Book Review: Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo

NaNoWriMo has kind of thrown me off a bit on posting, but I promise I'm back with more Friday book reviews!

With the release of Rule of Wolves, I knew I would need a refresher on the Grishaverse. I decided to read the entire series all over again because I couldn't really remember much of the original trilogy's plot.

Also the release of the Netflix show renewed my interest in this world. The show was SO well done and it made me want to relive the tale of Alina and the Darkling!

The first thing I noticed as I started Shadow & Bone was how quick of a read it was. Before I knew it, I was halfway through the story. One thing that I have always loved about Leigh Bardugo's writing is that she doesn't use purple prose. Every word is intentionally chosen.

After watching the show, how little we saw of Mal shocked me. Netflix did an amazing job of making Mal desirable--something that the books severely lacked. I'll admit, in my original read, I was totally Team Darklina. I didn't like Mal at. all. I was absolutely in love with the Darkling. (Spoiler alert: that didn't really change a whole lot. I mean cmon... Ben Barnes?! PERFECT casting!!)

Overall, I didn't completely connect with this story as I'd hoped. For me, the Six of Crows duology was much more engaging. That said, I still think the original trilogy is required reading if you plan on reading the rest of the Grishaverse. It's a good story if you're looking for a rich fantasy world to escape into--just keep in mind that it is YA!

Thanks, Abbie

Writerly Wednesday: Ideas

Lots of people ask the same question: Where do you get your ideas? For some people, this might be an easy question to answer. Some folks may spend all day just coming up with new ideas, or having brainstorm sessions. Others may not be able to come up with ideas without really having to work to find them.

There isn't just one way that I come up with ideas. I don't sit down and just think things up. My ideas happen to come from all over the place.

Back in the old days of AOL, I started roleplaying with online friends. It was so much fun to jump into the world of a book or TV show that I loved. I would assume a character and write as though I were the character. It started out really small, but eventually moved toward online forums. Back then, I thought I wasn't good enough to come up with original worlds or ideas, so taking on characters created by other people and making up storylines really worked for me. I was also super socially awkward as a teenager, so making friends online was really easy for me.

I have taken several of these ideas and brought them into new worlds and characters that I've created. The plot of my upcoming NaNoWriMo project is solely inspired by a villains' romance plot created on one of these roleplaying websites.

Other times, my ideas come from dreams. I don't always remember my dreams, but sometimes I can remember moments. I take that single moment and build from it. Last year, for NaNoWriMo, I wrote a 75,000 word novel on a single image: a woman placing a red rose on a snow covered headstone. That scene didn't even make it into the final novel, but I was able to take that solitary moment and develop it into a full length novel.

Ideas can come from anywhere. I'll be reading a book and a plot point will just hit me. No, I don't steal the thing I'm reading, but it can help to inspire your plot in your own stories.

Reading craft books has helped me as well. I really struggled with my villain in A Shield of Stars, but when I read Sacha Black's Villains book, I was able to figure out what was missing and make my villain more well rounded.

Sometimes, as I'm falling asleep, I come up with scenes in my head for my characters, and I'm able to work out more plot points.

It doesn't matter where the idea comes from. What matters is what you do with it. Happy creating, friends.

Abbie

Book Review: The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

Sometimes, you just want to read a book that you loved all over again. The Shadows Between Us was my favorite read in 2020. I love this book so much that when I found out there was a special edition with a purple cover, I went on a mission to find a copy!

Isn't it BEAUTIFUL?!

Touted as the Slytherin romance we've always needed, this book hooked me from the first sentence. It's rare that this happens. I knew from the very beginning that this was going to be a book that I absolutely loved.

One thing I like is that it's a stand alone. I have this habit of needing everything to be a series, but it was really nice to be able to enjoy a book that was simply one story and to be done with it. Tricia Levenseller is doing another book in this world, so hopefully we'll get a follow up!

This novel is a fantasy romance--right up my alley!

From the beginning, we meet Alessandra, who has ambitions far beyond what her father thinks. She does not love, has vowed not to love, so she figures why not seek out the highest position a woman in the land can get?

Alessandra wants to be Queen. She vows to woo the Shadow King, a mysterious man who no one is allowed within five feet of. Her father balks at the idea, but entertains his daughter's wishes. He brings her to court and is immediately flabbergasted when Alessandra insists on not being presented to the king.

Up until this point, all we really know about Alessandra is that 1. She's murdered a former lover. 2. She believes love only hurts you. And 3. She loves to design fashion.

When Alessandra doesn't present herself before Kallias--the Shadow King--he immediately becomes interested. She's wearing an outfit that is almost scandalous, one that isn't typical kingdom fashion. Before the night is out, Alessandra has managed to do the one thing no other person in the kingdom ever has: capture the king's attention.

Full of fake dating, mysterious magic, and a slow burn romance, The Shadows Between Us is easily one of my top five favorite books. It isn't earth shattering or life changing, but it is an incredibly enjoyable romance between two anti-heroes. I love it. It's the closest I've ever seen another author come to writing one of my future projects. I can't wait to share that with you either.

Thanks, Abbie