Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo: This Book Deserves More Credit *Spoiler Review*

This book is so average that it doesn’t really deserve the hate it gets. In fact, I think it actually deserves a bit more credit.

Started Reading – February 3, 2022

0% “I am begrudgingly reading this solely so I can learn why everyone is always simping for zoya and nikolai:)”
33% “if i were alina, i would’ve accepted the black kefta so i could darken my clothes and strike a violent pose:/”
86% “me: *has seen the netflix adaption*
story: *unfolds*
me anyway: :o”

Finished Reading – February 20, 2022
Rating: 3.25 stars

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Following the 2021 release of the Netflix “Shadow and Bone” series, I found myself in love with the Crows and less impressed by the main storyline following Alina Starkov, General Kirigan (or the Darkling), Malyen Oretsev, and so on. Due to this, I picked up Six of Crows and lost my mind. Not long after, I continued to break down with the sequel, Crooked Kingdom. In my adoration for the duology, I took to scrolling through memes on Pinterest, and in this journey, I also found myself confronted with material discussing the Shadow and Bone trilogy. After months of putting it off (because of less-than-stellar reviews), I took it upon myself to finally pick up the first in the Grishaverse series. And you know what? It wasn’t so terrible!

A brief synopsis by Wikipedia says, “The novel is narrated by Alina Starkov, a teenage orphan who grows up in the Russia-inspired land of Ravka when, unexpectedly harnessing a power she never knew she had in order to save her childhood best friend, she becomes a target of intrigue and violence.”

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Alina: Everyone’s Favorite Not-Like-Most-Girls Chosen One

Right from the get-go, we are told:

The girl was different, and she knew it.

Shadow and Bone, page 1

Oh boy, what a shocking turn of events.

I can’t entirely hold this “not like most girls” energy against the book because it’s a product of its time (the early 2010s where we saw the rise of girl-hating female protagonists in the YA genre). Despite this, Alina irked me initially because she came off less confidently outspoken and instead just mean.

“He’s not natural,” said Eva, another assistant; she had pretty green eyes that did little to distract from her piglike nose.

Shadow and Bone, page 19

After growing accustomed to this and noting her insecurities, I could find her funny at times.

I sat frozen on the steps, watching them disappear down the path, still feeling the warm pressure of Mal’s hand in mine. Oh well, I thought as I got to my feet. Maybe he’ll fall into a ditch on his way there.

Shadow and Bone, page 26

A staple in this novel and many others in the genre, Alina exhibits quite a bit of the rebellious and snarky quirk that YA fantasy has familiarized us so well with.

“Get in,” commanded Ivan. Then, seeming to remember the Darkling’s order, he added, “if you please.”

“No,” I said.

“What?” Ivan seemed genuinely surprised. The other Corporalki looked shocked.

Shadow and Bone, page 54

I wouldn’t call this a bad thing, necessarily. It can be a bit much at times, sure, but that’s our Sun Summoner, love her or hate her. Without characters like her, I wouldn’t have anyone to blame for my younger self’s mirrored behavior and attitude.

“What are you smiling at?”

I whirled, peering into the gloom. The Darkling’s voice seemed to float out of the shadows. He walked down to the stream, crouching on the bank to splash water on his face and through his dark hair.

“Well?” he asked, looking up at me.

“Myself,” I admitted.

“Are you that funny?”

“I’m hilarious.”

Shadow and Bone, page 76

After a while, I grew accustomed to all of this and even grew to appreciate it in a very much pat-you-on-the-head-and-nod-in-my-own-arrogance sort of way. I see so much of myself in you, young one.

I have to say, though, that I’m glad to see Alina isn’t entirely girl/femininity-hating. Later on, when she’s settled into the palace, she and her newfound friend Genya take time to indulge in dressing up.

We spent the rest of the afternoon trying on dresses and goggling at ourselves in the mirror–two activites I never would have expected to enjoy.

Shadow and Bone, page 191

Though she comments that she never expected to enjoy those things, it’s not necessarily with any disdain. If anything, I think her not indulging in it previously has more to do with not having that luxury before rather than some internalized misogyny. I found that refreshing.

Show, Don’t Tell

I’m sure we all collectively gag at the sight of that particular phrase from the sheer exhaustion of it, but I felt myself begging for this throughout the book. Perhaps my own lack of attention is to blame, but I felt fairly detached from the story for a while there. When we first enter the Fold and are faced with the terrors within it, I couldn’t summon any sense of dread at all. Even as our paper-thin Alexei was being ripped away by volcra, I couldn’t be bothered to care.

It’s not a failure to richly describe the scene that’s the problem, exactly.

I saw his howling mouth, his wide, terrified eyes, and the monstrous thing that held him in its glistening gray arms, its wings beating the air as it lifted him from his feet, its thick claws sunk deep into his back, its talons already wet with his blood.

Shadow and Bone, page 31

I’ll admit, that’s a terrifying thing to picture. But all I get from Alina is a gasp and some shouting. She seems mostly unfazed. Because of that, I can’t feel the gut-wrenching terror of the moment. To be fair, I was thick with fever while reading this, so perhaps this is entirely my problem.

❤ #1: Fedyor

My curiosity got the best of me, and I edged forward to get a better view. It looked like a cluster of sharp black claws.

“What are they?”

“My amplifier,” Ivan said with pride. “The claws from the forepaw of a Sherborn bear. I killed it myself when I left school and joined the Darkling’s service.” He leaned back in his seat and tucked the chain into his collar.

“An amplifier increases a Grisha’s power,” said Fedyor. “But the power must be there to begin with.”

“Do all Grisha have them?” I asked.

Fedyor stiffened. “No,” he said. “Amplifiers are rare and hard to obtain.”

“Only the Darkling’s most favored Grisha have them,” Ivan said smugly. I was sorry I’d asked.

Shadow and Bone, page 63

Geez, Ivan. If I could’ve inquired for one thing in this book, it would’ve been Fedyor’s presence in the story to exceed the former’s. I was so excited to see Fedyor at the winter fete if only to be reminded of something other than snobby Ivan. (In a bit of Googling, I’ve been reminded that the show handled Ivan a little differently — I need to rewatch as a palate cleanser, I think.)

❤ #2: Genya

I was a little skeptical of Genya at first, with her overall tone and attitude.

“I can’t make big changes, just small ones. Even out your skin. Do something with that mousy hair of yours. I’ve perfected myself, but I’ve had my whole life to do it.”

I wanted to argue, but she actually was perfect. “Get out.”

Genya cocked her head to one side, studying me. “Why are you taking this so personally?”

“Wouldn’t you?”

“I have no idea. I’ve always been beautiful.”

“And humble too?”

Shadow and Bone, page 95

This skepticism faded fairly quickly, though.

“This all much seem so very strange to you. Take care that life at court does not corrupt you the way it has others,” she [the Queen] said, her blue marble eyes sliding to Genya. The insult was unmistakeable, but Genya’s expression betrayed nothing, a fact which did not seem to please the Queen.

Shadow and Bone, page 109

My heart went out and continues to go out to Genya since then. And then when David came into the picture, I couldn’t help but fall in love with them both, separately and together.

“Goodbye, David,” she said deliberately. David grunted. Genya took my arm and led me outside onto an arched wooden arcade that overlooked a rolling green lawn. “Don’t take it personally,” she said. “David is a great metalworker. He can fold a blade so sharp it will cut through flesh like water. But if you’re not made of metal or glass, he isn’t interested.”

Genya’s voice was light, but it had a funny little edge to it, and when I glanced at her, I saw that there were bright spots of color on her perfect cheekbones. I looked back though the windows to where I could still see David’s bony shoulders and messy brown hair. I smiled. If a creature as gorgeous as Genya could fall for a skinny, studious Fabrikator, there might be hope for me yet.

Shadow and Bone, page 128

I’ve never related to someone more than Genya at this moment.

❤ #3 & #4: Baghra and Botkin – Professional Bullies

I spent long hours in Baghra’s hut learning breathing exercises and holding painful poses that were supposed to help with my focus. She gave me books to read, teas to drink, and repeated whacks with her stick, but nothing helped. “Should I cut you, girl?” she would cry in frustration. “Should I have an Inferni burn you? Should I have them throw you back into the Fold to make food for those abominations?”

Shadow and Bone, page 146

I don’t think it was necessarily intentional, but at this moment, choking on laughter, I’d never been more enamored. Then this moment was followed by an equally thrilling one.

“Botkin cannot build house from such little twigs!” he shouted at me, giving my upper arm a squeeze. “Eat something!”

Shadow and Bone, page 146

If I could fill any archetype in fiction, it would be the mentor/bully. These two are my idols.

I also value the wisdom and insight held within this type.

“You tell me, girl. What’s so bad about your life here? New clothes, a soft bed, hot food at every meal, the chance to be the Darkling’s pet.”

“I’m not his pet.”

“But you want to be,” she jeered.

Shadow and Bone, page 179

She clocked it. Get it, queen!

Botkin put me through my paces and made me drill using my mirrors. Without them, I was still pretty helpless against him. But with my gloves on, I could almost hold my own. Or so I thought. When the lesson was over, Botkin admitted that he’d been pulling his punches.

“Should not hit girl in face when she is going to party,” he said with a shrugged. “Botkin will be fairer tomorrow.”

Shadow and Bone, page 201-202

My adoration intensifies.

So, Real People Actually Ship Darklina?

So, I get the draw of the Darkling. He’s all tall, dark, and handsome, with slate eyes and fancy powers. However, no offense, Alina, but if I saw someone slice a man in half like a loaf of bread, I’d be more concerned than allured. She was put off in the beginning, I’ll give her that, but she forgave and forgot a little too quickly.

The man on top of me had been cut in two. His head, his right shoulder, and his arm lay on the forest floor, his white hand still clasping the knife. The rest of him swayed for a moment above me, a dark wisp of smoke fading in the air beside the wound that ran the length of his severed torso. Then what remained of him fell foward.

Shadow and Bone, page 70

Then again, maybe I’d be impressed. My jaw physically dropped during that paragraph. That awe dissipated, though, when I witnessed the creative genius (quote, unquote) behind this move’s name.

He looked back into the fire. “It’s called the Cut. It requires great power and great focus; it’s something few Grisha can do.”

Shadow and Bone, page 82

The Cut? You’re telling me that’s the most prestigious of magical moves that can sever a man in half like nothing more than pads of butter, and all you can think to call it is the Cut? I personally prefer the idea scrawled in my notes: “how ’bout ‘Slish Slash, I Was Taking a (Blood) Bath!'”

Moving away from that, the story progresses and we see Alina falling for the Darkling. Before the stolen moments in dark rooms, they begin their torrid little affair with a seemingly earnest moment. He really said, “gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss.”

Early on, we discover that despite the Darkling’s striking youthful beauty, he is in fact 120 years old. How is Alina completely unbothered that this old hag of a man is pursuing her, a 17-year-old girl?

You’re being ridiculous, I told myself sternly. It didn’t mean anything. He probably kisses a lot of Grisha girls.

Shadow and Bone, page 200

I can hear the sirens now…

Genya tries to shut this down (as she should) and I love her all the more for it.

“Alina, the Darkling doesn’t notice most of us. We’re moments he’ll forget in his long life. And I’m not sure that’s such a bad thing. Just…be careful.”

I stared at her, baffled. “Of what?”

“Of powerful men.”

Shadow and Bone, page 209

Ignoring her friend’s wisdom, Alina continues her pining and ultimate indulging in some spicy moments.

I could feel how much he wanted me–but behind that desire, I could feel something else, something that felt like anger.

I drew back, startled. “You don’t want to be doing this.”

“This is the only thing I want to be doing,” he growled, and I could hear the bitterness and desire all tangled in his voice.

Shadow and Bone, page 220

I’m sorry, but if my significant other was growling, I’d be quick to move along.

“And you hate that,” I said with a sudden flash of comprehension.

Shadow and Bone, page 220

Ahh, yes, don’t you adore it when your lover can’t stand the thought of being with you? Oh, how I swoon. (Don’t get me wrong, I get the appeal of enemies-to-lovers–I’d say I’m one who actually loves it. But I find the manipulation and power imbalance a little off-putting, personally.)

And then all of this underlying aggression bubbles up in the story’s climax involving the stag.

“You! Tracker! Are you so ready to die for her?” the Darkling called. Mal’s expression didn’t change. He stood, bow at the ready, arrow nocked, turning in a slow circle, searching out the Darkling’s voice. “That was a very touching scene we witnessed,” he sneered. “Did you tell him, Alina? Does the boy know how willing you were to give yourself to me? Did you tell him what I showed you in the dark?”

A wave of shame rushed through me and the glowing light faltered. The Darkling laughed.

Shadow and Bone, page 302

I’ll sum up this section with a question from my notes: “how does anyone ship darklina???”

Mal is, Quite Simply, Superior (and I’m an Accidental Malina Stan)

Since Mal and Alina parted so early on in the story, we didn’t get too much exposure to Mal outside of Alina’s pining from the Little Palace. Because of this, it took a while for me to form an opinion about him. However, when it came to him appearing at the Palace, my thoughts began to solidify.

“I saw how he looked at you,” he said.

“I like how he looks at me!” I practically shouted.

He shook his head, that bitter smile still playing on his lips. I wanted to smack it right off his face.

“Just admit it,” he sneered. “He owns you.”

Shadow and Bone, pages 230-231

Maybe he was a little bit of a jerk about it, but he’s right, and he should say it!

Despite this argument, the two come together again, and I felt far better about this than the Darklina moments. This man, however, did raise a red flag I mentioned earlier.

Mal grabbed for the roll, but I danced out of reach, dodging left and right, away from his hands. I could see his surprise, and I loved it. I wasn’t the same clumsy girl he remembered.

“You are a brat,” he growled and took another swipe.

“Ah, but I’m a brat with a sweet roll.”

Shadow and Bone, page 273

I don’t consider you exempt from the “growling” bit, Mal, but I suppose the good outweighs the bad (at least in comparison to the Darkling). And when it comes to their little smooch, it simply hits different.

He lowered his head, and I felt his lips on mine. The world seemed to go silent and all I knew was the feel of his hand in mine as he drew me closer, and the warm press of his mouth.

Shadow and Bone, page 298

It’s cute and the toxicity levels are low enough that I can breathe easily.

And then the Darkling whips this out like he really did something:

The Darkling studied me for a long moment. “Just what kind of life do you think you could have with him, Alina? He’s otzakat’sya. He can never hope to understand your power, and if he did, he’d only come to fear you. There is no ordinary life for people like you and me.”

Shadow and Bone, page 315

Umm, maybe a life where her most trusted person doesn’t abuse his power to immobilize her free will and force her into causing mass destruction? Just a thought.

Slish-Slash, I Was Taking a Bath!

I felt the weight of the collar around my neck, the steady rhythm of the stag’s ancient heart beating in time with mine. My power rose up in me, solid and without hesitation, a sword in my hand.

I lifted my arm and slashed. With an ear-splitting crack, one of the skiff’s masts split in two. People bleated in panic and scattered as the broken mast fell to the deck, the thick wood gleaming with burning light. Shock registered on the Darkling’s face.

“The Cut!” Ivan gasped, taking a step backward.

Shadow and Bone, page 345

No, sir! It’s the Slish-Slash and SHE. DID. THAT. Go you, Alina! Get it, girlie! I love full-circle moments, and I was all over this turn of events.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I thought this was a decent read. It definitely has its flaws, but I think it deserves a lot more credit, because without this debut, we never would’ve gotten the beloved Six of Crows duology. I think it’s a little unfair to this book to read the Six of Crows duology first just because this book pales in comparison, and most respect is lost for it. Despite the writing and tropes used, though, this book establishes the magic system of the Grishaverse and introduces us to the lands and politics between the countries of Ravka, Fjerda, and Shu Han. This book walked so the Six of Crows duology could run — and it deserves more credit for that!

What are your thoughts on Shadow and Bone, and the other books in the Grishaverse series? What are you favorite and least favorite parts of this book? What’s your favorite in the series? Favorite character? Did you enjoy the Netflix adaption of this series? Why, or why not? Share your thoughts below!