What’s it about? Set in a mystical version of Imperial Russia, Shadow and Bone follows Alina, an orphan refugee now serving in the King’s army. When her crush-worthy best friend Mal is almost killed in the terrifying Shadow http://www.health-canada-pharmacy.com Fold, Alina reveals her magical powers and saves them both.

Catching the eye of the powerful and mysterious Darkling, Alina is whisked to the King’s court to learn the ways of the magical Grisha. Struggling to fit in and live without Mal, Alina must learn to harness her skills. If she can, she will become as powerful as the Darkling himself, and help save her war-ravaged nation from the Shadow Fold and foreign invaders. But is the handsome, alluring Darkling everything he seems? And can her heart ever recover from losing Mal? Alina embarks on a path of court intrigue to find out, leading her down a road she never expected.

Should you read it? Yes, yes yessss. Yes. Read this book. If you love the work of Maggie Steifvater (The Scorpio Races, The Raven Boys), Julianna Baggott (Pure) or fantasy in general, this is a real treat. Expertly written with pacing that leaves you turning the pages late into the night, Shadow and Bone is a fantastic start to what will surely be a riveting series.