Spoiler note: the first two sections are kept light, but later sections reveal major plot points. Each is labeled.
What the series is about
Shadow and Bone is the first book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, also called the Grisha trilogy, by Leigh Bardugo. It is a young adult fantasy set in Ravka, a country inspired by Russia. A band of darkness called the Shadow Fold splits the country in two and is filled with dangerous creatures. The Grisha are people with magical abilities who serve the crown.
The main character is Alina Starkov, an orphan who works as a mapmaker for the army. When her regiment is attacked while crossing the Fold, she reveals a rare ability that could change the country’s future. The story follows her training among the Grisha, her relationships with her childhood friend Mal and the powerful Grisha leader known as the Darkling, and the question of what the Fold really is.
The trilogy, book by book
Shadow and Bone (2012)
Alina discovers her power, is taken to train with the Grisha, and learns that the Darkling, who leads the Second Army, has his own plans for the Fold. The book is about power, belonging, and trust.
Siege and Storm (2013)
Alina and Mal are on the run, and the Darkling remains a threat. New allies and enemies appear, including a privateer who helps shape the story. Alina looks for ways to become strong enough to resist him, and the cost of power becomes a theme.
Ruin and Rising (2014)
The final book follows Alina and her allies as they hide, regroup, and prepare for a last stand. The stakes involve the future of Ravka and the Shadow Fold itself.
Are the books finished?
The Shadow and Bone trilogy is complete: three books, with a conclusive ending. The wider Grishaverse continues in other series, so the world is not finished. Bardugo also published short stories set in the same world, collected in books such as The Language of Thorns.
Who does Alina end up with? (spoilers)
By the end of the trilogy, Alina and Mal are together. Their relationship is the center of the story, though the Darkling, who is both a villain and a magnetic, complicated figure, has many fans. Readers debate the pairing, and the TV adaptation changes some character dynamics. If you want to avoid spoilers, skip this section.
Reading order for the Grishaverse
The Grishaverse books are usually read in publication order:
- Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising (the trilogy)
- Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom (a duology about a heist crew in a different city)
- King of Scars and Rule of Wolves (a duology following characters from Ravka)
Some readers start with Six of Crows, because it is set in a separate part of the world and can be read mostly on its own. The Ravka books, however, are easier to follow if you have read the trilogy first. Both orders are common, but later books reveal plot details from earlier ones, so starting with the trilogy avoids spoilers.
The Netflix series
Netflix released a series called Shadow and Bone in 2021, with a second season in 2023. It adapts the first book and blends in characters from Six of Crows, so the show covers more material than the first novel alone. Netflix later announced it would not continue the series beyond two seasons, so as far as I know there is no third season. Check for the latest news in case things have changed.
If you watched the show, you can still enjoy the books, since the show changes timelines and adds storylines.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Shadow and Bone books finished?
The trilogy is complete. Other Grishaverse series continue the world.
Who did Alina Starkov end up with?
Mal. See the spoiler section above.
Will there be a Shadow and Bone season 3?
Netflix did not renew it after season two, so a third season is not expected. Check current announcements.
What are the Shadow and Bone books in order?
Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising.