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katsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
“And there's nothing wrong with being a lizard either. Unless you were born to be a hawk.”
“Like calls to like.”
I had a lot of fun with this book. I legitimately read the whole thing in one day. The adventure was a lot of fun and I enjoyed the world-building. I would give adult readers the caveat that this is very much a young adult novel. I've seen quite a lot of reviews that dragged the book because the characters acted like young adults. For example, I've seen a few reviews that really disliked Alina because she really embodied the Not-Like-Other-Girls trope. Which is completely fair, because she definitely does, but the story is also told in the first person so, as someone who works with young adults, Alina feeling out of place and like she doesn't belong 100 percent rings true to me. This book also features the Chosen One trope which I enjoy a lot. One of my only actual critiques is that I wish we would have been able to get to know Mal a little bitter. As a reader, I cared about him because Alina did but it would've been to care for him as a character in his own right. I'm definitely going to pick up the next two volumes.
“Like calls to like.”
I had a lot of fun with this book. I legitimately read the whole thing in one day. The adventure was a lot of fun and I enjoyed the world-building. I would give adult readers the caveat that this is very much a young adult novel. I've seen quite a lot of reviews that dragged the book because the characters acted like young adults. For example, I've seen a few reviews that really disliked Alina because she really embodied the Not-Like-Other-Girls trope. Which is completely fair, because she definitely does, but the story is also told in the first person so, as someone who works with young adults, Alina feeling out of place and like she doesn't belong 100 percent rings true to me. This book also features the Chosen One trope which I enjoy a lot. One of my only actual critiques is that I wish we would have been able to get to know Mal a little bitter. As a reader, I cared about him because Alina did but it would've been to care for him as a character in his own right. I'm definitely going to pick up the next two volumes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, and War
therobinjoyce's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Shadow and Bone really is one of the greatest Young Adult/New Adult fantasy series I’ve ever read.
Not only does it encompass tropes such as the found family, the chosen one, a thrilling love triangle, and friends to lovers, but we also see so many amazing and wonderful creatures and countries through the eyes of her characters.
The writing style is just incredible and so easy to read. It sucks you right into the story. All of the characters are so diverse but so well written, their character arcs providing just the perfect amount of tension and fulfilment.
There’s still a debate open whether this series will have me leaning more towards darklina or malina but I’m so excited to dive into Siege and Storm and find out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
jstarshine16's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Genocide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Sexism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
rubydagger's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Xenophobia and Gaslighting
nadiana's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
2.4/5 Stars.
Many years back, this book made me fall in love with reading as well as the entire genre of fantasy romance. As far as I was concerned, it was a guilty pleasure, and even after this re-read, I must say, it still is.
Not a lot of strong feelings are connected to this first book but I don't know if that's going to change once I re-read Siege and Storm. However, having watched the Shadow and Bone netflix trailer previous to re-reading this made the whole experience way better, especially concerning the book's main ship which I felt more connected to than ever before.
Leigh's writing obviously isn't the best this early in her career, but all-in-all it was an easy and quick read, just a tad bit below average considering the story, plot, execution and pace. The ending felt very rushed as well, and honestly, this book could've been longer for more developed plots and character arcs which would've probably made the story a whole lot better.
However, I'm still searching for that perfect guilty pleasure book, and quite honestly, I'm getting obsessively desperate at this point...
Many years back, this book made me fall in love with reading as well as the entire genre of fantasy romance. As far as I was concerned, it was a guilty pleasure, and even after this re-read, I must say, it still is.
Not a lot of strong feelings are connected to this first book but I don't know if that's going to change once I re-read Siege and Storm. However, having watched the Shadow and Bone netflix trailer previous to re-reading this made the whole experience way better, especially concerning the book's main ship which I felt more connected to than ever before.
Leigh's writing obviously isn't the best this early in her career, but all-in-all it was an easy and quick read, just a tad bit below average considering the story, plot, execution and pace. The ending felt very rushed as well, and honestly, this book could've been longer for more developed plots and character arcs which would've probably made the story a whole lot better.
However, I'm still searching for that perfect guilty pleasure book, and quite honestly, I'm getting obsessively desperate at this point...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, and Body shaming
erovelo's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
natrossi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Xenophobia
Minor: Violence
rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
'Shadow and Bone' by Leigh Bardugo is a fun YA Fantasy with a fascinating magic system and engaging characters.
We follow Alina, a mapmaker traveling to the Shadow Fold, a swath of darkness that has cut the country of Ravka in two. The Shadow Fold is full of monsters and making the journey across it to reach Ravka's coast is dangerous. But when her group is attacked inside the Shadow Fold, Alina reveals a power she didn't know that she held. This draws the attention of the Darkling, who believes Alina may have the power to change Ravka's future.
I've heard a lot about 'Shadow and Bone' but I had never had a real interest in reading it until I saw the trailer for the Netflix adaptation. I don't think that the blurb does the story justice. Bardugo has created a fascinating world with a really engaging magic system that I feel we only get a taste of in this first book. Alina is a likable character, full of faults but also full of hope. The full cast of characters are complex and I can't wait to see how they grow as the story progresses. I can tell that Bardugo has just scratched the surface with this first book and I am very thankful that I have the full trilogy and the Six of Crows duology to follow. I'm really happy that I decided to read the series before watching the show and I hope that the show further builds upon this great world that Bardugo has introduced.
We follow Alina, a mapmaker traveling to the Shadow Fold, a swath of darkness that has cut the country of Ravka in two. The Shadow Fold is full of monsters and making the journey across it to reach Ravka's coast is dangerous. But when her group is attacked inside the Shadow Fold, Alina reveals a power she didn't know that she held. This draws the attention of the Darkling, who believes Alina may have the power to change Ravka's future.
I've heard a lot about 'Shadow and Bone' but I had never had a real interest in reading it until I saw the trailer for the Netflix adaptation. I don't think that the blurb does the story justice. Bardugo has created a fascinating world with a really engaging magic system that I feel we only get a taste of in this first book. Alina is a likable character, full of faults but also full of hope. The full cast of characters are complex and I can't wait to see how they grow as the story progresses. I can tell that Bardugo has just scratched the surface with this first book and I am very thankful that I have the full trilogy and the Six of Crows duology to follow. I'm really happy that I decided to read the series before watching the show and I hope that the show further builds upon this great world that Bardugo has introduced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Xenophobia
wasabi_poptart's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Genocide, Xenophobia, Trafficking, and Death of parent
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