Tags
book recommendations, book reviews, Heidi Lang, Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, YA fantasy
I know, I know, I am a day late and a dollar short, but you know what they say: the early bird catches the worm, but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese…heh heh. 😉
Okay, enough with bad clichés, it’s time for the review!
Last week I listened to the audio version of Leigh Bardugo’s “Shadow and Bone.” This is the story of Alina, a lonely orphan who grows up with her best friend and fellow orphan, Mal. Of course as she gets older, she falls in love with Mal, but he never seems to notice her as more than a friend.
Then everything changes on the day their army units are sent to cross the Shadow Fold. Created hundreds of years ago by the Black Heretic, it is a sea of complete darkness filled with terrifying, ravenous creatures who prey on anyone brave enough, or foolish enough, to try and cross. In the heat of the battle, Alina’s true powers come out, and suddenly she’s whisked away by the Darkling, the most powerful “magician” in the land, to live at the Little Palace and study with the other magic users, the Grisha.
Alina becomes more and more intrigued by the Darkling. A powerful, dangerous man, it’s easy to see the allure, but she still can’t forget Mal. Then she learns something, something terrible, and the whole game changes for her…
Okay, so I really enjoyed this book. There are some of the usual things you see in YA – ordinary-seeming girl, doesn’t feel pretty enough but discovers super powers, gets a makeover, and goes from a rough life to a life of luxury, with hints of a love triangle in her future. But, about halfway through this book there’s a very nice twist, which changes everything. Also the setting and the Russian flavor throughout is very refreshing and makes this story feel unique.
I liked Alina as a character and I enjoyed the story enough that I’m already almost finished with the sequel, Siege and Storm. I especially recommend the audio version narrated by Lauren Fortgang.
How about you? Read any great books with unique settings lately? What’s the most unique setting you’ve ever read about?
Everyone seems to love this one! Since you enjoyed the audio maybe I will check it out in that format sometime… once I get myself to actually to look into audio books…
The audio’s nice – love the Russian accents! 😉 I recommend checking out audible.com. I do a lot of driving for work, and I really love audible – it’s been a great way to stay up on my reading, plus there’s just something about having someone read a story to you…so enjoyable! 🙂
Sounds interesting – I do like a good love triangle!! I’m currently reading Suzanne Collins, Gregor the Overlander – a children’s book. It’s a research project more than anything, but actually I’m really enjoying it, set deep beneath New York City amongst the cockroaches and rats – it’s a great adventure!!
I’ve been meaning to read that series! I enjoyed Hunger Games (like almost everyone else in the world…) and I usually like middle grade books, so I think I’d really like those. I’ll have to give them a try. Thanks for the tip!
Since I don’t read a lot fantasy, most of the books I read have your average city, town, ocean setting. Alina is my goddaughter’s name, such a pretty name.
It is a pretty name – I’ve never heard of it before this book, but I like how it rolls off the tongue.
I love a good, unique setting, but you’re right that it’s more of a thing in fantasy series. For instance, George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series has one of the most well-imagined settings I’ve ever read about. When it’s done well, it’s almost like a character itself. Someday I’ll learn to create settings like that…definitely a work in progress for me! 😉
I loved this book (and ended up picking it as my favorite book of 2012) but haven’t listened to the audio version yet. I’ll definitely have to give it a try when I reread this! 🙂
I think you’ll really like the audio version – it’s very well done. I just finished listening to the sequel, and now I’m sad I have to wait until 2014 for the next one! 😦 Ah, well, I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait…
Great review! I loved this book–it was one of my favorites last year. I’m trying to think of books that I’ve read with cool settings. Have you read Daughter of Smoke and Bone? That book had a cool setting, and her writing is so beautiful it made the setting even better. A good chunk of the book takes place in Prague, and I really felt as if I was there!
I haven’t read that one yet – I bought it for my kindle a while back, though, so it’s been sitting there, waiting for me. I’ll have to read it soon. 🙂