Fantasy Reads discussion

This topic is for anyone who wants to start the buddy read for Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. Feel free to discuss thoughts and feelings as you read!

~Cat

Heyyy! How many chapters per day and when are we starting?

Start anytime before Sunday, and you can do as many chapters a day as you want! Just update your thoughts here as you go! I'm going to begin reading tomorrow :)

Okay!!

I read like 16 pages and Alina annoys me lol

I read up til Chapter 4

(view spoiler)[AHHH Alina is so whiny >:/ (hide spoiler)]

Hey Mango! Sorry I didn't update this chat sooner, I've been busy with Christmas celebrations but now I'm back 😅

I started the book yesterday and now I'm on chapter 13, and I have to agree, Alina is kind of an annoying character. I just don't get why she's so mean to everyone. And I'm realizing she's also one of those MCs that are like "ahh I never asked to be special but oh no I guess I am anyway..." XD

Besides Alina, I love Genya and the Darkling. The world building is going well but I'm having trouble keeping track of all the different Grishas.

It's fine! Ahaha I'm on Chapter 11, so I'm behind lol. But I agree! I feel like the author worked too hard on making her characters have flaws, instead of giving her a personality. :(

YESS GENYA IS AMAZING, I'm not sure how I feel about the Darkling yet ahaha, Same the names are all foreign to me!

Agreed!

Okay I'm on page 232 and (view spoiler)[ I wasn't expecting...this...I don't even know what to call it....affair?? between the Darkling and Alina? I didn't see them as being romantically involved and I don't like it.... and Mal is right but he doesn't have to be such a jerk about it! (hide spoiler)]

On page 264! Beginning of Chapter 17. :)

(view spoiler)[IKR?! Ew...please not the Darkling + Alina- thing of the age gap!! ALSO BRO I DIDNT EXPECT THE DARKLING TO HAVE CREATED THE SHADOW FOLD- like I suspected he was bad, but not the original source of this...

I love Baghra now. :)

AND WTF HAPPENED TO MAL? I agree he did have some sense, but why is he so mean now?! At least he still saved Alina from all those soldiers lol.

And just saying...Alina needs a new crowd of boys to choose from...like eW- (hide spoiler)]

I just finished the book today!

(view spoiler)[ AGH yes, the age gap had me gagging! And I didn't expect the Darkling to be the Black Heretic either- I actually tRUSTED him there for a little bit, but now I clearly see that was a mistake. And Baghra is dope- wasn't expecting her to be his mom though! *mind blown*

I kinda wasn't ready for romance between Mal and Alina....like I could tell it was going to happen, but still, I felt like it was a little rushed at the end.

Speaking of, that ending was a bit predictable, but amazing nonetheless! Although I'm getting a little tired of the whole "I couldn't save everyone and now their deaths weigh on my shoulders" trope with MCs lol. Still, I hope to pick up book 2 soon! (hide spoiler)]

I finished too!!

(view spoiler)[You put my thoughts out perfectly ahaha. Mal and Alina def make a better couple than her and the Darkling...ew.

I really hope I get to see more of Baghra!

UGH SAME, Alina was so dramatic and whiny- like get a grip PLS.

But I found the concept of the Shadow Fold very intriguing and will pick up the next one soon!
(hide spoiler)]

Thanks for buddy reading this with me! <33

(view spoiler)[ Malina is much better than the Darkling/Alina, but I have a feeling this isn't the last we're going to see of the Darkling... ;)

The Shadow Fold thing was very cool, and I've heard that it was done spectacularly in the Netflix show! (hide spoiler)]

Thanks for doing the buddy read with me too! It was a lot of fun! Do you want to do one for the next book? It's okay if you don't want to, totally up to you! :)

(view spoiler)[Yass Malina all the way ahaha, ugh I hate the Darkling, but you're right. (hide spoiler)]

Omgg I'd love to!! I'll put a hold on the next copy. ;)

Great! Let me know when you're ready to start reading, and I'll make the next topic!

(view spoiler)[ Btw, do you know why Genya was wearing a red kefta when she visited Alina in the tent? I couldn't decipher what they were talking about. (hide spoiler)]

Alright!!

(view spoiler)[I was wondering the same! I honestly have no clue. Sorry. :/ (hide spoiler)]

Haha it's okay! Thanks!