Netflix’s “Shadow and Bone” is an eight-episode fantasy drama series based on American author Leigh Bardugo’s best-selling novels. Developed by Arrival screenwriter Eric Heisserer, the series transports its audiences into the Grishaverse—a war-ridden world where people possess powers of elemental manipulation, theatrical deception, and perpetual desperation. 

Set in Ravka—a country cleaved in two by a vast expanse of darkness called the Shadow Fold, with wars on all fronts and internal tensions rising, only a miracle can forge a new world. Enter Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), an army cartographer who discovers a power within her that could potentially destroy the Shadow Fold. As Alina’s power is discovered by Ravka’s Grisha—people with the ability to control bodies and elements—she is thrown into a life she had never foreseen. 

Under the guidance of General Kirigan (Ben Barnes), a powerful Grisha and army commander with a dark dream for the country’s future, Alina begins to tap into her power’s potential. Meanwhile, gifted tracker and Alina’s childhood friend Malyen Oretsev (Archie Renaux) attempts to find his way back to her at all costs. As enemies, assassins, and potential allies emerge, Alina must make choices that shakes Ravka to the core.

Rounding out the main cast; Freddy Carter plays a mastermind and leader of the Crows Kaz Brekker, Amita Suman plays the assassin with a conscience Inej Ghafa, and Kit Young plays a charming sharpshooter with an itch for a good wager Jesper Fahey.

Welcome to the Grishaverse

The Netflix series combines two vastly different installments in Bardugo’s Grishaverse books. The Shadow and Bone trilogy, the show’s namesake, revolves around Alina and the quest to destroy the Shadow Fold. Meanwhile, the Six of Crows duology takes place two years after the original—centering on a crew of top-notch criminals with a talent for heists and beating improbable odds. 

These two stories intertwine in ways that longtime fans of the books could have never imagined, while still staying faithful to the source material and overall plot. This season directly adapts the first book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, and sets the stage for the events in Six of Crows with prequel plot lines. Thus, including fan favorites Nina Zenik (Danielle Galligan) and Matthias Helvar (Calahan Skogman), who both play key roles in the Six of Crows duology and the books that follow.

It was inevitable that changes were made to fuse these two stories together, and thankfully, none of these changes were damning for either storyline. The plot had only strengthened the story and characters’ ties to one another. An example, much of Alina’s outward transformations in the books were fruit of internal conflict and the lack of a choice, while the show translates these developments into an impactful series of moments. 

Moreover, the showrunner’s choice to cast largely unknown actors ultimately made the series feel like a new world “unfolding”—pun intended. This riveting adventure was accompanied with great comedic timing by the cast’s brilliant chemistry as they redefined these characters and expanded on the human experience found within this world.

Bardugo’s vision was translated onto the screen in a magical and realistic fashion. Ravka felt like a place caught between tsarist opulence and perpetual crisis, while the Crows’ home turf of Ketterdam was every bit as gritty and over-the-top as described in the source material. 

On the other hand, the overall production design was nothing short of gorgeous; with breathtaking costumes, sets, and a harrowing soundtrack to match. 

Beyond the pages

Showrunner Heisserer proves to avid book-readers that series adaptations can be successful without directly sticking to its initial plot—as he weaved in Six of Crows into the original Shadow and Bone storyline. “It showcased the expansiveness of Leigh's world [...] and there's so much more to that world as explored by our Crows characters,” Heisserer explained in an interview with Collider.

Though non-readers of the source material may have a hard time digesting the series, as the richness of the Grishaverse’s world, lore, and lingo is frankly a lot to take in—a feat that book fans have an advantage over. But fret not, there’s enough time to read and add the Grishaverse books to your reading list. 

Despite this initial shock of entering the world, audiences cannot help but crave for more action, drama, and adventure. “Shadow and Bone” is packed with emotionally-driven storylines coming together, perfectly timed cliffhangers at the end of every episode, and a finale that leaves audiences begging for answers.

Ultimately, Netflix’s “Shadow and Bone” brings Bardugo’s Grishaverse to life through the amalgamation of its characters from two separate book series and produces the compelling story of outcasts finding their way into the world against prejudice defeating tyrants along the way. 

Now, all we need is a confirmation of a second season.

So while we wait, enter the world of the Grishaverse and don’t miss out on the first season of Shadow and Bone, streaming worldwide on Netflix.