Thursday, July 27, 2017

{Review} Shadow & Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1) by Leigh Bardugo

10194157
Page Count: 358
Published on: June 5, 2012
Published by: Henry Holt & Company
Genre(s): Fantasy, High Fantasy, YA
Source: Paperback - personally purchased
Age Rating: YA
Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository
Twitter@LBardugo



My Rating: 4.75 stars










Goodreads synopsis:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Shadow and Bone is the first installment in Leigh Bardugo's Grisha Trilogy.



~~~

Hey, guys! 

Julia (from @jujuthereader on IG & Twitter aka my best friend) has been recommending and asking me to read this book for the longest time and I've finally gotten to it! This book definitely met and exceeded my expectations. I loved it so much. I flew through it in under 24 hours. 

Shadow & Bone was Leigh Bardugo's debut novel in 2012. In the book, Bardugo introduces the world of Ravka, a world that is very loosely based on the Russian culture. In her novel, she introduces Alina Starkov. Alina has never been good at much of anything. When Alina and her best friend, Mal's regiment is attacked, Mal is injured and Alina reveals a power that she was not only unaware of, but a power that could save her country. Alina is whisked away to the capital city to be trained by the Grisha and the Darkling; a mysterious, powerful, and dark Grisha. Alina's personal journey begins as she confronts her past and learns more about her mysterious power. 

            Shadow and Bone is such a fantastic introduction to the Grishaverse. Leigh Bardugo has such a fantastic ability to seamlessly create an original world. Her characters are so complex and interesting to read about. Alina is such a great main character. I loved her character arc and I loved seeing how she grew as the book continued. However, I do not like Mal as a character. I think he’s kind of lame and bland. Not because of the way his character was written, but I just don’t like him. I think Alina deserves someone who loves her and appreciates her. I think Mal manipulates her, but don’t hold me to that. It’s only the first book. Also, these are just my first thoughts. I’m probably wrong. I just don’t like him. I might have a prejudice. I’m sorry I’m rambling. Let’s continue on!

            Holy crap the Darkling was so cool. I can’t wait to see what happens in Siege and Storm & Ruin and Rising. I desperately need them. I hate that I decided to go on a book-buying ban. I just want all of Leigh Bardugo’s books. October can’t come fast enough.

            This book’s plot was so intriguing and the pacing was just perfect. It was so intricately done, but not hard to understand. I just loved how Bardugo wrote this book. It was so addicting and I never could tell what would happen next. I read most of the book in one sitting and whenever something happened that I didn’t anticipate, I would literally gasp or say something out loud.

            This book was just so stunning and flawlessly done. Bardugo’s world is so original and unique and I cannot wait to read more. This makes me even more excited to continue with the series. I cannot wait until the new boxset with the new covers is released, because you know I will definitely buy it. I need it in my life.

I need more books like this!

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~
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