I have finally finished the Shadow and Bone trilogy, also known as the Grishaverse trilogy and I am thankful to be done with it. It took me three months to power through all three books and while there were moments I enjoyed, overall, it felt like a long journey that I was more excited to just complete.
Of the three books, I appreciated Ruin and Rising the most because it provided closure to many of the loose ends from the previous books. While the pacing of the series was inconsistent at times, the final book managed to maintain my interest with unexpected plot twists that kept me guessing. Even though I had a general idea of how the story would conclude, there were enough surprises to make the finale engaging.
The story follows Alina and her friends as they escape captivity and set out on a dangerous quest to locate the third and final amplifier. This legendary source of power could give Alina the strength she needs to finally defeat the Darkling and bring peace to Ravka. However, along the way, the group encounters shocking revelations, difficult choices and the looming threat of an all-out war. As the final confrontation approaches, Alina must decide just how much she is willing to sacrifice, not only for victory but also for the future of the world she is fighting to protect.
Now that I have completed the trilogy, I plan on watching the Netflix adaptation of Shadow and Bone. I am hoping that the show will bring more depth to elements that I found difficult to understand in the books and perhaps make some of the characters and plot more engaging. Sometimes, a visual adaptation can improve the storytelling in ways that a book cannot, so I am optimistic about how the series will compare.
Overall, I do not recommend this trilogy to anyone looking for a fantasy series. If you are searching for a more enjoyable fantasy read, I would highly recommend A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas or The Betrothed by Kiera Cass.
According to Goodreads, readers who enjoyed the Shadow and Bone trilogy often also liked The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, Powerless by Lauren Roberts and Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. All three of these books are on my to-read list and I am curious to see how they compare. For now, I am just glad to have finished this trilogy and am ready to move on to a better reading adventure.
Stars: 3/5
Well, one book may be a waste of time for one person and be a treasuring experience to another. This book looks very interested, despite what your criticism. I appreciate your view of the book, its setting, and its characters. That really helps me make a decision whether to read it or not clearer. Still, I wouldn't mind giving it a try because I prefer less romantic and more fantasy/sci-fi. I hope you continue to post more books you have read. I like to here your viewpoint. Happy Reading - VA
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