Image: Book Riot

You might know people who have gushed about reading the Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo, and not understand all the hype surrounding just a YA fantasy book series. But trust me, the Grishaverse is much more to a dedicated reader. Filled with magical powers, a world with places inspired by landmarks of real world, exceptional characters involved in the most dangerous situations and their survival with aid of friendship, love, and relationships, the Grishaverse is truly a work of art.

If you would like to try out this brilliant series and don’t know where to start, here’s a short guide to understand it a little better. Spoiler free, of course!

THE BOOKS

Shadow and Bone Trilogy
Shadow and Bone | Siege and Storm | Ruin and Rising

The first series in the Grishaverse follows Alina Starkov, a not-good-for-anything girl. But on her trip in the Shadow Fold, when her best friend is attacked, her dormant power is exposed to the world. Alina is whisked away to Little Palace by the Darkling, whose power is similar to hers. She trains to be a Grisha because her powers could save the country and Alina becomes the Sun Summoner, hope of the people of Ravka that depend on her to destroy the fold. But there’s darkness everywhere, her best friend Mal is missing, she has unusual feelings for the Darkling, and worst of all, she may not be able to summon the sun again.

Six of Crows Duology
Six of Crows | Crooked Kingdom

This character-driven duology is an epic one and the best of Grishaverse according to many. Kaz Brekker is offered a huge sum in exchange for an impossible heist. The impossibility doesn’t stop him but he needs partners and so, the team is made. Inej, the whisperer, shadow spy. Jesper, the sharpshooter. Wylan, the mysterious rich boy. Nina, the cheerful heartrender. Together, the six of them sail to the Ice Court in Fjerda, the most protected place to rescue Bo Yul-Bayar who has the key to destruction of Grisha.

Along with the ice and water, there is an exceptional bond and banter between the six teammates, making this easily Bardugo’s best work. If you want to start the series, I would recommend starting with this one.

Nikolai Duology
King of Scars | TBA – Not yet released

This is the third part of Grishaverse, and only the first book, King of Scars, has been released. It portrays Nikolai Lantsov, a sort-of-main character in the trilogy who also made a short appearance in Six of Crows duology. Nikolai is one of the most loved characters in the saga. Funny, charming, and a prince-turned-king, we all love him as we read him.

LOCATION

The Grisha world consists of several countries: Ravka, Fjerda, Shu Han, Kerch, Novyi Zem, and the Wandering Isles. The Grisha Trilogy and the Six of Crows duology are set mainly in Ravka and Kerch respectively, but there are references to the other nations. Bardugo has said that Ravka was inspired by Russia and Ketterdam, a city in Kerch by Amsterdam, and the similarities can be seen while reading the books.

POWERS

The form of magic introduced in Grishaverse is Small Science, and the people who can practice it are called Grisha, and mostly found in Ravka. Many other places, like Fjerda, consider Grisha to be monstrous and aim to destroy them.

The Grisha are divided into three orders, Etherealki, Materialki, and Corporalki. The Etherealki are the order of Summoners and can summon elements of earth. These special powers, that aren’t completely magic, but manipulation of chemicals; science, are what make this fantasy intriguing.

TV ADAPTATION

Netflix is adapting the Grishaverse! This news brought fans to their knees when it was revealed a few months ago. Eric Heisserer, screenwriter of Bird Box, will combine Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows in an eight-episode series. The release date has not been confirmed yet but we are holding our breaths to see this potential masterpiece!

THE AUTHOR

Leigh Bardugo is a New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse. With over three million copies sold, her Grishaverse spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, The Language of Thorns, and King of Scars—with more to come. Bardugo was born in Jerusalem, Israel and grew up in Los Angeles, where her grandparents raised her. She attended Yale University, graduating with a degree in English in spring 1997. Before publishing her first novel, she worked in copywriting and journalism, as well as makeup and special effects.

To explore more, visit the Grishaverse website and Goodreads. Buy Bardugo’s books from Amazon and Book Depository.

Have you read Leigh Bardugo’s books? Tell us in the comments below!

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