About the Book:

Title: Shadow and Bone

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Release Date: June 5, 2012

Pages: 358

Genre: YA Fantasy

Synopsis:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Review:

Another book I wish I read sooner! This was bloody fantastic! I’m currently doing a readalong of the Grishaverse series and Six of Crows duology with some bookish friends on Instagram, and I couldn’t put this one down. Leigh Bardugo has crafted such an amazing and beautiful world, that is inspired by Imperial Russia.

Alina and Mal are orphans who grew up in the orphanage together and are best friends. They wind up being recruited by the army. Their nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, which is filled with darkness and monsters. When her regiment is attacked on the Fold, Alina discovers that she has a power she never knew she had. This power could be the key to what saves her country. Alina gets sent to train to become a Grisha in the royal court, and it is led by the the very mystifying Darkling. I fell in love with these characters, and I am especially intrigued by The Darkling.

I loved the magic, the twists and turns, the lavish world, the secrets, and the awesome characters. Leigh Bardugo has gained another fan! Can’t wait to start Siege and Storm. Also, I’m so excited I will have these read before the show comes to Netflix. Ben Barnes as the Darkling?! Yes please!

 

About the Author:

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse (coming soon to Netflix) which spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, The Language of Thorns, and King of Scars— with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and Ninth House (Goodreads Choice Winner for Best Fantasy 2019) which is being developed for television by Amazon Studios. Leigh was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Southern California, and graduated from Yale University. These days she lives and writes in Los Angeles. For information on new releases and appearances, sign up for her newsletter.