The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.

If the cover doesn't entice you at first glance, there's something wrong with your eyes (jk). Seriously though, that semi-gothic font and the branches and that palace *gushes* Now getting over the cover....

Shadow and Bone is an engaging read with ample of surprises and undeniable chemistry among the characters. I wasn't disappointed with its premise as well as the eccentric plot set in Russia. Although I admit that the first 50 pages got my head spinning with all the spoon fed information to the point I ALMOST put it down. There's action, fantasy (high), MAGIC, powers, politics, compelling romance and a whole lot GOODNESS.

But with awesomeness comes a few ambivalent things that I want to point out. First, the development on Alina's character. Sure, it takes time to comprehend to the changes in her life, but I think 65% of the book was all about Alina's "I am never good enough" mantra and her trying to convince everyone that she's not the one they're looking for. That is why I got a lukewarm relationship with her during the course of my read. The good thing about her is she's a fun character too, her personal issues aside I can really say that she's very loyal and easy to go along with.

That "what-the-flying-Ravka-just-happened-kiss" of Darkling and Alina  midway the book. It baffled and bothered me so much I think I got a hang of it til the last page. I mean wow, they've been having a casual relationship then BOOM kiss kiss kiss. It was just so abrupt IMO.

The romance was cute? I mean I usually hate love triangles, but this triangle here is interesting. We have Alina, Mal and the Darkling. I am just so excited on how their relationships will progress in the next books. I am being biased, but I really want Alina to end with Mal. *shrugs* You can't blame me, they've been friends since forever and I really think they perfectly match each other's character and flaws. BUT that doesn't mean Darkling isn't an appealing character, infact he is the evil/villian here that will capture every reader's heart. His mysterious and puzzling side of him totally got my interest piqued. You can say that he is a charmer without even trying ;) Alina and Darkling have more to show. I know there's more to their blossoming relationship.

“I missed you every hour. And you know what the worst part was? It caught me completely by surprise. I’d catch myself just walking around to find you, not for any reason, just out of habit, because I’d seen something that I wanted to tell you about or because I wanted to hear your voice. And then I’d realize that you weren’t there anymore, and every time, every single time, it was like having the wind knocked out of me. I’ve risked my life for you. I’ve walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I’d do it again and again and again just to be with you, just to starve with you and freeze with you and hear you complain about hard cheese every day. So don’t tell me why we don’t belong together,” he said fiercely.”

 

The most interesting facet is the Shadow Fold. What lies beyond the Shadow Fold??? And Leigh's writing is intricate with so much vividness. I just hope that the pacing won't skip from spring to winter in a matter of 10 pages ;) Overall, it was an enjoyable read with so much goodness to squeeze out of the book! And smexy darkling and mal!

Do Min-joon is an alien that landed on Earth in the year 1609, during the Joseon Dynasty. As he tries to help a young girl, Yi-hwa, from falling off a cliff, he misses his trip back to his planet and is stranded on Earth for the next four centuries. He possesses a near-perfect appearance, enhanced physical abilities involving his vision, hearing and speed, and a cynical, jaded view regarding human beings. As time goes by, Min-joon is forced to take on a new identity every ten years, as his human appearance never ages.

In the present, he works as a college professor and finds out that due to a comet coming in three months, he will be able to return to his home planet. In the meantime, he accidentally meets famous actress Cheon Song-yi, the biggest Hallyu star in Korea, when she moves in next door to his luxurious apartment and also turns out to be attending his classes at college. Song-yi is an obnoxious, entitled attention seeker, someone who became a top star in her teens and never learned how to live a normal life. Min-joon finds out that Song-yi looks like the young girl he fell in love with in the Joseon era. He tries to keep himself away from her as he needs to leave the planet, but often finds himself failing to do so.

However, Song-yi gets entangled in the dangerous game of Lee Jae-kyung, the elder brother of Hwi-kyung, who has been her friend since middle school and is in love with her. As Jae-kyung tries to silence Song-yi, Min-joon finds himself saving her multiple times and eventually the neighbors fall for each other. But Jae-kyung turns out to be much more dangerous than Min-joon suspected and he mysteriously also starts to lose control over his superpowers, making his only friend and confidant, Lawyer Jang worried about his life and return to space.

• HOTTIE ALIEN ALERT!!!!!1111111
• He's character is not easy to understand. He's very distant from people and he's really a smarty-pants. COLD, that's him. He rarely talks and he keeps his face straight with no emotions most of the time BUT when he shows emotions and affection I AM A GONER!!!!!!!11 ESPECIALLY WHEN HE SMILES.................... O<-<
• He has super powers such as ability to teleport, stop time, psycho-telekinesis, but he doesn't have control over the four elements such as air, water, earth, fire. 
• HIS BANGS. YEP. I love his bangs. Dre @ Sporadic Reads has also a fetish over the bangs! HAHA
• KIM SOO HYUN played the role Do Min Joon, and he is another bane of my existence. I am not even sure if I like Do Min Joon or Kim Soo Hyun. Maybe both. Yes both. He's not new to me anymore, I've already watched his other dramas before, but while I was watching MLFTS, I was overwhelmed and astonished of how immensely he improved! AND how immensely I grew infatuated to him more. THE FEELS WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE. He's just so charming and swoon-worthy. He portrayed the role well and there's no need for any background music during the heavy drama scenes, for just one look at his sullen/sad/crying face, you'll burst into droplets of tears OR a very deep sad face =((((((((((( 

• People who hates narcissistic, obstinate and attention seeker characters will loathe her. But I guess, there is more than meets the eye in Song Yi's character. I liked her so much, she's confident and she knows what she wants in life. She knows when to fight and when to give up. She knows how to love herself and also to love others to point of being altruistic.  
• She's perfectly flawed, she's very vulnerable, but she conceals her weaknesses with a mask because of her status in Korea. Yep, she's not a very likable character at first, but as soon as the story deepened, she grew in me. I learned so much from her character. She's brave, she goes through A LOT of pain and disappointment, but she tenaciously keeps a solid wall inside her.
• She speaks of what other actresses have to go through everyday. The pressure that weighs on their shoulders is unbearable, but they have to carry it if they want to keep their title in this industry. 
• SHE'S FUNNY, RIDICULOUS (IN A GOOD SENSE), and really GOOFY. She entertained me with her funny antics, absurd and silly actions and especially the way she acts around Do Min Joon. What's not to like about that?
• She's desperate for affection, love, and life-long commitment because of what happened with her father, that's why it's really hard for her to open her heart for anyone unless she's sure. But man when cupid started to play its tricks, I greatly ache and empathize for her! 
• JI HYUN who played the role really did a great job. Actually, she's familiar to me because I already watched My Sassy Girl last 2006 BUT I barely remember her acting there. For crissake it's been 8 years. Anyway, the role came natural for her, I feel her emotion and she's very talented and flexible actress. When it comes to the heavy drama parts, the way she cried, the way she slowly muttered the words, the way she expressed emotions BAAAAM SO GOOD!

• I SHIP SONG YI AND MIN JOON SO HARD THAT IT TURNED TO A ROCKET SHIP.
• There was no rush in their relationship, it started really funny and a 'she is insufferable' & 'he is too hostile sometimes' kind that sometimes you just want them to talk to each other for a whole episode and watch them bicker over rubbish things. 
• The chemistry between the characters were PALPABLE.
• There are each others' rock when they are about to hit the bottom. Their relationship was bent and tested painfully because of  Do Min Joon's future departure. I AM NOT GOING TO CRY
• HARDSHIPS. Oh, there are a lot. expect ANGST!!!!!1111