Parents' Guide to

Shadow and Bone: The Grisha Trilogy, Book 1

By Julie A. Carlson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Thrilling, exotic fantasy romance gets pretty violent.

Book Leigh Bardugo Fantasy 2012
Shadow and Bone: The Grisha Trilogy, Book 1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Julie P.
Julie P. Adult
December 11, 2020
age 12+

Amazing book

I read this before allowing my child to read and if I must say so myself, it was pretty good. I don't really think the violence, sex or swearing is as bad as what commonsense makes it out to be. The main character, Alina is strong, smart and is a great role model to girls. Romance is little and swearing is also rare.

This title has:

Educational value
Great role models
2 people found this helpful.
kannanchu
kannanchu Parent of 12 and 16-year-old
May 27, 2023
age 15+
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Alina Starkov is happy living as a mapmaker, as long as she has her best friend, Mal, by her side. They've been together through thick and thin since their days at an orphanage. Then one fateful day changes everything for Alina. The Grisha, a group similiar to witches and wizards who rely on the elements to get their power, discover that Alina is one of the most powerful of their kind. She can summon light and take away the darkness. The leader of the Grisha, the Darkling -- a sexy, mysterious man who wields his magic like a deadly weapon -- wants to train and mold Alina so she can learn to harness her power and destroy the Shadow Fold, a place of nightmares where frightening creatures roam. But the Darkling's ulterior motive is to make Alina his own. Alina must learn to trust her instincts and to stay true to herself or pay the price -- with her life.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5):
Kids say (45):

Leigh Bardugo is a master at creating an original and breathtaking world. It's not all rainbows and sunshine in Ravka. It's bleak and frightening. SHADOW AND BONE is fast-paced, with shocking twists and turns and a powerful ending that leaves readers anxious for more.

Bardugo's strength lies in her solid characterization, with both major and minor characters questioning the world, their roles in society, and how they fit in. The Darkling is a fascinating character -- a guy you love to hate, but also a guy easy to desire. Some readers may find the book's Russian influences and language a little hard to understand at the beginning, but the story quickly moves forward as various secrets and lies are revealed.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Alina doesn't want to be a Grisha and is pressured into developing her powers. What's the reasoning? What are the possible consequences?

  • How do you think Shadow and Bone compares with other romantic fantasy books? What do you think of the romantic triangle of Alina, Mal, and the Darkling?

  • What are your thoughts on the book's violence? Does it enhance the story, or is it too much?

Book Details

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