Shadow and Bone question

A lot of readers including myself enjoy the six of crows way more! :) But that doesn't mean I dislike Shadow and Bone. Personally, I feel like it could have been amazing if it changed the tropes used to be something new, and made to be more interesting and intense. Overall I feel Shadow and Bone needed what the Six Of Crows had to offer. Charm, and higher stakes for the characters and plot. I like Alina, and Mal was okay in my opinion... and the Darkling, Genya, Zoya. If it was less tropey, cliche, and faster in pace, I could see Shadow and Bone being just as loved as Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. Also, first perspective in writing is highly restrictive since it's only focused on one character's pov, within Shadow and Bone if they showed different povs of some characters like Six of Crows that would have been nice B)

what part about the book did you not find to your liking? the story, the characters, the writing, etc ?

I thought it was just okay, but I don't think I would go as far as to say I didn't like it. I think the first in the series is great, the second is okay, and the third was disappointing.

I've heard that the sister duology, Six of Crows, is actually much better. However, I have not read it.

I also didn't like Shadow and Bone. For a lot of reasons. I wonder if I had read it when it came out if my opinion would be different but it doesn't meet the hype IMHO

I didn't like it, the writing just wasn't good..
I guess I will have to try six of crows! :)

Didn't like it as well. Had to read because I was planning on reading King of Scars and I had heard praises for Nikolai soooo....yeah.

Fair enough. I found that with this series it’s the characters that drive the story, not the writing or plot. Try Six of Crows, it’s far better!

I saw the show first I think, and so the betrayal of the Darkling using her was more surprising I guess. When you witness something a second time, you expect to stir up substantial memories of witnessing it the first time. Didn't happen when I turned to the book. I kept convincing myself I was drawn to the world. I wasn't.

jules wrote: "Shadow and Bone"

I saw the show before reading six of crows, but read both shadow and bone/six of crows. I personally enjoyed six of crows way better. The diversity and complexity of the characters was something that I thought stood out. Also the way they were brought together/the storyline made it all fit nicely. I love those characters a lot, and even though I think trauma can be a bit overused/relied on in main characters, it was well written and displayed. Kaz and his trauma specifically felt so real and almost relatable in a sense, even though I don´t share the same experiences. He is one of my most admired characters. There´s my rant.

I had to force myself to read through it so I could understand six of crows. The writing and character development is much better and you actually are drawn into the world. I just hated Alina and Mal.

The book was fine it was a solid 5/10. Nothing too special but I do think it could have had a lot more potential since I liked the idea. Also the romance between Alina and Mal just not for me. I mean they could have worked out better if they had way more tension (I don't know wheter that will change in the upcoming books or not, didn't get to read then yet). Alina and the Darkling just had way more chemistry. They don't need to end up together but a I would've wished for a bit more history.
That is the first where a must admit that the movie adaptation was in fact better than the book

I liked the first one couldn’t get through the 2d

I couldn't finish the 3rd book, it was so slow paced and extremely predictable.

Nikolai and Zoya saved the series for me. I think there was potential but just poorly executed. Six of crows and king of scars duology are much better

I read it and wasn't nuts about it. I didn't hate it- I just think there are better fantasy books out there with better characters and clearer worldbuilding. I liked reading it regardless.