Published: June 5, 2012 by: Henry Holt and Company
Pages: 358
Rating: 4/5 stars
*review contains spoilers
The nation of Ravka is divided by the Fold, a mysterious layer of darkness ridden with monsters. Alina works and fights along it, but when her best friend is brutally injured, she uncovers a power she didn't even know she had. Soon Alina is whisked off to be trained as a Grisha, a group of magical elite people who learn under the Darkling, the most powerful being in Ravka. As the Darkling takes an interest in Alina, she must uncover his true secrets, and decide who she is able to trust in her war-torn country.
I finally did it, I read the book that book twitter can't keep quiet about! Honestly, I expected to hate this book. Fantasies are not my cup of tea, and I think that Leigh Bardugo's writing is something that I normally struggle to get into. However, I thought this book was fabulous. Full of action and intrigue, and captured me right in.
Basically, I was looking for a new series to obsess over, and this could very much be a contender! I loved all of the characters, and the mystery that they hold. Alina was resilient and strong, Mal was loyal (and in my opinion, way better than the Darkling), but the Darkling was also a really well-written villain. I enjoyed learning about him and I find his backstory to be fascinating.
I was concerned that the plot would be boring and pretentious, but I didn't find that at all! I thought there was consistent action from start to finish, and by the end of the book, I completely flew through the novel. In fact, I think I finished this book all in two days, which is a big win for fantasies in my opinion.
*Spoiler section:
The only thing that prevented this book from being a total win, was the romance aspect. I really don't get how Alina and the Darkling are a thing. He was incredibly abusive and manipulative, and I really don't understand the hype surrounding them? In my opinion, Mal is so much better for her, but in reality I would like to see Alina stand on her own. I don't think this series needs romance to be successful, but that's more of a personal opinion. We shall see once I continue with the series.
Anyways, I really did enjoy this book. I found it to be intriguing and unique. I really would love to read more.
Have you read Shadow and Bone? What did you think?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
I'm glad that you liked this YA/Fantasy book. I'm kinda hesitant to read this genre, because so many books in this genre feel alike. I'm glad you liked it, your review convinces me to keep this book ON my TBR!
ReplyDeleteYes, I would definitely still give it a try!
Delete'I read the book that book twitter can't keep quiet about!' - as if there's only one, Em! ;) <3
ReplyDeleteHaha, true ;)
DeleteI just reread this last year so I could continue with the rest of the series and read King of Scars. While I was initially unimpressed, I was super happy with where the trilogy went and I loved the ending. Also, don't be fooled by book Twitter. I don't think Leigh Bardugo ever wrote the Darkling as a love interest, just as a manipulative, creepy villain willing to take advantage of vulnerable women to get what he wants. It is the internet that read the relationship as romantic.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad to hear that the series gets even better! I actually just borrowed King of Scars from the library so I am looking forward to even more from this world.
DeleteThat’s really interesting that you mention the Darkling as not a love interest! Maybe I was just fooled by book twitter lol. I just see everyone always obsessing over him and Alina all the time, that I just assumed we were supposed to ship them?
I wasn't a big of these books, I rated most 3 stars and then the third 4 if I remember correctly, but we are in agreement on a lot of things. I'll never understand the hype over the Darkling - he was creepy, predatory, manipulative, and controlling. Ffs, he wanted to put a literal collar on Alina that would stop her from using her powers. Going into the series and seeing the hype I thought it'd be more like him wanting to have Alina join him on the dark side, so this reality was shocking/annoying.
ReplyDeleteUnlike you, I didn't like Mal. I think he is controlling in his own way, though it is more subtle than the Darkling's manipulation. It's like, he doesn't want Alina to go back to who she was or to lose her powers because he wants the best for her. Instead, it feels like he wants all that so *HE* can have her exactly as she used to be. He does develop throughout the series, though, but I think his development was not fleshed out enough.
Great review!
I’m glad to hear from someone who is a little bit more on the fence about the books. I think all the hype can sometimes get a bit concerning. Anyways, I actually had an inkling that Mal would get worse as the series progressed. I think that would be the only justification for the Alina/The Darkling relationship. I don’t have high hopes for his character, but at this point, I want to love him lol.
DeleteI really should try bardugo at some point. Glad this was a win for you even if the romance was kinda iffy
ReplyDeleteI do think she is definitely worth a try! Her writing can be awesome.
DeleteI first read Shadow and Bone many years ago and I loved it! I also enjoyed Siege and Storm, but I haven't yet read Ruin and Rising. It's one of my goals for this year because I want to finish the series before the tv show comes out.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear someone else say that Alina (and the series) doesn't need a romance - I didn't care that much for Mal (though I didn't hate him like everyone else seems to, lol) but I'm rooting for the side of good to win over the Darkling so I don't want her to end up with him either!
Glad you found a fantasy you enjoy!
I have Siege and Storm on my shelf and I just can’t wait to dive in! I saw the little promo video that the Shadow and Bone cast put up yesterday, and I think it’s set to be a great series. Definitely something to look forward to :D
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