BOOK REVIEW: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

3.75/5⭐

"This is the truth of him, I thought as I squinted in the dazzling light. Like calls to like. This was his soul made flesh, the truth of him laid bare in the blazing sun, shorn of mystery and shadow. This was the truth behind the handsome face and the miraculous powers, the truth that was the dead and empty space between the stars, a wasteland peopled by frightened monsters."

With the Shadow and Bone series on Netflix starting in April, I decided to pick up the books and read them before I watch the series. I went into this with low expectations after seeing most people say that it's not the best book of the series and generally the books get better later on, so I was pleasantly surprised when I enjoyed it. There were a few parts where I felt it dragged quite a bit without anything interesting happening, but for the most part it was a decent read.

The book follows Alina Starkov who grew up in an orphanage with her best friend Malyen Oretsev. Years later they are both soldiers in the same army regiment on their way to cross the dangerous Shadow Fold, a section of land which is filled with darkness and evil monsters. While crossing it, their skiff is attacked and many are left injured or dead, causing Alina to unleash a magical power she never knew she had. From this point on, Alina's life changes completely. Could she change the world with her power?

I have very mixed feelings towards all the characters and I have to admit I am very disappointed in myself for my bad judge of character - even up until now I am in denial about the unexpected twists when it comes to a specific character and hoping they redeem themselves🖤😩😂🤦🏼‍♀️ #helpme

I love the world where this story takes place and love the world building in this book and found myself constantly paging back to the map of Ravka to see where the characters currently are.

I can not wait to start with Siege and Storm and to see how things play out.