If you've been anywhere near the internet in the last few months, you’ve probably seen mention of Shadow and Bone, the new fantasy series that began streaming on Netflix in April 2021. The series is adapted from the created by author , and stars Ben Barnes, Jessie Mei Li, Freddy Carter, and Archie Renaux. It has received lots of positive reviews from critics and fans, and after announcing that 55 million households had watched the first season in its first 28 days of streaming availability, Netflix renewed the show for a second season.
If you're reading a post called "Shadow and Bone, Explained," it probably means that you're new to the Grishaverse and have a lot of questions. (For starters, "What the heck is the Grishaverse?”) Or maybe, you've already listened to and love the novels and want to know more about the Shadow and Bone series on Netflix. Is it similar? What have they changed? Don't worry, Darklings—no matter what reason you're here, we have answers for you! (Just a quick note of warning: spoilers for the show and book series lie ahead, so proceed with caution!)
To kick things off, a little bit about the books:
It all started with the release of in June of 2012. This young adult fantasy novel, the first in a , was also Leigh Bardugo's debut novel. What a way to start a career! It was followed by and , the second and third books in the trilogy. Later came the release of the and , which are set in the same world as the trilogy, followed by the standalone short story collection, , and then the and , which features characters from both the original trilogy and Six of Crows. The books are full of magic and adventure and complicated and exciting relationships. They have amassed a huge fandom, and the announcement of a series adaptation in 2019 was met with great rejoicing.
So, what’s Shadow and Bone about?
Shadow and Bone is a fantasy novel, in which monsters are real and so are Grisha, people who possess the ability to control the elements, such as summoning wind or fire. People without these powers are known as Otkazat'sya. Alina Starkov is a young woman who grew up in an orphanage with Malyen "Mal" Oretsev. While out one day crossing the Unsea (also known as the Fold) on an expedition, Alina summons Grisha powers while rescuing Mal. She is whisked away to the Little Palace by the Darkling, the leader of the Grisha. He wants her to learn to control her power, but also to keep her out of enemy hands, because she is a Sun Summoner, which is a rare, powerful gift. Alina trains alongside other Grisha, who mostly treat her like an outsider, and she is also confused by her developing feelings for the Darkling.
