SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo was another reread from 2023. I originally read this novel so fast, I didn’t have much time to absorb details I could use while teaching my writing class. So I had to make this my second book for 2024, as my students are getting more involved in learning about editing their rough drafts and this was a great fit for what we were talking about.
There is a lot to be said about rereading books. The first time I read this novel, I was so immersed in the characters that I didn’t look at plot structure, word choice, or character development. It was all just amazing. However, as I’ve dived into Bardugo’s world a second time, I found many things to appreciate and critique.
Before we dive in, here is a reminder of how I rate my books (these will be on a scale of 1-10, 1 being low, 10 being high):
- Plot Structure: How well the story was put together.
- Character Development: Level of growth a character achieves and how well the author makes them feel “real.”
- Language: Level of swearing, innuendos, verbal abuse, and other triggers.
- Violence: Level of fight scenes and gore.
- Sexual Content: Level of physical intimacy.
Also, we can’t forget the disclaimers.
Disclaimer 1: The more I write, the more I critique books harder on plot structure and how the various elements work together. Thus my reviews reflect this. However, if you see a book appear on the blog, it’s because I enjoyed reading and thought you, as a fellow bookie, would enjoy it as well. As always, reading is subjective and what resonates with me may not resonate with you. And that’s OK! We’re in this to discover new books that are family appropriate and worth taking the time to read.
Disclaimer 2: This post contains affiliate links. There is no added cost to you, but if you choose to buy this book using the attached link below, I will earn a small commission for recommending it to you.
Let’s see how this book shakes out on my scorecard!
Book Description:
Discover the adventure that started it all and meet Alina, Mal, and the Darkling in Shadow and Bone from #1 bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo.
Soldier. Summoner. Saint.
Orphaned and expendable, Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first trek across the Shadow Fold—a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. But when her regiment is attacked, Alina unleashes dormant magic not even she knew she possessed.
Now Alina will enter a lavish world of royalty and intrigue as she trains with the Grisha, her country’s magical military elite—and falls under the spell of their notorious leader, the Darkling. He believes Alina can summon a force capable of destroying the Shadow Fold and reuniting their war-ravaged country, but only if she can master her untamed gift.
As the threat to the kingdom mounts and Alina unlocks the secrets of her past, she will make a dangerous discovery that could threaten all she loves and the very future of a nation.
Welcome to Ravka . . . a world of science and superstition where nothing is what it seems.
The Review:
With its first person point of view, we’re sucked immediately into this story and the dangers of the shadow fold. The imagery is vibrant and rich in historical details. In an interview I found, Bardugo states that the Grisha world has roots in Russian culture with its unique architecture and in the names of the people and places. It feels like a very old world, steeped in mystery, magic, and superstition.
I really enjoyed reading this story from Alina’s perspective and loved her witty commentary, comebacks, and flat out sarcasm. She’s stubborn as she learns to harness her power as the Sun Summoner, and a fun narrator to follow.
There is also a strong class distinction among the characters as well, which drives tension. The contrast between Alina’s two love interests only helps to fuel that class structure. On the one hand, we have Mal, Alina’s best friend and the one she’s loved for years. They were orphans together and have many shared experiences that come up as flashbacks throughout the book.
Then we have Alexander, or the Darkling. He is the ultimate in class, power, and wealth, while also carrying the sense of danger one would associate with swimming with sharks or playing with tigers. He brings out Alina’s gift as the Sun Summoner and gives her everything she could want. To top it off, the chemistry between Alina and Alexander is one of those head over heels types of romances that burn hot and quick.
This novel was very heavy on the romance side of things and much less on the action and adventure from about chapters 5-18. We spent a lot of time watching Alina grow in her abilities as she trains with the Grisha and her budding romance with the Darkling. We also see her struggle with her feelings between the two men, which is essential to love triangles like this.
I will say that a passionate kissing scene almost got carried away to a bedroom scene, and would have excluded it from my recommendation list. However, things don’t make it farther than the passionate kissing, (luckily) and I can still share this book with you.
One of my favorite lines from this novel comes from page 298, though for the sake of spoilers, I won’t share who says it.
“…don’t tell me we don’t belong together,” he said fiercely. He was very close now, and my heart was suddenly hammering in my chest. “I’m sorry it took me so long to see you, Alina. But I see you now.”
I loved this line because I feel like there are many times where we struggle to see the things closest to us for what they are. And may take until we are about to lose it to put things in perspective.
How I rate this book:
- Plot Structure: 8/10; While I devoured it on my first go around, I found the plot structure a little flat the second time. It didn’t have as much action as I usually like to see, as we spend a lot of time on how attracted Alina is to her love interests. Still good, and engaging to read, but more romance than I prefer.
- Character Development: 9/10; The characters were well developed. Their goals are clear and make you want to follow them on their journeys. The only issue I have is with Alina. She can be sulky when she doesn’t get her way, but it is balanced out by Mal’s personality of stoicism and natural instincts.
- Language: 3/10; There is very little swearing in this novel.
- Violence: 6/10; This book can get graphic with the gore descriptions, especially with the monsters called the Volcra, and the Darkling’s cool view of death.
- Sexual Content: 5/10; As I mentioned before, there is a passionate kissing scene that, in my mind, was getting carried away. There are also mentions of promiscuity in the shadows among other characters, but it is not in the forefront of the storyline.
This was a really fun read and one I would recommend if you love a bit of a horror vibe along with a love triangle, and characters not always being who they seem.
If you’re interested in checking out this book, you can find it HERE.
***Before you go, I need to provide a third disclaimer. I have not yet finished this series and cannot say whether or not they are worth reading, nor how much explicit content may be in them. If you choose to read the next two books in this series, proceed at your own risk.***
Have you read SHADOW AND BONE? If so, let me know in the comments what you thought. Also, if there are any books you would love to see reviewed here, you can send those recommendations to me through this form.
