Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
“‘I’ve been waiting for you a long time, Alina,’ he said. ‘You and I are going to change the world.’”
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The Basics
Title: Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone Trilogy #1)
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Published: 2012
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company — Macmillan
Pages: 356
Format: Paperback
Genres: Fiction — Fantasy, High fantasy, Romance, Fantasy romance, Young adult, Young adult fantasy
Book Synopsis
Alina Starkov is a cartographer in the army of Ravka, a nation divided in two by a wall of darkness known as the Shadow Fold. During a crossing of the Fold, her unit is attacked by creatures that call the darkness home, but through a dormant power, she is able to fend them off and save her best friend, Mal, as well as the majority of their unit. When word of her feat reaches the army’s commanders, she is brought before the Darkling, the enigmatic leader of the magical soldiers known as Grisha. Before long, she finds herself ensconced in the Darkling’s carriage and racing toward the capital to begin her training as a Grisha. Power such as hers has not been seen in ages, and it could be the key to finally ridding Ravka of the Fold. But the Fold is not the only thing that Alina has to fear. There is darkness lurking in the capital, and it has its sights set on her.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: A mesmerizing fantasy with all the trimmings: magic, an expansive world, suspense, romance, and unforgettable characters.
Prior to starting Shadow and Bone, I had read mixed reviews of it. Some people exalted it as a brilliant fantasy, while others proclaimed it a disappointment. Now, having finished the book, I can confidently say that I fall into the former group. Shadow and Bone has everything you could want in a young adult fantasy: a well-built world, lifelike characters, an interesting magic system, a charismatic villain, and of course, romance. It is a captivating, escapist read that is deserving of every bit of praise that it has received.
From its opening chapter, the book draws you in with its imaginative and riveting plot. It transports you from the mundane to the fantastical. You enter a world in which magic is real, and the shadows contain more than just darkness. The story is perfectly paced and peppered with just enough uncertainty and suspense to keep you turning the pages. There is also a fair amount of action; although, I would by no means describe this book as action packed. Bardugo takes the time to fully flesh out the characters and the world in which they live. Don’t worry though, neither the world nor character building is ever tedious; Bardugo manages to seamlessly weave them into the story.
The end result of this careful crafting is a well-developed and fairly complex cast of characters. The Darkling is a particularly well-penned character. He is multi-faceted, at times ruthless and at other times likable. There is an air of seduction and intrigue about him that draws you in and makes you want to trust him, in spite of the nagging sense of danger and deceit about him. You can never quite shake the feeling that he is hiding something from Alina.
Speaking of Alina, she is another praiseworthy character. She is relatable, often reacting in ways that are congruent with how the average person would behave. Moreover, she is funny, witty, and unafraid of speaking her mind, and like any protagonist worth their salt, she evolves over the course of the book, becoming more confident in not only her abilities but also herself.
More so than their individual characteristics, however, what truly makes the characters memorable are their relationships with one another. Of particular interest are Alina’s relationships with the Darkling and Mal. Both relationships hint at the potential for romance, but that is where the similarities end. Alina’s relationship with the Darkling is rooted in power and desire. His immense power seduces her, as does his candor with regard to his feelings for her. He also changes her, coaxing out her magic and inner darkness. Mal, on the other hand, is her anchor to the past and who she used to be. The basis of their relationship is years of friendship and unrequited love on the part of Alina. Like the Darkling, he has changed Alina, but in the opposite direction: the desire to remain by his side made Alina repress her magic for many years. As for who is the better match, well, that depends on what Alina ultimately decides is more important – power or love. Either pairing will require her to forfeit something, which is what makes this love triangle so fascinating.
With regard to the actual writing, it is easy to understand and engaging. The use of the first person to narrate the story creates an immersive reading experience, in which you can close your eyes and easily imagine yourself alongside Alina as she navigates the world of the Grisha. Bardugo truly is a gifted storyteller.
The not so good
I am unsure how I feel about Mal. He is a bit of a tool at the beginning of the book, but then, he somewhat redeems himself later on in the story. Still, I have yet to decide whether or not I like him as a love interest for Alina. Perhaps the next book will clear things up for me.
Overall
Shadow and Bone is a dazzling start to what is sure to be an enthralling and unforgettable fantasy series. I cannot wait to continue the story.
Have you read Shadow and Bone? If so, what did you think? As always, share your thoughts with me in the comments section below!
