In a lavish world where darkness reigns and science collides with superstition, Alina Starkov has the power to save her country…but it comes with a price in The Grisha Trilogy by New York Times-bestselling author Leigh Bardugo.Included in this bundle are Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising.
The Shadow and Bone Trilogy
By leighbardugo
This series has been on my to-read list for years, and I finally picked them all up from the library this weekend and read them in just about 3 days. The world of the novels is super compelling, and I found I couldn’t put them down. I will say this trilogy isn’t necessarily the most unique – it came out when YA fantasy trilogies were all the rage, and there are some pretty familiar tropes driving the plot, including my favorite, the super-special girl who discovers she is the key to saving the world even though she always thought she was just a regular orphan. Still, despite the familiarity, the trilogy was entirely engrossing. Bardugo is skilled in writing strong characters with very distinct personalities, and she had pretty solid world-building. If you’re a fan of The Winner’s Curse trilogy or the Red Queen series or pretty much any YA trilogy from the early 2000’s, I’d definitely recommend giving these a shot!
This trilogy (along with it’s companion stories, “Folktales From Ravka”) is FANTASTIC. Great world-building, really unique storyline and elements, interesting and flawed characters, great pacing and action. Recommended for teens and adults alike.
I loved the world so masterfully created by Leigh Bardugo, and fully intend to stay in it as long as I can!
loved it
It was definitely written with young adults in mind. Be prepared to read about Alina pining for Mal A LOT. She’s one of the most whiney heroines ever. I really hope the TV show is better since that’s what prompted me to read the trilogy.
This is the best series I read so far this year. I got lost between the pages.
The characters are amazing, I was drawn to them. Even The Darkling took a piece of my heart.
I loved Alina and her growth as the books progressed was amazing. She came into herself. She’s not perfect but has drive and hope. The weight of loss and how she fights to overcome every obstacle thrown her way.
Mal I liked a lot, was he my favorite? No, but I’m deeply satisfied with how it all ended. A full beautiful circle of life, loss, fear and happiness. That’s life for everyone even in books.
My favorite character was Nicolai he is amazing, witty, strong, fierce and loyal. A man after my heart. He fights for what he believes in, for the good of his country, his people and the few close to his heart.
Zoya, Misha, Tamar, Tolya, Genya, David. I could name all the characters in this series and find unique qualities to them all.
The world building was fantastic, the cities, the culture, tradition and faith it all plays an integral part of the story.
I ugly cried more than a few times reading this books.
This is a series that breaks your heart and puts it back together. But like with every good book the scars remain.
Aleksander I mourned for you too.
Loved this series, could not put it down!
Unforgettable trilogy…
A great adventure with a compelling love story. It was hard to find a next series to jump into after Grisha, it’s just so good!
If you find a series to match this one, let me know!