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Leigh Bardugo's writing is amazing. I began this book because it was released before Six of Crows, so I wanted to read the trilogy before diving into that book. I was not disappointed. The plot in this story was so captivating that I finished the book in less than two days.

The character that solidified my interest in Shadow and Bone is The Darkling and his side smirks. Alina wasn't a favorite until she grew more confidence. The character development in this book is outstanding. They are grey characters, flawed but smart. Alina is relatable because she gets thrust into a strange world that some only dream of entering and is forced to work on learning to control her magic. Her backstory is strong, and she tries to do the right thing when it comes to hard decisions.

The world building in this novel is fantastic. It is offputting at first because readers are thrown in with no explanation, but as the novel progresses, it makes more sense. I also LOVE that it is Russian inspired; I am a huge fan of Russian literature.

Overall, the plot is fantastic, the characters capture your heart, and the magic is outstanding. I am diving right into Siege and Storm!