Diksia.com - Shadow and Bone is a young adult fantasy novel by Leigh Bardugo, the first book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy. It tells the story of Alina Starkov, a teenage orphan who discovers she has a rare and powerful ability to summon light.
She is whisked away to the royal court, where she trains with the Grisha, the magical elite of Ravka, a war-torn kingdom inspired by Tsarist Russia.
There, she falls under the spell of the Darkling, the mysterious and charismatic leader of the Grisha, who has a dark plan for her and the fate of the world.
What is the Shadow and Bone trilogy?
The Shadow and Bone trilogy is a fantasy series that follows Alina’s journey as she tries to master her power, find her place in the world, and fight against the evil forces that threaten to destroy it. The trilogy consists of three books: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising.
The series is set in the Grishaverse, a fictional world where magic is divided into three orders: the Corporalki, who manipulate the body; the Etherealki, who manipulate the elements; and the Materialki, who manipulate matter. The Grisha are feared and revered by the common people, and are often used as weapons by the rulers of the different nations.
The main conflict of the series is the Shadow Fold, a swath of darkness that cuts Ravka in half, isolating it from the sea and its allies. The Shadow Fold is inhabited by volcra, monstrous creatures that prey on human flesh.
The Darkling, the most powerful Grisha of all, claims that he can destroy the Fold with Alina’s help, but his true intentions are far more sinister. Alina must decide who to trust, who to love, and who to fight, as she faces enemies and allies, secrets and lies, and the darkness within herself.
Why should you read Shadow and Bone?
Shadow and Bone is a captivating and immersive fantasy novel that will appeal to fans of adventure, romance, and magic. The novel features a rich and diverse cast of characters, each with their own personality, backstory, and motivation.
The novel also explores themes such as identity, belonging, loyalty, power, and sacrifice, as Alina struggles to balance her personal desires and her duty to the world. The novel is full of twists and turns, action and suspense, humor and heart, and a dash of romance that will keep you hooked until the end.
Shadow and Bone is also the basis for the Netflix adaptation, Shadow and Bone, which premiered in April 2021. The show combines the events and characters of the Shadow and Bone trilogy and the Six of Crows duology, another series by Leigh Bardugo set in the same world.
The show has received critical acclaim and positive reviews from fans and critics alike, praising its faithful adaptation, stunning visuals, diverse representation, and stellar cast.
How to read Shadow and Bone and the other Grishaverse books?
If you want to dive into the Grishaverse, you have several options on how to read the books. The simplest way is to read them in publication order, starting with the Shadow and Bone trilogy, then the Six of Crows duology, and then the King of Scars duology.
This way, you will follow the chronological order of the events and avoid spoilers. However, some readers prefer to read the Six of Crows duology before the Shadow and Bone trilogy, as they find it more engaging and accessible.
This way, you will miss some references and connections to the previous books, but you will still enjoy the story and the characters.
Alternatively, you can read the books in the order of the Netflix show, which is Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows, Siege and Storm, Crooked Kingdom, Ruin and Rising, and King of Scars.
This way, you will match the timeline and the perspective of the show, and get a deeper understanding of the plot and the characters.
No matter how you choose to read the books, you will surely be enchanted by the Grishaverse and its amazing stories. Shadow and Bone is a fantasy saga that shines bright, and you don’t want to miss it.
