The first of three–“Shadow and Bone” was the showrunner for a phenomenal modern day trilogy. Leigh Budargo brings all of the excitement with fantasy, unnatural powers and a memorable cast of characters that are sure to leave an impression on the reader.
Released in late April of 2012, this book stayed in the shadows for an amount of time, then people quickly caught wind of this series. There are many that favored this book, but it truly gained traction in 2021, when the Netflix release was promised. This promise was delivered that very same year. Afterwards, the show became a hit, gaining more attention from the public than ever before.
However, all of the popularity of the series cannot be solely blamed on the relevance of the show. No, instead “Shadow and Bone” made its own mark among teen readers and the fantasy genre. The land is war torn and split between the shadow fold, a dangerous threat that cuts across the land harbors monsters intent on destroying lives. Despite this danger, it is necessary to cross the trench in order to survive.
A lot of memorable characters such as the protagonist, Alina Starkov, and The Darkling
have a certain allure as well. Both have two rare powers that could bring an end to everything, so long as it falls into the right hands. Other side characters such as Mal and Genya support the story as well with their characterization and unique powers. Together, the story comes together and forms a stellar cast that is sure to be memorized.
Alina’s journey through Ravka is rough on her mind and body, deceitful in her surroundings and dangerous to her and those around her. Alina is special and contains a power that she must learn to master, as well as survive the aftermath of the dark power.
Her journey continues on within three more books. There are other books present within this universe that tell an equally thrilling and beautiful story. “Six of Crows” is a phenomenal addition to the universe. Overall, there are a myriad of books for fans to enjoy and are highly recommended to newcomers as well. They will not be disappointed.
