Netflix came out with a tv-show adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy in April of 2021. It combined the plot and characters of Shadow and Bone with the characters of Six of Crows, a duology set two years after the events of Shadow and Bone. Recently, Netflix released the second season of the show, continuing immediately from the last moments of season one. Here are my thoughts on the new season.

*Season 1 Spoilers*

Quick Summary of Season One:

Shadow and Bone is a YA (young adult) Fantasy about Alina Starkov who discovers she’s a Grisha (this world’s type of magic wielder) in a life-or-death situation. Alina, the only Sun Summoner, is the one weapon that can used against a place of pure darkness in Ravka called the Fold. Created by the Black Heretic and filled with creatures call the Volcra, only light can tear it down. Also known as The Darkling, General Kirigan of the Second Army (only Grisha) is the polar opposite of Alina, summoning darkness and dealing in shadows. SPOILER: To, the shock of Alina, it is discovered that Kirigan IS the Black Heretic and instead of tearing it down, he plans to expand the Fold. Alina escapes and goes in search of The Stag, a powerful amplifier, with her best friend Mal in hopes of becoming enough of a weapon to defeat Kirigan. Kirigan gets there first and makes a Grisha fuse the antler to Alina and a piece into Kirigan’s own hand so he can control Alina’s light.  The Darkling expands the fold from the inside, protected by Alina’s light, killing anyone who lived in the villages or towns that were overtaken. Alina and some fellow Grisha retaliate and make it out of the Fold alive, leaving Kirigan to the Volcra. In the last moments of the episode, we see Kirigan step out of the fold with a new and terrifying power.

Although the characters of Six of Crows, also known as the Crows, are in the show, their plotline isn’t a direct adaptation of their story. In the books, the crows never knew Alina or had anything to do with her, but in the show, they are hired to kidnap her. They embark on their own journeys through the Fold and have their own separate plans and conflict to overcome. The Crows end up in the Fold with Alina at the end of season 1 and help her escape. They then, of course, get paid to not tell anyone where she’s going. They embark on their own journeys through the Fold and have their own separate plans and conflict to overcome.

My Thoughts:

Like most of the fans, I’d already read both series before the show came out, so it wasn’t how good the show was, it was how similar is it to the books. I was immediately impressed by the cinematography just as I was for season 1. Season 2 deals with Kirigan and his new deadly powers while Alina is still trying to take down the Fold. There are introductions to new characters as seen in the books and furthering of relationships. The Crows change up their angle and Alina prepares to face challenges worse than the last.

            Season 2 of Shadow and Bone differed from the original plot a lot more than season 1. There were whole plot points that were left out and situations in the show that weren’t in the books. As a book reader, I’ve always wondered why shows can’t just stick to the plot of the books. Things that were very important to the books didn’t happen in the show and that overshadows and lot of the thing that did follow the plot of the book. Obviously, one of the biggest differentiations was the fact that the Crows were in both seasons.

Now this may be because I’ve always loved Six of Crows way better than Shadow and Bone, but I found myself getting bored with the Shadow and Bone segments and waiting for the continuation of The Six of Crows timeline. It got to the point where I would skip through sections just to get back to the Crows. I would have loved to see the Crows get their own show and that may be happening, so I don’t understand why they needed to be combined. Six of Crows has an amazing plot on its own and that was lost throughout this series. The show showcased the Crows’ abilities and comradery, and even had some lines that were straight from the book which I loved to hear, but it wasn’t the plot I wanted to see from them. I found myself noticing the plot points from Six of Crows and thinking, “They’re not leaving the doors open for the Crows to get their own show.” There are important moments for the Crows that are just scattered all over the place during Shadow and Bone. It was like recognizing the characters, because the portrayal of them was perfect, but seeing them in a weird alternate realty. While that was strange, any scene with the crows was a scene I loved.

I do have to take a moment to throw some light on the actors of the show. The casting is so incredibly perfect; each actor plays their part so well I was genuinely watching the book characters come to life. They all look like how the book’s described and their personalities are spot on. Each member of the cast cares about portraying their characters correctly for the readers that love them and have read the books to make sure they play the role as designed in the book. Each character is so diverse with their own pasts and present personalities that it had to have been hard to act out every small detail of each character. For example, Kaz Brekker has a traumatizing past that has influenced his present decisions and is the reason he is the way he is. Anytime someone touches him, he panics and gets thrown back into his PTSD; he never takes off his gloves. Freddy Carter, who pays Kaz, looked visibly uncomfortable when someone touched him and glanced to where the contact was made, playing the part of Kaz perfectly. Some of the cast members researched and practiced so much, that what the crew was planning on doing for CGI, the members could do themselves. I love the cast of this show.

The settings of the show were beautiful too. Ketterdam, Ravka, The Little Palace, the Fold, etc., were all beautiful. Not to mention the fact that they had to make a whole other language, Ravkan, for Ravka, and Fjerdan for Fjerda. The Grisha abilites were also beautifully created, especially The Darkling’s threatening power.

            Overall, I thought this was a better adaptation than most. As any reader would, I wished it follower closer to the plot and the Crows could have had their original plot, but it was still super fun to watch. To someone who’s never read the books, the show would be an action-packed adventure with loveable characters. To someone who has read the books, the show is an exciting and enthralling way to see the Shadow and Bone universe come to life with the added bonus of everybody’s favorite Crows.