Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: (The Grisha, #1)
Published: June 5th 2012
Publisher:  Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Categories: Fantasy, Young Adult
External Links: Book Depository • Goodreads

Synopsis: The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance

Review: Have you experience this awkward moment that you see a lot of people gushing about something and you are so excited to see it as well. But it turned out it wasn’t what you expected and then you heard people what they think of it and you stand there confused because you still can’t see it. You even tried it just to prove that it wasn’t a first impression thing. So have you? No? Me neither. But I’m quite sure that scenario pretty much the same on how I felt with this book.

In the interest of honesty it is important to say that I have attempted to read this book twice. The first one was sadly didn’t turn out great. A few pages in, I was stuck. Unable to move, confused by what was going on I decided to stop and start something else. That something else proved to me I wasn’t in a book slump as I thought. But seeing all these Darkling love make me reconsider. I even read that he was even compared to my ever favorite character Warner from Shatter Me. I have yet to meet this Darkling dude and seeing Warner’s name attached to it is like a commercial of a product endorsed by my favorite actor. I must try it out—again.

And so I tried, this time I got lucky. I finished it. Hooray? Not quite because while I did reach the final page this time my reader spirit wasn’t really celebrating. I only have the urge to finish it not because I wanted to know more about the story. It was like high school all over again, my English teacher forcing me to read the book. I told myself that I’m not a quitter, I’ll finish it no matter what this time. Even if the Darkling wasn’t exactly an interesting character at all.

Another surprise: he actually is an interesting character. But to compare it to Warner—to my ever fave Warner is a farce. Essentially they belong to the bad boy group but Darkling is far more elusive and inhumane (not in the literal sense, like he is mystically evil) than Warner. At least I get Warner, the Darkling on the other hand is a mystery to me (or maybe he was peg to be one, haha, I don’t know). His motivations and the way he presented himself were true the nature the story was building for him. Unlike the other characters who somewhat lost in transition.

It didn’t help that I wasn’t captivated with the fantasy the author had built for the story. While I’m glad majority of the people loved it but it somehow makes me doubt my ability to appreciate a good story. But it just didn’t get me. Whatever it is the people see I have failed to capture that. I want to love this book but alas, it has come to my thick head that it not the book for me.

Regardless, the story was luscious, the fantasy world while confusing in my part was original from the little of what I understand. I have the second book on my stash but it will take a whole lot more to convince to read it…immediately. Yep, there is still hope for me—let’s just call it, Darkling. 😉

 
Preview Quote: “I’ve spent my life searching for a way to make things right. You’re the first glimmer
of hope I’ve had in a long time.”  — Darkling