The first season of Shadow and Bone on Netflix has been met with positive reviews from fans and critics alike, leading to speculation about season two of the series and beyond. For those who haven't read the novels the series is based on, season one closely follows the events of the first book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy.
Season one ended with (spoilers from this point forward!) Alina, Mal, Zoya, Kaz, Inej, and Jesper narrowly escaping the fold and General Kirigan, aka the Darkling. The last we see of the general is him limping out of the fold, covered in scars and followed by ominous-looking shadow monsters.
Alina And Mal On The Run
The second book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, titled Siege and Storm, starts with best friends Mal and Alina on the run and in hiding. After her brush with darkness, Alina has regressed to hiding her power and sticking by her childhood friend. She won't be able to hide for long, however, as Kirigan is still pursuing her, with all of his original intentions in mind. It's likely that during their time in hiding, Mal and Alina will confess their feelings for one another, making a proper love triangle- a staple of the YA genre.
Kirigan's New Power
Kirigan emerges from the fold, weakened and scarred, but with knowledge and a new power that makes him an even more formidable foe than before. The creatures trailing him at the end of season one are likely the Nichevo'ya, creatures made from the same magic he used to create the fold to begin with. He's able to create them, but at a personal cost to his physical strength. They are frightening creatures that can't be destroyed by anything other than the cut, which only Kirigan (and likely Alina by season two) can create.
Inej's Freedom
Inej was stolen from her family at a young age and sold to the Menagerie, a brothel in Ketterdam. In season one, Kaz is working to pay off her indenture, and, though the heist they have planned doesn't work out, Alina does provide them with the means to free Inej once and for all. It's likely that this will be the first order of business upon the Crows' return to Ketterdam.
Baghra's Punishment
In Seige and Storm, Baghra is punished quite severely by her son, Kirigan, for interfering and telling Alina the truth about his past and his future plans. He actually blinds her, something Alina discovers after her return to the Little Palace. The books tend to double down more on the Darkling's power than the show does, which makes the character more frightening and less sympathetic. Many fans are appreciative of the more nuanced take on the character that Ben Barnes and the writers have offered, so it's unclear whether Baghra's punishment will be as severe on the show.
Genya's Choice
When Alina arrives at the Little Palace, she spends most of her time with Genya, a tailor. They become fast friends, and share a genuine affection for one another. That bond is strained when Alina learns that Genya was working for General Kirigan, and that they were all lying to her about her true purpose. Genya and Alina do meet again in the second book, Siege and Storm, and Genya must make a choice regarding her loyalties. This choice has tragic and lasting consequences for Genya.
Jesper's Secret
Jesper, the gun-slinging member of the Crows, quickly became a fan-favorite in season one. One way that season two could deepen his character is by exploring his backstory from the books, where it's revealed that he is a Grisha that hides his powers out of fear.
Perhaps season two could draw parallels between him and Alina in this regard. It's unclear how much the Crows' story will overlap with Alina's next season, as they don't interact in the books and are entirely absent from Siege and Storm. However, they would be a welcome addition to the Sun Summoner team.
Another Amplifier
In season one, the stag is the amplifier Kirigan sends the First Army soldiers after. Mal, being the best tracker, finds the stag and is about to tell Kirigan where it is when Baghra's allies interfere and try to kill him before the information can fall into the wrong hands. Mal narrowly escapes, and aids Alina in the search for the stag after her escape from the Little Palace. They find the stag at the same time Kirigan does, and he kills it, using its antlers to bind Alina to him and control her power. Though she does free herself, she gets to keep the amplifier and both she and Kirigan are once again searching for another one in the second book.
Alina Leads The Second Army
The show writers, and Jessie Mei Lei, did a wonderful job bringing Alina Starkov to life. An argument could be made that her character is actually improved upon compared to how she is portrayed in the books, with the series showing her having more agency and confidence. This will make her likely transition to leader of the second army in season two feel like a more natural progression for her character. Alina makes some new allied in Siege and Storm, one of which is Nikolai, one of the Ravkan princes who has yet to be cast for season two. He helps her believe in herself and find her place as a leader of the fight against Kirigan.
Kaz Vs. Pekka
Pekka Rollins was briefly introduced in the beginning of season one, and his complicated past with Kaz Brekker is only hinted at. However, fans of the books will know that Kaz has something of a vendetta against Pekka, which will likely be a focus for his character in season two. Additionally, he and his gang went against Pekka's orders when they crossed the fold, and then returned empty-handed, so this rivalry will surely come to a head next season.
Alina And Aleksander's Connection
Alina and Aleksander's romance was cut short when Baghra revealed his secrets to Alina: that he was the Black Heretic who created the fold, and that he was planning to use her power to expand it as a weapon. His lies and manipulation ended their relationship for the time being, but they remain one of, if not the most popular romantic pairing on the show. This is due to their chemistry and the way that these two seemingly opposite characters mirror one another and have a surprising amount in common. It's likely that their strange connection in the books, which allows them to see one another from any distance, will be explored in season two.
Alina's Sacrifice
Siege and Storm ends with Alina making a huge sacrifice in order for her friends and allies to escape the Darkling. This sacrifice leaves her weak at the start of the third book, Ruin and Rising. It also results in her hair turning completely white, something the actress Jessie Mei Lei is interested in exploring. This climactic moment from the books would make for a dynamic ending to a second season.
Nina And Matthias
Nina and Matthias developed a complicated relationship in season one. Initially, he was her captor, but then the ship they were on was wrecked in a storm, and they needed one another's help to survive. They quickly formed a romantic attachment, which was ruined when Matthias mistakenly believed Nina had betrayed him. Book readers know that these two end up joining the Crows, but not without a good deal of tension while they sort out their feelings. Since this was another popular pairing from season one, fans of this couple will likely be pleased with their storyline in season two.