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stindex's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
bookishdreamer's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and War
Minor: Physical abuse, Rape, and Death of parent
yasidiaz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Sexual violence and Sexual harassment
s1x0fh03s's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
giulianalb99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo is a YA fantasy that takes place in the kingdom of Ravka. It is a world at war inhabited by Grisha, people who have the ability to manipulate elements such as fire and wind. This book follows Alina Starkov as she discovers she is a rare Sun Summoner, destined to bring down the Shadow Fold, a band of living darkness dividing Ravka. Treachery and danger wait at every turn, and Alina must use all of her wits and power to stop those who would use the Fold as a weapon.
➵What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.
I have a lot to say about this book, so buckle up because THIS IS MY RANT OF THE DAY!
First of all, let's talk about the characters, shall we?
I don't like Alina too much, to be honest. Throughout the whole book, I just couldn't connect with her. I felt like she was just a pick me girl and I hate when women are written like stupid and naive characters who need men to save them. Even though she knew some of her actions were wrong, she kept on making mistakes to later on realizing she fucked up, like please girl grow tf up. Also, instead of worrying about what might happen to the world, she only cared about Mal (someone who I felt didn't care about her at all) and about the fucked up Darkling, because after she found out his secret intentions, she let him kiss her... sorry, what???? I hope in the next books she develops a huge character development, cause if not, I will go mad.
Am I mentally ill and in need of a therapist if a say I liked The Darkling? probably yes, but I
don't care because I just kept imagining Ben Barnes and that man has my entire permission to run me over, period. I would've liked to know more about his past (and I know there's a graphic novel about him, but I was told I couldn't read it until I read the second book of the series) and how he became who he is, but I guess I'll just have to wait. His dark aura and how mysterious he is I think is what I liked the most about him, but I didn't like how he treated Alina (the gaslighting was huge). Also, I'm 100% sure he's not dead.
Now... Mal is horrible, I'm sorry. Why does he blame Alina for HIS actions?? Shut up, dude! And I have these weird vibes because I think he's hiding something from Alina. This man being the love interest is just a fucking crime.
I liked Baghra, but I don’t understand why she kept on bullying Alina. I know se was preparing her to something huge, but the bullying was unnecessary.
I think the only character that I loved since the very first second she appears is Genya. Again, I think it would've been so much better if I knew a little bit of her, but I think Bardugo just doesn’t like you to know more about the characters she writes.
➵The problem with wanting is that it makes us weak.
Okay so my sincere opinion on this one I would say it’s kind of neutral. I didn’t have any kind of expectations before diving into it so that was much better considering my disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, the book is good, but it felt bland to me.
1. The worldbuilding is not the best, and I know it’s a YA but believe me when I say I’ve read other YA books that the worldbuilding was a freaking masterpiece, so I’m sorry but that’s not an excuse. I don’t know if this was the author’s first ever written book, but it’s just meh.
2. The amount of times I’ve read the word kefta it’s insane. Has anyone ever told Bardugo that a dictionary of synonyms EXIST???? And yes, I know it’s the Grisha’s outfits, but she could’ve said COAT of ANY OTHER WORD, but not kefta a billion times!!!
3. I was really excited of knowing that it was inspired by Russian culture, but it was like any other fantasy book, the only thing that changed was that there were a few words in Russian and that’s it. I was expecting to read at least a glint of their culture but nope, zero.
4. Regarding n3, it would’ve been SO much better if at the end of the book there was a glossary with the meaning of the words because girl, I👏🏼DON’T👏🏼KNOW👏🏼SHIT👏🏼ABOUT👏🏼RUSSIAN👏🏼.
5. There wasn’t any huge character development, and I hope we get a GOOD one out of Alina, because so far I can’t stand her. PLEASE GIRL STOP GOING WITH MEN THAT DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU (that’s why you need to listen to You’re on your own, kid by Taylor Swift, please girl).
6. I couldn’t wait to finish it, istg the last chapters were longer than my fucking existence.
7. Why is there a king in the fucking palace if you’re not going to say ANYTHING about him??? Like, why is he there? What does he exactly do? Why is there a monarchy to start with?
8. Why didn’t the author explain just A LITTLE of the world they all live in, the magic, the traditions, etc.? This book had such a wasted potential, and I’m 100% sure it would’ve been so much better if it was LONGER.
9. I probably have more stuff to say but I tend to forget everything so yeah, bare with me and just be content with all I said👍🏼.
➵Fine. Make me your villain.
Now, the good things, YAAAAY!!!
1. I think this is a great book to start with fantasy, so if you’re new to the genre, give this book a try!
2. I read it really fast actually, it is short so that’s a good point.
3. Ben Barnes.
4. The 3rd point.
5. It is entertaining.
6. The 0.25 extra was because of the ending, btw. It was kinda good(?).
7. Did I read this so I can read Six of Crows after finishing the trilogy? Yes.
8. I will read the other books! My kindle is ✨prepared✨ (I don’t thing I will buy them though, sorry not sorry).
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
cattheteawitchfairy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Blood
sea_sea's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Sexual harassment
wickedgrumpy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The world building and magic system is interesting (if not semi-lazy with the quasi-Russian culture) but the characters are flat and one dimensional. I was waffling on whether or not to continue the series but the idea of what comes next from the main character's POV doesn't thrill me so I'll probably look up what happens instead.
It's bizarre that the main character starts out as an orphan from war (roughly 8 years old), and seems mature beyond her 17 years by the time the main story arc starts (she is an apprentice cartographer in the army), and then regresses into angsty teenager drama full of petty, juvenile, and shallow plot points because of a chosen one trope?
Lastly, the romance was bad. Both dudes are controlling and manipulative, want to possess her, don't actually care what she wants. Think of any high school romance drama and you will understand the tropes thrown in this book. There's literally a glow up/makeover scene (multiple times actually because they want to emphasize how much she's changed from the 'skinny-but-not-in-a-hot-way' person she was before).
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, War, and Classism
redherring's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol
shannonmarie's review
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse and Eating disorder