Title: Shadow and Bone
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Genre: YA fantasy
Obviously, I’m way behind on the Grishaverse. But with the new Netflix show, I’m making a point to get through a few of the books. I’ve been told the show covers this and some of Six of Crows, so that one will be up next. I have a love hate relationship with YA fantasy. Some are just great and I end up loving them. Some just bore me to tears. So, I’m usually reluctant to try the genre, even if it gets good reviews. Because most people like it, that doesn’t necessarily mean that I will. I loved The Broken Earth trilogy (The Fifth Season review), and the Lunar Chronicles (Cinder, Winter, Fairest, Cress sorry Scarlet for no review on your book), although this is a bit more sci-fi. But I’m happy to say so far so good on this one. I flew through it.
From Goodreads: 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, Mal, 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.
Alina was a lot of fun as a character. Smart, snappy, sarcastic, but still vulnerable. And although the book is mainly about Alina, Mal plays an important role as well. He’s also pretty great, loyal, and kind. As Alina is pulled from one person to another, she realizes how strong she really is deep down.
I was a bit shocked when the book ended at 58% complete on my kindle, but it had a couple excerpts from other books after that. I think this is brilliant marketing, by the way. I couldn’t believe I had finished the book in just a couple days. I couldn’t put it down and really got sucked into the world. I can’t wait to visit the Grishaverse again.
Pleasant Nights 