"The power was there, somewhere inside me, but I couldn't reach it, and I didn't know why." (Alina Starkov)
Shadow and Bone has been on my radar long before it's release, but two factors kept me away:
1)The hype.
2)Bad memories. I loaned this book to a friend and never saw it again.
But, I decided to put my doubts aside and give Shadow and Bone a try. And, yes, I'm very excited that I finally got to read one of Leigh Bardugo's works.
Alina, the main character of Shadow and Bone, is discovered to be a sun summoner, a rare type of Grisha, who has the power to destroy the Shadow Fold and save Ravka. Alina's heroic and sarcastic and gives as good as she gets, but she's also plagued with just the right amount of skepticism and self-doubt. Through her narrative, I was able to discover the Grisha world at the same pace that she does and share her fascination and wonder. However, Alina is fixated with beauty. She describes everyone around her to be full of attractiveness, but sees herself as plain and worthless.
Alina might be plain, but she has two potential love interests in Shadow and Bone, her chidlhood best friend, Mal, and one of the most powerful Grisha to ever live, The Darkling. Neither of them are suitable love interests. Mal's personality doesn't shine through. All I know about him is that he's a ladies man and a damn good tracker. Then, there's The Darkling, a very interesting character with loads of personality. He's powerful, dangerous and charismatic - a very well written villain.
The world-building is not quite up to fantasy novel standards, but I enjoy reading about it. I love books that incorporate elements of Russia and Russian History. But, the different types of ranking, power and clothing of The Grisha confuses me.
Usually, after reading the first book in a series, I rush to get my hands on the second, but this time, I don't feel an urge to read Siege and Storm. Shadow and Bone is a good book, but it's overhyped.
""Fine," he (The Darkling) said with a weary shrug. "Make me your villain.""