Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

My edition: Library Hardback
Pages: 356
Series: The Grisha Trilogy #1
Genre: Fantasy, YA, High Fantasy
Published: June 5, 2012, by Henry Holt & Company
Rating: 4 star

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:

Funny enough, I liked this more than I thought I would. There are many mixed reviews, but either way, it’s a hyped book. If y’all know me, I tend to be on the minority side when it comes to a hyped book. I liked it. I am a bit surprised.

Now I didn’t give it a full five stars due to it having the “betrayal” trope and a love triangle. I love the world Leigh built. Alina isn’t my favorite but she isn’t the worst that I have read. It is a very easy read, I would say this would be a good beginner’s fantasy into High Fantasy.

I knew the Darkling would be one of those male characters I shouldn’t root for yet here I am going after Mr. Toxic because when it comes to book boyfriends I fall for the ones I shouldn’t. (i.e. Psychopathic, sociopath, power-hungry, dominating, etc.)

Mal grew on me at the end. At first, I didn’t like him. He was the typical male character that doesn’t realize what he has until it’s gone. But still, he ended up growing on me in the end.

I really hope my library has the other two books. But I have one more book to read before I go back to the library.

This Week: 3/13-3/19/23

Hey, y’all. I hope you are doing good with the time change. I don’t like the time changes.

Currently Reading:

Twilight by Stephine Meyer (the first book)

I am halfway through this right now. I may have it done with this at the end of the week.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (the first book in the Grishaverse)

I will have this done today. I only have 92 pages left. I may have the review up today or tomorrow.

In Feast or Famine by Mesu Andrews (the second book in the Egyptian Chronicles #2)

This is one of my ARCs from Netgalley. I love it. I’m 30% through maybe more. I want to finish this before the end of the week. I want the review to be up at least by Thursday.

Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar

This is a standalone. I fell in love with Afshar writer. This is my second book by her and it is one that I get lost in her writing. I may finish this book also by the end of the week.

Books I may start:

Isaiah’s Daughter by Mesu Andrews

This is a library book I have until the 20th. I really want to start it after I finish Shadow and Bone since that is also a library book.

New Moon by Stephine Meyer (the second book in the Twilight series)

Obviously, when I finish Twilight I will roll into the second book.

Bible Reading:

In the OT I am still in Isaiah. I just read chapter 54. In the NT, I am in the book of Luke. I read chapter 8 this morning. I am also doing a Bible study. It is Getting to Know God’s Heart by Patty Mason. It’s an easy study. I also have my devotional Worry Less, Pray More.

I hope you all have a great week. I’ll see you tomorrow for Fantasy tropes.