Alina thought she was just an orphan with no special talents, but then she got told she had the power to save the world.
By Gianna Liantonio
The novel Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo was published in 2012 and the first in a three-book series, which also got adapted into a show on Netflix.
Alina Starkov was an orphan who grew up in Karamzin with her best friend Mal. At a young age, they got tested to see if they were Grisha: people born with special abilities. They didn’t have any, but got recruited for the First Army, who serve as Ravka’s non-magical army. Alina is a cartographer while Mal is one of the best trackers in the army.
Alina thought there was nothing special about her, but then they took a trip across The Fold; a big black sea of darkness infested with Volcra, winged monsters who attack anyone that would step foot in it.
Mal got attacked and she put her body over him as a shield. An unexplainable bright light consumed them, which stopped the Volcra from attacking.
From then, they were asked to see The Darkling, the most powerful being in Ravka. Alina found out she was the first and only known Sun Summoner and in fact Grisha. She got swept away to The Little Palace, where she got trained to prepare to destroy The Fold and bring peace to the kingdom.
Bardugo is an expert world builder. I was hooked from the first page. The world of Grisha was so unique, with the character names, place names and everyone’s unique abilities.
Genya was a Grisha who became Alina’s only friend when everything confused her and she felt like she didn’t belong.
However, when Alina found out the real reason she was brought to the palace, she made a drastic decision that could risk everything.
I really liked the characterization of everyone, especially The Darkling. He was such a complex character where I wasn’t sure whether to trust him or not. He had a presence that was frightening yet I was captivated everytime he appeared.
Grisha were interesting characters. They seemed pompous and arrogant due to their innate abilities. However, some had depth and weren’t as callous as others made them out to be. Genya proved Alina wrong of any stereotypes she had heard about Grisha, and was surprised that she was the only genuine friend she had at the palace.
I felt the adjustment from Alina being in the army to the palace was very well written. We saw her uncertainty and doubt, where she felt like an imposter. She was told she was a savior of the world when all she had known prior was the art of drawing maps.
I loved Mal and Alina’s relationship, and how their bond never changed even when they got older. They always remembered how they grew up and never betrayed each other.
I was not disappointed how it ended and I can’t wait to see how the whole story unfolded.
I don’t know why it took me so long to pick up this book, but I’m so happy I did. I can’t wait to buy the rest of the series and read the other books she has written. She is an excellent storyteller with a gift of bringing worlds to life.
If you were ever doubtful of picking up this book, this is your sign to go get it!
