Review: Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo

Where I got it: Library
Rating: 4 stars  
Cover Rating: 5 stars (So pretty.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Page Count: 358 p.
Add it: Goodreads

Alina is not really good at many things. She's okay at some things though and that's always been alright with her. Then, while crossing the darkness of The Fold, her group is attacked and Alina discovers a power inside her she never knew she had. She's not sure what had happened until she's being whisked away and told that she is one of the Grisha and that she will be trained by the Darkling himself. This is not ideal for Alina, but she has no choice in the matter and if she cares about anyone at all, she will complete her training.

What a great fantasy. I really enjoyed it. Parts of it reminded me of The Bone Season and I really enjoyed that book too.

The Fold sounds terrifying and not like a place I would ever be willing to cross...unless I was making a run for it I suppose.

The Darkling was a hard character to read and I was very intrigued by him. Alina and Mal make a great team and I'm glad that they were both in this story. One without the other would have been less great. The three of these characters really work well together (well not really together, together) and play theirs roles. I can't wait to continue reading this series.

First Line:
"The Servants called them malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke's house like giggling phantoms, darting in and out of rooms, hiding in cupboards to eavesdrop, sneaking into the kitchen to steal the last of the summer peaches."

Favorite Line:
"When the tears came, he pulled me close and held me, until there was nothing left but ashes."