Mini Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Shadow and Bone 
(The Grisha #1)

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Length: 416 pages

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co

Classification: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

Release Date: June 5, 2012

Source: e-book 

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.

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Oh my goodness. I devoured this book. I really enjoyed reading it and am so glad that I bought it!

I adore books that have maps in them. So I was really excited when I saw the map in this book.

• The characters are interesting and well developed. I became very engrossed in what would happen to these characters next. I needed to know more about their lives and their pasts. Alina is an awesome main character. I really enjoyed her character development and the interactions between her and The Darkling. (I LOVE The Darkling!) I am looking forward to finding out what happens to these characters next!
• Fascinating world building. I was a little confused by all The Grisha, but I really liked the guide at the beginning of the book, it really helped me understand better. All of the different kinds of Grisha is very interesting. And it definitely gets less confusing as the story progresses. 
•   I liked the story and it kept my attention. I did not want to put my book down. There were some parts that had some action.
• I was left wanting more. And was very happy to buy the following book in the series and looking forward to reading it. 

My Recommendation:

I highly recommend giving this book a read. I really enjoyed the captivating world-building and the amazing characters. This book is full of action and such an interesting plot. I can't wait to read the next one!

My Rating: