For once, I completely understand why everyone’s obsessed with this book.
Alina is a seemingly ordinary girl who serves in the nation’s first army as a mapmaker, adrift in a world torn by war, poverty and the Shadow Fold. When her regiment is tasked to cross the deadly Shadow Fold, a sea of land plagued by darkness and monsters, she discovers a power that could be the key to saving her world. She is whisked away from everything she knows to become a member of the Grisha, the magical beings who serve in the Second Army, and the mysterious Darkling. But she soon comes to find that true power comes at a cost, and that nobody can be trusted.
The Grishaverse has the most stunning world building I have come across in the YA fantasy genre in quite some time. Although learning the designations/powers of the different Grisha was a little confusing at first, I quickly became immersed in the world. There was a great balance between description and plot that made the story fast-paced, while also letting readers really get involved in the beauty of the land. I especially loved Alina’s time spent in the Little Palace and all of the little intricacies that were included there. The world is just totally unlike anything I have read before. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy fantasy set in Faerie and other familiar magical lands, but I really liked how original this book felt.

There were also some truly great characters. Alina starts off as naive and shy, but I can already see the beginnings of her growth/arc, and I’m so excited to se where that goes. Seeing her relationship with Mal play out was really fun, and I’m glad there wasn’t any insta-love (I’m sorry, but I’m a bit sick of the trope at this point). By far my favorite character though was Genya. What’s not to love? She’s strong, fierce, and adds some great drama with the other Grisha girls. And then, of course, The Darkling. I don’t usually swoon over fictional characters, but there was something really, really magnetic about him. Bardugo did a great job of making me feel the same magical pull that Alina describes throughout the book.
I did get a little bored about two thirds of the way through when the setting switches, but I also think that it was a necessary evil for where the plot ended up. Because the rest of the book was so fast, it didn’t really bother me. And wow, that plot twist! Maybe I’m losing my touch, but I really didn’t see the first big one coming. The others were a little predictable, but getting one good twist is pretty good in my opinion.
I’m really glad I decided to read this when I did, because it has restored some of my faith in the fantasy genre after my last read. I highly recommend checking this one out, and will keep you guys posted on the rest of the series!
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4/5
Intended audience: Young Adult
Content warnings: mentions of sexual assault
Happy reading!
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Glad you enjoyed it! I can’t wait to read the rest of your reviews for this trilogy. Trust me, it gets better! 😊
And oh, don’t forget to read the rest of the Grishaverse novels, too! ❤️
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Thank you so much! I am currently on hold for the second book, I’m super excited (:
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I’m glad you liked it! When I read it, I wasn’t the biggest fan. I think I was just expecting more, but maybe I’ll give it another chance.
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Aww, I think part of what made me like it was that I had no clue what it was about going in, so everything was a surprise. I didn’t even read the blurb, I just knew booktwt loved it. I hope you liked/will like the rest of the series more!
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Ohh yeah that’s fair! I went into it thinking it was going to be my new favorite, and have a lot of Russian inspiration.
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Ahhhh I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
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It was so, so good!
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I’m so glad you liked it! I can’t wait for you to read Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising 🙂
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Yesss, I’m too excited!!
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I’ve had this on my TBR list for so long and I’m always afraid to pick it up because I don’t want to be disappointed after how hyped it’s been. I’m glad you enjoyed it! Your review has given me a little more confidence to pick this one up soon…
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Yay! I consider myself pretty picky, especially with fantasy because after a while it all seems the same. Although this one still had the “girl plucked from normalcy to be the most powerful person” trope I thought it did it well. And the world itself is worth reading about!
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I’ve heard so many people absolutely love this book and I’m excited to pick it up one day!!
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You definitely should!
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The Six of Crows duology also takes place in the Grishaverse and is also wonderful! Glad you enjoyed this 🙂
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I’ll read that as well, and thanks!
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have you read six of crows?! i personally think it’s better than the shadow and bone series. it’s so well written and one of the best books/series i’ve ever read
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I have not, but I’ve heard that before! It’s on my list (:
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I LOVED this series! The last book is so good too. I absolutely love the Russian themes to it, I felt it was a really unique background to the story. I haven’t read Six of Crows yet, however I did finally get a copy from the library.
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exactly!! everything about it just felt different in a good way
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This has been in my TBR for ages. Will have to try and read it this year!
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Yes, you def should!! And thank you for the tags (:
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Glad you enjoyed this one, and hope you like the rest of the series! Are you planning to read Six of Crows too? As good as the Grishaverse is, Six of Crows (set in the same world) is simply amazing!
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I am, and thank you! Hopefully I’ll love that one just as much
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I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I’m not the biggest fan of the Grisha trilogy, but I can see why you and so many people liked it.
However, I loved Six of Crows! I hope you enjoy the rest of the Grishaverse as much as this one.
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I love the theme of your blog,and the aesthetics,it looks so peaceful!
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Thank you so much!
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Glad you enjoyed it. I didn’t think much of Shadow and Bone to be honest (have a review on my blog about it too). I mostly just read it as an introduction to the world and Bardugo’s style as what I really want to get to is Six of Crows.
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That’s totally fair, tons of people like Six of Crows better
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This sounds like something I’ll definitely want to give a read sometime. You’ve got me curious about the world building and I want to find out more!
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You def should check it out!
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Excellent!
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I’m so happy you enjoyed this! It’s very different from Six of Crows but it is still an enjoyable read! And despite everything the Darkling is my fave 😂
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The book is on my tbr but I haven’t started reading it yet. Guess! I Will now!
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The theme of your blog is really good , love it !
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This sounds really interesting, I think I will give it a try. Such a good review!
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Thank you!
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