Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha Trilogy
Pages: 368
Genre: YA - Fantasy
Publisher:
Henry
Holt and Co.
Synopsis.
(Goodreads)
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.
REVIEW: 5
out of 5 stars
I was a bit hesitant about starting on Shadow and Bone, I am not a big fan of
high fantasy and unfortunately the synopsis didn’t immediately grab me but I am
so thankful I did read it because it was absolutely amazing.
Alina
Starkov and Malyen Oretsev are both orphans in
the land of Ravka a once great nation now torn in
two by the Shadow Fold, a place of darkness which is swarming with what is
known as volcra, ravenous, deadly creatures who flock the fold waiting to
attack.
Now
in the king’s army, Alina is a mapmaker and Mal a tracker and both about to
embark on a journey through the fold but when her regiment is attacked by the
savage volcra, Alina reveals a dormant power which marks her as a Sun Summoner
and a part of the magical elite, Grisha.
Alina
has not only saved her best friend but has been noticed by the powerful
Darkling who transports her to the little palace where she will learn to
harness her magical powers; it is something she struggles with and her
loneliness and feelings of not belonging is something that torments her.
What
a wonderful, magical journey we are taken on by Ms Bardugo; the world she has
created is truly fascinating; the characters come to life as do the
surroundings. The terms used were complex and I must admit I am still confused
by a few things, including the shadow fold and the intricacies surrounding the
palace life – it was overwhelming but enjoyable none the less.
Ms
Bardugo’s writing is superb and flowed beautifully, her story-telling is powerful,
the plot was solid and kept me engrossed from the very first to the last page; I
enjoyed the ominous, dark feel, the unknown and the many plot twists and turns.
I
adored Alina, who wasn’t a clichéd beauty with a personality that shone; she
had her strengths but also her fears – she was believable and I loved watching
her grow throughout the book and come into her own. She was upfront in her
thinking and with her words which I appreciated. Mal was initially oblivious to
Alina’s affections and I was a tad annoyed that he only seemed to notice her
once she was enamored by the darkling, I did enjoy the way he protected and
cared for her and I liked the banter between them.
I
really liked each of the secondary characters – Baghra was demanding but interesting,
Genya was a wonderful friend but I questioned her sincerity and I actually
thought the darkling was written to perfection, the mystery, power and intrigue
surrounding him bought him to life, I loved the scenes he shared with Alina.
Shadow and Bone is detailed, action packed, enthralling and has a
setting and a plot that is captivating. With what happened in the end, I am in
desperate need of book 2 which unfortunately will not be released until 2013
{argh}.
