The two of them separately are some of my favourite characters in YA fiction. Something else that truly sets Shadow and Bone aside is the characters – especially Alina and Mal. One you never, ever want to leave… Amazing. As if you aren't learning a new world at all, just rediscovering an old, beloved one. Yes, there are phrases you will need to learn but somehow it all just feels so… natural. The Grisha's personal background is just as rich – as are their mythologies and beliefs – although I really won't go into that as I will be talking forever! All I will say about the world is that it is just so easy to immerse yourself into. This is described by Leigh as 'fantasy that takes its inspiration from the aesthetics, culture, politics, and social structure of early 19th century Russia.' So basically although this series is set in an alternate world in old-timey Russia and has all the magic and fantasy you can possibly want, it also has more 'steampunk' themes, such as guns, cannons and magic described in quite a scientific way – referred to in Shadow and Bone as 'the Small Science,' for example, and explained as the Grisha's ability to manipulate matter.Ī Darkling quote – maybe the defining quote of the whole book…Composite: TheBookAddictedGirl I love the word Leigh used to describe the series: 'Tsarpunk'. This beautiful and unique world-building adds a whole other layer to the story and completely sets it apart from both paranormals and what people generally think of as 'high fantasy'. On top of that, of course, there is that delicious feel of Tsarist Russia as well. Well, let's just say I want to be a Grisha so very badly and leave it at that! Simply the idea of a Shadow Fold being created by an evil Grisha (magic-user), cutting the entire land of Ravka off from the rest of the world, is amazing.Īnd then there are the Grisha themselves. It has all the fantastical elements a reader could want, bringing to mind the richness of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, just without being nearly so heavy or hard to understand. Bardugo has created the most stunningly unique and beautiful world you can possibly imagine. I'm going I start with my favourite aspect of Shadow and Bone: the setting. When I read Shadow and Bone a year ago it completely took both my breath and my heart, along with all of my completely obsessive tendencies.

And, cherry on top of the cake, all the characters are so real – this is a fantasy book with true heart.

Even the brilliant castle image on the cover just screams Russia. It is full of luxurious dresses, lavish dances and courtly intrigue. Instead, we enter a wonderful rich and beautiful world inspired by 1800s Tsarist Russia. So imagine my excitement when I picked up Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo and discovered there were no elves, no bows, no England and no talking trees.

Shadow and bone by leigh bardugo