April 15, 2013
The Grisha Trilogy turns from bildungsroman to political thriller in its second installment. Sun Summoner Alina and former Ravkan army tracker Mal, once her childhood friend and now her would-be love, are on the run. All they want is to put Ravka and the megalomaniacal Darkling far behind them. Alas, this is not to be. Captured by the Darkling and forced onto a ship captained by the notorious pirate Sturmhond, they find themselves in pursuit of the second of three magical amplifiers that will make Alina powerful beyond belief--and bind her ever-closer to the ancient, evil Darkling. Sturmhond has an unexpected agenda of his own, though, and turns on the Darkling. Darkling temporarily thwarted, Alina and Mal find themselves back in Ravka's capital as part of the ailing king's younger son's attempt to find his way to the throne. Bardugo's sophomore effort smooths out many of the rookie wrinkles that marred Shadow and Bone (2012); Alina's wry voice does not interfere with worldbuilding, instead keeping readers immersed in the plot. Characters are rich and complex, particularly the Peter the Great-like younger prince and Alina herself, beset by competing claims and desires. Is she Mal's lover? Prince Nikolai's pawn? Commander of the Grisha Second Army? Saint? Scheming and action carry readers at a breathless pace to an end that may surprise them and will definitely leave them panting for the series' conclusion. (Fantasy. 13 & up)

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August 1, 2013

Gr 8 Up-After narrowly escaping the Darkling at the end of Shadow and Bone (Holt, 2012), Alina and Mal are still on the run. Though many believe her dead, Alina knows he will never stop hunting her, and she is right-it isn't long before the Darkling finds and recaptures both Alina and Mal. Forced onto a boat, the imprisoned couple has little choice but to do as he commands: track a second amplifier so that he can use Alina's twice-amplified powers against Ravka. With the help of a pirate with questionable motives, Alina and Mal escape and seek a third amplifier that Alina hopes will give her the strength to combat the Darkling's increasingly evil power and influence before his dark power becomes unstoppable. As with Shadow and Bone, this is a dark fantasy best for patient readers: Bardugo takes her time developing the plot and keeping readers guessing. World-building and character development are top-notch, and relationships and motives are complex; Alina hungers for more power just as much as the Darkling does. Those who haven't read the previous novel recently may want to brush up as there is little rehashing of its plot. An action-packed, heartbreaking ending will leave teens breathless for the final installment.-Leigh Collazo, Ed Willkie Middle School, Fort Worth, TX

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2013
Grades 7-12 After twice narrowly escaping the Darklingthe most powerful Grisha (magician) in the landAlina and Mal find refuge of a sort at the court of the Ravkan king. While the Darkling creates his inhuman armies and regains his strength, Alina copes with disturbing feelings and visions related to her expanding light-summoning abilities, reassembles her own army of Grisha for the next battle, and tries not to lose a sweetheart who daily grows more emotionally distant. Although one could dive into this series here, readers will enjoy it all the more if they begin with Shadow and Bone (2012). In this hefty follow-up, Alina continues her first-person narrative as she, Mal, and Ravkan Prince Nikolai take center stage, with only brief appearances by the Darkling. Bardugo populates her fully realized world with appealing three-dimensional characters and an involving plot that keeps a steady pace. But she doesn't skimp on the introspective moments that will bond readers to the main characters and have them tapping their feet impatiently for the concluding volume. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: A huge marketing campaign and strong reviews met the first book, and film rights are already set for this one, too. The buzz will be big.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)

May 1, 2013
In this sequel to Shadow and Bone (rev. 7/12), love interests Alina and Mal are running from the Darkling, an evil Grisha (mage) who wants Alina's sun-summoning ability for his own use. Once he captures them, he ships them back to Ravka on a whaler commanded by the privateer Sturmhond, who then engineers a revolt mid-voyage and spirits Alina and Mal away. Sturmhond is secretly Prince Nikolai, second in line for the throne of Ravka; his ne'er-do-well older brother "cares more about horses and his next drink of whiskey than his people," so Nikolai wants the Sun Summoner to help solidify his claim to the throne. In exchange for helping Nikolai, Alina asks for command of the Grisha army to shore up their defense against the Darkling, but will Alina's star rise only to see her relationship with Mal crumble? Bardugo builds on strengths she brought to the first volume, including a richly crafted fantasy world with its own twist on magic, a surfeit of handsome leading men, and plenty of teen-appropriate romantic angst. The Darkling's attack at the climax tears apart everything the characters have worked for and sets up the third volume in the trilogy. In the meantime, the tension Bardugo sets up between Alina's conflicting desires for power and for love is thoughtfully wrought -- and creates an engaging wish-fulfillment fantasy for teens who would be glad to have either. anita l. burkam

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2013
In this sequel to Shadow and Bone, love interests Alina and Mal are running from an evil Grisha who wants Alina's sun-summoning ability for his own use. Bardugo builds on strengths she brought to the first volume, including a richly crafted fantasy world with its own twist on magic, a surfeit of handsome leading men, and plenty of teen-appropriate romantic angst.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

"An action-packed, heartbreaking ending will leave teens breathless for the final installment."