Shadow & Bone [Review]

Stats:
#1 in Grisha series
258 Pages [Kindle]
Published 5 June 2012
ASIN: B007NKMQGQ


Synopsis:
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


My Thoughts:
Shadow and Bone started off a little shaky for me because Bardugo threw out a lot of names, places, and terminology that was way over my head. Once a few chapters went by, more of what was confusing was revealed. It ended up being a pretty good book. I nearly cried a couple times. Alina is a really likeable female lead IMO, although I'm sure she is the "weak lovesick girl" to most. I thought she was pretty badass. I'm really hoping to see more of Genya in the next books because I really really loved her. Overall, this is a must-read, but remember not to get discouraged when you first start out!


Previous Review:
Fallen by Lauren Kate {here}

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