A mapmaker's assistant discovers she has the rarest magical power in the world -- and the man who promises to train her may want something more than her gift.
About This Book
An orphaned junior mapmaker in the army of a war-torn, Russia-inspired kingdom discovers, in a moment of terror crossing a monstrous ribbon of impenetrable darkness that splits her country in two, that she possesses a rare and powerful magic no one knew she had, and she is swept from obscurity into a glittering, dangerous royal court to be trained as the savior who might finally destroy the darkness. Bardugo builds an atmospheric young adult fantasy on this classic chosen-one frame, distinguishing it with a vividly imagined world of elemental magic-users, a seductive and terrifying mentor whose intentions are far from clear, and a heroine torn between her humble roots and the intoxicating power and status suddenly offered to her. The pace is fast, the court intrigue sharp, and the romance charged with danger. This suits readers who want immersive, propulsive young adult fantasy with a richly drawn setting, a compelling magic system, and a morally complicated love interest. It fits less well anyone wanting slow character depth or a fresh premise, since it leans on familiar chosen-one beats early on. The detail that the country is literally severed by a swath of supernatural darkness full of winged predators, which travelers must cross in fragile boats, gives the book its striking central geography. Fast, atmospheric, and addictive, it rewards readers who love magical worlds and court intrigue. Those wanting originality in structure may find the setup conventional, but the world, the menace of the mentor, and the momentum are exactly what have made it a gateway into a much-loved fantasy universe.
Who This Is For
Best for readers who want momentum: big setpieces, high stakes, and a story that never stops moving. The prose is accessible: you can read this quickly and it never asks too much of you. It moves quickly: once you're in, it's hard to stop. If you prefer quiet, character-driven fiction, the relentless pace may tire.
Best Read When
Best read when you're in the mood for something action-packed and adventurous, and a read that's fast and propulsive.
What It Explores
Shadow and Bone explores identity and the gap between who we are and who we pretend to be, love in its most complicated forms, and survival and what extreme circumstances ask of people.
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