sarcastic and awesome :) (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

Oh good - I'm getting ready to start this one so I'm excited someone's still reading it!

BECCAAAAAAA!!!! **waves**

[Becca]

eeee, hiiii :D I love how our team is like ALL OVER every BR I ever look at XD hahaa

[K~Terror]

Like a bunch of floozies, we really get around!! Haha!

[K~Terror]

I'm half way through Chapter 5 and they (view spoiler)[ have just discovered Alina's special powers and the Darkling is trying to get her transported, under protection, to the castle. They are being attacked and it's quite intense!
(hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

By looking through this thread, it looks like people are all over the board on this one!

[Becca]

In the middle of Ch. 14 -
(view spoiler)[AMGGGGGG. @(#*&@*(#@ OMG XD I am obsessed with The Darkling! That scene of them getting hot and heavy after their performance for the ball/party thing.. OMG XD Love it! And of COURSE freaking MAL shows up right after. I knew he was showing up at any time, just in time to solidify the love triangle. Mal is all angry now though, so maybe he'll stay angry and go jump off a cliff or something :D Can you tell I don't like him? Lol (hide spoiler)]

[Becca]

Ch 16 -
(view spoiler)[Bagra (sp?) just told Alina that The Darkling is using her to take over the fold. oh god, who do I believe?! I really love The Darkling, I can't believe that there isn't more to the story... with being only 60% through book 1 of a series. I want him to be good! (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

Becca wrote: "In the middle of Ch. 14 -
[spoilers removed]"

So I cheated just a little and looked at your spoiler since I'm almost to the end of Chapter 13. (Oops!)

(view spoiler)[I can't wait!!!! I'm really enjoying this book too. If work didn't get in the way, I'd be totally absorbed by this book. I am enjoying Bardugo's writing style and the way she's providing the info/background. She's not providing too much detail and it's moving at a good pace.

I'm really excited about the hot and heavy stuff coming up and I'm sure there will be a bit of drama with Mal finally making his appearance! I felt like something was going to happen between Alina and The Darkling... Woo-Woo!

Interesting how Alina was able to remember some things from her childhood and work things out with herself so that she can summon the sun without an amplifier. I'm wondering how much stronger she'll become now that she's gotten past that hurtle.

I saw that some haven't liked the 'chick lit' feel of this story. I'm OK with 'chick lit' too so it probably won't turn me off. The only thing I've had to get used to is that I'm listening to this on audio and it's narrated by the same person who narrates the Elemental Assassin series (Lauren Fortgang), so I had to keep reminding myself at the beginning that this isn't a story about Gin!

(hide spoiler)]

I'm now officially on Chapter 14!

[Becca]

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote:
Ch. 14

(view spoiler)[I felt the same way about her finally discovering her powers. It felt really interesting to have a reveal that she was holding back her powers all this time and that was the reason for the dark circles, etc. Very cool :)

Whatever you do, don't read the ch 16 spoiler until you're past it! XD (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

Becca wrote: "Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote:
Ch. 14

I felt the same way about ..."

HaHa! I promise I won't! In fact, I realized the audio is actually a chapter behind, so my Chapter 14 was really Chapter 13.. but I'm getting there slowly but surely!

[K~Terror]

Becca wrote: "Ch 16 -
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[

I know... I was soooooooooo bummed... Noooooooo.... He can't be bad.... Nooooo.....

I thought it was funny how Alina reacted to the news at first too... She thought she was crazy too!

There must be another twist, right?????

(hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

Chapter 21

(view spoiler)[ No, this can NOT be happening. (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

CassieV wrote: "Pigletto wrote: "CassieV wrote: "I'm half and half on this book. I get Pigletto's problems with the book, and over all I'd say I agree. The world building just wasn't at the depth I would have ho..."

I have the second book and would love to buddy read it if anyone is interested!

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

BUDDY READ REVISIT! BUDDY READ REVISIT! BUDDY READ REVISIT!

This topic is open for Discussion of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. Be prepared for SPOILERS.

Start date: November 7th, 2015



What is a buddy read?

Synopsis
The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.




Note: This book was first read as a buddy read with NBRC in August 2013. Discussion questions are available on that thread which can be found here

[Joi]

I can't wait to start this book.

[Vikki]

I missed this buddy read the first time around-- excited that I get a second chance