Thursday, January 10, 2013

Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

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Shadow and Bone
By Leigh Bardugo
Source: The Library

Goodreads Summary: Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.


Review: Fantasy is, without a doubt, one of my favorite genres. When done well, it can take you out of your life and completely immerse you in another world. Unfortunately, as a fantasy, Shadow and Bone fell a little short for me. 

Maybe it's because I hold all YA fantasy up to the bar Kristin Cashore has set with her Graceling books, but the world-building in this book wasn't up to par. Alina's world is unique and fascinating, but I never felt as if I had complete understanding of the dynamics, though maybe that will be explored more in future books. In the beginning, I felt thrust into the world with no sense of direction, and it took me a while to work things out.

Alina was a strong protagonist, but I never felt completely connected to her. Other than an obvious change near the middle of the book, I didn't see much development from her. Many of the other characters felt flat to me, and I had trouble caring about them. The one character I almost immediately took to was Genya, a servant at the palace who Alina befriends. Their relationship was the only one that felt real to me. I thought the romantic relationships and sort-of-kind-of love triangle felt forced and awkward.

The pacing of this book is very well done. I was never bored, even when there wasn't anything especially exciting happening. Although, I'm someone who enjoys reading about palace drama and workings, which was a big part of this book. The first half seems very straightforward and predictable, but the second half is when everything really gets interesting. I didn't see the plot twist coming and was pleasantly surprised with the direction it went. This book really shines in the second half. 

Though it wasn't the best fantasy book I've read, I enjoyed Shadow and Bone and will probably pick up the sequel when it comes out. I enjoyed the plot, and I hope to see more world-building in the second book. 

3.5/5 Stars!

21 comments:

  1. I really, really liked this one when I first read it a few months ago, but I'm sure I'd have about the same reaction as you should I reread it now. And honestly, I don't remember much from it and I only read it a few months ago. o.O But I definitely agree about the relationship between Genya and Alina. I remember being very fond of their relationship. Glad you liked this overall, Taylor! I plan on getting an ARC of Siege and Storm soon; I hope I like it!

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    1. Thanks for your comment! It just didn't work for me, though a lot of people seem to really like it. I hope Siege and Storm is great!

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  2. Too bad you didn't enjoy it as much. I remember I saw this book around a lot last year but I didn't actually pick it up :P

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    1. If you have a long TBR pile (and I'm sure you do!), I wouldn't bother seeking it out, but it's not a bad book. Thanks for commenting!

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  3. I absolutely LOVED this book and thought it was one of the most creative books from last year too. Though I'm sorry to hear this book didn't work for you quite as much as it did for others . . . it's disappointing when that happens. Still, I hope you enjoy the sequel more which I'm really looking forward to reading. Great review!

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    1. I'm really glad you liked it! I'm looking forward to the sequel too, for sure.

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  4. This was one of my favorites last year. Fantasy is my favorite genre and I loved that things weren't at all predictable. I'm sorry that it just didn't work as well for you though. Sometimes that happens...

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    1. I really wanted to like it, something just didn't click for me. Thanks for the comment!

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  5. I keep seeing this book around everywhere, but I'm just not convinced it's a book for me. I'm glad to hear that even though it wasn't the book for you, there's twists that aren't so predictable--one of my reading pet peeves. This book is one of the books that sits in my "I want to read this. . . eventually" books.

    P.S.--Now following your blog, partially because of this review but also partially because I read your profile on the side that says you're a Professional Writing major, and there are so few of us! It just makes me happy to find another.

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  6. Fantasy is one of my favorites as well, and while I think I liked this one a little more than you (I gave it a 4), I can understand the points you mentioned. Speaking of fantasy, I STILL haven't read a Kristin Cashore book, even though I've owned both Graceling and Fire for three years now. How sad is that? I've even lent both of them to three of my friends, who loved them, and I STILL haven't gotten around to them! Lol. So many books, so little time, I guess!

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  7. Aww, sorry you didn't love this one, Taylor! I seem to have loved the things that didn't catch your attention :P Still, great review! It's nice to meet another fantasy fan even though I've only read Graceling so far of Kristin Cashore's novels... I'll get to Fire and Bitterblue, I swear! It's nice to meet you! <3 Thanks for the honest review.

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  8. You are SO spot-on with the genre of fantasy, Taylor! I love that magically-transported-to-another-world feeling that a well-written fantasy book provides as well. It's too bad that you couldn't connect with the protagonist though, but I'm glad to hear that it at least didn't bore you with uneven pacing. I've seen this one around but never actually read it myself. Lovely review!

    Vivian @ Vivaciously, Vivian

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    1. It's worth a shot if you enjoy fantasy, and a lot of people loved it. It just didn't work for me! Thanks for your comment!

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  9. I don't read a TON of fantasy, so I'm not sure how I'd feel about the world building. I haven't read the Graceling series yet (I know, *gasp*) but really hope to take on more fantasy books this year. :) Great review!

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    1. As I mentioned, fantasy is one of my favorite genres. I would definitely recommend reading Graceling, since you haven't yet! In my opinion, Fire and Bitterblue are even better, so you have a lot to look forward to :)

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  10. I loved this book so much when I read it last year. Fantasy is one of my favourite genres too ;) I also thought the pacing of the book was well-done. I was kept hooked to the story until the ending. Absolutely can't wait for Siege and Storm now!

    Awesome review, Taylor ♥ Glad you enjoyed it!

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  11. That's interesting - everyone seems to be raving over this one. Even though it fell a little short at least you still enjoyed it. I'm not a huge fan of the fantasy genre so these books are always hit or miss for me.

    Graceling is one of those books that I need to read one day (along with 100 others lol)

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  12. I know tons of people loved this one, and I enjoyed it when I read it, but it wasn't one of my favorites of the year. I definitely can understand your critical points, although I did enjoy the unusual love triangle. Lovely review, Taylor! Hopefully, you'll like the sequel more. :)

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  13. When I can't connect to the characters it really affects how much I like the book in general so I get your point. I really enjoyed this one and I was surprised because fantasy is not my favorite genre >.< Great review, muffin!

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  14. Fab review. I liked Alina but I see what you're saying about the lack of connection. I'm a fan of court intrigue and workings so I liked that too. And the Darkling...in his own special way.

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  15. It's a shame you didn't connect more with the characters but I'm glad that you still enjoyed this one overall. I've been wanting to read this one for a long time! Can't wait to compare notes :)

    Thanks for visiting me earlier. I'm a new follower via GFC!!

    Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows

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