Shadow and Bone

“The boy and girl glanced at each other and, because the adults were not paying close attention, they did not see the girl reach out to clasp the boy’s hand or the look that passed between them. The Duke would have recognized that look. He had spent long years on the ravaged northern borders, where the villages were constantly under siege and the peasants fought their battles with little aid from the King or anyone else. He had seen a woman, barefoot and unflinching in her doorway, face down a row of bayonets. He knew the look of a man defending his home with nothing but a rock in his hand.” 

When the Grisha Examiners visit the orphanage, Alina and Mal know they might be separated. Having lived their early childhoods in war-torn villages, their desire to hold onto what is theirs is particularly fierce. As children, Alina and Mal have little agency to deny the will of adults. Comparing Alina and Mal to villagers defending their homes with little resources highlights the strength of their bond. Mal is Alina’s home, and throughout the novel they both go to great lengths to protect one another. This moment also creates anticipation, letting the reader know a pivotal decision has been

made without exposing the details.

“Something inside me gave way, in fury, in hopelessness, in the certainty of my own death. I felt Mal’s blood beneath my palms, saw the pain in his beloved face. A volcra screeched in triumph as its talons sank into my shoulder. Pain shot through my body. And the world went white. I closed my eyes as a sudden, piercing flood of light exploded across my vision. It seemed to fill my head, blinding me, drowning me. From somewhere above, I heard a horrible shriek. I felt the volcra’s claws loosen their grip”

This moment is the first time Alina’s powers reveal themselves. With both her life and Mal’s under threat, her instinct takes over and unleashes light to frighten away the volcra. Once again, Alina is defending her “home.” The light is described as something foreign, forcing Alina to close her eyes. This description emphasizes disconnect from her powers. Having repressed her gifts all her life, she is not aware what strengths she possesses.

“‘I guess you only look like a mouse,’ he whispered in my ear, and then beckoned to one of his personal guard. [...] ‘Wait!’ I protested [...]. ‘There’s been some kind of mistake. I don’t…I’m not…’ My voice trailed off as the Darkling turned slowly to me, his slate eyes drifting to where my hand gripped his sleeve. I let go, but I wasn’t giving up that easily. ‘I’m not what you think I am,’ I whispered desperately. The Darkling stepped closer to me and said, his voice so low that only I could hear, ‘I doubt you have any idea what you are.’” 

In this first meeting with the Darkling, he gathers an audience to determine whether Alina’s powers are real. Even surrounded by others, the Darkling establishes a private connection between him and Alina with words only meant for her. The Darkling controls the room, projecting unwavering confidence and power. His words are both cold and charged with immediate interest in Alina, establishing his ability to either dismiss Alina as a nobody or raise her to an elite status.

“‘So I’m the Darkling’s prisoner?’ ‘You’re under his protection.’ ‘What’s the difference?’ Ivan’s expression was unreadable. ‘Pray you never find out.’” 

After demonstrating her powers in front of the Darkling, Alina is immediately taken to join the Grisha. She is under strict guard in case of assassination attempt by enemies. The protection also reminds Alina she cannot escape the Darkling or her fate as a Grisha, as much as she would like to stay with Mal in the First Army. This exchange between Alina and Ivan highlights the Darkling’s ruthless reputation and foreshadows Alina becoming the Darkling’s prisoner later in the novel.

“I was no one, a refugee from an unnamed village, a scrawny, clumsy girl hurtling alone through the gathering dark. But when the Darkling had closed his fingers around my wrist, I’d felt different, like something more.” 

Alina’s self-doubt and trepidation about joining the Grisha is mixed with desire to be someone special after years of feeling like an outsider. As a living amplifier, the Darkling’s touch draws Alina’s power forward and fills her with confidence she doesn’t usually feel. She is also attracted to the charged attention she receives from the powerful Grisha leader.

“The world is changing, Alina. Muskets and rifles are just the beginning. I’ve seen the weapons they’re developing in Kerch and Fjerda. The age of Grisha power is coming to an end.’” 

The tension between Grisha power and industrialization is a key theme in the novel. The Darkling shares this information with Alina to demonstrate how Alina can help Ravka destroy the Fold and progress into the new age of weapons. However, fear of Grisha power becoming obsolete, causing the Darkling to lose his power over Ravka, is what drives the Darkling.

“‘So, I’m beautiful. That doesn’t mean much among Grisha. The Darkling doesn’t care what you look like, just what you can do.’ ‘Then why did he send you?’ ‘Because the King loves beauty and the Darkling knows that. In the King’s court, appearances are everything. If you’re to be the salvation of all of Ravka…well, it would be better if you looked the part.’” 

This exchange between Alina and Genya demonstrates the importance of appearances and spectacle in Ravka’s capital. Genya is a Tailor, and her beauty is central to her characterization. All Grisha are beautiful from using their powers, contrasting Alina’s plain appearance and highlighting Alina’s fear of not fitting in or living up to others’ expectations. This moment also emphasizes the tension between the Darkling, who values strength and power, and the King, who values frivolous grandeur. While the Grisha swear allegiance to the King and perform for his amusement, they resent serving him.

“I hope you don’t expect fairness from me, Alina. It isn’t one of my specialties.” 

The Darkling is prideful, power-hungry, and ruthless, and he shows no shame about his nature. His unapologetically harsh methods contrast Alina’s values of mercy and justice. However, the Darkling’s cold words are offset by the tenderness of “I hope,” as if his admission is just a fact and he does not want to disappoint Alina’s expectations. While these words further establish the Darkling’s cruel power, they also show his desire to please Alina, or at least to make her believe he is trying to connect with her so he can manipulate her for his plans.

“It wasn’t without beauty, but there was something exhausting about the extravagance of it all. I’d always assumed that Ravka’s hungry peasants and poorly supplied soldiers were the result of the Shadow Fold. But as we walked by a tree of jade embellished with diamond leaves, I wasn’t so sure.” 

Alina’s observation highlights the discrepancy between life for Ravka’s wealthy and the poverty faced by the rest of the country. While war is a powerful obstacle in the novel, the cost of greed is equally disruptive. The King’s obsession with appearances and beauty while his country is at war underlines a weakness of leadership, making room for the Darkling’s bid for power at the end of the novel.

“Peasants love their Saints. They hunger for the miraculous. And yet they do not love the Grisha [...] the Grisha do not suffer the way the Saints suffer, the way the people suffer [...] But you have suffered, haven’t you, Alina Starkov?” 

The Apparat’s words emphasize the fissure between Ravka’s common people and the Grisha elite. Peasants fear the Grisha, who use their gifts to gain power and prestige. The Apparat’s words seem to prophecy that Alina is a saint, destined to suffer through life for the good of the people. His frightening words come true as Alina is pitted against the Darkling and his destructive plans for Ravka.

“You are becoming dangerous, and will become more dangerous still [...] There is something more powerful than any army. Something strong enough to topple kings, and even Darklings. Do you know what that thing is? [...] Faith.” 

The Apparat visits Alina again and tells her about the people blessing and praying for her in Ravka’s villages. While Alina still trusts the Darkling and is being lured under the Darkling’s spell, the Apparat’s words hint Alina and the Darkling are not fighting for the same cause. The words also suggest virtuous values, such as faith and mercy, are ultimately stronger than war and greed. The Apparat’s mysterious ambiguity disturbs Alina, ironically causing her to ignore his cryptic warnings about the Darkling’s intentions.

“I’ve been waiting for you a long time, Alina [...] You and I are going to change the world.” 

The Darkling’s confidence in Alina soothes her frustration at failing to use her power. His flattering attention seduces her into trusting him without questioning his lack of concern about her strength. The Darkling has been waiting for Alina and believes they’ll change the world; however, his planned outcome is different from what he leads Alina to believe. He manipulates Alina by appearing to believe in her potential, when in reality her lack of control doesn’t worry him because it makes it easier for the Darkling to control her power himself.

“But the Grisha Examiners would have taken me from Keramzin. They would have taken me away from Mal, and he had been the only good thing in my world. So I’d made my choice. I’d pushed my power down and held it there each day, with all my energy and will, without ever realizing it. I’d used up every bit of myself to keep that secret [...] Mal had moved on, but I was still standing frightened before those three mysterious figures, holding tight to his hand. It was time to let go [...] I closed my eyes, feeling tears slide down my cheeks, and I reached out to the thing within me that I’d kept hidden for so long. I’m sorry, I whispered to it. I’m sorry I left you so long in the dark. I’m sorry, but I’m ready now.” 

Alina revisits the moment that starts the book, when the Grisha Examiners arrive at the orphanage. While Mal has been growing up and discovering who he is, Alina has remained stuck in her childhood needs, keeping herself from flourishing into the powerful Grisha she is meant to become. Learning to let go of the hopes and fears that defined her past allows Alina to nourish the strongest parts of her she has been neglecting.

“‘Alina, if I tell you that I still believe we can find the stag, would you think I’m mad?’ ‘Why would you care what I think?’ He looked genuinely baffled. ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘But I do.’ And then he kissed me.” 

The Darkling lets Alina see his confidence waver. His need for Alina’s approval seems to surprise even himself, and his sudden kiss suggests a sympathetic slip in his otherwise collected demeanor. This is endearing to Alina, believing she has caused the most powerful Grisha to become flustered. When the Darkling’s true motives become clear, it’s left ambiguous whether this romantic moment was genuine or part of his manipulation.

“He is ancient. He’s had plenty of time to master lying to a lonely, naive girl.” 

Baghra is never one to mince words, and her sharp warning about the Darkling’s manipulative nature targets Alina’s greatest insecurity. Discovering the Darkling’s lies about his age and relationship to Baghra casts doubt on the Darkling’s veracity.

“I’d wanted so badly to belong somewhere, anywhere [...] I’d been too busy imagining myself by his side, the savior of Ravka, most treasured, most desired, like some kind of queen. I’d made it so easy for him [...] The Darkling wanted to use me. He wanted to take away the one thing that had ever really belonged to me, the only power I’d ever had.” 

As Alina grapples with the Darkling’s deception, she is forced to confront her part in the charade. Up to this point, Alina has been eager to manipulate herself to fit in, whether by suppressing her Grisha gifts or by supporting the Darkling’s plans without question. However, Alina has also been learning to take ownership of her strengths and power. The realization of how close she came to having a part of herself taken away inspires her to see her value anew, awakening her desire to protect her independence.

“I’ve risked my life for you. I’ve walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I’d do it again and again and again just to be with you, just to starve with you and freeze with you and hear you complain about hard cheese every day. So don’t tell me we don’t belong together.” 

Mal’s romantic declaration fulfills Alina’s long-awaited desire. Mal’s words reflect back to Alina what she has always believed: They are each other’s homes, a space where they can feel joy, love, and belonging. Growing up, Mal and Alina gave each other strength against their sorrows. Now, Mal’s focus on the challenges he has happily faced to be by Alina’s side emphasizes further the importance of true love against life’s hardships.

“All humor was gone from the Darkling’s face as he slammed his hands together and a huge wall of rippling darkness surged forward, engulfing us and the stag. I didn’t have to think. Light bloomed in a pulsing, glowing sphere, surrounding me and Mal, keeping the darkness at bay and blinding our attackers. For a moment, we were at a stalemate. They couldn’t see us and we couldn’t see them. The darkness swirled around the bubble of light, pushing to get in.” 

After the Darkling finds Alina and Mal with the stag, Alina and the Darkling begin their first battle of powers. Bardugo’s use of light and dark imagery showcases the battle between good and evil. Light and darkness are equally powerful entities, each canceling the other and disorienting visibility. While Alina eventually loses this particular battle, it demonstrates Alina’s light is a force to be reckoned with.

“I felt none of the exhilaration or joy that I had come to expect from using my power. It wasn’t mine anymore, and I was drowning, helpless, caught in that horrible, invisible grip.” 

Using their powers is nourishing for Grisha. However, with the Darkling controlling Alina’s power, it is no longer a source of empowerment. This change emphasizes power alone is not a strength. Rather, finding ownership of one’s own unique vision grants true joy.

“‘I’ve given you power beyond all dreaming, and you can’t wait to run off and keep house for your tracker.’ I knew I should stay silent, play the diplomat, but I couldn’t help myself. ‘You haven’t given me anything. You’ve made me a slave.’ ‘That’s never what I intended, Alina.’ He ran a hand over his jaw, his expression fatigued, frustrated, human. But how much of it was real and how much was pretense? ‘I couldn’t take chances,’ he said. ‘Not with the power of the stag, not with Ravka’s future hanging in the balance [...] The people curse my name and pray for you, but you’re the one who was ready to abandon them. I’m the one who will give them power over their enemies.’” 

Here, the Darkling portrays himself as a misunderstood antihero. Even after their battle with the stag, Alina is caught wondering if his emotions are true vulnerabilities or manipulation. This is part of what makes him a dangerous villain. Nonetheless, this moment complicates the binary between good and evil. There is some truth in the Darkling’s suggestion that Alina is abandoning the people of Ravka. At the novel’s end, Alina’s motivations are further complicated as she leaves people to die in the Fold to escape with Mal. While the battle between good and evil is a strong theme in the novel, these dueling forces are not as straightforward as they might appear.

“I’d thought the stag was haunting me, a reminder of my failure and the price my weakness would exact. But I was wrong. The stag had been showing me my strength—not just the price of mercy but the power it bestowed. And mercy was something the Darkling would never understand. I had spared the stag’s life. The power of that life belonged to me as surely as it belonged to the man who had taken it.” 

Alina’s epiphany about the stag furthers the idea of mercy’s strength against greed and highlights the contrast between Alina and the Darkling. While they are now connected through the amplifier, the Darkling’s bid to control Alina only gives him so much power over the amplifier. Alina’s mercy ultimately allows her to control the amplifier and her power. While the Darkling believes his greed will gain him power, it’s in fact a weakness; while Alina believes her mercy was a weakness, it turns out to be her greatest strength.

“‘You can’t leave us all here to die, Alina!’ the Darkling shouted. ‘If you take this step, you know where it will lead.’ I felt a hysterical laugh burble up inside me. I knew. I knew it would make me more like him. ‘You begged me for clemency once,’ he called over the dead reaches of the Fold, over the hungry shrieks of horrors he had made. ‘Is this your idea of mercy?’ Another bullet hit the sand, only inches from us. Yes, I thought as the power rose up inside me, the mercy you taught me.” 

This moment highlights the potential for power to corrupt. Having access to Alina’s thoughts as narrator, the readers see Alina is aware her actions are irreversibly damaging, though this does not stop her. While the mercy she shows the stag grants her power over the Darkling’s control, once she tastes the power, she begins to act in a more ruthless manner. As she becomes the Darkling’s equal in power, she also steps closer to his methods and values. While she might be acting out of concern for the common good, the descriptions of swelling power and hysterical laughter suggest power is starting to change Alina.

“Rumors began to reach them of strange happenings in Ravka. They heard that the Apparat had disappeared, that foreign troops were massing on the borders, that the First and Second Armies were threatening to go to war with each other, that the Sun Summoner was dead. They waited to hear word of the Darkling’s death on the Fold, but it never came.” 

The book’s Epilogue mirrors the Prologue by transitioning to third-person narrative. This moment provides closure on the fallout from Alina’s actions while showing Alina and Mal leaving the imploding Ravka behind them. However, false rumors about the Sun Summoner’s death and ambiguous knowledge of the Darkling’s fate provide suspense about the true events occurring in Ravka and what might be awaiting Alina and Mal in the book’s sequel.