Based on the Grisha novel trilogy, the first of which is Shadow and Bone, and the Six of Crows novel duology by Leigh Bardugo, and developed by Eric Heisserer, “Shadow and Bone” is an American fantasy streaming television series that premiered on Friday, April 23, 2021, on Netflix.
In a world cleaved in two by a massive barrier of perpetual darkness, where unnatural creatures feast on human flesh, a young soldier uncovers a power that might finally unite her country. But as she struggles to hone her power, dangerous forces plot against her. Thugs, thieves, assassins, and saints are at war now, and it will take more than magic to survive.
“Shadow” is set in a magical world where some wizard types, known as Grisha, have powers over air, water, fire, or inorganic matter. Some can heal or harm others with a flick of their fingers. The world is geopolitically divided, just like our own. There’s the hulking Ravka, a stand-in for Russia, which has been blighted by a dark “Shadow Fold” the sun can’t penetrate and man-eating creatures.
It’s there we find our heroine, Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), a young, low-level soldier hopelessly besotted with her childhood best friend Malyen Oretsev (Archie Renaux). When Alina and Mal’s lives are endangered, Alina reveals her rare Grisha power of “Sun Summoner,” the ability to summon and control sunlight, which might be the key to ridding Ravka of the dreaded Fold forever. She’s whisked away for training by the mysteriously powerful (and obviously handsome) General Kirigan (Ben Barnes), leader of Ravka’s Grisha, leaving behind her beloved Mal.
Where can I watch “Shadow and Bone”?
Exclusively available for streaming only on Netflix.