Shadow and Bone: Smoke, Mirrors & Really Cool Coats

In the vast landscape of fantasy adaptations, where every other show seems to be vying for the coveted title of “The Next Game of Thrones,” Netflix’s “Shadow and Bone” saunters in with a cheeky grin and a handful of magical jazz hands. Based on Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, this series takes us on a whirlwind tour of Ravka, a country that puts the “dark” in “dark fantasy” so thoroughly that you’ll find yourself squinting at your screen, wondering if you accidentally turned down the brightness.

At the heart of this shadow-strewn world is the Shadow Fold, a band of perpetual darkness that makes your average rush hour traffic jam look like a delightful day at the beach. Imagine, if you will, the worst pea soup fog you’ve ever encountered, add some flesh-eating monsters with a penchant for human flesh, and voila! You’ve got yourself a Shadow Fold. It’s about as pleasant as it sounds, and it’s split the country of Ravka in two like a particularly nasty divorce.

Enter our heroine, Alina Starkov, a mapmaker with a hidden talent for… being really, really bright. No, seriously. This girl can summon sunlight like she’s got a mini-sun tucked away in her pocket. One minute she’s doodling maps, the next she’s lighting up the sky like a Vegas billboard. Talk about a career change! Alina’s journey from unremarkable mapmaker to the nation’s new favorite human flashlight forms the backbone of the story, and it’s a roller coaster ride of self-discovery, magical shenanigans, and questionable fashion choices (more on that later).

Now, what’s a good fantasy story without a brooding, morally ambiguous love interest? Enter the Darkling, stage left, shrouded in mystery and wearing enough black to make an emo kid jealous. If Hot Topic decided to create the perfect brooding antihero, it would be this guy. He’s got the looks, the power, and enough emotional baggage to fill the Shadow Fold twice over. His hobbies include manipulating people, wearing black (did we mention he likes black?), and making questionable life choices. You know, just your average day in the life of a centuries-old shadow summoner.

Alina’s journey from unremarkable mapmaker to the nation’s new favorite human flashlight forms the backbone of the story, and it’s a roller coaster ride of self-discovery, magical shenanigans, and questionable fashion choices (more on that later).

The chemistry between Alina and the Darkling crackles with more tension than a lightning strike in the Shadow Fold. It’s the kind of will-they-won’t-they that has you yelling at your screen, “Don’t do it, girl! He’s literally made of red flags!” But let’s be honest, we’ve all been there, attracted to the bad boy who’s probably going to bring about the apocalypse. It’s just that usually, the apocalypse is metaphorical, not literal.

But wait, there’s more! Because apparently, two’s company but three’s a love triangle, we’ve also got Mal, Alina’s childhood bestie and human GPS. This guy can track anything, which is handy when your love interest keeps getting kidnapped by power-hungry shadow men. Mal’s the kind of steady, reliable presence that in any other story would make him the obvious choice. But this is “Shadow and Bone,” where nothing is as it seems, and the obvious choice is about as rare as a sunny day in the Shadow Fold.

Now, if you’re thinking this all sounds like your typical “chosen one” narrative with a side of magical boarding school, you’re not entirely wrong. “Shadow and Bone” plays fantasy trope bingo like it’s going for the jackpot. Chosen One? Check. Love triangle? You betcha. Magical artifacts? Does a magically amplified goat count? But here’s the kicker – it somehow makes it all feel fresh. It’s like when you reheat pizza and it comes out even better than before. Delicious, satisfying, and leaves you wanting more.

But wait, there’s more! As if Alina’s story wasn’t enough to keep us entertained, “Shadow and Bone” throws in a whole other plotline featuring the Crows, a gang of criminals so lovable you’ll find yourself rooting for grand larceny. There’s Kaz, the criminal mastermind with a limp and a plan; Inej, a knife-throwing acrobat who could probably kill you with her pinky; and Jesper, a sharpshooter with a gambling problem and a heart of gold. They’re here, they’re queer, and they’re ready to steal everything not nailed down (and probably some things that are).

The Crows’ storyline, which is actually a prequel to their own book series, is seamlessly woven into Alina’s narrative, adding a heist element that’s as welcome as a cold drink on a hot day. Their interactions provide some of the show’s best moments, from witty banter to heart-stopping action sequences. It’s like someone took “Ocean’s Eleven,” sprinkled in some magic, and said, “You know what this needs? More sexual tension and cool coats.”

The Crows’ storyline… is seamlessly woven into Alina’s narrative, adding a heist element that’s as welcome as a cold drink on a hot day. Their interactions provide some of the show’s best moments, from witty banter to heart-stopping action sequences. It’s like someone took “Ocean’s Eleven,” sprinkled in some magic, and said, “You know what this needs? More sexual tension and cool coats.”

Speaking of coats, let’s take a moment to appreciate the fashion in “Shadow and Bone.” The Grisha, the magic-wielding elite of Ravka, sport keftas that are part military uniform, part runway model chic. It’s the kind of outerwear that makes you think, “You know, maybe I could pull off a floor-length embroidered coat in everyday life.” (Spoiler alert: You probably can’t, but that won’t stop us from trying.)

For all its strengths, “Shadow and Bone” isn’t without its flaws. The pacing can be as uneven as the Shadow Fold’s terrain, and sometimes the exposition hits you harder than one of the Darkling’s shadow monsters. There are moments when you might find yourself wishing for a “Previously on Shadow and Bone” recap, just to keep all the magical terminology and political intrigue straight.

But when it shines (pun absolutely intended), it’s brighter than Alina on a good day. The show tackles themes of power, identity, and belonging with a deftness that belies its YA origins. It doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of its world, exploring the consequences of war, the price of power, and the complex nature of good and evil.

In the end, “Shadow and Bone” is the fantasy equivalent of comfort food – familiar enough to feel good, but with enough spice to keep you on your toes. It’s a world where magic is real, the good guys sometimes wear black, and everyone has amazing bone structure. It’s a place where a nobody can become the savior of a nation, where thieves can be heroes, and where the line between light and dark is as smudged as a charcoal drawing left out in the rain.

So, should you watch it? If you’re not already halfway through your second viewing by now, what are you even doing with your life? Grab your popcorn, dim the lights (but not too much, we’re not savages), and prepare to be whisked away to a world that’s equal parts thrilling and ridiculous, heartwarming and heartbreaking. Just remember: if someone offers you a magical amplifier, maybe get a second opinion first. And whatever you do, stay out of the Shadow Fold. Trust us on this one.