Shadow & Bone

Wow.  This BOOK.  I'm not one who cares much for the first-person narratives, and despite that little fact, I seem to be reading more & more of them. . . *shrugs*  Anyway, THIS BOOK.  What an epic fantasy!  It has soooo many twisters, the characters are amazingly complex in their personalities, & the STORY WORLD.  Whoa.  I honestly think I'd still read it, even if it didn't have anything other than the creative & complex world building.

For starters, it's based off of old Russia.  *pauses for effect*  That culture has always intrigued me, and this story---the first in a trilogy---did not disappoint!

I will add there are some unnecessary negatives: foul language, for instance, including some sensuality (mostly implied), and oodles of violence & gore.  Read on for details.  But watch for SPOILERS if you do not wish to be spoiled.  ;D

Alina Starkov is certainly no angel---she's not perfect, but who is, really?  She grew up an orphan with her best friend Mal, & all their years they've stuck by each other through every trial & trouble life threw their way.  Now she comes into a great power, and it's not so much the how to use it, but her journey in discovering what to use it for.  Herself?  The Darkling?  Her country?  Her friends?

At one point, we are introduced to the Fold, basically a seam of pure darkness & terror ripping through the country of Ravka.  It's nigh impossible to cross---though it can be done, it's usually at a high cost of lives.  Another name for it is the Unsea, because it's a sea of sand & horrifying flying creatures who'd like nothing more than to kill & maim you for their dinners.

We witness boy is taken by the winged monsters & never seen again.  Another boy is slashed across the chest.

A horse-drawn coach is ambushed.  To the horror of those inside, we hear the thud of a guard's body as he is thrown against the side of the carriage, smearing blood on the window.  Another man's body is literally severed in half before a character.

Lots & lots of blood & gore.  People are beaten, bruised, cut, slashed, etc. etc.  Not to mention the country is on its way to a civil war. . .

A man known as the Apparat is the king's adviser & the country's priest.  Not exactly sure a deity is served, but he certainly serves something. . . It was a little unclear. . .  And kinda creepy.  O_o

People who are born with special abilities, based off of elements such as wind, fire, water, etc. (known as Summoners), as well as others like the Heartrenders (who can control a person's heart & blood), or Fabrikators (who can manipulate physical materials), are all known as Grisha, and are usually drafted into the Darkling's service in the Second Army, formed of all Grisha, and trained in their strengths & powers.

The Darkling's power is exactly what his name implies: darkness, which takes on the form of wispy black smoke, and the like. . .

[SPOILER] A character comes into her power as the Sun Summoner---she can summon pure light with her fingertips & command waves of it to overwhelm the surrounding area or blast monsters with streaks of light.

At least three uses of "a--", one of "b----", "hell", & at least one of "bastard."

Characters drink an alcoholic beverage known as kvas, as well as champagne.  Mention of visiting taverns.

There are jokes of seducing Grisha girls & all that that entails. . .  It is known the king has his way with many servant girls. . .

The Darkling is drawn to Alina---and she to him, for that matter.  There's no mistaking how she feels attracted to him, though her heart is tied to Mal's.  The Darkling kisses her impulsively (it seems) by the lake---seeming to surprise himself even.  At one point, they kiss again, VERY* passionately, in an empty ballroom, and he later asks if he could "come to [her] tonight?". . .  They are interrupted by the passing sound of voices & she doesn't have the chance to answer.  Events take place & she isn't around to see if he actually does come to her room.

Mal & Alina talk about regrets---specifically Mal & the mistakes he's made, the girls he "tumbled", the stupid things he's done & said, etc.


*passionately, in the sense his hands are starting to explore her clothing & legs. . . No need for more detail.  But no worries! Nothing happens.

All told, this was a FANTASTIC ride.  And, at this point, I'm in the middle of the second book, which I will review in the coming weeks as well.

I enjoyed the snarky comments & personalities of the characters, and the whole "magic" system is extremely intriguing as well.  And, as mentioned earlier, THE STORY WORLD IS AMAZING.  To me, Alina felt like a real, definitely-not-perfect, relateable teen, with an impossibly heavy burden that she feels she must carry alone.  It's her journey through Ravka facing peer pressure, betrayals, horrifying monsters, lasting friendships, a rising darkness, & fear of her own power that serves to make her who she is.  She makes mistakes, for sure! But I think that's why I liked her character so much.

In this novel, there's an underlying message of fighting for a worthy cause.  And learning the distinction that one cause may seem worthy at first, but once investigated more deeply, could be discovered as something quite the opposite.  Humans are always searching for power, but once they find it, they only desire more.  If she's to save her country from the growing darkness & the evil lurking within it, Alina must learn to fight beyond herself.  

FOUR out of FIVE stars, due to some language & sensual content.