It is no secret around these parts that I am always and forever obsessed with the original Grisha Trilogy! (I refuse to call it the Shadow and Bone Trilogy – it is not.) I first read Shadow and Bone in early 2016, quite a few years late, but obviously fell in love with it. I was instantly drawn to the characters, especially Alina and the Darkling. Though there were ups and downs with the series, I remain in love with it and even did a recent re-read. I still need to dig back into Siege and Storm!
The biggest debate I see over and over with this series even seven years after its release is Team Darkling vs. Team Mal. I have a LOT of feelings about this, which I’ve already outlined in previous reviews (mostly this one), but they break down to this:
- Mal is the worst.
- Darkling is problematic but I love him.