The Gathering Dark/Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Title: The Gathering Dark/Shadow and Bone

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Series: Yes, trilogy.

Format: American Hardcover

Page Count: 358

Publisher: Henry Holt/Mac Teen/Macmillan Publishing

Age Range: 16+

Genre: High Fantasy/Young Adult/Mild Dystopia

Description on Goodreads:

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.

Shadow and Bone is the first installment in Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy.

Review:

I read this book last year, going into it blind; only knowing it was heavily based off Russia.

Here is the review I originally gave it on Goodreads:

I simply am in love. Just… wow. I did not have high hopes for this book; and it blew me away. The rating is 5/5 only because while I may have thought it was slow at first, the world building, getting to know everyone was well needed. I found myself expressing almost every possible emotion. Well done. I cannot wait to start Siege and Storm.

Almost a year later, I stand by this rating. While it was slow to start, I found myself absolutely loving the main character of Alina. She is 100% one of my favorite main character females from a fantasy novel.

I have TWO copies of this book, and plan on keeping BOTH. I have gifted people this book. I plan on gifting people this book even more.

I remember going into this, thinking I would hate it. It was, and STILL is a VEERRRRYYY hyped book. It’s been 3 years since it’s publication on June 5th 2012, and people STILL rave about it, and I am proud to be one of the people.

I love how well crafted all of the characters are, especially the Darkling. He was one of my favorite parts.He is the type of villian I like to see. The kind that is willing to do anything to get his way, even seduce, threaten and enslave his way to getting it.

Miss Bardugo has an amazing talent that I am very happy to have seen so far.

I have read half way through Siege and Storm,  but had to put it down a while ago due to complications. I plan on finishing it soon enough though.

You cannot understand my excitement for Six of Crows, hell! Even my other blogs, twitter, facebook, instagram is named that. I need to read that book.

My Rating: 5/5

Would I/Who would I recommend it (too): Instant answer? EVERYONE. Reasonable answer? Anyone who is a fan of great character crafting, world building and a story that may stand the test of time.

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10194157-shadow-and-bone

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