Will

I picked this book up mostly on a whim and because the cover looked intriguing and someone at the bookstore had left a little blurb saying it was queer (which I absolutely loved how matter of fact the queerness was, I appreciate a good story about queerness prevailing in the face of odds like Simon vs the Homosapiens Agenda, but I also just want more normal representation showing queer people just being people and respected as such and this book did an amazing job of that!). It sat on my shelf for two years which is really a shame because I devoured it in 3 days and it's quickly become one of my favorite reads of the year.

Don't let the mixed reviews keep you from reading it (I was at first nervous because there were some less than enthusiastic reviews, but I think that mostly comes down to taste).

I would recommend this for people who enjoy casual queer representation, accurate sibling relationships (boy did Kylee's sense of protecting her brother resonate with me as an older sister myself), and a refreshing new fantasy world (seriously I would love to have a Lonely Planet guide for this world it's so cool and I can't wait for it to be unpacked more in the sequels!)

Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! (or don't that's really up to you

The cozy vibes in this book were oh so right! Highly recommend reading during Christmas time with snow falling outside and a nice mug of hot cocoa. I fell in love with the atmosphere and the cast of characters who were frustrating, loveable, hilarious, clever, and all around delightful to read about.

I have read very few books where I have afterwards thought this not only changed my life as a reader and enjoyer of stories (both serious and absurdly hilarious) but also as a thinker and horribly flawed human being. One person alone is nothing, two people are a nation. As someone who so often feels alone this novel was so powerful and in many ways (perhaps in the simplest, most human of ways) profound. It's so incredibly easy to forget that we are all the same people, that we sailed all the way across the sea until we came back. But we are a Nation. And we have incredible potential for thought, creativity, and community.

All this to say, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Leigh Bardugo is definitely starting to craft the story telling that I am so used to (and absolutely spoiled by) through the Six of Crows duology. As the plot thickens and the world and characters grow, Bardugo weaves a thrilling second installment of the Shadow and Bone series. Can't wait to see this one adapted!!!