After hearing so much about this trilogy for years, I decided to give it another try - however it left me feeling slightly underwhelmed.
“The problem with wanting," he whispered, his mouth trailing along my jaw until it hovered over my lips, "is that it makes us weak.”
The Shadow and Bone Trilogy dominates the book fandom along with TOG, SOC, ACOTAR and recently CP. I have several bookish friends who love this book as much as I love TOG, however, the series wasn't for me.
I read SOC several years ago when it first came out so have been apart of the Grisha Universe for a while. I love the uniqueness of it, the impressive worldbuilding and the depth the characters had. I was expecting all this when I picked up Shadow and Bone but instead felt like I got none of it.
I really struggled to engage with the characters in this series. I didn't feel like the Darkling was evil enough, Mal didn't grow on me and Alina was too basic. I predicted the majority of book one from the start and book two didn't provide any excitement for me. The only character who I actually enjoyed was Nikoli who made me laugh.
I can see why so many people have enjoyed the book and I'm not sure if its because I am finally starting to grow out of the classic YA fantasy books or what, but I needed something deeper. Something meaningful which I find in more adult fantasy books. It may because I spend my education now studying classics such as Lolita or reading books with diverse and highly complex moral issues like Wicked Saints meaning Shadow and Bone lacked what I enjoyed. I needed more.
Three Years ago - yes. But this book made me realise sadly that I am beginning to grow out of such simple plots and characters, an upsetting thought.
I do not judge the people who enjoy it because I know for a certain that whilst I love SJM she is not perfect. I did enjoy it - it just wasn't complex enough. I need books in which I can debate about for hours and Shadow and Bone did not give me that. It did, however, provide a comfy and easy read.
It was not for me but it may 100% be for you so do no let me stop you.
J xo
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