Shadow & Bone | Book vs. show review | By @sanyazulfiqar

Hello Steemians!

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Having read Shadow and Bone trilogy and Six of Crows duology and watched the Shadow and Bone series on Netflix, I feel the show and books should be kept separate. Why do I say so? Although the main plots and characters are the same, the intertwinement of both the trilogy and duology completely change the game.

The story is set in a fictional world where there are some special people, the Grisha. They aren’t magicians but practice the small science, the art of manipulating matter. A long time back, one such powerful Grisha created the Fold that divided Ravka into two parts. But, that’s not even the worst part; the Shadow Fold has hideous monsters that prey on anyone who tries to pass. Only a Sun Summoner has the ability to destroy it and restore peace. Surprise surprise, it is none other than our female protagonist, Alina Starkov who can call on light. But, with great powers, come greater responsibilities…

While on the same page, here are some of my thoughts about the series.

Why the Crows?

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”No mourners, no funerals”

Six of Crows (SoC) is a very strong duology in itself. The story is centered on Kaz Brekker, a thief, who is onto a heist along with his crew (known as the crows). However, the show gives it an entirely different turn. There’s no heist rather a mission to kidnap the female lead of Shadow and Bone, Alina Starkov. Of course, the story is about her and characters associated with her, hence, the SoC ones seem unnecessary. Would have preferred if we got to see their solely their stories in the upcoming seasons, since they too belong to the same fictional universe, The Grishaverse.

Who are you, Mal Oretsev?

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“You’re my true North”

Before getting into the rant, Mal Oretsev, the best tracker, is the childhood love interest of our Sun Summoner, Alina Starkov but the book Mal is painfully annoying. It is difficult to see him the light of a hero when all he does is belittle Alina or make her feel inferior to him. But the show Mal is nothing but a softie, who never leaves Alina’s side no matter what. Still wondering how that transition took place but when on one hand you want to strangle the book Mal, you wish nothing but good for the couple in the show.

Darkling has a tragic past!

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“Fine, make me your villain”

Of course, any story is incomplete without a villain but ideally, Darkling, the Shadow Summoner, should not be characterized as one. He may be an antihero but not a villain as villains aren’t that patriotic. He wants a safe haven for Grisha, being one himself. He has seen the way they were treated – lesser and cursed. Their powers were considered witchcraft and their lives, nothing but struggle to find security. While the book never mentions his past love tragedy (I even read Demon in the Woods to make sure), the show does. Not to spoil but we get to see why Darkling became selfish and heartless towards the ordinary.

Show rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I hope you all liked my review and will enjoy the show!

Thank you @fendit, @belenguerra and @writingnreviews for providing this amazing community.

Best regards,
@sanyazulfiqar

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 3 years ago 

Thanks for sharing in W&R!!

Thanks for the support @belenguerra ❤️

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