lix_kokoschka's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
heyfromsara's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this first book in The Shadow and Bone trilogy. I’m excited to see where the next book takes me!
kerasalwaysreading's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know what has taken me so long to finally dive into this series. Now that I have, I won't be able to stop.
Alina, a girl who has never been anything but ordinary, discovers she has great power when she and her regiment are attacked. They are traveling through the Shadow Fold, a dark and terrifying slice of space that has cut the nation of Ravka in half. In this black void of the Shadow Fold, monsters lurk and attack. When Alina sees the boy she loves (in secret) being attacked by one of these monsters, her power manifests itself- unbeknownst to her.
Now, Alina is a coveted thing. She has an incredible power and while she believes this is all just a mistake (she couldn't possibly have this power) she must travel to the royal court to train as a Grisha, and the Darkling, the most powerful of all Grisha, is the one who will be escorting her there. Because her power that asleep inside of her for all her life could be the key to repairing the rift in their once great nation.
Now, Alina has gone from the mapmaker she was, poor and ordinary, to a powerful Grisha who is afforded anything she wants at the Little Palace. She is training to use her powers, making friends and some enemies too. And she has caught the Darkling's attention. Through stolen kisses and fleeting touches, he tells her of an amplifier- one that could make her already powerful ability completely unstoppable...
When Alina gets a warning from an unexpected source, though, she quickly understands that the Darkling may not want to repair the rift, but to instead wield all of that power (her power) for himself. So, she must do what she has to do to ensure that doesn't happen. She meets up with a familiar face, one she has been missing and attempts to hide from the Darkling's search.
This was so freaking good!! There were so many great characters. I really enjoyed Alina. I thought she was strong, capable and brave. She was put in a situation she had no control over and she still did everything she could to do the right thing. I cannot wait to read more!
Alina, a girl who has never been anything but ordinary, discovers she has great power when she and her regiment are attacked. They are traveling through the Shadow Fold, a dark and terrifying slice of space that has cut the nation of Ravka in half. In this black void of the Shadow Fold, monsters lurk and attack. When Alina sees the boy she loves (in secret) being attacked by one of these monsters, her power manifests itself- unbeknownst to her.
Now, Alina is a coveted thing. She has an incredible power and while she believes this is all just a mistake (she couldn't possibly have this power) she must travel to the royal court to train as a Grisha, and the Darkling, the most powerful of all Grisha, is the one who will be escorting her there. Because her power that asleep inside of her for all her life could be the key to repairing the rift in their once great nation.
Now, Alina has gone from the mapmaker she was, poor and ordinary, to a powerful Grisha who is afforded anything she wants at the Little Palace. She is training to use her powers, making friends and some enemies too. And she has caught the Darkling's attention. Through stolen kisses and fleeting touches, he tells her of an amplifier- one that could make her already powerful ability completely unstoppable...
When Alina gets a warning from an unexpected source, though, she quickly understands that the Darkling may not want to repair the rift, but to instead wield all of that power (her power) for himself. So, she must do what she has to do to ensure that doesn't happen. She meets up with a familiar face, one she has been missing and attempts to hide from the Darkling's search.
This was so freaking good!! There were so many great characters. I really enjoyed Alina. I thought she was strong, capable and brave. She was put in a situation she had no control over and she still did everything she could to do the right thing. I cannot wait to read more!
quillandink's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
abritbookish's review against another edition
5.0
Leigh Bardugo you have restored my faith and love in YA. I could not put this book down it was so well done. The story is great, the love story will pull at your heart strings, the world is such a fresh new setting in a fantasy realm and the magic is badass and believable.
harato's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
"Thanks for finding me." "Always."
Now, this will be 3.5 stars rounded up. I guess with all the reviews I heard, I expected worse but somehow it was ok. A typical fantasy book so I actually liked it. Admittedly, I too hated Mal at first maybe he has that kind of vibe where you can't help but feel annoyed. But as the story progressed, he was actually okay and I slowly warmed up to him. I actually rooted for the Darkling at first but eh, he's too much. His ideas and visionare too cruel and not slaying lmao. That's why I actually agree with what she did at the last part. Although some were innocent, she asked them to help her pls but no one moved. I get tho that it might be hard esp when ur so used to being the pawn and just following orders your whole life. Like Genya. I can't wait to read the next book, I think it will change how i view the story a lot (hopefully). Overall it was not bad.
Now, this will be 3.5 stars rounded up. I guess with all the reviews I heard, I expected worse but somehow it was ok. A typical fantasy book so I actually liked it. Admittedly, I too hated Mal at first maybe he has that kind of vibe where you can't help but feel annoyed. But as the story progressed, he was actually okay and I slowly warmed up to him. I actually rooted for the Darkling at first but eh, he's too much. His ideas and visionare too cruel and not slaying lmao. That's why I actually agree with what she did at the last part. Although some were innocent, she asked them to help her pls but no one moved. I get tho that it might be hard esp when ur so used to being the pawn and just following orders your whole life. Like Genya. I can't wait to read the next book, I think it will change how i view the story a lot (hopefully). Overall it was not bad.
isla_cat's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book, in fact, I loved it and read it in a day. The plot is amazing and constantly keeping you on your toes. It is lovely that you get to see Alina grow throughout the book, coming into her powers as well as growth on a personal and individual level.
The book is written in a lovely style and I really enjoyed that, as often YA books are not this amazing quality.
The plot regarding the Darkling was fascinating, and the role of Bagrah was such a surprise to me, not sue if anyone guessed that was coming, I certainly didn’t.
Alina and Mal are such a cute childhood couple and watching that grow in predominantly the second half of the book was amazing.
The final scene in the fold was such an adventure to read, with the Darkling showing his true evil, which is even more shocking that people could believe it was a ‘mistake and an accident’. I think this scene also shows Alina’s strength, something I am hoping to see more of.
I am fascinated to see where the rest of the series goes as not the Alina has such a large amount of power I hope that she can help her country, even though she is scared of what’s could happen if she is captured again.
The only negative thing about this book is the importance placed on materialistic beauty, that Genya is who she is just down to her beauty and that for Alina to come into her true powers she becomes beautiful, it is nice within the book but this is something that I think is an outdated idea, but this is the only negative that I can think of
The book is written in a lovely style and I really enjoyed that, as often YA books are not this amazing quality.
The plot regarding the Darkling was fascinating, and the role of Bagrah was such a surprise to me, not sue if anyone guessed that was coming, I certainly didn’t.
Alina and Mal are such a cute childhood couple and watching that grow in predominantly the second half of the book was amazing.
The final scene in the fold was such an adventure to read, with the Darkling showing his true evil, which is even more shocking that people could believe it was a ‘mistake and an accident’. I think this scene also shows Alina’s strength, something I am hoping to see more of.
I am fascinated to see where the rest of the series goes as not the Alina has such a large amount of power I hope that she can help her country, even though she is scared of what’s could happen if she is captured again.
The only negative thing about this book is the importance placed on materialistic beauty, that Genya is who she is just down to her beauty and that for Alina to come into her true powers she becomes beautiful, it is nice within the book but this is something that I think is an outdated idea, but this is the only negative that I can think of
highladyofthedaycourt's review against another edition
4.0
Unique storyline and concept, the love triangle unnecessary. Mal was a entitled prick who only wants Alina, once she was taken from him. Most of the characters are intriguing. Alina should've stayed with the Darkling. The Darkling is HOT.