I posted this on my blog With Her Head in a Book. 
 I've been wanting to read this book for ages, but hadn't for so many reasons (my TBR pile suffers from this). Luckily, Bookdrunkinlove's read-a-thon prompted me to pick this up immediately otherwise it might have been ages until I finally picked up this marvelous book! 
 Set in an era of changing times, the use of Grisha magic is on the edge of becoming unnecessary in the evolving world it's conveniently cut off from. A black veil of darkness and hoard of monsters separates Ravka from trade, society, and more importantly, freedom. Supplies is being brought across the Shadow Fold, but such a dangerous task comes at a high price as readers soon find out. 
 Alina, our heroine, uncovers her hidden power, secrets she's kept from herself, and secrets that have been kept from the rest of the nation. She's required to make demanding choices to protect the one she loves, the rest of the world, and the life she never wanted. 
 I typically start books without remembering what the synopsis says. Everything gets thrown into my TBR pile and sits there until I forget what it's about until dive in. I started out thinking that Mal was going to be the one taken away to become a Grisha and Alina would be like a sort of sidekick or would try to stop him from becoming evil. Then, when it was proven that Alina was a Grisha, but couldn't use her powers on her own, I thought Mal would be brought in as another Sun Summoner (like two halves of a whole). Anyway, I had a feeling Mal would be back and be the main romantic interest. 
 Some of the plot points were a bit predictable, but I can look past that. I totally loved the concept and was completely swept away. To be honest, I was expecting the book to be longer, but it wrapped up nicely so I'm okay with reading a shorter novel than I usually do. Any longer and the story would have felt dragged on. There was a bit less action than I would have liked, but I have a feeling that the second book makes up for that. Shadow and Bone is more like groundwork for the rest. 
 The rest my contain spoilers... 
 (view spoiler)[I'm very over narrators that put themselves down and/or characters that make themselves out as special snowflakes (I understand that it happens in real life and we need diversity of all kinds, but something about this bugs me excessively). Alina is both of those. She repeatedly comments on her lackluster looks, sort of complaining about it, yet refuses to artificially enhance her beauty. I'll give her some points for that, but the amount of instances where she talks about how she looks negates that. Thankfully, she gets over that when she learns how to control her powers. I was also irritated by how often she compared herself to the other ladies in appearances, personality, and talents. It made me think she was generalizing all of the female students and putting them down. 
 With all that said, I really did like Alina! I could relate to her being an outcast, feeling like everyone she's close to has drifted away. I was so proud of her at the end for breaking out of the Darkling's control (honestly I'm not entirely sure I understand how even though I know why). She has some great character development in this book. She also has her moments of being incredibly funny: 
 "Dear Mal," I'd written, "I haven't heard from you, so I assume you've met and married a volcra and are living comfortably on the Shadow Fold, where you have neither light nor paper with which to write. Or, possibly, your new bride ate both your hands." 
 The Darkling! I know a lot of readers are crazy for him, but he didn't strike the same cord within me. Though, I will admit, I fell for his tricks just like everyone else. If I had been in Alina's shoes, I probably wouldn't have even run away. Just thinking about it riles me up. As much as I want him dead, he's too interesting and I'm really glad that he's not. 
 I was hoping Alexei would have been with us longer. I know his part was so short lived, but he was a promising character! And I appreciated his relationship with Alina; it would have been one heck of a bromance. I feel like if he had had the chance to, he would have gone off with Mal and Alina in their adventures. 
 Mal on the other hand turned out to be more boring than I expected. A really amazing tracker, but a pushover? Pushovers are a bit of a turn off for me - and speaking of turn ons and offs, who stands a chance when it's a competition against the Darkling, the manipulative and controlling bad boy? Apparently Mal does because I was rooting for him from the get-go. Surprisingly, I was ready to cry as he was about to die and Alina's light was forced away from him. 
 As a side note, the Apparat is creepy as hell and I'm still not totally sure who's side he's on. But since he kinda seems like he's trying to help Alina, I hope he's in the future books. (hide spoiler)] 
 Overall, I would recommend this book. 
 Plot: 3/5 
 Characters: 4/5 
 Writing style: 3/5 
 All around idea: 5/5 
 Final Score: 4/5