Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone is the first book in the Grisha Trilogy. The Grisha trilogy is a companion series to Six of Crows, therefore it takes place in the same world. Instead of taking place in Kerch and Fjerda, Shadow and Bone takes place in Ravka. In this world, some people are born with the ability to manipulate matter. These people are known as the Grisha. The Grisha divide themselves into categories based on their abilities. The Corporalki can manipulate the human body, either healing it or tearing it apart. The Etherealki can manipulate matter to control fire, water, or air. The Materialki can manipulate matter to make physical weapons and materials. In Ravka, Grisha are respected and feared. They are a part of Ravka’s military and make up the Second Army. In the middle of this warring country lies a large lake known as the Shadow Fold. The Shadow Fold divides the country and due to the fact that it full of lethal creature, the two halves of the country are prevented from trading safely. Only Alina Starkov has the power to destroy the Shadow Fold.
Alina Starkov is an interesting character. She is an orphan who grew up with her best friend Malyen Orestev (Mal). As an orphan she finds that Mal is the only home she had. She is ripped away from him and forced into the unfamiliar and luxurious world of the Grisha. Most of Alina’s problems stem from the boys in her life. One of her romances is reminiscent of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight (not in a good way), while another impedes her progress in developing her Grisha powers. Despite her romantic troubles, Alina proves to be a strong and resilient character. She is willing to fight for her beliefs and openly speaks her mind.
Shadow and Bone can be a difficult read, but a good one as well. The world of the Grisha Trilogy is drastically different from ours and the names don’t make things easy either. Most of the names are difficult to pronounce and unheard of in the English language. This makes starting the book and getting into the world difficult. If you persevere past it, you are greeted with a well-developed and interesting world. The story starts off slow, but picks up intrigue as the plot moves on. Midway through the book, the plot really starts to take off and Shadow and Bone transforms into a book that is impossible to put down. I give this 356 page book 4 stars.
Series Analysis
The Grisha Trilogy is a lovely series that tells the story of an orphan. This orphan girl discovered a power that was desired by many and lived a life of comfort until her world crumbled around her. The trilogy is full of action, magic, politics, and love. Goodreads gives the series an average of 4.12 while this site gives it an average of 4 stars.
The Grisha Trilogy
The Grisha Trilogy is the companion series to the Six of Crows series and focus on the Grisha. In this world, people are born with the ability to manipulate matter. The Grisha are divided into categories based on their abilities. The Corporalki can manipulate the human body, either healing it or tearing it apart. The Etherealki can manipulate matter to control fire, water, or air. The Materialki can manipulate matter to make physical weapons and materials. In Ravka, Grisha are respected, feared, and make up a part of Ravka's army, the Second Army.