(Book Review):  The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo⁣
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(Disclaimer:  This will contain spoilers!)⁣


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'The Darkling stepped closer to me and said, his voice so low that only I could hear, “I doubt you have any idea what you are.”⁣
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“You just punched a prince, Alina.  I guess we can add one more act of treason to our list.”⁣
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“Brave in battle and smart as a whip.”  Now the voice seemed to be coming from above us.  Luchenko craned his neck, peering into the trees.  “An excellent dancer,” said the voice.  “Oh, and an even better shot.”⁣
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Alina Starkov is an orphaned girl who grew up in a world where certain people wields supernatural power and are collectively known as Grisha.  She thought she was just a normal girl (no parents, no looks, no power etc etc) until one day, they have to cross the Fold (a dark and cursed stretch of land where darkness rules) under the order of the Darkling (the most powerful Grisha and the second most powerful man in the Kingdom.)  ⁣
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When her childhood crush/ best friend, Mal almost died, she summons the power that she never knew she had to save him.  Turns out she can summon light, which is rare even amongst Grisha.  She is the only person known to be able to summon light, just like the Darkling is the only person known to be able to summon shadows.  That earns her a very special place next to the Darkling because her power make it possible for people to cross the Fold without any human casualties.  The next, they say is history.⁣
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The world building in this verse is awesome.  I wish I were a Grisha.  Leigh Bardugo is creative as hell.  This is my first time reading a Russian-esque fantasy and it's ust a great experience overall.  The trilogy deserves it's fame.⁣
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As for my fave character, well, I like everyone except for the King and the Apparat (though special shout out to Genya and Harshaw <3).  Alina is not an annoying female lead, which is a huge +1.  This is an example of a well-written love-triangle/love-square???, just enough pining to keep you on your toes, the rest focuses on their mission.  America Singer can learn one or two things from Alina.  Speaking of love-squares, my ships sunk terribly lol.  I have nothing against Mal, but the Darkling and Nikolai……  TT⁣
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Verdict: 5/5 (Hall of Famer.)  Give it a try guys!⁣