Shadow and Bone - March 2021 BOTM

[Sofia]

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo is our March Fantasy BOTM. You can discuss this book here.

- Thoughts on Mal?
- Thoughts on the Darkling?
- How was the pacing? Did the plot keep you interested?

[aarja]

I loved the idea of this book! Even though power is an age-old excuse, I loved the world-building and the plot.
Mal was insufferable and victimizing himself in front of Alina even though it isn't her fault, but in the end, he was tolerable enough. But he was being dramatic for no reason when Alina asked him to (view spoiler)[kill her if she gets captured. (hide spoiler)] But well, Alina was being dramatic too.
And sometimes, she bored me while thinking of Mal.

THE DARKLING WAS SO LOVABLE. I loved him so much, but again, that 'power' component made him sound so cheesy.

I finished the book around a month ago, but my review is yet to come. And oh, I just realized that a day is still left for March to grace us with its presence. Oops.

[Sofia]

Aarja wrote: "I loved the idea of this book! Even though power is an age-old excuse, I loved the world-building and the plot.
Mal was insufferable and victimizing himself in front of Alina even though it isn't ..."

UGH I KNOW
HE COULD HAVE JUST (view spoiler)[KILLED HER (hide spoiler)]

A part that really annoyed me was when (view spoiler)[Alina refused to kill the stupid deer and consequently doomed Ravka. (hide spoiler)]

Mal annoyed me so much. He was so entitled and he blamed everything on Alina. He gaslighted her and had these ridiculous double standards.

I personally didn't like the Darkling just because he was kind of questionable in his treatment of Alina, but I can see why people like him.

[Avery]

Ugh, I really couldn't stand Mal throughout the series! He truly rubbed me the wrong way. Nikolai is the saving grace of the series!

[Emma]

Yes, Mal was absolutely terrible. He literally only liked her after she became more powerful. And then couldn't stand that she was more powerful than him.

I liked the Darkling for the most part and liked what he added to the plot, but I hated how he treated people like Alina and Baghra. (view spoiler)[She was his own mother and he had the audacity to treat her like that (hide spoiler)]

I agree with Avery (BabeOfBook) Nikolai is what pulled me through Siege and Storm. xD

[Sofia]

Emma wrote: "Yes, Mal was absolutely terrible. He literally only liked her after she became more powerful. And then couldn't stand that she was more powerful than him.

I liked the Darkling for the most part a..."

SAME. There's literally someone attacking me right now on a YouTube comment because I said I didn't like Mal 🙄 Which makes me feel even more badly about him, even though I guess that doesn't make sense... Overall, he leaves a bad taste in my mouth. He always curled his hands into fists when Alina disagreed with him, and that seemed like a bad sign.

[Emma]

Sofia wrote: ...Overall, he leaves a bad taste in my mouth. He always curled his hands into fists when Alina disagreed with him, and that seemed like a bad sign..."

Yeah, I agree.(view spoiler)[So, it's ok if Mal kissed Zoya or whatever, but if Alina even mentions Nikolai or the Darkling, Mal basically blows up. And later on in the series he makes her feel bad about herself and doesn't let her explain when she flinches. Like buddy she's being tormented in a way by the Darkling, tell me how you'd react. I know she loved him and all, but I honestly believe she would've been so much better by herself. (hide spoiler)]

[Sofia]

Emma wrote: "Sofia wrote: ...Overall, he leaves a bad taste in my mouth. He always curled his hands into fists when Alina disagreed with him, and that seemed like a bad sign..."

Yeah, I agree.[spoilers removed]"

YES OMG
YES
(view spoiler)[I thought it was disgusting how Mal was able to kiss Zoya with no consequences, and yet just Nikolai ATTEMPTING TO PROPOSE a POLITICAL marriage set him off the edge. And that flinching part--he literally just blamed her and walked off. He's such a horrible person and a bad character. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

Sofia wrote:YES OMG
YES...

YESSS.
I hope those who join the fandom just because of the show understand how much most of us hate Mal. 😂

[Sofia]

Emma wrote: "Sofia wrote:YES OMG
YES...

YESSS.
I hope those who join the fandom just because of the show understand how much most of us hate Mal. 😂"

Part of me hopes he's better in the show, but part of me hopes he isn't so all the people who just watch the show can hate him too lmaooo

[Brooke]

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/9271082...

...

[Emma]

@Brooke

yes,😂

[Brooke]

Emma wrote: "@Brooke

yes,😂"

I have a whole board of stuff like this ahaha

[Emma]

Sofia wrote: "Part of me hopes he's better in the show, but part of me hopes he isn't so all the people who just watch the show can hate him too lmaooo."

I agree, but I feel like no matter what I'm still going to be biased even is his character gets better in the show.

[Sofia]

Brooke wrote: "https://www.pinterest.com/pin/9271082...

..."

LMAOOOOOO

[Sofia]

Emma wrote: "Sofia wrote: "Part of me hopes he's better in the show, but part of me hopes he isn't so all the people who just watch the show can hate him too lmaooo."

I agree, but I feel like no matter what I'..."

Same. I have no intention of ever liking Mal.

[grafie]

Definitely not a Mal stan..... one of my friends is and im like girlie.... no :(

I tried to like him, I really did, but I just do not like him at all

[Avery]

@grafie Same! although I'll say this, the TV show Mal already looks better in my opinion. I guess we will see once the show is out, but I have hope for him now lol

[grafie]

Avery (BabeOfBooks) wrote: "@grafie Same! although I'll say this, the TV show Mal already looks better in my opinion. I guess we will see once the show is out, but I have hope for him now lol"


Yeah even though it's just previews and such, I currently don't mind him. We shall see!! Maybe they'll make him better haha