Shadow and Bone

So. I give this a strong 3/5. I'm rounding up because I do know Bardugo gets better, but I am so glad I read Six of Crows first. Because this book had one of my most hated YA tropes (girl goes on and on about how ugly she is but somehow gets the attention of the two most attractive boys in the series). Not to mention, Alina doesn't really do anything. The plot just kind of happens to her. Even at the end, it's just like “well, I guess we have to go after this MacGuffin” just ‘cuz.

Bardugo definitely comes in more on her own in SoC at least character-wise. And I will continue with this series because I want to know more about this world. But I don't care about Alina. She's not incredibly likable or sympathetic.