Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (Book One of The Grisha Trilogy)
The Lone Star Reading List 2013
Which readers? 12 and up
Goodreads rating - 5 stars
Author's website: Leigh Bardugo

This book starts with a beautiful map (drawn by Keith Thompson) that sets the tone for this Russian-esque story. It is not only a lovely drawing, but it is quite helpful in understanding the adventure.



Leigh Bardugo creates a lavish world full of magic, monsters, and good vs. evil in this fantastical tale. Alina is an orphan who has never quite felt like she belonged anywhere. She grew up with another orphan, Mal, and their bond is tested as they both try to make their way in the world. When it is discovered quite by accident during a terrifying attack that Alina has magical powers, she is whisked away to the palace by mysterious and handsome Darkling for her safety and for training....but is The Darkling really her savior? And Alina has not seen Mal since the attack. What has become of him?

I must admit that I am not a huge fantasy reader. Sometimes I can get bogged down in all the strange names and unexpected parameters of these worlds, but I really enjoyed this book. It is not High Fantasy, and Bardugo does an excellent job of making it accessible to a new or reluctant fantasy reader.

This book has richly imagined characters and setting, and there are many fansites and artwork devoted to readers' visions of Ravka and its inhabitants. The triangle created by the relationship between Alina, Mal, and The Darkling provides and abundance of material and possibilities! The next book in this trilogy comes out in June 2013.

Fan Sites/Blog Posts:
This blog has fantastic photos/artwork for what the characters might look like.

Great picture collage on this Tumblr site.

I love this "fauxto" of Alina in her antler collar. You'll have to read the book to understand!

Grisha Fan Site

Leigh Bardugo is in the middle of a Blog Tour, and you can find the dates and blogs here!

The cover of the next book in the trilogy coming out in May: