Netflix’s Shadow and Bone Season One Early Review

Shadow and Bone is the highly anticipated Netflix original series adapted from a popular YA book series written by Leigh Bardugo. The first season of Shadow and Bone (assuming Netflix follows the books, which is a trilogy) is based on the first book of the same name, which makes up the ‘Grisha Trilogy’. The series introduces the protagonist of the series, Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li) and her closest friend, Mal (Archie Renaux). They have been friends since they were small children living in the same orphanage. As grownups, they form part of the Ravkan army; Mal is a soldier, and Alina is a mapmaker. We don’t know why Alina is a mapmaker, and we don’t actually see her ever making a map, mostly because her life gets swept up in the darkness of ‘The Fold’ shortly after.

The Shadow Fold is a magical creation, much like a dark abyss that separates the world of Ravka. It was formed by “The Dark Heretic”, mentioned in the tales told throughout Ravka. To pass through The Fold is a risky undertaking, and many who try never return. This is a major plot piece in the series, and the primary characters, including Alina, Mal and General Kirigan (Ben Barnes), are inextricably linked to it. The focus of Shadow and Bone is the character progression of Alina Starkov. And without giving too much away, it is her fate that eventually impacts everyone in Ravka. What makes the world of Ravka so fascinating is how the people that inhabit it are split into two groups; those who use magic and those who don’t. At certain times throughout the show the characters are forced to decide which side of the line they stand on.

One of the standout performances in the show is that of Mei Li, a relatively unknown actress amongst a cast of relative newcomers apart from Barnes who is the veteran actor of the main cast. Barnes as General Kirigan is also an interesting character as he brings him to life with quiet, threatening composure. While there may be shades of black and white in terms of who is who in the show, it’s the characters that stand with one foot in and one foot out that are the most interesting. “Cookie-cutter” protagonists that are a dime a dozen in fiction storytelling have often been a sore spot. It’s the characters that are hard to read that are worth watching and wondering. Shadow and Bone has multiple characters like this, including Kaz (Freddy Carter), Inej (Amita Suman) and Jesper (Kit Young), who have smaller parts to play but are engaging and likeable enough to invest time in. In fact, Jesper is a personal favourite character simply because he’s so flamboyant and obviously not the hero type but at the same time is the hero type. It is through the characters that the story comes alive but at the core of the story is the fantastical world-building Leigh Bardugo has created.

The world-building of Shadow and Bone is absolutely breathtaking. Everything from the fantastic set pieces to the enthralling use of CGI is top-notch. It’s close to rivalling the world-building of Game of Thrones, and that is not said lightly. It’s one of the best parts of the series, and something we’ll be looking forward to seeing more of should the series continue. At this point, a second season has not yet been confirmed. But we’d be amazed if it doesn’t get the green light from Netflix to continue once the world is consumed here.

It is safe to say that Shadow and Bone will be the next version of Harry Potter, except, even better. Sorry to Harry Potter fans, but it’s time to hang up those cloaks and wands and make way for something unique, bold and adventurous. This is about to be unleashed on the world, and it’s surely going to be welcomed with open arms.

still courtesy of Netflix

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