SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo

“Criminal prodigy, Kaz Brekker has been offered a chance at a deadly heist: break into the Ice Court – a military stronghold that has never been breached – and retrieve a hostage whole knowledge could change Grisha magic forever. To succeed would mean riches beyond Kaz’s wildest dreams, but he can’t pull it off alone… A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Together they might just be unstoppable – if they don’t kill each other first.”

What is the book about?

Kaz Brekker, leader of the notorious Dregs gang, has been offered the chance to make 30 million kruge by committing a deadly heist and breaking into the most secure location in the world. He and his band of misfits and criminals must break into the Ice Court in Fjerda (a military stronghold that has never been breached) and retrieve a hostage who holds the knowledge that could destroy the world and amplify and transform Grisha magic into something that no one ever thought possible. Kaz’s team seem like an unlikely group, but each have something they want and need more than anything else: money and revenge. A convict that wants nothing more than a chance at revenge from the person that put him in prison, a sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager and is in extreme debt, a runaway with a privileged past and an embarrassing secret, a spy, killer and skilled acrobat known as the Wraith, a Heartrender using her deadly magic to survive the slums and keep herself from being turned into a slave or worse, and a thief with the gift of virtually impossible escapes. This group of dangerous outcasts may be unstoppable, if they ever get past their differences before they kill each other and ruin their chance at riches beyond their wildest imagination.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After reading the Shadow and Bone trilogy I had incredibly high hopes for the Six of Crows duology. I was so impressed with Leigh Bardugo’s incredible writing and world building and was confident in my belief that Six of Crows was going to be just as incredible. In fact my expectations were probably very unrealistic due to the fact that Six of Crows was set in the same world, just a different country, and my friend’s opinion that the Six of Crows series was better than the Shadow and Bone one. Reading the blurb did nothing other than raising my excitement and soon I was itching to begin reading. Once I started the book I was completely blown away and soon I realised that my expectations had been more than just reached, they had been exceeded. As soon as I got used to the new characters and the third person perspective I was racing through the book, hoping and dreading reaching the ending. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

In this book I found it very easy to live every single character. Six of Crows was told from the perspectives of 5 of the 6 main characters and hearing from each of them made me see that they each had some secret that meant that their negative qualities could easily be ignored because there were reasons behind them. This meant that choosing a favourite character proved very difficult because I liked each of the characters for different reasons. However, I think my favourite character would have to be either Inej or Nina. Both girls were very different in the way that they tackled things and their attitude and skills. However, the main thing that I liked about them was that they were willing to risk everything to protect and help their friends. The both risked a lot to be able to get their friends out of a huge mess, but there was never a doubt in their minds who they were doing it for and they never thought once that maybe it wasn’t worth helping their friends. I particularly loved the two girls and their own bond. They were both Ravkan and had been taken from their homes and forced to live a life they wouldn’t have chosen, but somehow they managed to thrive in Kerch and make a friendship worth fighting for. I am really excited to read Crooked Kingdom and see how their friendship develops. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book wasn’t hard to choose because I had been waiting for it since the very start when the two characters were introduced.  I had noticed the romantic dynamic between Nina and Matthias since the very beginning of the book and was just so glad to see the enemies to lovers trope, which I seriously missed and didn’t think I would get to such a great depth as in the Cruel Prince. However, when Nina and Matthias appeared on the page – a Grisha and a drüskelle (a hunter of Grisha) – and had been desperate to discover what had happened between them and if there was any way they could get past it. And then came my favourite part of the book: when they finally stopped being idiots and accepted that they were made for each other and no matter how hard they tried they would never be able to run from the feelings they felt for each other. I loved this and now I’m just waiting for Inej and Kaz to do the same in Crooked Kingdom.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Six of Crows was an amazing book and it exceeded my expectations more than I thought was possible. One of the things I loved about the book was the amazing world building and plot. I was so glad to continue in the world that Leigh Bardugo had created in the Shadow and Bone trilogy and I actually loved that I got to see a whole different country. I think it really expanded my view of the Grishaverse and just made the whole book come alive more easily. The plot was also so much better than I had anticipated. It was very different to the Shadow and Bone books, but it still worked so well and I think I actually enjoyed it a lot more as I loved the contrast between all the characters and the interesting mix they were and yet how powerful they were together. It was a very tense plot full of twists and turns and no matter how much I hoped their crazy plan would work, nothing happened as it should and they had to change so much and improvise. It was exhilarating and I was always on the edge of my seat unable to put it down. Another thing that I also surprisingly enjoyed was the different characters and their points of view. Initially I had been worried I wouldn’t like the new characters or find it hard to adjust due to how much I had loved the characters in the Shadow and Bone trilogy. However I adored all the characters and found the switching perspective refreshing – and the plot definitely wouldn’t have worked without the different characters telling their parts of the story (as they characters did split up quite often). I also loved how the book was told from the third person. If you had told me when I started this blog that I would love third person perspective more than first person I would have told you that you were insane, but now I can’t believe how small minded I was. Reading a book told from the third person gives you so much scope and means you can easily switch between points of view without getting muddled on who ‘I’ is (which I know that I often struggled with and got annoyed at). Each character was unique, but I could clearly see that they all had something in common: they had nothing left to lose and all they wanted was the money in order to get back what they had had taken from them. One last thing that I adored was the romance. I have never enjoyed and rooted for every romantic couple in a book, but this was different. There was the enemies to lovers dynamic with Nina and Matthias that I had fallen in love with (no pun intended) since the very first time Matthias appeared and had struggled to decide between kissing and killing Nina. Then there was Inej and Kaz who frustrated me beyond my limits. If only they both knew how they felt and what was going on in their heads. I am still waiting for them to get together and if I reach the end of Crooked Kingdom and they haven’t I might just throw the book out of the window along with my sanity. And then there was the subtle (or not so subtle?) flirting between Wylan and Jesper – I am very excited to see where that goes in the next book. Six of Crows was the perfect book and I am bursting to find out what happens after the shocking cliff-hanger ending. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend reading Six of Crows and, personally, I think it is the best book I have read so far (and I have read a lot of books). It is the perfect book for any readers over 15 who are looking to dive into a world full of magic, adventure, action, fantasy and sprinklings of romance. Personally I think it is best to read the Shadow and Bone trilogy first to really understand some of the references, but it is fine to go straight in with Six of Crows. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A thrilling fantasy heist that will have you hooked until very end. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo

“Soldier. Summoner. Saint. For Alina Starkov, time is running out. The Darkling rules from his shadow throne while she, broken by their previous battle, is under the dubious protection of the zealots who worship her as a Saint. And as Alina convalesces she must also battle her conflicted feelings for the Darkling and her beloved Mal. Her last hopes lie with the magic of a long-vanished ancient creature and the chance that an outlaw prince still survives. As her allies and enemies race toward War, only Alina stands between her country and a rising tide of darkness that could destroy the world.”

What is the book about?

Alina is still recovering from her fight with the Darkling at the Little Palace and yet she has no time to rest. The Darkling has taken control of Ravka and is ruling over it from his own shadow throne while he waits for her to find him so he can take her back and finally have all the power he needs to take full control. Now she must use the protection of those who believe she is a Saint and hold on to the hope that there are more people out there willing to help her finally defeat the Darkling. Alina must find the outlaw prince that she hopes is still alive and get her hands on the ancient, mythical creature that may be the third and final amplifier or else there is no way that they will ever stop the Darkling. Alina is the only one who can save her country from the darkness that could destroy it, but the way she can achieve that may mean sacrificing everything she ever loved and losing the one person who she cares about most in the world.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as I finished Siege and Storm (the second book in the trilogy), I was desperate to get my hands on Ruin and Rising (the third and final book in the series). Siege and Storm had ended on what I felt was a massive cliff-hanger and I was in great need for answers. I needed to know what had happened to the characters and whether or not the Darkling had survived (although I was pretty sure he had or else the third book wouldn’t be as chunky as it was). I had ridiculously high expectations for Ruin and Rising, due to how impressive the first two books had been, but, as it was the last book of a great series, I a bit concerned that it wouldn’t be as good as I hoped and that the ending would ruin the whole series. This is a doubt that I always have with a book series because different people want different things for the main characters and ship different couples so there are always some disappointed people, and I always worry it may be me. When I finally had the courage to start reading, I was surprised to find that the book started off really well and I immediately was taken back to the world Leigh Bardugo created. It only took a few pages to trap me in the book and I soon felt like I belonged in the story and didn’t want to leave ever again. However, soon I was reaching the end, which I had been worrying about from the very start.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

As soon as she reappeared at the end of Siege and Storm I had no doubt in my mind that my favourite character in Ruin and Rising would be Genya, and I was correct. The main reason I liked her more than any other character was because of her attitude. Despite everything she went through with the Darkling, she didn’t let that stop her from making a difference and helping to destroy him. I really admired how, despite losing the thing she most valued and had used to her advantage all her life, she didn’t just sit and grieve and let that change her resilient, luminous personality. Instead, she continued being the brave, beautiful friend that Alina had known at the Little Palace and she still held her head high and had the strength to face all her previous enemies wearing her new face. I was so glad at the end of the book when her help and strength was finally rewarded and given something that would allow her to keep being brave and unbreakable.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Once I finished the book I knew exactly what I was going to write about to answer this question. My favourite part in this book was definitely the ending. I know that a lot of the people who read the book probably weren’t exactly pleased with how it ended and it certainly wasn’t what I expected; however it is what I needed to feel satisfied. I obviously can’t explain much without ruining it (which I definitely don’t want to do); however I will try to show why I loved it so much. Mainly I loved this part because it just left me in tears. The characters had lost so much and, although this book ended in even more loss and pain, the characters also got something they never thought was possible. Lots of people probably wanted Alina to end up with someone else, or didn’t want her to lose what she lost, however honestly I think that she got the ending she deserved. Even though what she lost she will always feel like the ghost of a lost limb and I could feel her grief and pain through the pages, she got back something that she never thought she was going to be able to get and all I know is that she is probably happy with how her life ended, no matter how much grief, pain and loss she went through. I am also glad that, just because Alina was the hero of the story, she wasn’t let off the hook for what she tried to do with the three amplifiers. Overall the ending was amazing and I loved it more than most other endings.

What was your overall impression of the book?

As a whole, Ruin and Rising was an incredible book and I think it was the perfect conclusion to the trilogy. One thing that I loved was the incredible world building and plot. I know that I have mentioned this in every book review of the series, however it is impossible to communicate how amazing the world Leigh Bardugo created actually is. I honestly envy the skill this author has and how incredible her imagination must be to be able to create an entire world full of magical characters and creatures and to transform my own bedroom into this vast land that she was able to form using only a pen and paper. If I didn’t know any better I would think that Ravka was real and that everything I went through with the characters actually happened. I loved being able to feel like I was truly a part of the story and I have never enjoyed a book so much. Another thing that I really liked was the thrilling plot twists that I could never have seen coming. I always enjoy being surprised by an author and love a good plot twist but this discovery was one that caught me completely off guard. One last thing that I would like to mention was how much I enjoyed the ending of the book. Although it most certainly wasn’t anything like what we all expected, I think it was exactly what I needed. It may have left me thinking about what would’ve happened if Alina had made a different choice, however I think she made the right choice and she definitely good what she deserved after everything she went through. She may have lost something that she will always grieve but she gained a life that could never have been possible if she didn’t lose it.

Which is your favourite book in the Shadow and Bone series? (1, 2, or 3)

Although all three books in the series were incredible, I personally think that Ruin and Rising was my favourite book in the whole trilogy. The first (Shadow and Bone) and second (Siege and Storm) books were so good and had an incredible plot, however the ending of Ruin and Rising just left me feeling so shocked and made me cry from happy and sad tears. All the books in the trilogy were so similar, however Ruin and Rising just hit differently. Reading felt different, maybe because of the fact that it was the last book or maybe because of something else, I truly have no idea. I loved the amount of plot twists that this book had and everything that the characters went through was definitely unexpected, yet it added something that the other books were missing. Ruin and Rising was just so incredible and I loved reading it. I can’t believe that I actually finished the whole trilogy after the amount of time it spent gathering dust on my bookshelf. Now I just can’t wait to read more books by Leigh Bardugo and continue my adventures in the Grishaverse.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 10000000% recommend you read this book (obviously after the first two books in the series). It is the perfect book full action, fantasy and adventure and is perfect for anyone over 15 who is ready to dive deep into the most magical world ever created.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The most shocking, heart-breaking and magical conclusion to one of the most incredible trilogies ever written.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo

“Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Alina Starkov’s power has grown, but not without a price. She is the Sun Summoner – hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she’s taken. But she and best friend Mal can’t outrun her enemies for long. The Darkling is determined to claim Alina’s magic and use it to take the Ravkan throne. With nowhere else to turn, Alina enlists the help of an infamous privateer and sets out to lead the Grisha army. But as the truth of Alina’s destiny unfolds, she slips deeper into the Darkling’s deadly game of forbidden magic. To save her country, Alina will have to choose between her power and the man she loves. No victory can come without sacrifice – and only she can face the oncoming storm.

What is the book about?

Alina, with Mal’s help, managed to escape the Darkling and cross the True Sea. However, no matter how far she travels, the Darkling is determined to find her and get his hands back on her power. Once he finally finds her, he takes her back out onto the waters of the True Sea in search of the second of Morozova’s amplifiers, hoping to make Alina the most powerful Grisha in order to expand the Shadow Fold and control Ravka. However, Alina is not going to let that happen and she is desperate to escape from him for the third time, so in order to do that she begs for the help of an infamous privateer. Now, Alina hopes to lead the Grisha army and finally take down the Darkling. But, as she plans to stop the Darkling and take back her country, Alina realises that if she ever wants to restore her country back to its former glory she is going to have to make the biggest choice of her life – she is going to have to choose between her power or the man she loves and has always loved and always will love. There is no way to win the battle without making a sacrifice and only she can make that sacrifice.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As I had just finished Shadow and Bone (the first book in the trilogy), I was desperate to read Siege and Storm (the sequel). Shadow and Bone had ended relatively well and I think if it had ended like that, with no books to follow I would’ve survived. However, it wasn’t enough to satisfy my questions and, although at that point I may not have had many questions, deep down I still felt like something was missing and that Alina’s story wasn’t quite finished, so obviously I wanted to read on. When I picked up the book, I had high expectations, due to how impressive the first book was, but I still a little worried that Siege and Storm would start out boring (just how Shadow and Bone had begun). But, when I finally had the courage to start reading, I was delightfully surprised to find that the book started off strong and immediately captivated me and brought me back to the magical world Leigh Bardugo created. After only a couple of pages, I was already trapped in the book and didn’t ever want to leave the incredible characters and the adventure that I truly felt like I was a part of. However, sooner that I would have thought I found myself reaching the end of another novel and I was regretting reading so quickly. It was a great read from the very start. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I think in this book, my favourite character was also Alina. This was for many reasons but mainly because she didn’t let what she went through with the Darkling change her. She was strong character, a lot braver and independent than she was before she discovered her power and, even though she didn’t let her power get to her head, she also didn’t just spend her time thinking herself inferior. I was actually surprised how much I liked her because usually I don’t always like the main character, but I found that she was a lot better than most main characters. I also really liked how she never forgot the lives that she took and yet she didn’t let her succumb to that pain and grief. It was a heavy weight on her shoulders and I think it always will be, but she didn’t let that change her too much. One thing that I loved was when she stopped to read the names of all the people she allowed to be killed through the expansion of the Unsea and how she wasn’t going to let herself forget what she did, even if it wasn’t her fault. Alina was a great character and I was generally just proud of her with how she acted in the face of it all.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was when the characters were at the Little Palace. The main reason for this was because they had hope and they believe that it was possible that they could win the inevitable battle that would occur soon. Despite everything that the characters had gone through and the fact that they spent every waking moment at the Little Palace preparing for the fight they were expecting against the Darkling, they all held the belief that there was a strong chance that they could win. After all the training and all of the things they built to give themselves every advantage, Alina and her Grisha had hope. This was the best part of the book in my opinion because their hope made me hope that they would succeed. They had no way of knowing what would happen, yet they believed in themselves and I admired that ability and strength.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Siege and Storm was an incredible book and I loved every second I spent reading it. Initially I had been concerned that the book wouldn’t be as good as the previous one, however I soon realised I should’ve never doubted Leigh Bardugo’s writing and it actually ended up being better than Shadow and Bone. One thing that I loved was the incredible plot and world-building. Somehow Leigh Bardugo was able to create an entire world and to transform my bedroom into a magical land full of unbelievable creatures and action-packed adventure. I honestly can’t believe that what I just read doesn’t actually exist outside the pages of a few books because I honestly felt like that was all real and it could exist someplace other than my own imagination. I have lived through so many adventures and have shared them with so many characters, but this is one of the ones that felt the most real and I know it will live with me forever. The plot was also amazing and it really showed me why fantasy books are some of the best books out there and the ones that I always enjoy the most. We live in a world that is so mundane and using only a pen and some paper Leigh Bardugo was able to bring magic into my life. I seriously don’t know what I would’ve done if I never discovered the transformative powers of reading. Another thing that I enjoyed was Nikolai Lantsov’s role in the story. Despite not having been in the first book, it truly felt like he belonged and that I had known him my whole life. He made the words come alive and he brought a positivity that radiated through the pages and into each character. Personally, I feel like he was partly responsible for the sense of hope the characters felt when they were preparing for battle. Every book needs a character that brightens the room and always seems to have a new trick or joke up their sleeve and who always knows exactly what to say and I am honestly grateful this happened to be a handsome, cunning prince. Siege and Storm was a great book and I am thoroughly looking forward to reading Ruin and Rising, even if it means the series ends.

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

I really enjoyed reading both Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm and found that they were both incredible books that left me feeling like I had just lived through an impossible adventure with characters that exists only on the pages and through my imagination. However, personally I believe that Siege and Storm was the better book. There weren’t really many differences between the two books – both had an incredible plot and were set in the most magical land you could ever think of. Despite the lack of differences, I still feel like Siege and Storm was my favourite so far mainly because of the introduction of the character of Nikolai Lantsov. I always appreciate a character who is, in a sense, some comic relief and I usually find that the scenes that involve that character are easier to enjoy. He was always positive and always knew exactly what to say in every situation. He brought a much needed light to the book, especially now that the characters were mid war and couldn’t do anything other than think about the oncoming battle that they all most definitely wouldn’t survive. Siege and Storm was an incredible book, just like Shadow and Bone, and I am more than desperate to read the third and final book in the series.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend you read Siege and Storm, of course after Shadow and Bone. It is the perfect book for any over 15 year olds who are hoping for a great read full of adventure, fantasy and thrilling action, while also a sense of mystery that leaves you yearning to find out the truth. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A stunning and tense sequel full of action, adventure and romance.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo

“Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Alina Starkov is a soldier. When her regiment is attacked whilst crossing the Shadow Fold – a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters – Alina unleashes a dormant magic not even she knew she possessed. Now Alina will enter a lavish world of royalty and intrigue as she trains with the Grisha – the country’s magical military elite – and falls under the spell of their notorious leader, the Darkling. He believes Alina can summon a force capable of destroying the Shadow Fold and reuniting their war-ravaged country, but only if she can master her untamed gift. But as Alina unlocks the secret of her past, she will make a dangerous discovery that could threaten all she loves and the very future of a nation. 

What is the book about?

Alina Starkov is an orphan. A soldier. A nobody. She is destined to work as a mapmaker for the rest of her life and serve her kingdom, just like every other peasant girl like her. Now, she is on her way across the Shadow Fold – a sea of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters, also called the Unsea, which separates her country (Ravka) and makes it impossible for the East to get to the True Sea. She knows that it may prove impossible to cross it, and that she may not make it across alive, but when her regiment is attacked by the monsters she somehow makes it back out. Once she is back on safe land, she realises that making it out alive wasn’t just due to luck and she actually used some magic she didn’t even know she possessed. Now Alina will go from being a poor soldier and become part of the luxurious, rich world of Ravka’s magical elite (the Grisha). Not only that but now she is falling for the Grisha’s  leader, the Darkling, who believes that she is the answer to destroying the Shadow Fold once and for all and bring her country back together. But as Alina trains with the Grisha and works towards saving Ravka, she uncovers a secret that could destroy her country and threaten everything and everyone she cares about, unless she somehow finds a way to escape the lavish world she had just started to get accustomed to…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Unsurprisingly, I can barely remember how long ago I bought this book and the rest in the series, all I know is that it was quite a while ago and I was so excited to start reading them. Somehow, I ended up forgetting that I had them on my shelf, gathering dust, but now that I have taken Shadow and Bone out I don’t know how I was ever able to put it away and forget about it. Once I held it in my hands and read the blurb, I was so excited to start reading and was so intrigued to find out more about the Grishaverse and submerge myself in a lengthy and magical series. When I started to read, I was initially a bit disappointing because I found the book a little slow to begin with and found it hard to really get into it. I also found it a bit difficult to enjoy the book at the start due to the ridiculous amount of made up, hard to pronounce words that I found impossible to understand. However, after reading a couple more chapters, I found myself truly enjoying the book and once I familiarised myself with the new words in the made up languages and soon I was reaching the end of the book with the knowledge that starting this series was one of the best decisions I have made so far. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Honestly, I don’t really think I had a favourite character, but I do think that I did really like Alina. She was the main character, and as I saw everything through her eyes I found it relatively easy to like her. She was like every other female main character in a young-adult fantasy novel: the ugly, insecure, ordinary girl who is the saviour that everyone has been waiting for. She was easy to relate to in the way that she had her insecurities and was always looking around her, pointing out all the more beautiful people around her. However, the main thing that I liked about her is that she didn’t let the fame get to her head and never thought herself superior to the other characters, no matter how much better she actually was. I also really liked how she developed into a stronger character, a lot braver and independent than she was before and that, even though she didn’t let her power get to her head, she also didn’t just spend her time thinking herself inferior and she let herself enjoy the situation she was in for a little while and make actual friends. I was actually surprised how much I liked her because usually I don’t always like the whiny main character, but in reality she was a lot less whiny and her character development was quite well-written. Another character that I think I liked more than Alina was Genya. She was so nice and friendly with Alina but she also didn’t take any nonsense and wouldn’t let her just sit depressed the whole time. She also had a confidence I really admire and she was so beautiful and knew it. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

If I truly told you what my favourite part of the book was it would probably ruin the story, so instead I will just explain why my favourite part was my favourite part. The main reason I enjoyed this part was because it was the moment when me and the main characters thought that it was all over and that there was no hope anymore, however finally Alina realised that it didn’t have to end like that and that she could stop it. So, she took control. She took back her independence, her power and did what no one thought possible. She understood her strength and that her power was something that no one could take from her because it was a part of her. I really enjoyed seeing her take back her life and I was particularly impressed by her change of character. It was a great part of the book and in that moment I knew that Alina was no longer the useless, clumsy girl she once was. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Despite the amount of people that have disliked the book, I really enjoyed Shadow and Bone and found that it was a really good read. One reason I really liked it was because of its plot. Although it was a bit predictable at times and the pace could have been a bit quicker, I finished the book in less than a week and after I finally got into it I found that I didn’t want to put it down. The plot was just magical and, after you have read a few chapters and started to understand, Shadow and Bone grasps your attention and doesn’t let you go until you have reached the end and don’t even realise you read the whole book. I was sucked into this incredible world and so consumed by it that I didn't want to book the book down. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the world-building. I personally believe that this was the best thing about the book and that Leigh Bardugo’s skill was truly showcased in the way that she created a whole new world and so easily transformed my bedroom into a vast land full of magical creatures and adventure. After reading the book, I honestly can’t believe that what I just read doesn’t actually exist because I honestly felt like that world could exist someplace other than my own imagination. She brought Ravka to life and it honestly made reading the book so worthwhile. One other thing that I loved was the exclusive content in the book. I loved reading the letter that Mal wrote for Alina and found it so intriguing and also tragic that she will never get to read it, however I am most certainly grateful that I got to read it, I always appreciate some bonus content. Overall, Shadow and Bone was a great book with an incredible plot set in the most magical world ever, but I did find that the made up words where a little hard to follow. It may have its flaws, but I am truly glad that I picked Shadow and Bone off my shelf and I know I will most definitely be reading the next book. This was a great start to a hopefully incredible series. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would absolutely recommend reading Shadow and Bone. It is the perfect book for over 15s who are ready to enjoy a series full of fantasy, action, adventure and romance, but I am sure anyone who picks up this book will love it.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A fascinating and unique adventure set in a wonderful, descriptive fantasy world. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego