YES. That’s it. That’s the article…kidding!
But, seriously. For the last couple of months, all I’ve been thinking about is Ben Barnes as the Darkling. My social media has been flooded with teasers of the new Netflix show, Shadow and Bone. This past weekend, I had two tasks: finish my American Studies project and binge-watch the show.
The show’s release was extra special because it’s based off the Grishaverse Universe books by Leigh Bardugo. The Grishaverse has three different series: Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows, and the King of Scars series. The show combined the characters from Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows. While the storyline of Shadow and Bone does follow the book, the storyline of the Six of Crows characters in the show is more of a prequel to bring all of the characters together at the same time and place.
While I have yet to finish reading the series, I had a lot of expectations because I already love the books so much and I didn’t want to be disappointed. I’m very happy to announce that I was everything BUT disappointed.
Netflix did an incredible job with the show. From costume design, set locations, casting, film shot, and staying true to the story. It was 10/10. While the first episode did start a bit slow for me, I felt the same way during the book but once the action starts…it doesn’t stop.
Shadow and Bone is set in the fantasy country Ravka where Alina Starkov discovers that she has powers that have always been thought to be a myth. After she lost her parents to the Shadow Fold, she grows up in an orphanage where she meets Mal. Mal and her become best friends and later join the First Army where she comes face to face with the Darkling after saving Mal’s life aboard the skiff.
In Ravka, the army is separated into two: the First Army and the Second Army. The First Army is made up of ordinary people. The Second Army, however, is made up of Grisha. Grisha are those who practice Small Science and are separated into three different orders. There’s the Corporalki which includes the Healers (heal), Heartrenders (can stop or accelerate hearts), and Tailors. The Etherealki which includes the Squallers (manipulate air), Inferni (manipulate fire), and Tidemakers (manipulate water). The Materialki which include Durasts and Alkemi whose power focuses on materials like glass, metal, and chemicals. Then there’s the Darkling who can manipulate shadows and darkness. And, the Sun Summoner who can manipulate light.
As a reader, one of my biggest worries when a book series gets a TV or film adaption is whether or not they will execute the vision that I had as I was reading the book. Netflix and the production company, 21 Laps Entertainment, did a phenomenal job. It’s a 10/10 for me. Hopefully Netflix gives the order for a season 2 and 3!
