A review by shaylee_reads
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was nothing like I expected, I had expected to have to push myself to read this book because I had heard that it was pretty boring and that it wasn't very good but honestly I disagree. I had no problem getting into this book and I actually found it boring although the ending did get kinda slow but other than that it kept me hooked the whole time and I just could not put it down. 
I know a lot of people don't like this book because they don't like Alina the main character and they just didn't really connect with any of the others but I was the exact opposite. I loved Alina yeah she could make some stupid chooses and was very easy to manipulate but honestly the reason I liked her so much is because she reminds me alot of myself… like seriously we are pretty much the same person. I also really loved Gyna and found her to be a really good character that I just loved and want to know more about. 
I went into this book fully expecting to fall deeply in love with the darkling like everyone else and well… I did. He's just so dark and amazing! I just can't help but love a villain and he was just… something else and I can't wait to learn more about him. 
I still don't 100% understand the magic system and everything but hopefully that will change once I read the next books but I don't think me not understanding it affected me enjoying the book.
There is one thing that I didn't enjoy and that was her relationship with Mal….
Like honestly I didn't give two craps if Mal died or not at the end because we barely get to see him the whole book and when we do see him he's kinda of an asshole. Instead of not only building up his character and their relationship we are just supposed to believe that they are in love with each other and give a crap if he dies. I think I would have cared a lot more if we had seen them growing up with each other and actually seen how Mal acted around Alina and the feelings he has for her because the little scenes we do have of them together it seems like Alina is just the girl who loves her best friend and he's just cares about other girls and doesn't even see her in that way instead of seeing him loving her and just not wanting to admit it

Another then that all together I really enjoyed this book and felt like it was a great introduction to this world and story. It has definitely done its job and has me hooked. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings