There Are Seven "Shadow And Bone" Books, So Here's What You Need To Know About Them

    Welcome to the Grishaverse.

    Kirby Beaton
    by Kirby Beaton

    BuzzFeed Staff

    If you're anything like me, you probably spent all weekend bingeing Netflix's latest series, Shadow and Bone.

    Alina Starkov furrows her brow as she looks off past the camera, wind blowing her hair
    Netflix / Via Everett Collection

    And (again, if you're like me) you are completely OBSESSED and want a second season, like, yesterday. Netflix, hurry up with the renewal announcement!

    (top) the Darkling tells Alina intensely, "you are grisha, you are not alone;" (middle) Alina looks at him longingly; (bottom) the Darkling offers Alina his hand atop a horse
    Netflix

    According to HuffPost, it's the most popular show on Netflix right now!

    But luckily for us, there are SEVEN amazing Grishaverse books by Leigh Bardugo, so we can continue to explore Ravka and beyond while we wait to be reunited with our faves (we're talking about Milo the goat, of course).

    juliet 𐂂 | IS IN A S&B COMA @wraithsfury

    BREAKING: milo the goat was rushed to hospital with severe back pains from carry the entire show on his shoulders #ShadowAndBone

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    There are three separate series set in the same universe, with Season 1 pulling from the first Shadow and Bone book and setting up a prequel for the Six of Crows book.

    All of the different Grishaverse series can technically be read independently, but they're set in the same universe and have some character crossover, so I ~personally~ recommend reading them all! As someone who has read the books, I still very much enjoyed the show despite knowing what was going to happen (for the most part).

    So here's the lowdown on each book — happy reading!

    PS: there are some spoilers for Season 1 of Shadow and Bone (and potentially the whole series!) below!

    1. Shadow and Bone

    Henry Holt & Company, Netflix / Via Everett Collection

    Just like the show, this book focuses on Alina Starkov as she discovers she's not only a Grisha, but the legendary Sun Summoner who could save Ravka by destroying the Fold. Book 1 sets the series up, and the show follows this pretty closely, including the reveal that the Darkling is the one who actually created the Fold.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    2. Siege and Storm

    Henry Holt & Company, Netflix / Via Everett Collection

    The next book in this trilogy starts off with Mal and Alina hiding from the Darkling, but they're quickly caught (like, literally less than 20 pages in). But with the help of a new friend — the mysterious and cunning pirate, Sturmhond — they escape back to Os Alta where Alina becomes the new leader of the Second Army and continues her search for amplifiers to defeat the Darkling with.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    3. Ruin and Rising

    Henry Holt & Company, Netflix / Via Everett Collection

    In the final book of this series, Alina continues her fight against the Darkling, attempting to regain her strength after the last battle against him and his army of shadow minions. It also focuses on Prince Nikolai, son of the King and Queen we meet in Season 1, who wants to marry Alina to forge a new alliance between Grisha and non-Grisha (aka Mal's worst nightmare). But finding the last amplifier is crucial, and when Alina realizes what she must do to save Ravka, that choice will be the most difficult of all.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    4. Six of Crows

    Henry Holt & Company, Netflix / Via Everett Collection

    Taking place after the events in Ruin and Rising, this book kicks off a new duology focusing on the Crows. We get an intro to (most of) these characters in Season 1, as well as a similar heist, so it's hard to say how they'll include the events from SOC into the show. This book follows Kaz and crew (including Nina, Matthias, and a new character) as they attempt yet another deadly heist that will make them filthy rich...oh, and also save the world. Naturally, things go very, very wrong.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    5. Crooked Kingdom

    Henry Holt & Company, Netflix / Via Everett Collection

    Don't worry, I (and Leigh Bardugo) won't leave you hanging. The second book in this duology finishes off the Crows' storyline, with the crew dealing with the aftermath of their somewhat-failed heist. With little resources and their loyalties all over the place, the group has to work together to finish what they started, save the lives of Grisha everywhere, and — of course — exact revenge on those who've wronged them in true Crow style.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    6. King of Scars

    Imprint, Netflix / Via Everett Collection

    Following the events of Crooked Kingdom, this new duology takes us back to Prince Nikolai (now king), who is struggling to rebuild Ravka after the war with the Darkling as well as dealing with the effects that the Darkling's magic had on him personally. With the help of Zoya, he attempts to ward off enemies from his weakened borders while trying to curb the darkness growing inside him. This book also brings back Nina, who is disguised in Fjerda, acting as a spy and helping to save Grisha there. We love a crossover episode!

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    7. Rule of Wolves

    Imprint, Netflix / Via Everett Collection

    Picking up where King of Scars leaves off, Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina are all battling personal demons while a Fjerdan army approaches Ravka's borders. A king, a general, and a spy — they will have to work together to save their country's future, or watch it fall to darkness.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    And if you still want MORE, you can always pick up a collection of Grisha folktales and fables, like The Language of Thorns or The Lives of Saints.