Review: Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1)
by Leigh Bardugo
Published June 5th 2012
by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

Thoughts:
I just love reading about adventures set in fantastical exotic locations and the world of Ravka that was created by Leigh Bardugo is enchanting and darkly sinister at the same time. At its heart is the story of Alina; an orphaned girl who joined the army at a young age as mapmaker. Not much is known about her except that she is devoted to her childhood friend Mal who is also a soldier.

When their ship is attacked by the flesh-eating Volcra (a birdlike creature) and Mal's life is at stake, Alina unwittingly let out a power unbeknownst to her. Unceremoniously shipped off to hone her craft and inducted to the Grisha fold, Alina found herself caught in the middle of the politics of the royal castle when she befriended the beautiful Genya who is the Queen's handmaiden. At the same time, Alina unwittingly found herself attracted to the mysterious Grisha leader; the Darkling and struggling to control her powers which may be a way to free the whole kingdom of Ravka from the Shadow Fold. I just can't get enough of the different magical types of Grisha and each Grisha group is differentiated by the colours they wore. The Grisha is basically an elite group of people who have certain distinct magical powers and serve the King of Ravka.

What I love most about the book is the wonderful world building. And just when I thought the story is going one way, the writer threw a big twist near the end that made the whole story upside down. Seriously, so good!

I certainly can't wait for the next book as I have a feeling Alina will be more powerful in the future.This is without a doubt one of my best read this year.

Recommended for: fans of epic & high fantasy; Graceling and Bitterblue
Verdict: 5 stars.

In my Début Author &Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon