

So if you want to read the series chronologically or get even more of Alina's story, start here. It also lays helpful (if not necessary) groundwork for understanding the Grishaverse world and its complex terminology even better. They're a bit different from the show, which made changes to deviate from the " very white, very straight" fantasies Bardugo said she was emulating while originally writing the trilogy: Alina and Mal's biracial identities, most of Mal's Season 1 storyline, and Alina's increased agency in her relationship with Kirigan were all new.īut the general plot of Shadow and Bone was very much the same in both iterations, so if you're excited to find out where Alina, Mal, Kirigan, and the rest of the gang's stories go next, kicking things off with the original trilogy is the way to go. They unfold in first person, follow a typical Chosen One narrative, and even feature a love triangle. Of all the Grishaverse books, these have the most obvious trappings of the YA fantasy genre.

The books: Shadow and Bone (2012), Siege and Storm (2013), Ruin and Rising (2014)

So, before you head out to your nearest bookstore, check out the below guide. And depending on your preferences, it's not even necessary to read the series chronologically.

It sounds like a lot, but just like the sitting down to watch Netflix's Shadow and Bone, diving into this intricate fantasy world pays off big-time. To make things even more complex, Bardugo also published the King of Scars duology (which unfolds after both Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows) and three other standalone books all set within the Grishaverse. In the original Grishaverse, the Six of Crows duology takes place two years after the events of the Shadow and Bone novels, and they're almost entirely separate plot-wise. However, you may be surprised to learn that, in the books, the Crows don't show up in Alina's story at all. It was the first in a trilogy, following Alina's tumultuous journey as the Sun Summoner. Some background for new fans: The Grishaverse kicked off with the release of Bardugo's Shadow and Bone in 2012. So, if you want to get a hint of where the show could go next or just pass the time before a potential Season 2, here's your guide to reading the Shadow and Bone Grishaverse books in order: While the Netflix adaptation is named for the first book in the author Leigh Bardugo's book series, its source material spans more than seven novels. If you fell in love with the world of Shadow and Bone during Season 1, you'll be happy to know there are even more stories to sink your teeth into offscreen.
