I have no clue why it took me so long to read Shadow And Bone. Seriously. I really liked it, and pretty unique. 
 One interesting thing: Alina's power that comes to life when her best friend is injured. Alina being the one to save Ravka, looking back, wasn't that surprising, but what did surprise me was her power being used for evil instead of good. Although...why was it dormant for so long? What is it about this moment that triggered her power to come alive? And as for Mal being an unusually good tracker...is he just really good at it, or is there more to it than we get in Shadow And Bone? 
 Bardugo created such an interesting world that I wanted to know so much more about Ravka and the Grisha. She also gives the reader enough details to understand this world and what's going on, but we also weren't inundated with details. There was quite a bit of information to take in at the beginning, but it was also done in a way that made you really interested. And it helps you understand some of what goes on later in the book. 
 The Darkling. He sounds so ominous, and is so charming...and is charming until he's not. He is a man who wants power, and has finally found the person who can change that. By the way, The Fold is one crazy and dark place, and the plans that the Darkling has in store for everyone...oh my goodness! I am having trouble wrapping my mind around this, and right now, it's a little hard! 
 There's something historical-feeling about Shadow And Bone, and there was something very Russian about some of the names and how Ravka was described. Actually, it's a little nice to have read a fantasy novel that feels Russian, as opposed to the more European feel that's associated with a lot of fantasy. 
 Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed Shadow And Bone! I was pulled in so fast, and I am very much looking forward to reading Siege And Storm. I didn't fall in love with Shadow And Bone, but I am glad that it lived up to all the hype and positivity surrounding it. Shadow And Bone gets 4 stars.