Title: Shadow and Bone 

(The Grisha Trilogy #1)

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Publication Date: June 5, 2012

Cover Art: 5/5

Goodreads:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. 

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. 

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

Review:

This was a completely magical book and I was under it's spell!
The world that Leigh Bardugo has created was amazing. Everything was so vivid, the story line flowed good. It was well written. It had everything that I love in books; action, magic, adventure, an exotic location, some romance (no insta-love)!
The characters were amazing! I loved them all.

This book surprised me, I didn't know what to expect before I started it, but I'm sure glad I had the opportunity to read it. Buy the book when it comes to stores I know I will, why because it's pure awesomeness!
My only question is: When is the second book coming out?

Thanks so much to Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley! 

4 &1/5 / 5 Stars