03 July 2012

Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Book: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Pages: 358
Source: ALA
Links: Goodreads | Amazon

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.


REASONS WHY THIS BOOK WAS AWESOME:

  • Emotionally evoking read? YES.
    • Guys, this book made me feel the FEELS. I laughed at Alina's almost snarky, sarcastic humor, I felt my heart do TEN THOUSAND leaps during the steamy/cutesy times, I teared up (which is something that does NOT happen often) MANY times, and I had my heart pummeled and crushed into billions of pieces.
    • Oh yes, everyone, this book pulls many Cassie Clare-like tricks on you. Anyone read Clockwork Prince? Yeah, my heart was ripped out and stomped on as many times when I read CP. *sniffle* (And, I secretly enjoyed it but don't tell anyone that.) 
  •  ALINA. You awesome heroine, you!
    • Yes, that one word is a key aspect of why I loved this book so much! Far from those vapid ninnies YA books seem to call heroines nowadays, Alina was such a well written character. Realistic with a humorous voice, it was so so fun to read things from her perspective. 
    • The way she acted in her situations was so realistic. The whole time I was reading this I kept thinking, "OH! I WOULD DO THE SAME THING TOO!" I love it when I can relate to characters.
  • I actually ADORE this love triangle.
    • Well, it's not necessarily a love triangle, but I seriously could not stop myself from rooting for both guys! When you haven't picked a side because you're so TORN between the two, that... THAT is when you know that it's a good romance.
    • Pushing the two equally sexy men my heart pines for aside, I am so happy to say I hardly found any trace of instant love. The steamy scenes were practically BUILT on damn good  romantic tension, and the scenes where it made my heart go "AWWW!" were absolutely adorable and completely believable.
  • Pertaining to the love triangle up above, Mal and Darkling. ENOUGH SAID.
    • Well, I will say that each have their own attractive qualities which made me fall hard for both of them. The Darkling has more of this mysterious, infuriatingly sexy allure to him, while Mal's allure is just plain cute and charming.
  • THE WRITING. OH MY GOSH.
    • The prose in Shadow and Bone doesn't necessarily elicit the kind of vibe you get from elegant, beautiful writing, but more reminiscent to that of Suzanne Collins: engaging and compelling where it didn't let me go after I read the first sentence.
  •  Surprise, twists, and shocks, oh my!
    • Shadow and Bone definitely threw me in for a whirl. I practically did not see half of the things coming, and some of them were so shocking that it actually made my heart tear itself in half!
  •  This Russian inspired high fantasy KICKS BUTT.
    • Why does it kick one's arse? Well because of the world building! Filled with lavish descriptions and rich settings, Shadow and Bone was a book I wanted to take my time delving into. From the kefta to the kvas to the Grisha themselves, I loved every single aspect!

Point is? This book is like a sweet, sugary treat. I savored every last bit I could get out of it, and I cannot wait for more!





16 lovelies:

Gianne said...

GAHHHH! I need to read this sometime soon, it sounds so freakin' awesome :D Awesome review, I loved it ♥ :)

Gianne said...

This book sounds too good. Damn it why must I be a poor student? I will have this book in my life one day... Hopefully.

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Gianne said...

I love your review!! I came home yesterday from a trip and found my copy waiting on my desk. I can't wait to read it now!

Gianne said...

I'm so glad you loved Shadow and Bone! I mean, just thinking about the characters makes it sound AMAZING but also with the writing and how it made your heart pound! I seriously NEED to get this book soon! Ack! :)


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Gianne said...

Oh my gosh, Gianna! <3 I love your amazing review so much. You mentioned so many good points about this book, I'm itching to read this right now. Plus I can't stand peer pressure so I have to read this book soon! I also heard that the romance is amazing and Alina is such an awesome character. <3

Gorgeous review like always, Gianna! x)

Gianne said...

<333 THANK YOU. I actually thought I made it too long o-o (And I did, but there were so many good points to mention about this awesome book!) :) And pleeaseeeee, Hilda, please READ IT ASAP! You will lurve it, me knows it ;) Romance is uber good, hehe. It was my guilty pleasure of the book. THAT and the Darling. :D

Gianne said...

Thanks!! :) I hope you ah-dore it!

Gianne said...

Doesn't it?! And hopefully SOON, because you shouldn't miss out on this read. :)

Gianne said...

Did you get this lovely at ALA? :3 Because that's where I got mine! And shmankkkksss! <3

Gianne said...

Books that make you feel all kinds of emotion are undoubtedly the best! And what a heroine! I really really want to meet her now :D Yeah, love triangles are nothing new, but this one? Sounds like it'll be one of those epic ones *---* And the boys, oh my gosh, they seem totally hot! The world building and the Russian inspired theme make this book even more epic.


ONLY GOOD THINGS? This review is completely amazing! Well, I guess I'm off to buy this now. So glad you liked it that much! I'm expecting great things <3

Gianne said...

Hm... so i'm guessing you liked this book? ;) Haha! I'm SO happy to hear that you loved this one! I liked it a lot too. I also really loved Alina as well. She was definitely one of my favorite parts of the novel. It's always super awesome when books can evoke lots of emotion from you (like S&B and CP!). And when the protagonist is super relatable. :) Fabulous review, Gianna! <333 :)

Gianne said...

YEEEE, I ADORED this book. Shadow and Bone goodness. <3 <3 <3 And yay for Alina! :D She was just super kickass. >:3 Books that make me go "ADFHJFALGASJDKFH;" are made of win, so OF COURSE it's super awesome. XD

Thank you! :))

Gianne said...

Oh, Sophie, please please PLEASE MEET ALINA soon. You have to have to have to buy this one right NOW. You will love the hotness that is the boys in this book. :) <3

And YES only good things. >:D The only thing that's bad about this book is that it's secretly evil since it pummeled my heart into tiny bits and pieces >.> (AND THAT'S NOT EVEN BAD! ;D)

Gianne said...

I hardcore LOVED this book because of all the elements you described. I must admit that I much preferred the Darkling, though I it's pretty much impossible to forgive him now. Still, his character is amazing, evil or not, and I'm curious to see where his character arc goes.

Gianne said...

The Darkling is so swoonable, I swear to GOSH. <3 And I agree. D: I kind of fell apart after all those twists with him. >-<

Gianne said...

Ooh, I've been

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