Another new Author for me this week with Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone, first book in The Shadow and Bone Trilogy. It appears I will be an avid reader of her work soon, her pace and word choice had me hooked in the first 8 pages. The world building was also well executed. I gave this book a 4/5 rating and intend to continue through the rest of the trilogy.
**Alert** Spoiler Alerts Below
I saw certain of people calling the main character and overall plot cliche, I personally related to her awkwardness, lonely childhood. I was also very fascinated by the magical system, and the plot of saving the world stood out for me among other issue with love triangles or whatnot.
In this first book, we are introduced to the country of Ravka with a dark past. The magical people in this world are called Grisha and are tested early in childhood to see if they display magical abilities. If they show abilities, they are sent to a particular school to hone their abilities. This magic system is based on them being capable of manipulating elements (air, water, fire, etc.).
They are also plagued by the Shadow Fold. A place of darkness with terrifying creatures that prowl the depths. Alina Starkov, our main character for this book, is an orphan and part of a regiment walking into the Shadow Fold. It separates Ravka from the sea and they must traverse it on a regular basis to receive shipments from other nations. The skiff Alina is stationed in is outfitted with a confutation of Grisha and warriors and attacked by Volcra shortly into their attempt across the Unsea.
During the attack, her best friend is injured and watching him almost die triggers her own rare Grisha mastery, the ability to summon Light. Her unknown summoning saves her friend and everyone else on the boat as it gives them a chance to escape back to shore. The volcra can’t withstand her light and fall back.
The Leader of the Grisha, The Second Army, takes control of her at this moment, forcing her to traverse back to their capital and well defended city, Os Alta and she is separated from Mal, her orphanage friend. While there, she is added to the school for training with the rest of the Grisha students. The Darkling attempts to seduce her, but one of her teachers, Baghra, inform her of a plot of deception by the Darkling to control her great power by use of a fabled amplifier.
With Baghra’s help, she is able to flea the castle grounds and flees west. Meanwhile, the Darkling sends her regiments of the army after her to bring her back. While she is fleeing, she is spotted by the Army and while running for her life, her and Ma, an exceptional tracker, l are reunited after many months apart. They discover he was tracking an ancient stag that would be her amplifier from the Darkling. They decide to track it together to beat the Darkling’s militia from killing it first.
During the long trek, they finally admit they love each other and Mal fienes this famous stag for her to kill. When they approach, she can’t end his life and grants him mercy. The Darkling and his forces appear, and he takes the stag as his own. They fashion a collar for the amplifier and she becomes enslaved to his will. After a long journey back, he forces her and Mal back into the Shadow Fold, forces her to keep the Volra at bay while he extends the death and destruction of the fold into further into other countries. The border towns are wiped form the map as his strategically placed ambassadors on the boat, what this.
His attempt to take control of not only Rakva but the neighboring nations with fear manipulation is slightly thwarted as Alina finally realizes her mercy for the stag’s life gives her claim to the amplifier. The Darkling throws Mal overboard into the Volcra, Alina breaks free and they escape together as she destroys the boat and they flee.
I definitely recommend this book for reading and excited to continue the rest of the series.