Review: Shadow and Bone Trilogy
To be honest this book was literally hanging on the tail of my tbr but after finding out that Ben Barnes was in it, my mind just said, fuck everything, WE ARE GOING TO READ THIS. I have full on plans on watching the show because BEN FRICKING BARNES. I've been in love with him ever since I saw him as Dorian and Prince Caspian and he fits that morally grey MC role so well, And to think that he's a total fluff ball in personality makes me smile giddy af. I mean, LOOK AT THIS MAN.
1. BOOK ONE: SHADOW AND BONE
With the rate that I am progressing, it could be May and I still wouldn't be done with my physical tbr. Like it's so stressful with the 10 hour study routine and all. I mean, I am being driven crazy solely to pass in exams/ Today was the Bengali new year so I finally sat my ass down to finish reading the book and whew, no one was there to disturb me. And it was so fricking hot, like I AM MELTING.
Shadow, Soldier, Summoner, Saint. Alina Starkov is an orphan who's been forced to work for the army. After her friend dies in the Fold, and in an attempt to protect her childhood friend Mal, Alina unleashes a power that she didn't even know she had. Thrust into the power of the Grisha, Alina is now thought to be the only thing that could perhaps bring hope to the people of Ravka and the Darkling. But apparently, the Darkling has other stuff planned.
QUICK THOUGHTS AND REVIEW: 4/5, I REALLY ENJOYED IT NOT GONNA LIE.
WHAT DID I FEEL ABOUT THE BOOK'S:
1. Writing Quality: In the terms of writing quality, I will say that I am impressed, because first of all, it has no drag [man I mentioned this term after so long], and second of all, vibes. Fantasy vibes. Plus, I do kind of like how the book does have this mysterious ish air all around it. Though I really do not like how the entire book is written in first POV, while the prologue [here, BEFORE] and epilogue [here AFTER] are written in third POV. I do not prefer this switch of narration to be honest.
2. Image/ Illustration Quality: I've been following the show along with the book because BEN BARNES is in it. Personally, I just think the show gained fame because of the effing perfect casting. So it did make sort of sense to the illustration and all. I think the show's partly responsible.
3. Character Development: Alina's dumb, I'll give her that. Well, to be honest, I am rooting for Darkling. Because he's hot. Bruh you guys could take a shot every time I say 'Ben Barnes' and black out because I'll say it a lot of times and ain't no bitch gon' stop me. But surely, we can get out of talking about the show for a while. I do enjoy how Alina has that "ain't no man stopping me from getting what I want" thought process, but the way that she pines behind Mal is simply pathetic and stereotypical in my opinion. It's a really annoying trait that she possesses in my opinion and it does kind of anger me because it has the pick me girl attitude as well. "I'm not like other girls", and yet you end up doing the very thing other girls do. No, that, my dearie, is unacceptable. She's really a good character but she does seem a bit foolish to me. And it's not like I can defend her saying, 'she's a teen, teens do dumb stuff'. Sadge.
4. Couldn't put it down- Ness: 8/10,Been a while since I gave a book an 8/10, or it might be the first one to get an 8. I don't remember to be honest, it's kind of hard to remember. Plus I've been remembering so much I am beginning to forget stuff. Normal Stuff, so eh.
5. Plot Twists: There aren't really any plot twists for that matter or if any, they actually failed to surprise me. Or maybe because I have been spoiled by the internet so much that I actually knew what was coming? Anyways, the thing is that it did seem really predictable especially after Baghra let Alina know of the Darkling's true intentions because you know, villain.
6. Plot: As much as I like the plot, like the plot twist, it is really predictable. Some of my friends from the writing server as well as from my book club server did say that Shadow and Bone is not one of THE best Leigh Bardugo's work but I still wanted to try it out before I touched Six of Crows. It's just a habit of just wanting to read the predecessor before the successor [I am not making any sense here] so that I can actually get accustomed to the whole universe I guess.
OVERALL, AN OKAY READ, Let's see what Siege and Storm has to offer
2. BOOK TWO: SIEGE AND STORM
Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.
The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her—or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.
The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her—or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.
QUICK THOUGHTS AND REVIEW: 4.2/5, MUCH BETTER THAN THE FIRST BOOK IF I MAY SAY SO.
WHAT DID I FEEL ABOUT THE BOOK'S:
1. Writing Quality: The writing quality does get a tiny bit better than Shadow and Bone and I think it has done a much better job than in the previous book. The fantasy vibes are still there but you know something has changed around it. It's a very subtle and smart change of course and I am kind of glad that this change is brought around in the style of storytelling because books being the same type in a series is kind of boring to me. Where Shadow and Bone was all about worldbuilding, Siege and Storm was more about action and movement.
2. Image/ Illustration Quality: Due to the good amount of worldbuilding in Shadow and Bone, it does seem a bit easier to imagine most of the stuff. If anyone has noticed the map that they have in the beginning of the book, one can see that it has expanded comparatively and shows us more about the Grisha land. But I am partly disappointed in it because I think while there is good worldbuilding, I think there were places where things should have been explained more or brought about more.
3. Character Development: Nikolai Lantsov. I WILL LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR THIS MAN. I mean, I just love how he is. He's strong, brave, stubborn, smart, loyal, handsome and not to count, funny. He has this wayward and carefree style about himself that I dig, like that "do harm and take no shit" vibes when he is a privateer and goes to "do no harm but take no shit" when he's a royal. He does have this regal attitude around him once its found out that he is a prince and I just feel like it adds to his charm. Nikolai Lantsov is a charming man and I have fallen to his charms. Man I miss Nikolai so much.
The dynamic between Nikolai and Alina sparked more chemistry than I actually thought it initially would, even though not as much as the chemistry between Alina and The Darkling. I know what the Darkling has done and I know that he is the villain but I haven't been able to stop loving that guy. But yeah Alina and Nikolai would have made a very powerful and great couple compared to Alina and Mal. Because I simply do not like Mal. He never once looked upon Alina before and now when she's strong and has connections and is famous, now that he looks upon her. NOT TO SAY HE ABANDONED HER IN HER WORST. I want to hit Mal for that because my girl Alina does not deserve that. And yet Alina goes back to Mal, it's disappointing as fuck.
Tolya and Tamar though, I love them so much. They're just so adorable. Even though they're deadly as fuck, I jus can't help but think of them as adorable.
I'll murder Vasily in his sleep.
4. Couldn't put it down- Ness: 7/10. I guess that should explain.
5. Plot Twists: The fact that this book failed to provide any plot twists for me again, just makes me feel sad. Like isn't there gonna be a single plot twist in a fantasy book. Only the fact that Strumhond was Nikolai and the fact that Nikolai was a prince was the only decent plot twist that actually made sense in the book because I wasn't able to be surprised at any other plot twist.
6. Plot: I do love the plot this time because there is a reason, there is an action that takes place and it gives a sense of dynamic to the whole book itself. It is predictable all the same, but it does give me a sense of relief to see a change of scenery and knowing all the more about the Grisha.
OVERALL, A NICE READ, kind of wondering what Ruin and Rising has in store for me.
3. BOOK THREE: RUIN AND RISING
Finally my school exams are over and now I ain't no longer a school student, which does kind of give me a sense of independence to be honest. Because first of all, I can read all I want with no restrictions whatsoever, and second of all, I can blog all I want with no restrictions whatsoever. Been a while since I've been so carefree about my life.
The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.
Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.
Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.
Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.
Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.
Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.
Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.
QUICK THOUGHTS AND REVIEW: 3.7/5, SAME VIBES AS SEIGE AND STORM, NOTHING NEW.
WHAT DID I FEEL ABOUT THE BOOK'S:
1. Writing Quality: The writing gave me the same vibes as Siege and Storm which kind of feels dragged out considering that the Firebird was mentioned like in the half of that book, and the quest for it continues into the third book. I kind of feel like that this could have been shortened while the hunt for Rusalye could have been a better plot point. I just feel like the hunt for the firebird and finding that it's not the amplifier does not make the journey worth it, at all. Not by a single bit.
2. Character Development: Mal finally developing into a character that I might consider not hating. Sheish, now that would be something wouldn't it? Yeah it is. I do like Mal's character this time because he finally sees reason and accepts Alina as she is. And he dies for Alina so that's a plus point.
I missed Nikolai. I fricking missed Nikolai throughout the latter half of the book and when he returns back to his human form in the end, it just makes me break my heart even more. Alina turning down Nikolai was actually extremely immensely heartbreaking for me because Nikolai just laid down his life and everything he had loved and risked everything for her more than enough times and she just heartlessly rejected him. Just like Mal did to her and yet Alina chose Mal. The only time I agreed with Mal was when he agreed to die for Alina. I think I hate Mal just because Alina chose him over the Darkling but eh.
Now coming to the Darkling. I do think that, like Nikolai, he was actually in love with her. Having been alone for so long, he had lost touch with the things that made him human. He finally saw Alina as a means of hope because maybe he saw another one like him and thought maybe he could finally be with a companion and get rid of the loneliness. Poor Darkling though. The scene of his death broke me entirely. I know I will go into full on hysterics the moment I see Ben Barnes in that scene being carried out.
3. Couldn't put it down- Ness: 6/10, the vibes are the same as Siege and Storm, nothing much to say.
4. Plot Twists: This book is unpredictable compared to the other two, so that's a relief. The fact that Alina had taken shelter at the Apparat's was the first thing that struck me as a plot twist. Though there aren't any substantial plot twists, the change in circumstances and situations were enough of a plot twist for me at this point because I knew I wouldn't get any of them anymore.
5. Plot: The lack of plot in the final book just makes me sad. While it was interesting and I love how the story has panned out, it just makes me sad that the plot wasn't worked upon that well. It's a single unanimous plot that runs throughout the whole of the book, but it feels like that it would have done well if certain aspects of the book were worked upon better. Like the Apparat Arc or the Baghra arc, both of them would have been better if they'd been worked upon more.
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