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A review by kmiamattingly
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
2.0
Star Breakdown:
This book gets one star for an interesting magic system, one star for a compelling supporting character (Genya). I have nothing bad to say about the heroine, but I also have nothing good to say, either. She suffers from crippling issues regarding self worth and body image that, while relatable, we never invest any time addressing or overcoming. Turns out the solution to body image issues is to become conventionally attractive. And even then, it's only other people telling you you're pretty so you have to continuously rely on other people telling you you're beautiful in order to temporarily stave off the body image issues. Oof.
Shortcomings:
This book loses major points for pacing (drags some places, runs in others) and character development (ie, there is none, aside from some partially earned development from the heroine. Every other character is just set dressing.) The biggest issue is the plot structure, which contributes to the previous two shortcomings.
We spend maybe 1/6 of the book with the "chosen" love interest, Mal, which gives me no time as a reader to bond with or invest any interest in him. The book assumes I will be invested in their relationship, because they're childhood friends, but never puts in the work to "show" or "prove" that they are right for each other as adults. We do a literal transition from "ugly" (malnourished, tired) heroine to "beautiful" (filled out figure, shiny hair, men start openly ogling her) and it ultimately serves to cheapen our "hero's" love confession. He says something to the effect of, "I'm sorry I wasn't looking. But I see you now." Yeah. You see her cuz she's hot now. Great. Super charming.
Most of the book is spent with the heroine at the Grisha school with The Darkling. They share one, perhaps two, meaningful conversations. Most interactions are brief, or, on a few occasions, steamy. Little to no substance. Despite this, she trusts him right up until another character tells her not to. And then she bails. When we see him next, he's made the transition to "mask off" villain to the extent it feels cartoonish. I could tell the author really wanted to add substance, depth, and pathos to The Darkling, but by pulling the "villain" trigger so early, I was left irritated and disappointed, bereft of an opportunity to actually give a damn about his reasons for why he does what he does.
This book gets one star for an interesting magic system, one star for a compelling supporting character (Genya). I have nothing bad to say about the heroine, but I also have nothing good to say, either. She suffers from crippling issues regarding self worth and body image that, while relatable, we never invest any time addressing or overcoming. Turns out the solution to body image issues is to become conventionally attractive. And even then, it's only other people telling you you're pretty so you have to continuously rely on other people telling you you're beautiful in order to temporarily stave off the body image issues. Oof.
Shortcomings:
This book loses major points for pacing (drags some places, runs in others) and character development (ie, there is none, aside from some partially earned development from the heroine. Every other character is just set dressing.) The biggest issue is the plot structure, which contributes to the previous two shortcomings.
We spend maybe 1/6 of the book with the "chosen" love interest, Mal, which gives me no time as a reader to bond with or invest any interest in him. The book assumes I will be invested in their relationship, because they're childhood friends, but never puts in the work to "show" or "prove" that they are right for each other as adults. We do a literal transition from "ugly" (malnourished, tired) heroine to "beautiful" (filled out figure, shiny hair, men start openly ogling her) and it ultimately serves to cheapen our "hero's" love confession. He says something to the effect of, "I'm sorry I wasn't looking. But I see you now." Yeah. You see her cuz she's hot now. Great. Super charming.
Most of the book is spent with the heroine at the Grisha school with The Darkling. They share one, perhaps two, meaningful conversations. Most interactions are brief, or, on a few occasions, steamy. Little to no substance. Despite this, she trusts him right up until another character tells her not to. And then she bails. When we see him next, he's made the transition to "mask off" villain to the extent it feels cartoonish. I could tell the author really wanted to add substance, depth, and pathos to The Darkling, but by pulling the "villain" trigger so early, I was left irritated and disappointed, bereft of an opportunity to actually give a damn about his reasons for why he does what he does.