Shadow and Bone // Book Review

I'm excited to say that I was sent another book by SocialBookCo, to review for you all!

SocialBookCo is a great website that features hundreds of brilliant books at affordable prices. They help bookworms like us to find the books we love at prices that we can afford from places such as Amazon, Waterstones, Book Depository and many other websites, all in one place. That way we can compare the prices and find the books that we want!

I'm a part of SocialBookCo's Book Review Programme, they send us books in exchange for our honest reviews. I love being a part of this programme, I highly recommend you guys join it!

SocialBookCo sent me Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, it is the first book in The Grisha trilogy. I fell in love with this book straight away.

At the end of this review you will find a link to SocialBookCo's website, where you can find this book at a fantastic price!

Let's get on with the review:

Title: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (The Grisha #1)

Format: Paperback

Pages: 308

Published by: Indigo

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Goodreads page here.

'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 book in The Grisha Trilogy, a popular series of books written by Leigh Bardugo. This book has been on my TBR (to be read) list for quite a long time now! After hearing many good reviews on it, I was desperate to read it. So, I was pretty excited to receive this book in the post. If you've been reading my blog for a while you'll know that I've been trying to read more fantasy books and this is one that I highly recommend.

I love the cover of this book, I swear purple books seem to be less common? It looks pretty good on my shelf! It also features what I think might be 'The Little Palace' on the cover. It has this whole mystical, magical feel about it.

This book follows a young girl called Alina, a girl that has always felt invisible and grew up in an orphanage with her best friend Mal. Alina and Mal live in Ravka, a place that has been at war for years. Little do they know that Alina might be the key for setting Ravka free.

“I'm sorry it took me so long to see you, Alina. But I see you now.”  

After leaving their beloved orphanage, both Alina and Mal join the First Army, they stick together throughout it all. It's when they get sent to travel through The Shadow Fold that Alina discovers she's more than an ordinary, unhappy orphan.

Alina is transported into a whole new world of luxury, where money is no object. She leaves behind her poor life in the army and becomes close to The Darkling, the most powerful man in Ravka. Only, he won't be the most powerful for much longer.

The Darkling plans to use Alina's powers to help Ravka, but no one believes Alina is strong enough. But is The Darkling all he seems to be or is there more to his mysterious personality?

“The Darkling slumped back in his chair. “Fine,” he said with a weary shrug. “Make me your villain.”  

This story isn't a fairytale, it's full of drama, magic, power and war. And let me tell you know, it's not all pretty dresses and fancy balls. It's quite the opposite.

“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”  

Alina grew up in an orphanage, she's a shy girl that has always felt a little bit different. But, with the help of her best friend Mal, she was able to live a playful, happy childhood. I loved watching Alina grow in this story, she started off as someone that never spoke up for themselves and stayed in the shadows. Slowly but surely, she grew into a powerful woman that didn't need someone there to look after her.

Mal went from being a weedy, naughty little kid to a handsome young man that girls constantly gawked at. He has always looked out for Alina and has never left her side, until she's taken away. This is when I found out that Mal is a genuinely lovely character, I feel like he deserved a lot more time in this book, I would've loved to have learnt more about him.

The Darkling is a very mysterious character. He's your typical tall, dark and handsome guy that everyone admires. But he has a dark side, hence the name. I really can't say I liked this character, he got on my nerves and you'll know why if you've read the book. Let's just say, he has multiple personalities.

I can't really put into words how much I enjoyed this book, from the very first page I was hooked. It was impossible to put down, it's full of drama, which I love! And I love the romances in this book, it made the story even more special.

It was a mysterious, magical and beautifully written novel. The descriptions were so poetic and well written, it was as if I was there. I really can't fault this book at all. I just wish it was longer!

This is the first book that I've read by Leigh Bardugo and it is most certainly not the last, I am definitely going to be carrying on with this series. The story was left on such a big cliff-hanger, I'm desperate to know what's going to happen next!

Overall, I have given this book a five out of five stars. A FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS! I rarely ever give books that good a rating!

If you haven't read this book, firstly, are you living under a rock? And secondly, I have a link for you to find this book at a great price! Remember, I only ever recommend books that I truly love!

Here is the link: http://www.socialbookco.com/book/9781780622262/shadow-and-bone?rid=243

And here is the link to SocialBookCo's awesome website: http://www.socialbookco.com/

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - This Savage Song by V.E. Schwab             

       

Have you read The Grisha Trilogy?

If so, did you enjoy it?

What is your favourite magical story?