Buddy Read- Shadow & Bone

[Cat]

This topic is for anyone who wants to start the buddy read for Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. Feel free to discuss thoughts and feelings as you read!

~Cat

[Mango]

Heyyy! How many chapters per day and when are we starting?

[Cat]

Start anytime before Sunday, and you can do as many chapters a day as you want! Just update your thoughts here as you go! I'm going to begin reading tomorrow :)

[Mango]

Okay!!

[Mango]

I read like 16 pages and Alina annoys me lol

[Mango]

I read up til Chapter 4

(view spoiler)[AHHH Alina is so whiny >:/ (hide spoiler)]

[Cat]

Hey Mango! Sorry I didn't update this chat sooner, I've been busy with Christmas celebrations but now I'm back 😅

I started the book yesterday and now I'm on chapter 13, and I have to agree, Alina is kind of an annoying character. I just don't get why she's so mean to everyone. And I'm realizing she's also one of those MCs that are like "ahh I never asked to be special but oh no I guess I am anyway..." XD

Besides Alina, I love Genya and the Darkling. The world building is going well but I'm having trouble keeping track of all the different Grishas.

[Mango]

It's fine! Ahaha I'm on Chapter 11, so I'm behind lol. But I agree! I feel like the author worked too hard on making her characters have flaws, instead of giving her a personality. :(

YESS GENYA IS AMAZING, I'm not sure how I feel about the Darkling yet ahaha, Same the names are all foreign to me!

[Cat]

Agreed!

Okay I'm on page 232 and (view spoiler)[ I wasn't expecting...this...I don't even know what to call it....affair?? between the Darkling and Alina? I didn't see them as being romantically involved and I don't like it.... and Mal is right but he doesn't have to be such a jerk about it! (hide spoiler)]

[Mango]

On page 264! Beginning of Chapter 17. :)

(view spoiler)[IKR?! Ew...please not the Darkling + Alina- thing of the age gap!! ALSO BRO I DIDNT EXPECT THE DARKLING TO HAVE CREATED THE SHADOW FOLD- like I suspected he was bad, but not the original source of this...

I love Baghra now. :)

AND WTF HAPPENED TO MAL? I agree he did have some sense, but why is he so mean now?! At least he still saved Alina from all those soldiers lol.

And just saying...Alina needs a new crowd of boys to choose from...like eW- (hide spoiler)]

[Cat]

I just finished the book today!

(view spoiler)[ AGH yes, the age gap had me gagging! And I didn't expect the Darkling to be the Black Heretic either- I actually tRUSTED him there for a little bit, but now I clearly see that was a mistake. And Baghra is dope- wasn't expecting her to be his mom though! *mind blown*

I kinda wasn't ready for romance between Mal and Alina....like I could tell it was going to happen, but still, I felt like it was a little rushed at the end.

Speaking of, that ending was a bit predictable, but amazing nonetheless! Although I'm getting a little tired of the whole "I couldn't save everyone and now their deaths weigh on my shoulders" trope with MCs lol. Still, I hope to pick up book 2 soon! (hide spoiler)]

[Mango]

I finished too!!

(view spoiler)[You put my thoughts out perfectly ahaha. Mal and Alina def make a better couple than her and the Darkling...ew.

I really hope I get to see more of Baghra!

UGH SAME, Alina was so dramatic and whiny- like get a grip PLS.

But I found the concept of the Shadow Fold very intriguing and will pick up the next one soon!
(hide spoiler)]

Thanks for buddy reading this with me! <33

[Cat]

(view spoiler)[ Malina is much better than the Darkling/Alina, but I have a feeling this isn't the last we're going to see of the Darkling... ;)

The Shadow Fold thing was very cool, and I've heard that it was done spectacularly in the Netflix show! (hide spoiler)]

Thanks for doing the buddy read with me too! It was a lot of fun! Do you want to do one for the next book? It's okay if you don't want to, totally up to you! :)

[Mango]

(view spoiler)[Yass Malina all the way ahaha, ugh I hate the Darkling, but you're right. (hide spoiler)]

Omgg I'd love to!! I'll put a hold on the next copy. ;)

[Cat]

Great! Let me know when you're ready to start reading, and I'll make the next topic!

(view spoiler)[ Btw, do you know why Genya was wearing a red kefta when she visited Alina in the tent? I couldn't decipher what they were talking about. (hide spoiler)]

[Mango]

Alright!!

(view spoiler)[I was wondering the same! I honestly have no clue. Sorry. :/ (hide spoiler)]

[Cat]

Haha it's okay! Thanks!