Sometimes, the best adaptations of books are on TV. More room to flesh things out and stories that can be spread across multiple episodes and seasons. Unlike films where it can only do so much before cuts need to be made. To ultimately allow cinemas to release it under running time rules. Some of the best and most well known TV shows out there are indeed based on books, and so is this one. Based on a series of books by Leigh Bardugo, Netflix are taking a risk in making a series that has a lot of unknown faces, but with a few well known ones too like Ben Barnes and Zoe Wanamaker. Let's take a look:
Season 1
The series overall adapts the story of a young Alina Starkov (played by Jessie Mei Li) who is an orphan and cartographer of the Ravka nation's First Army. As time goes on, she discovers that she is a Grisha who are known to have special gifts and a dire need to address the universe at large. The first season adapts the first book, where Alina reunites with her childhood friend Mal (played by Archie Renaux) and is determined to not be separated, despite the dangers that await Mal's group in the Fold. The first season also features an original story about the criminal gang known as the Crows. A great start to the show as it spends next to no time establishing the world, its rules and its characters. Parts are a little intimidating, but you can't deny the impressive world building and magnificent costumes that the actors use. Very compelling and exciting for sure. 8/10
Season 2
The second season adapts the second and third books of the Shadow and Bone trilogy in the series with the Crows storyline, continuing, which borrows elements from the books in that duology. The Shadow Fold is expanded, and the blame is placed on Alina and the Shadow Summoner and General of the Second Army, known as Aleksander Kirigan (played by Ben Barnes). As both attempt to evade capture, Alina starts to embrace her newfound powers while Kirigan continues his rise to power. Leading to many getting killed and a whole array of other things. The second season is a bit overstuffed with story (you'd think by now after what happened in the Wizarding World that too much story in one season or film, is not a good idea), but despite that, it's still great fun for those of us into fantasy. A bit too much in places such as new characters, a lot of side lining plot lines and more. But if you can just about follow it, you should be fine. 7/10
For what it is, it's a pretty decent fantasy series that is still trying to find its footing to compete with the big leagues. The world and its rules are interesting, the main characters feel more memorable than the characters that keep coming in, and the magic is pretty dark, but also dope too. Don't know if I will watch further seasons if it gets more, but I wish it all the best regardless. 8/10
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