New Netflix flagship fantasy show Shadow and Bone has been met with positive reviews before its debut on Netflix. It's predicted to potentially become the next Game of Thrones, with a beautifully-crafted world filled with complex characters and most importantly, its adaptation seems poised to please fans of the original trilogy of novels by Leigh Bardugo. If the early critical reviews are anything to go by, that much is assured.
Shadow and Bone follows soldier and orphan Alina Starkov after she unleashes a power that could be the key to saving her war-torn country from threats of the outside by destroying the Shadow Fold, a swath of pure darkness that suddenly appeared years ago and cuts the kingdom of Ravka in two. With civil war brewing and the Fold choking the life out of the country, Alina is selected to train with the kingdom's army of magical soldiers known as Grisha. She has to learn to hone her power all while she struggles to navigate the new world she has been thrust into.
At the time of writing this article, Shadow and Bone season 1 currently sits at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Early praise seems to set the precedent that fans of the books and those discovering the story for the first time will enjoy it, as well as being immediately drawn in by the fantasy world the show has brought to life.
...the way in which the world is brought to life, from the texture of Alina's Sun Summoner powers to the gritty setting of Ketterdam, it helps the audience become completely entrenched in the Shadow and Bone world - and it's an enchanting world.
You can watch the first season for the twisty world-building, Wendy Partridge's lovely costumes, several enjoyable performances and the comfort of its reliable YA plotting.
...Shadow and Bone's attention to detail really comes through in its diverse array of costumes. There are so many different styles, and they're executed in ways that build the world and make it feel authentic and unlike pretty much anything in fantasy TV.
After being drawn in by the exquisite details of the show, reviews indicate that the audience will be enticed by Shadow and Bone's characters. The general consensus seems to be that the fantasy series recreated the rich characters, like Alina, found in Bardugo's original book trilogy. Shadow and Bone elegantly ties the characters' personal motivations back to the larger themes of the show, ensuring that the audience is truly invested in their stories. The fact that the cast is comprised of talented performers that give compelling performances throughout the first season elevates this. Most notably among those performers might be Ben Barnes in the role of General Kirigan, who was a fan favorite for the part from the get-go.
Shadow and Bone is ultimately a diverse story about facing the darkness with your own light with an extraordinary cast driving this show.
Another thing that’s truly compelling to watch is Ben Barnes’ delicious performance as General Kirigan. The dynamism he and Li have together is tough to beat, which may be why the show arguably over-emphasizes Mal and Alina’s childhood together to hammer home their bond.
One of the most striking elements of Shadow and Bone is the care it takes with all its central relationships—potentially romantic or otherwise. This series actually goes above and beyond in this department, adding a depth and nuance to Alina’s relationship with Mal that isn’t always present in the novel.
Actors [Jessie Mei] Li and [Archie] Renaux do a great job of creating a base level of chemistry in a limited amount of time. It makes the anguish of their separation more believable, adding an urgency to their reunion that might otherwise get lost in the stock tensions of a love triangle.
Shadow and Bone's Rotten Tomatoes rating and general reception may very fluctuate in the weeks after its release on Netflix. But the critics' generally positive reviews seem to say that audiences will enjoy what they are going to see. As Shadow and Bone is based on a series of books, the first season of the Netflix show undoubtedly leaves the door open for future seasons. As long as viewership reflects the praise that critics have been given the show, fans can likely expect to see more of Shadow and Bone in the future.