2015 · Leigh Bardugo · 465 pages · Fantasy
Six of Crows is a heist novel in fantasy clothing, driven by six damaged teenagers who are each hiding something from the others. The plotting is intricate, the characters are magnetic, and the Barrel of Ketterdam is one of the most vividly realized settings in YA fantasy. It's the book that turned Bardugo from a solid fantasy author into a genre-defining one.
2021 · 2 Seasons · Netflix · Fantasy / Adventure
Shadow and Bone successfully brings the Grishaverse to screen with strong production values and a charismatic villain, though its split storylines and rushed pacing prevent it from reaching the depth of its source material.
2012 · Leigh Bardugo · 358 pages · Fantasy
Shadow and Bone is a solid YA fantasy debut that introduced the Grishaverse and its Russian-inspired world, even if the chosen-one structure and romantic dynamics feel familiar. The Darkling is the book's secret weapon, a villain compelling enough to sustain interest through the more conventional stretches. It's a good starting point, not a destination.