Shadow and Bone
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I don't like it when books do this, then this one did...
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I was very disappointed with the whole book. Maybe because I expected so much from it as the buzz around this book was pretty big. I had hard time even finishing it which doesn't happen to me almost at all.
I didnt like how when she was in the shadows(figuratively) Mal ignored her and was only concerned with a bunch of other pretty girls. But then once she was the center of attention, got a 'magical' makeover, and started to look healthier Mal was all over her and jealous. I knew from the begining of the book that he was going to be brought back to form a type of love triangle thats becoming common in many books. But I had started to route for the Darkling. I felt the connection between them grew. And when he turn out differently than I hoped, I was still routing for him. I had just wanted to believe there was still a chance for him, but then the author brought him to a point where he can't saved from being viewed as just plain ole evil. -sigh- I feel like nothing was built between Alina and Mel and because of that I dont think Ill ever route for them to be together.
Why is it that the protagonist always starts off as some 'ugly duckling' type of girl, then transforms into a crazy, amazing, ass-kicking individual? And in such a short time span with little-to-none mental growth either? And why do these girls always, always get distracted by guys. If there was some crazy dark mass in the middle of my country, I don't think a love triangle would be the first thing on my mind. But who am I to judge? Guess that's why they call it Fiction.
I'm one of those people who doesn't like when the author already has the love interest in the story. We don't get to discover the love interest(s) along with the main character in that case...
^Totally agree. I hate being told of a relationship rather than shown one.As far as the confidence thing..that's why I love Vampire Academy so much. Rose Hathaway is a kickass, beautiful girl who knows it. She's pretty cocky but hey, I would be too if I was her. lol
I think Alina's care for Mal was pretty well established from th get go, she was always thinking about him, writing to him--the Darkling offered her something she couldn't have in Mal, admiration, affection, feeling desired. In some ways, I liked that Mal was already "decided" because while I like to get to know relationships, sometimes I feel like they eat up alot of time in the book, and then you do the whole thing over again with the rival to create points of comparison. I must say I always felt there was going to be something 'wrong' with the Darkling, I just wish there was a way to bring the villain back from the very depth of evil and actually have a turn around. I really liked the Darkling's character, and he has alot of depth, by virture of the fact that we got to know him first. I look forward to seeing how He develops in the next book and what will happen to Mal and Alina. But tell me you didn't swoon, just a little bit when Mal made his declaration of love? lol
C.penn wrote: "I think Alina's care for Mal was pretty well established from th get go, she was always thinking about him, writing to him--the Darkling offered her something she couldn't have in Mal, admiration, ..."I loved his declaration! The author did a really good job writing it. Especially for a YA.
I'm so glad she didn't do the simple (and, sadly, commonly used) "I love you. I have always loved you. Now let's live happily ever after." It felt real, if that makes sense...
It had so much emotion, I could totally picture that moment happening. it was most certainly one of my faves in the book! everything after that point in their relationship felt perfect to me, it fell together in natural ways. I liked that Alina stepped up on the heroine front at the end to save Mal, it kind of balanced their relationship.
There's a lot more to the story than just the romance, although I can read anything and learn to love it as long as it's written well and this book certainly was.
C.penn wrote: "I think Alina's care for Mal was pretty well established from th get go, she was always thinking about him, writing to him--the Darkling offered her something she couldn't have in Mal, admiration, ..."To be honest, I really like Darkling and totally rooting for him and Alina to be together, but Mal's declaration, *sigh* totally makes me swoon. This is probably the best love triangle EVER! I mean, as evil as Darkling is, you just can't help but love him.
ST wrote: "I didn't like his declaration because I never felt anything for his character at all. It was like reading just nothing. I'm glad that people enjoyed the book, it is great to find a new series to ..."Yeah, it probably would have been one of the most epic YA declarations ever if there was more to the character/relationship.
I understand where you're coming from. But for me that was part of the thrill of the declaration--that idea that deep down something was unfurling in Mal. I mean his feelings toward her were already different when he saw her at the Kings celebration. We met Mal as jovial, happy, a lady killer, then we me meet Mal again and he most certainly isn't the same, he's colder, sharper, a hint of desperation--it gives you this backdrop to imagine what his life was like after Alina--all the things he went through and we missed it's like "Who would have thought he was building up to this?" but that's just me. lol
Jenny wrote: "Yeah, i kinda felt that too. It was kinda fast how she liked Mal then had this thing with the Darkling and then suddenly he turned evil and then she likes Mal. I thought she was gnna end up with th..."
Mal and Alina grew up together, remember?
Mal and Alina grew up together, remember?
The thing you see with the Darkling though, is the beginning stages of a relationship, all the fake stuff when you don't actually know the person and they are attempting to woo. With Mal already being in the story, we know that Alina actually Knows him, all of him, though we may not.
I don't mind this method. In my opinion, it saves some time, because, personally, I don't like having to read through the little cat-and-mouse game that plays out in so many romances. That gets old after so long, like with Tom and Jerry.
You all should read Article 5! I just finished it and I loved it.The love interest is from her childhood AND they were together for a little bit before something bad happened but the author did it so well! She gave flashbacks to the past (unlike in "Shadow and Bone") and there was so much emotional drama and mistrust between them that it seemed real. It is an amazing book for the childhood sweetheart thing. 5 stars. :)
Tenetaur wrote: "I don't mind this method. In my opinion, it saves some time, because, personally, I don't like having to read through the little cat-and-mouse game that plays out in so many romances. That gets old..."my thoughts exactly. It's exhausting playing the "getting to know you," game twice.
This is one of those "telling, but not showing" situations, which I felt was pretty evident in most of the story. Her affection for Mal was one of the biggest instances where the author just told us that she loved him, instead of showing us how, why, when... it's all just very Ginny Weasley/Harry Potter instalove for me. Same thing for the Darkling too. There was sooooome teeeeeny tiiiiny bit of development in her emotions, but then they just explained it away with the whole "I get it, we all feel a pull to his power and handsomeness" line. Right.
This is a peeve I have with MOST books, not just YA, and yes it was one of the dark spots (heh heh, dark, get it?) in the whole experience of reading this book for me, but... I liked the book overall. Love the world, kinda really into both Mal and the Darkling as standalone characters... not so much into Alina as a narrator. But that's another complaint... (heading over to my standard "I despise first person narrative" rant thread now).
C.penn wrote: "I think Alina's care for Mal was pretty well established from th get go, she was always thinking about him, writing to him--the Darkling offered her something she couldn't have in Mal, admiration, ..."
I totally agree with ever thing you said! Thank you!
I totally agree with ever thing you said! Thank you!
I'm annoyed by the forced love triangle. Alright, Alina has feeling for Mal, great. The Darkling wants to seduce Alina for his own ends, great. But why must Mal suddenly decides he has feeling for Alina when their lives are in danger? I mean, it's great that Mal went back to save Alina's sorry ass, I would expect him doing this for his best friend, but must his feeling develop into LOVE so quickly? Goodness, don't get me started with how there has to be a romance in every single post-Twilight YA novel...
ST wrote: "I want to learn to like the "love interest" in novels along with the protagonist. I absolutely do not feel the same way when the character is already known, the protagonist already likes/loves him..."YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Exactly. This book disappointed me so much with that.
Sierra wrote: "I didnt like how when she was in the shadows(figuratively) Mal ignored her and was only concerned with a bunch of other pretty girls. But then once she was the center of attention, got a 'magical' ..."Same here. I think Mal only wanted someone that he could show off-the jerk. And though the Darkling is evil, I much rather preferred him. We had more time to get to know his character than we did with Mal.
Mary wrote: "Same here. I think Mal only wanted someone that he could show off-the jerk. And though the Darkling is evil, I much rather preferred him. We had more time to get to know his character than we did with Mal. "I prefer Alina growing a backbone and let Mal and the Darkling bite the dust. But sadly I'm asking too much and she just doesn't have this kind of backbone.
@ST:
I totally agree with you Mizuki its frustrating how there is always full blown romance and usually it starts up within the first 4 chapters of a novel!
You said it all. I want to see the bond between Mal and Alina but the author hardly shows me that.
I'm a bit confused about the inconsistency of the Darkling's personality. He is civil at the least and very flirtatious at the most before she finds out the truth about him. Then in the end of book one and all of book two he seems to be completely evil. He is supposed to be a very good actor, so was him being nice pretense after all?
Olivia wrote: "I'm a bit confused about the inconsistency of the Darkling's personality. He is civil at the least and very flirtatious at the most before she finds out the truth about him. Then in the end of bo..."
He's not such a good actor to begin with, but yes. It was all pretense. He has Alina fooled, and the Grisha who don't know him at all, but anyone else who saw how he treated Alina would have (or at least should have) known he didn't really love her.
Let's start with the massive age difference (I don't remember the book ever stating Alina's age, but I wouldn't buy anything over 18, and her narration reads more like a 16-year-old.) And the fact that the Darkling was her direct superior. That's already setting up a dangerous, creepy, possibly-pedophilic relationship.
Then there's the way the Darkling isolates Alina by first taking her away from all her old friends and locking her up, then by singling her out as his favorite so most of her potential new friends are too intimidated/jealous/whatever to actually *be* her friends. He belittles her almost every chance he gets but gives her gifts and uses his "love" as a distraction/reward to keep her in line. He keeps her alone and off-balance and waits until she has some alcohol in her to guilt her into sex. (Thank God they were interrupted.)
In short, their "romance" was abusive and unhealthy from the start, and I hated the Darkling long before he "switched sides." To the point that I could barely force myself to keep reading. I get emotionally involved in books, but I don't usually get angry, and the Darkling had me incoherent with rage. Him turning out to be evil was the best thing about this book.
He's not such a good actor to begin with, but yes. It was all pretense. He has Alina fooled, and the Grisha who don't know him at all, but anyone else who saw how he treated Alina would have (or at least should have) known he didn't really love her.
Let's start with the massive age difference (I don't remember the book ever stating Alina's age, but I wouldn't buy anything over 18, and her narration reads more like a 16-year-old.) And the fact that the Darkling was her direct superior. That's already setting up a dangerous, creepy, possibly-pedophilic relationship.
Then there's the way the Darkling isolates Alina by first taking her away from all her old friends and locking her up, then by singling her out as his favorite so most of her potential new friends are too intimidated/jealous/whatever to actually *be* her friends. He belittles her almost every chance he gets but gives her gifts and uses his "love" as a distraction/reward to keep her in line. He keeps her alone and off-balance and waits until she has some alcohol in her to guilt her into sex. (Thank God they were interrupted.)
In short, their "romance" was abusive and unhealthy from the start, and I hated the Darkling long before he "switched sides." To the point that I could barely force myself to keep reading. I get emotionally involved in books, but I don't usually get angry, and the Darkling had me incoherent with rage. Him turning out to be evil was the best thing about this book.
*Warning: Contains Spoilers for Shadow & Bone and Storm & Siege*This is what interests me the most about this series. In an interview last year, the author said she'd intended to kill off a character in book 2 and she changed their mind because that character's journey wasn't over.
I'm pretty sure that character was Mal. It does seem he's been kept around because of his uncanny tracker abilities only.
There is an open conflict in this book between "show" and "tell" when it comes to the relationship between Mal and Alina.
Alina tells us over and over again how much she loves him and why. However, when they're together we cannot see it. Not in the sizzling, crazy way that we can see it when it comes to Alina and the Darkling, which is why most people see them as the real couple... in spite of all the evil.
In S&S (book 2,) there seems to be a consistent effort not only of limiting Alina and Mal's time together, with myriad interruptions, but when they're finally together it's as if they don't know what to do with one another. It's funny how every time they share a bedroom, it's shared with other people so they have no privacy.
Even during their great escape through the woods, in S&B (book 1,) the one time they got to be alone together, we only get to know so little about how they feel being so close to each other.
The merest touch of the Darkling sets Alina afire. However, she gets to spend a couple of nights in the woods with Mal, who sleeps embracing her... and it doesn't seem to do much. Or at least, it's tremendously down-played. Like it's no big deal.
Their story is interesting in that they're making a big jump from best friends, almost siblings really, to would-be-lovers. Mal makes it clear he's not the guardian of her honor, in what I believe is the best attempt his character makes in stating he wants her in every possible way. However, his every move is folded... by the narrator who just skims over him and doesn't want to let us know more.
We know a lot about how he and Alina used to be and how their deep bond was formed and strengthened by childhood memories. But what about the present day? How do they relate to one another, what do they have going on for them? It's hard to know. We're not shown why they'd make sense as a couple now. Other than knowing he and Alina are fiercely grasping to salvage a love that as reader, we frankly do not understand.
There is a scene that I believe illustrates my point clearly. In the middle of S&S (chapter 10,) Mal, Alina and Nikolai are at a tavern and there's an argument about Alina's colors for her new kefta that makes Mal get up and leave the table. Alina is upset about it and proceeds to talk to Nikolai regarding the situation. We're given all of the dialogue between Alina and Nikolai. It allows us to know more about Nikolai and when that dialogue is over, Alina goes to join Mal at the bar and.... CUT!
That's it, we never get to know what they talked about. It would have been interesting to hear that conversation too, if only to get to know more of Alina and Mal together and the way they interact.
In a nutshell that just keeps on happening when it comes to Mal. We're not given much knowledge or depth because we cannot see or hear what happens.
A lot of emphasis is given to Mal being angry and jealous and the irony is he has every reason to be. His suspicions are right, both the Darkling and Nikolai are attracted to Alina... and she to them. Also, both other "suitors" are portrayed in a much better light: more interesting and intriguing. It's like he's completely aware of not being given a fighting chance.
Mal is interesting in his own right. His tracking abilities are uncanny and I can't be the only one surprised at the fact that he can hold his own in combat against Grisha... which appears to be surprising to even the Grisha themselves. Could there be more to him than we've seen so far? When the Darkling is told about Mal being a great tracker, he says cryptically "I wonder sometimes how much we really understand our own gifts." Is he implying Mal has not realized he has some kind of power?
We'll only have to wait and see.
Cari wrote: "Alina tells us over and over again how much she loves him and why. However, when they're together we cannot see it."Mal's 'love' to Alina always looks like it only 'happens' after Alina is taken away by the Darkling. It looks to me Mal only starts noticing Alina ONLY AFTER she becomes important and desirable. That's gross.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to see Mal going back to save Alina's sorry ass at the end of Book 1, but I still see no reason of him being in love with her.
As to Alina, I found it very foolish (and even pathetic) of her to think the Darkling is in love with her. Throughout Shadow and Bones, I honestly can't see the Darkling having any interest in Alina outside of her usefulness of being the Sun Summoner (to be honest, the Darkling doesn't even have to lie all that much before he has Alina wrapped around his finger). But still Alina sees the Darkling as nice in his every action and speech!? WTH?
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she didnt think about mal that much, but then out of the blue, mal shows up, and the darkling is a bad guy???????????? O_o (my reaction)