[ENG&RU] "Shadow and Bone Trilogy" by Leigh Bardugo. My review

English

Today I want to share a review of the last books I read - this is a trilogy about the Grisha by author Leigh Bardugo:

1. Shadow and Bone
2. Siege and Storm
3. Ruin and Rising

Plot

The world of Grisha is interesting fantasy world in which there are people with unusual abilities - the Grisha. They aren't sorcerers or magicians, but masters of the Small Science possess various abilities to manipulate matter. Someone can heal with a touch, someone can change their appearance, someone creates weapons, someone controls fire/air, etc. After passing the ability test in early childhood, they are permanently excommunicated from the family for training at the royal palace. They are rich and beautiful. The stronger the abilities, the longer they live and the better they look. In many countries they are feared and destroyed, but not in Ravka.
The once-great the Kingdom of Ravka suffered centuries ago at the hands of a Black Heretic who created a Shadow Fold - swathe of impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh. This Fold creates obstacles for the inhabitants of the country, as few people manage to get out of there alive. The weakened position of the country is used by its neighbors, setting up wars on its borders.
The main character of the trilogy is an orphan Alina Starkov, who grew up with her friend Mal in an orphanage. Over the years, they join the army - Mal as a tracker, and Alina as a cartographer. At the beginning of the first book, they plan to cross the Fold as part of a squad. At the moment of transition, a situation occurs, after which everyone understands that Alina isn't a simple girl, but a Sun Summoner, one of the Grisha, whose ability is able to change the world.

Characters

Alina - at first irritated with her weakness, fear and stupidity, but if you think about it, then anyone in her situation would behave like this. It was very interesting to follow her growth, as from an ordinary girl she became a selfless leader. I especially liked that despite the fact that she was considered a saint, the crown on her head did not grow.
Darkling is one of the most interesting and controversial characters. Despite the fact that this is the main villain of the book, he was not wantonly cruel, but simply put the goal above the means used to achieve it, and this destroyed his humanity year after year, but still I felt sorry for him, and that says a lot.
Mal - initially I didn't like it at all. Their story with Alina began to sympathize with me only in the third book. Their relationship developed along with the characters themselves. They were not stereotypically perfect, but with their own problems, quarrels and resentments. I am pleased that by the end of the trilogy, the characters have overcome all differences and become reasonable, ready to give up their love in the name of the best. And what Mal ended up being was a shock to me.
The secondary characters here are as interesting as the main ones: the sarcastic beauty Zoya, who could always defuse the situation, Zhenya with her lover David, such a classic eccentric scientist, Harshaw and his pet, and, of course, Nikolai - a charming, cunning fox, whose fate I followed most closely.

Features of the trilogy

When writing this trilogy, Leigh Bardugo studied the culture and mythology of Russia, so the descriptions contain Russian names, clothing, and food. Some of the references, in my opinion, looked inaccurate and far from reality, but nevertheless didn't irritate much, but only added to the entourage. I was even pleased that a foreign author was inspired by the culture and traditions of my native country.

Reviews for each book

Despite the fact that the beginning of the story seemed to me formulaic, similar to other books of the genre, yet the first part of "Shadow and Bone" was able to surprise me with interesting turns of events. I liked that the narration is fast and not drawn out, it reads smoothly and easily. From the first pages, the author talks about the main problem and possible ways to solve it, which attracts attention and does not let go. It is interesting to watch the characters who are constantly on the move, changing, learning, developing. The first part ends in such a way that if you don't want to read the continuation, you can limit yourself to one book. But I kept reading.

The second part of "Siege and Storm" liked much less than the first. If the first is slow, but interesting, the second seems to be full of events, but some empty content. The first chapters of the second book were promising and dynamic, but this soon evaporated. I read in anticipation of some tangible events and twists, but they didn't happen until the last chapters. Everything that happened throughout the book - the endless showdown between the main characters, suffering about how bad everything is. The only thing that I liked in the second part - some interesting new characters.

The third part of "Ruin and Rising" turned out to be the most exciting. Especially against the background of the second one, which failed in this regard. I read for several hours without stopping, because unexpected plot moves and intrigues were at every turn. This book changed the entire trilogy and set the best vector for the development of both this book and the future Grishaverse. The final was expected, but very touching and even difficult in emotional terms for me. It was sad to realize, but in this trilogy, a lot of positive characters died.

Summing up the entire trilogy, I want to say that I am glad that I started getting acquainted with the Grishaverse with this cycle. Although not always everything went smoothly, even if there were some roughness and sagging in the plot, and the characters at some point were very annoying, I left a pleasant impression.
Despite the fictional world and magic in this story, there was a place for love, and for friendship, and for cruelty, and for loyalty. I think that many people will like this trilogy and everyone will find something different in it.

Now I want to continue exploring Leigh Bardugo's books and to read popular duology "Six of Crows" and "Crooked Kingdom" and I'm waiting for the tv series, which is filming on the trilogy.