⋆.ೃ࿔࿐ྂfaith & fantasy⋆.ೃ࿔࿐ྂ discussion

Welcome to the Shadow & Bone Elimination Game!

As stated on our Grishaverse Discussion Thread, the Grishaverse books do contain some content and worldview issues. F&F posting this game is not a promotion of the books. If you would like specific content warnings for these books, please message Sharon Loves to Read.

Here's how it works:

For each comment you make, you may take away two points from a character you dislike and give the two points to a character you do like. You may not make two comments in a row.

Each time a character reaches zero points, they will be kicked out of the game. We will end when only 3 characters remain having 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

Note: This game is easier played on the website, so you can copy and paste the list from the previous post.

This game can get intense!😬 XD Enjoy!

Oh! Fair warning: This game is a spoiler quagmire! Even if people keep their comments spoiler-free or hidden (and that is preferred🙃), when you see characters being liked and disliked and what you understand about those characters doesn't line up with what is happening in the points, it can be kind of spoilery, so play at your own risk!🙂

Here are the players:

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 20
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 20
David - 20
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 20
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 20
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 20
Zoya - 20

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 20
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 20
David - 22*
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 18*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 20
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 20
Zoya - 20

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 18*
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 20
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 18
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 22*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 20
Zoya - 20

Why would you immediately go after Mal when the Apparat is on the list?

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 18
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 18*
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 20*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 22
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 20
Zoya - 20

I can see Mal is going to need my help.🥺 I'm here for you, Mal.

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 16*
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 18
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 20
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 24*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 20
Zoya - 20

Thanks for helping Mal, Sharon. But we really need to get rid of the Apparat first.

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 16
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 16*
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 22*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 24
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 20
Zoya - 20

I agree the Apparat needs to go, but I am going to work on the Darkling before people jump on here and give me all the sappy reasons why I should root for him. He's got to goooooo! (Sorry if you are one of those people who love him!🙃)

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 14*
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 16
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 22
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 24
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 22*
Zoya - 20

@Sharon I understand your reasoning. As for me, my opinion of the Darkling is... conflicted. Like, Darklina is super toxic, and I def don't ship it, and I sort of hated him for a lot for the series, but I also didn't? And (view spoiler)[his death got me. Like, I was emotional. And A Demon In the Wood (I haven't read the comic or graphic novel, whichever it is, but just the short story in the back of the copy of R&R I read, and well, I wanted to know why Leigh Bardugo would do that to me. (hide spoiler)]

Bella wrote: "Alina - 20
The Apparat - 14*
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 16
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 22
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 24
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 22*
Zoya - 20

@Sharon I ..."

For the Darkling I gave him a 9/10 (idk why), and all those 9 pts go to Ben Barnes

Also who is Sergie, I forgot...

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 12*
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 16
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 22
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 26*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 10*
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 16
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 22
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 28*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

@Bella Yay, another Nikolai fan! And to answer your question, Sergie is Marie's boyfriend. (view spoiler)[In R&R he decided to leave the Spinning Wheel and go to one of the military bases. He ended up revealing their location to the Darkling, who had the nichevo'ya kill him. (hide spoiler)]

Who wants to help me keep Nikolai in the lead?

Has anyone else read KoS?

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 10
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 14*
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 24*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 28
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

I really have the wrong person in mind when I think of Sergie (was it spelled that way??). 🤔 I don't remember that person!

Also, yes, I have read KoS.

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 10
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 16*
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 22*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 28
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 10
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 14*
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 24*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 28
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 20
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 8*
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 14
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 24
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 28
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22*
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

@Sharon I asked about KoS because it's affected my opinion of several characters. (view spoiler)[including the Darkling (hide spoiler)]

I think you guys may be giving Mal too many points now. We can't have him getting ahead of Nikolai.

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 8
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 16*
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 24
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 28
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 18*

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 6*
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 16
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 24
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 28
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20*

You're not getting rid of Zoya on my watch.

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 6
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 14*
David - 22
Genya - 20
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 26*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 28
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 4*
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 14
David - 22
Genya - 22*
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 26
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 28
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

Is Mal your favorite, or are you just worried that everyone is going to go after him as soon as the Apparat is eliminated?

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 4
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 12*
David - 22
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 28*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 28
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

Both.🙃 I am not a fan of his morality, but I just do not understand the hate he gets from people who think he is oppressive. He clearly knew Alina well, loved her, sacrificed for her, and wanted the best for her. I don't get it.🤷‍♀️ So, I like him AND he needs protection.

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 4
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 14*
David - 22
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 26*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 28
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 4
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 12*
David - 22
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 28*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 28
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

@Bella--See what I mean?🤭

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 2*
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 12
David - 22
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 28
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 30*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

I get it. I'm actually one of the rare people who likes Mal, and I think I'll be fine with his being in the top three, but Nikolai has to be first. Tbh, I haven't put much thought into who I want to get second and third place.

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 2
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 10*
David - 22
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 30*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 30
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

I liked Nikolai in S&B, but didn't love him as a MC in the KoS duology. He was super as a supporting character!

Alina - 20
The Apparat - 0*
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 10
David - 22
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 30
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 32*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

Nikolai was my fav character in the KoS duology. : )
But hey, we finally got rid of the Apparat. Good riddance.

Alina - 20
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 8*
David - 22
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 32*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 32
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

Yeah, it's good he's gone.

Alina - 20
Baghra - 20
The Darkling - 10*
David - 22
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 30*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 32
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

Alina - 20
Baghra - 18*
The Darkling - 10
David - 22
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 30
Marie - 20
Nadia - 20
Nikolai - 32
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 22*

Alina - 20
Baghra - 18
The Darkling - 10
David - 24*
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 30
Marie - 20
Nadia - 18*
Nikolai - 32
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 22*

Alina - 20
Baghra - 18
The Darkling - 8*
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 32*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 32
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 22

Alina - 20
Baghra - 18
The Darkling - 6*
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 32
Marie - 20
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 34*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 22

Alina - 20
Baghra - 18
The Darkling - 6
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 34*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 32*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 22

Alina - 20
Baghra - 18
The Darkling - 6
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 32*
Marie - 20
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 34*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 22

Not you too.

Alina - 20
Baghra - 18
The Darkling - 6
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 34*
Marie - 18*
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 34
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 22

Why don't you like Mal??? 😱 I read this series a while ago and I don't remember it very well, but there's one thing I do remember...Mal is the best!

Alina - 20
Baghra - 18
The Darkling - 4*
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 36*
Marie - 18
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 34
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 22

I like Mal too, Catherine. He has a bad rap, but he doesn't deserve it.

Alina - 20
Baghra - 16*
The Darkling - 4
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 36
Marie - 18
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 36*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 22

It's not that I don't like Mal, I do, but you guys keep putting him ahead of my chosen for first place.

Alina - 20
Baghra - 18
The Darkling - 4
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 38*
Marie - 18
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 34
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20*

Yay!! Wait, why?

Alina - 20
Baghra - 14*
The Darkling - 4
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 38
Marie - 18
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 38*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

Why what?

Alina - 20
Baghra - 16
The Darkling - 2*
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 40*
Marie - 18
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 36
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

Whoo hoo! The Darkling is almost gone!! I can't believe people haven't been on here pushing him toward the winners' circle. But I am happy.

Catherine, do you mean why does he get so much hate?

Alina - 20
Baghra - 14
The Darkling - 0*
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 40
Marie - 18
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 40*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 20

I'm surprised, too. Well, good-bye Aleksander. Tbh, I almost don't want to get rid of him. ALMOST.

Alina - 20
Baghra - 14
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 42*
Marie - 18
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 40
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 18*

(Aw low-key I kind of like the Darkling 😂 IDK why- he was such a horrible person- but...*shrugs*

Yes, I did Sharon! Mal is like Peeta! (I think...again I don't remember the series very well XD))

Alina - 20
Baghra - 12*
David - 24
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 42
Marie - 18
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 42*
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 18

I also low-key like the Darkling (or Aleksander), but, well, he's evil, and we can't really let him win, can we? I almost regret eliminating him, though.

As for Mal, Idk why everyone hates on him. I actually really like him (although Peeta is better, btw). BUT Nikolai deserves first place.

Alina - 20
Baghra - 12
David - 26*
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 40*
Marie - 18
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 42
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 18

Farewell, Darkling! I did my best to keep you afloat, but it was not to be. He was a horrible person, I admit, but he was always the most interesting character in the series to me. He was probably my favorite character, but not because I liked him, lol.

Also, I just detested the idea of Mal being on longer than him.

@Mary-Therese, I think you posted at the same time as me, so some of the points are wrong, but you also didn't change anything. Was that on purpose?

And sorry about the Darkling, but maybe you could join #Nikolai>Mal?

Alina - 20
Baghra - 12
David - 26
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 42*
Marie - 18
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 42
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 16*

OK this is pretty funny- I agree with both of you on some things but Nikolai over Mal?? Really?? And the Darkling over Mal?? Really?

(But yes Peeta is far superior to Mal ;))

@Bella I think Mary-Therese may have edited her post, so I think the points are right now? Noooo Mal!! XD

I did edit my post as soon as I saw your post, Bella.

And not to worry. I have champion my boy David for quite some time, but Nikolai will be the winner here. I shall see to it!

Alina - 20
Baghra - 10*
David - 26
Genya - 22
Harshaw - 20
Mal - 42
Marie - 18
Nadia - 18
Nikolai - 42
Sergie - 20
Tamar - 22
Tolya - 22
Zoya - 18*

@Mary-Therese Welcome to the team. *high five* I love David too, btw.

@Catherine Yes, Peeta is FAR superior. As for Nikolai, he's my fave character, and most people would agree with me that he's better than Mal. ;)