Looking for a clean YA fantasy with unique worldbuilding and just a hint of romance? Shadow and Bone might be a great fit for your next read.
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Sometimes a book surprises you—in the best way. I went into Shadow and Bone a little hesitant, thinking it might be too dark or intense for my personal taste. But I was pleasantly surprised by how approachable the story was. While the plot leans more toward magic and war than romance, there’s just enough tension and romantic interest to keep me engaged.
Let’s break this book down.
Shadow and Bone Book Review
📔 Book: Shadow and Bone
✍️ Author: Leigh Bardugo
⚙️ Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
🏢 Traditionally Published
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a good read overall—maybe not fully romance-focused, but compelling in its own way. I skimmed some of the plot-heavy parts because I was mainly invested in the romantic dynamics, but I still found myself enjoying the unique world and magic system.
The romance is light and not the story’s primary focus, so this is what kept it from being a 5-star for me personally. But as a fantasy reader, I appreciated the atmosphere, pacing, and character dynamics. I’m definitely intrigued enough to continue the series.
If you’re looking for a clean YA fantasy with unique worldbuilding, some romantic threads, and a fast-paced plot, Shadow and Bone is worth picking up—even if you’re usually more of a romance-first reader like me!
Some Things You Might Enjoy:
Chosen one 🫵
Mysterious mentor 🥸
Light vs. dark🌓
Russian-inspired 🪆
If you’re a YA fantasy reader who enjoys epic settings, morally gray characters, and a dash of emotional intrigue (without venturing into heavy content), this one is worth checking out.
For a detailed look at how I rate and review the books I read, check out my rating system.
Summary From Amazon:
Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Orphaned and expendable, Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first trek across the Shadow Fold—a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. But when her regiment is attacked, Alina unleashes dormant magic not even she knew she possessed.
Now Alina will enter a lavish world of royalty and intrigue as she trains with the Grisha, her country’s magical military elite—and falls under the spell of their notorious leader, the Darkling. He believes Alina can summon a force capable of destroying the Shadow Fold and reuniting their war-ravaged country, but only if she can master her untamed gift.
As the threat to the kingdom mounts and Alina unlocks the secrets of her past, she will make a dangerous discovery that could threaten all she loves and the very future of a nation.
Welcome to Ravka . . . a world of science and superstition where nothing is what it seems.
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✨ Have you read Shadow and Bone? What did you think of the romance (or lack of it)? Let’s chat in the comments!
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