User Reviews

After watching the whole season and having read the books, I can say it was a great adaptation of the stories. If you haven't read the books I suggest you read them in the following order Shadow and Bone series, Six of Crows Duology, King of Scars Duology. The timelines and story will make more sense that way. I liked the casting and the special effects were very well done. All actors did a good job portraying thir characters, the world building sceneries were terrific, I did imagine them something like what the production visualized and since the author Leigh Bardugo gave such specific descriptions in her books it was hard not to do so. Really hoping Netflix will give a green light to continue with the rest of the Grishaverse stories.

An interesting start to the series, the storyline is interesting and the acting decent. The costuming and CGI were on point. My only complaint is that as a non book reader, all the names and places were a bit much for episode one.

So far it's an interesting start, kinda seems like they're introducing everything in rush but still somehow feels coherent and keeps me wanting to see what's gonna happens next.

The music is great and the feel of this world is well built with the good quality production. Hope the rest of the season gets better and we get to know the world and its characters better.

Haven't seen a good or interesting show from Netflix in a loooong time since like what, Daredevil season 3?!

Hope it gets better and the writers don't rush anything because Netflix told them to.

Remember, GOT got to the dragons and stuff from season 3 or 4, so it's interesting to see how they're gonna pace the show.

"Shadow and Bone" delivers an impeccable 10/10 with its gripping episode, setting the stage for a thrilling journey into the heart of the Grishaverse.

In East Ravka, the reunion of Alina Starkov and her childhood friend Mal Oretsev unfolds against the backdrop of the treacherous Fold. The decision to cross this perilous terrain introduces us to the relentless danger posed by the Volcra, creating an atmosphere of tension and excitement. Jessie Mei Li's portrayal of Alina shines as she unexpectedly discovers her Sun Summoner abilities, culminating in a burst of light that not only fends off the Volcra but leaves viewers on the edge of their seats.

Meanwhile, in the bustling streets of Ketterdam, the trio of Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa, and Jesper Fahey engages in a high-stakes competition with the formidable Pekka Rollins. The revelation of a million kruge job and the strategic maneuvering to secure a Heartrender add layers of intrigue.

The narrative's seamless weaving of two distinct storylines showcases the series' masterful storytelling, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating the unfolding drama. With exceptional character dynamics, intense action sequences, and a perfect blend of mystery and magic, this episode cements "Shadow and Bone" as a must-watch, earning a resounding 10 out of 10. 🌟🔮👏

I thought this pilot was amazing and a great introduction to the world. However, I think if you haven't read the books you will be a bit confused at first, but everything comes together nicely in the end.

What I really like about this pilot and introduction to this world, is they spend the 1st half of the episode introducing characters and setting up an interesting stage for what will happen in the second half. +1 Star.

When the skiff goes to cross the dark void, it as is usual in the multiverse that a stupid soldier didn't follow the rules, and ends up getting people killed. +1 Star.

So apparently some sort of power manifested itself from the girl on the skiff, a SEARING BURST OF LIGHT! And some people lived.

For the 1st Ep. 7/10.

I'm going to do a review of the show from a readers pov and then a review for those who haven't read the books:

Book Fan: 10/10 If you read the books, it will be easier to understand details like what the Small Science (the magic system) is, easier to process the characters' behaviors since we know their backstories already, and why Ravka is on the brink of collapse. I thought the transition scenes were very well done and the Crows introduction didn't feel out of place from the main story. Also, the actors portrayal of the characters were perfect!! Exactly as I imagined it. The camera work was great except for when Alina's face lit up in the Fold because that angle just made the scene look cheesy. I even loved the improvement of Mal's character to the point that I actually support him and Alina's friendship. A lot more believable in the show, then it was in the books! Overall, I was very pleased with this episode and the writers managed to do the impossible: the pilot became my favorite episode of this season and I usually hate pilots to shows because it's usually very slow due to character introductions and getting the viewers familiar with the world, but maybe it was because I was familiar with this world already so I just sat and enjoyed the show without needing to figure anything out.

Non-book Fans: 8/10 You'll probably feel overwhelmed or just confused on what is going on at first because it feels like you're getting a ton of information thrown at you all at once. My friends told me it took until episode 3 or 4 to understand the magic system and the world especially if you haven't watched Netflix's YouTube videos where they explain all of that. Overall, the characters and story seemed intriguing for them to wanna continue watching the show and start reading the books!

I loved the crows' first scenes so much, I cannot believe I finally got to see them on screen after like 2 years of waiting.

Amazing start that is so true to the source material (however, I will admit that this episode may be confusing for those who haven't read the books, but I urge you to stick around)

An excellent first episode which got better as it went on. Especially loved the second of the two major plot lines and (to describe this scene without any spoilers) the last scene we got of the first plotline this episode. The acting was on point and I found myself fully immersed during the course of this episode (something I tend to have a hard time doing with most shows these days). My only complaint probably doesn't make all that much sense but it is that there were some modern vibes from some of the characters. This fact, however, was completely ignored by the impact of their performances.

Iam on your side

At the beginging , I didnt like the fast start but at the end you made care about 2 childhood firends in one episode which is it not bad at all

i think i would be so invested in this if you keep it that way.

What an amazing start. An intriguing premise, interesting world and beautiful set designs and costumes. Combined with great acting from the cast. I was hooked since the very beginning!

I want a season 2 cause I've read the book and it will be a fantastic show.

This show is quick to establish the main characters as they venture in to the world. Any fantasy show has to establish its characters, world building, and magic system(s). This show excels at all three and I really enjoy learning about the magic (small science they call it) within the world.

The show is gorgeous to watch. Set designs and cinematography here on top notch. If you have been sitting on Shadow and Bone (as I did) please give it a watch. If you are in to fantasy you cannot go wrong with this show. There are little to no shows in its genre right now that can match it.

This opening episode put me to sleep, 2 decent scenes and that's it, slowest show opening.

It has some cliché moments and weird lines. I think they sped up this episode to get you as much into story as possible and missed some opportunities to give us more back stories of a characters. I just think its too much content for one episode.

It didnt make me watch second episode immediately but i will surely give it a go. It's entertaining and good chill tv show. Also there are no many fantasy shows like this so if you are a fan check it out.

Shadow And Bone is a fantasy series based on the bestselling novels by Leigh Bardugo. The first episode, A Searing Burst of Light, introduces us to the main characters and the world they live in. We meet Alina Starkov, an orphaned mapmaker who serves in the army of Ravka, a war-torn country divided by a dark and dangerous region called the Shadow Fold. We also meet her childhood friend and fellow soldier, Mal Oretsev, who is loyal and brave. Their lives change when they are sent on a perilous mission across the Fold, where they encounter a terrifying creature called a volcra.

It's a captivating introduction to a rich and complex fantasy world. The show does a fantastic job of setting up the main plot, the characters, and the conflicts. The visuals are stunning, especially the scenes in the Fold, which create a sense of horror and suspense. The episode also hints at some subplots involving other characters, such as the charismatic criminal Kaz Brekker and his crew, who are hired to kidnap Alina for a mysterious client. The episode ends with a cliffhanger that makes you want to watch more.

Overall, I would rate this episode 8/10. It is a thrilling and engaging start to a promising series that fans of fantasy will love.

Captivated from the first episode, I read the books and how I was waiting for the appearance of Kaz, Inej and Jesper. And the way they showed up in the series is something wonderful. It was unexpected to see Alina in this form, but I thought she was a cool actress. Ben Barnes as the Darkling, at first I thought he was a bit old, but now I understand he's perfect. His acting is top notch as always. I saw Mala differently in the book, but this is not too important. The Grisha costumes, special effects, and scenery are simply perfect, this is how I imagined everything. And just to put it into words.

If this were say, an Avengers movie you could hit the ground galloping because the audience is fully familiar with the complex characters, their worlds, their history, their relationships with one another, so we could immediately sit back and enjoy the show. Here we're landed slap bang into a totally new series, where we know nothing about anything or anyone, and we're somehow expected to miraculously just get it. With aid from Google, and turning on the subtitles to grapple with understanding what was going on most of the time, I couldn't focus on what were apparently great visuals. Who could notice? Very frustrating and disappointing.

Watched the first episode then gave up, nothing of consequence happened and I was so bored.

With such an incredible amount of great programming out there, why would I continue to waste my time on mediocrity.

Tf have I watch?? A disaster pilot openning episode! Come on you can do better than this.

Netflix has gone mad , this a kids show not a R rated show!!

Having just started this series I'm finding it very hard to watch and follow. I never heard of this series or author, but I usually like this genre.

The acting is good, not great, but good. The worst part about it, at least for me, is the soundtrack and background noise is very distracting and often it overwhelms the dialog and plot.

It's a sign of failure when director or producer has to rely so heavily on music and background noise to set the scene and manipulate emotions. Acting and dialog are supposed to do that.

The scenery and sets are well done but viewers need to be able to hear what is being said.

The setting of the show is intriguing, but the characters and writing feel unremarkable. The conversations don't flow naturally, and there's a lack of wit. Attempts at humor fall flat, and the amount of exposition is overwhelming. The first episode includes voice-over narration, a flashback where a teacher explains several things to the protagonist as a child, and an excessive amount of characters explaining things to each other. For instance, in the first episode, one character says, "That's General So and So, commander of the second army," but all the other characters around him are also in the army, so they should already know this information.

Furthermore, the plot is slow and predictable, and several twists lack the proper setup and fail to provide any payoff. The audience doesn't become invested in the protagonist's relationship with her best friend, and many things don't make sense. For example, the security of the army is inconsistent, allowing characters to wander around and steal food or burn important papers without any consequences.

While the scenes involving Kaz are more interesting, his subplot doesn't make much sense either. He spends a lot of time searching for information that he should already know, given that he grew up in this world. It's like doing extensive research to find out if there's a shortcut to China when everyone knows that a long flight is required. It's unrealistic to ask random people for a shortcut.