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Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone, #1)

Leigh Bardugo

Start date: March 1, 2022

Finish date: March 31, 2022

Discussion: BOTMs

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What Members Thought

Mar 04, 2021 AziaMinor rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: bad-ss-broads, physical-finished

Overall Rating : B

"There is something more powerful than any army. Something strong enough to topple kings, and even Darklings. Do you know what that thing is?"....."Faith."

description

I think the lesson we all should take from this is never trust a guy who's first name starts with "The" and is over 100 years old. It's just not sensible.

Really though a pretty good start to a series. Beautiful world with all it's culture and quirks. There was the dreaded love triangle(gag me!), but hopefully Alina get's her ...more

25 likes · Like · see review

Feb 26, 2021 akacya ❦ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audience-young-adult, disabled-authors, buddy-reads, genre-fantasy, format-physical, own

Although it’s only February, I think it’s safe to say this book will be one of my favorites for this year. This novel is reaching its ninth birthday, yet the concept remains fresh and exciting. So glad I finally get the hype! Can’t wait to read the others!!

8 likes · Like · see review

Nov 04, 2013 Tayla Potayta rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, 2014, books-i-own, autographed

what an amazing and stunning book. I am so happy I read this and I want to read the rest so badly!

(view spoiler) ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Dec 23, 2019 Michelle rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and very close to being a five star rating. The magic system was well thought out and yet still different enough from other books that it didn't feel done to death. The twist with the villain was just enough to make me do a double take without ruining the flow of the book. Here's hoping the rest of the series is just as good. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 14, 2017 Aarthika rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, romance

new review

Still holds up, although I think I enjoyed it much much more the first time around. I still love Genya, she's so cool. I have mixed feelings about the Darkling, I was starting to like him more now compared to my original reading where I liked Mal more... but I don't know what to make of him yet.

old review

I would like to thank Leigh Bardugo for writing this book that got me out of my reading slump. A reading slump that was almost an entire year long.

My thoughts before reading this b ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 06, 2018 Indira Wolf rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: just-whatever

*NO spoilers were harmed in the making of this review*

Hey guys, so I finished Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone, #1) by Leigh Bardugo. it was...well...I dont really know how to describe it. It had its highpoints and it had its lowpoints. At times it kept my intrigued, at times it didnt. At certain points there seemed to be a middle ground of me wanting to know what happens, but not caring too deeply for it. I guess what Im trying to say is that this novel had its moments, but other than that, it *NO spoilers were harmed in the making of this review*

Hey guys, so I finished Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone, #1) by Leigh Bardugo. it was...well...I dont really know how to describe it. It had its highpoints and it had its lowpoints. At times it kept my intrigued, at times it didnt. At certain points there seemed to be a middle ground of me wanting to know what happens, but not caring too deeply for it. I guess what Im trying to say is that this novel had its moments, but other than that, it was just kinda average, mediocre, alright. Though I have to say, the first part of the book was a whirlwind of intrigue. I was really hyped, and was starting to see why people liked this series. And then the second half just leveled out and fell from there. I was interested in the story, despite the sometimes longish chapters and lengthy, lengthy page space dedicated to detailing a freaking room. I liked the main character alright, Alina. She was average, knew who she was, flaws and all. Until she didn't. Then she kinda of...struggled to find herself again. Recreate herself as a person that could make it in the reality that she had been thrown into. Throughout the entire book she struggled with her thoughts about the world that she had come to know, and the man. The leader of them all. The Darkling. *sighs* That Darkling....I have to admit, like Alina, i was too, captivated by his easy yet intricate disposition. I had high hopes for this one....and then everything goes to shet. That second half of the book...ugh. To be honest, I have never been particularly fond of long travel scenes. Now some authors know how to make it fun and enjoyable. and some just drag it along, where there seems to be no end. I am sorry to say that in my opinion, Bardugo was the latter. So yes, I was kinda bored during those chapters and just skimmed, didn't seem like I was missing much action anyway. Sure, I probably missed maybe some important details, but eh. Who cares, I sure don't. Then things sorta picked up the pace, then the end. Now, I do have to admit, the end was slightly thrilling. Not sure if that's just because my attention was on the villain, or on the power of the hero. Guess I won't entirely decide for sure. All in all, the book just kinda flew by and was just...alright. I mean, I didn't really read too deep into the story, so I don't know If i am missing out on something that I didn't grasp to the plotline or what. Or maybe this book just wasn't entirely my forte. I cant really come to a proper conclusion. I guess I'll say that I do not regret reading this book and getting a feel for this Darkling, but I doubt I'll seek out the rest of the books in this series. Now, take my opinion for what it is worth. Feel free to read the book and form your own! If anyone has any comments or questions, drop em below. Alright, till next time. Bye. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 19, 2021 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

Shelves: owned, audiobook, 2023-reads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 28, 2025 Jess Penhallow rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own-ebook

Yes I'm reading a hyped book a decade late once again! This was extremely, endearingly YA to the point that I was smiling to myself throughout. Not the strongest plot or characters, next to no world building, but it doesn't matter, it was quick and engaging and I enjoyed it. Big credit goes to having an actual female friendship between the protagonist and an attractive and confident woman who she is not jealous of or in competition with. More Genya in the rest of the series please! Will I contin ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 06, 2012 Shelley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: on-my-nook

A timeless fantasy for young adults! I have to admit that I loved this book. I am always pleased with a nice change from the vampire/werewolf novels which we have been suffocated with since the popularity of the Twilight series. This book had many different 'otherworldly creatures' which I was unfamiliar with and I love that in a book. It also had the whole quest element which I have longed for for quiet some time.

Alina and Mal are two orphans who have grown up together in a war-torn land. Durin ...more

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Jul 10, 2022 Mariam Eloui rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, beautiful-cover

This book was really good...Not in a way that blew me away and I'm honestly glad it was a light read. I've read some really heavy fantasy books and sometimes it got a little boring or so dark at the end of the series. But this book was just right.
There were a lot of key elements that I liked. Alina and Mal were okay but I'm glad they developed by the end. The grisha were interesting.
I finished the book fast. The pace was really good. The world building wasn't just information dumping but sl ...more

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Aug 14, 2021 MK rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, read-2021, purple-book-club

This book had such a great first couple of chapters. I fell in love with the prologue, was intrigued by the shadow fold. I thought I was really going to love it (even if YA is not usually my thing). But then, our inciting incident went down and the entire tone shifted. I was suddenly in a book of badly formulated romances, court divas, and a protagonist that is "unlike other girls." Bardugo knew how to hook me but then when the YA tropes started coming out, I grew bored. I will probably finish t ...more

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Nov 07, 2019 Jeanna Smith rated it it was amazing

Loved this! It was so short though. I couldn't believe I finished it so fast. It was a very interesting world with great characters. That I can't wait to hear more about. ...more

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Sep 16, 2018 Meghan rated it really liked it

I really struggled reading the first part of this book but I am glad that I pushed through it and made it to the end. I ended up liking the book so much that I will continue reading the trilogy.

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