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A review by konvineo
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
4.0
So this was an interesting read. This is only based on reading this first book (obviously), but I think I understand why a lot of the people I've talked to have said that they prefer [b:Six of Crows|23437156|Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1500689111s/23437156.jpg|42077459] over the Grisha books. It's a lot less subtle in the terms of plot and the character motivation. The world building isn't as strong. But I think it's just testimony to the fact that Bardugo has had time to further developed the Grisha universe between writing [b:Shadow and Bone|10194157|Shadow and Bone (Grisha, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695s/10194157.jpg|15093325] and [b:Six of Crows|23437156|Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1500689111s/23437156.jpg|42077459]. Testimony of how Bardugo has evolved and improved as an author.
What makes me step back, and go: "Dude... why?", is that the book does use some very common tropes in YA fantasy. We have this Ugly Duckling deal, where Alina starts out being quite the Plain Jane. However, because she is The Chosen One, she transforms into a Beautiful Swan. And, yes, The Chosen One trope is also quite prevalent in fantasy, so there's that.
There's a bit of shallow girl-on-girl hate, based solely on jealousy in relation to a male character... kind of? It could definitely have been worse. I've read way worse in the past.
So while it does tick off quite a few tropes on the list, it's still enjoyable to read.
I like the atmosphere of Bardugo's writing. I like the not so subtle nod to the last tsar and tsarina of Russia, and Rasputin. I like that I can see how Scandinavian culture has also been an inspiration in Bardugo's writing (like I could in Six of Crows... even if it's easiest to see in the Bad Guys a.k.a. the Fjerdans for example, but also a bit in the Kerch). The Darkling is a super interesting character, and I absolutely understand the fandoms fascination with him. I adore the magic system! The grisha are so interesting, and I want to know even more!
I'm already looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
What makes me step back, and go: "Dude... why?", is that the book does use some very common tropes in YA fantasy. We have this Ugly Duckling deal, where Alina starts out being quite the Plain Jane. However, because she is The Chosen One, she transforms into a Beautiful Swan. And, yes, The Chosen One trope is also quite prevalent in fantasy, so there's that.
There's a bit of shallow girl-on-girl hate, based solely on jealousy in relation to a male character... kind of? It could definitely have been worse. I've read way worse in the past.
So while it does tick off quite a few tropes on the list, it's still enjoyable to read.
I like the atmosphere of Bardugo's writing. I like the not so subtle nod to the last tsar and tsarina of Russia, and Rasputin. I like that I can see how Scandinavian culture has also been an inspiration in Bardugo's writing (like I could in Six of Crows... even if it's easiest to see in the Bad Guys a.k.a. the Fjerdans for example, but also a bit in the Kerch). The Darkling is a super interesting character, and I absolutely understand the fandoms fascination with him. I adore the magic system! The grisha are so interesting, and I want to know even more!
I'm already looking forward to reading the next book in the series!