For those of you who have not been bombarded with promotional material for Shadow and Bone, that’s impressive. However, Instagram knows that I love books, and have read all the books in the Grisha verse. As everyone knows, books are always better than movies. So, did Shadow and bone stack up?
Now here’s the thing. I really have movie adaptations. All my favorite series have been crippled by them. Shadowhunters, Percy Jackson, I am number 4, Ender’s Game, Artemis Fowl. Not one of my childhood books has emerged unscathed. So, I came into this expecting Shadow and Bone to an absolute shadow of the books. However, I was pleasantly surprised. What sets apart this series from the others? The plot.
This TV series is made up of two series. There is the title series, Shadow and Bone, and then there is the sequel series that features a completely new cast of characters than the original, Six of Crows. These characters are completely different from the first. Shadow and Bone feature characters that are royalty, that are important. Their action plays a large influence upon the importance and stability of the country. Six of Crows focuses on thugs and criminals from the slums. Their tag line is literally, “No Mourners, No Funerals.” Because they understand their death has no meaning. And yet, everyone loves the crew who tried to pull off an impossible heist because why not? They are far more beloved than the original set of characters. So, the TV show combines them both, and this is the genius of the show that enthralls book readers.
Since Six of Crows takes place two years later, the author, Leigh Bardugo, created an entirely new plot for the book fans. While the events of the first book transpire, the characters from the dreg’s gang take on a job that was never seen. While the sun saint tries to dispel the fold, the crows undertake another impossible heist while staying completely in character. And that’s the fun in the show for those of us who love the Grisha verse, and for those who don’t know it. While new viewers are meeting the characters for the first time, those of us who already love them are still getting new content. Just as everyone else is amazed by the plot, so are we because it’s just as new to us.
Moving onto my personal reaction, I must say the casting and setting are absolutely stellar. For those of you who have not read the books (you should), the characters were uncanny in their role; especially Jesper. It was amazing how true the show stayed to the book. Even more so, I liked how they played upon the character’s thought. In the books, the chapters switch perspectives, so you get each character’s internal monologues. You can’t really replicate that in a show. However, they still managed to convey each character’s desire while missing that critical part of their storytelling.
As a die-hard Grisha verse fan, I was extremely worried when I heard the Riverdale director would bring my beloved world to life. Despite the horrible possibilities, the show managed to bring the wonder out of the books and onto the screen, while making me feel like I was cracking the books open for the first time. What are you waiting for? Go watch it!
Hi,
I just watched this series on Netflix and I really enjoyed it! I thought all the story lines presented in the show were extremely interesting. I was unaware that this show was based off of a book series so I will have to give the book series a chance to see how they compare.
Hi Asha,
I totally agree that there are so many movie adaptations that don’t do the books justice. The Percy Jackson movies and Eragon movies were such a disappointment since they could’ve been really good. I think I read the Shadow and Bone series in junior high but I don’t really remember the details of the plot. As for Six of Crows, I have heard of it but I’ve never read it. Anyways, it seems like the tv show is pretty good so maybe it’s time for me to reread the books?
Hey Asha,
It’s a shame how movies can never live up to the book, it’s almost impossible to capture the amount of detail contained within the words of a story in video. It seems that it’s better for the movie to intentionally diverge in the plot, as opposed to try and copy the book exactly. Six of Crows is a book I remember reading, but I don’t remember any of what happened, maybe I’ll go back and reread it (or just watch the netflix adaptaion because I’m lazy).
I have never heard of Shadow and Bone, but it definitely sounds like an interesting read, since I was fascinated by series like Percy Jackson and Artemis Fowl. When given the option to either read or watch the story, it is quite off putting trying to go through the plot for a second time since all of the future events are known. However, the way you described how the tv show renews the experience for book readers is something that I seek when I decide to both watch and read a series. There’s just something about the magic of the text and the screen that both unities and separates the journeys of the plot.