Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #1) (Grishaverse, #1)

by Leigh Bardugo

[wyvernfriend]

Now I'm not all that familiar with Eastern European languages but the scattered words in this look a lot like Russian. It gives a feeling of otherwordliness about the story, Fantasy often uses Western European traditions and ideas so this is an interesting change. I also want her cloak from the UK edition. How cool is the embroidery on that cloak?

The Shadow Fold is slowly eating away at Ravka, it's a place of darkness and it changes what it touches. The country works at trying to fight the monsters it unleashes but it's a war of attrition and it's winning.

Alina was working in the mapping section of the army, she's ordinary, uneventful, nothing special, until one day in defence of her life she uses power and it changes everything. Suddenly she goes from orphan cannon fodder to unique magic uses on whom the world will change.

Mal is her friend, they grew up together and now they're seperated, she misses him and wonders if they will be able to reunite.

The Darkling is a man with secrets and power and he has plans, life will never be the same again and he is going to be pivotal in that change.

There were moments when this didn't quite work, but overall I found it a great read and the different culture and worldbuilding was interesting. I occasionally found the language to be a bit of a barrier but as well it was interesting to experience a different cultural source than the usual well trodden western European path.