“The once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath near-impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh” (Goodreads, 2012).
First book in the series by Leigh Bardugo.
Orphaned at a young age, Alina Starkov always believed she was just another number in the army. All that changes when uncovering a power that opens her up to far more danger, violence, and privilege than she’d wanted.
Once she finds her feet, she discovers her only option is to flee the army’s protection. Opening herself up to more danger, Alina realises this was in the stars for her since she was a girl. Expect that she now needs to protect the world from upcoming destruction.
A stark reminder that war might gain freedom.
What does this book remind you of?
There’s plenty of Death and destruction. In some ways, it reminded me of the wars and the constant coverage on national news.
The one thing that stays with me, regardless of whether you’re one of the dead or a survivor. It’s a living horror. These are children wandering the streets, simply trying to make it to the next day.
“Unnatural darkness crawling with monsters” (Leigh Bardugo, 2012).
References
Goodreads (2012). Shadow and Bone #1. Shadow and Bone. Leigh Bardugo. Goodreads Choice Awards: Nominee for Readers’ Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2012). Alternative Cover Edition #1 Available at: goodreads.com/book/show/10194157-shadow-and-bone [Accessed 23rd July 2025].
Leigh Bardugo (2012). book. Shadow and Bone. Book One in the Shadow and Bone Trilogy. Available at: leighbardugo.com/book/shadow-and-bone/ [Accessed 23rd July 2025].