Shadow and Bone Characters

Please be aware that the follow includes spoilers of Shadow and Bone.
With such a colourful cast of characters, the Shadow and Bone trilogy is one series in which it can be difficult to just have one favourite. Each of them is so richly created and with their own personalities and branch of humour, it might be fairer to say they’re all a favourite. Below is a look at some of the main characters from the first book, Shadow and Bone, to give a little taste.

Alina Starkov

The main protagonist. She begins the series as an orphan cartographer in the First Army, someone who feels a little in the shadow of her best friend, for whom she bears deeper feelings than she’s let be known. Before her stands a formidable wall of darkness called the Shadow Fold that’s full of deadly creatures, and it’s only after she enters that to reach the other side that her true self gets revealed. Alina was born one of the rarest types of grisha, something more like a legendary tale, a promise to the end of the deadly Fold. Alina is a Sun Summoner. And she’s quickly swept up to go to where grisha train, to learn more about herself, and to try to save Ravka, her country. She goes from timid friend, to the leader of a rebel movement set to destroy more than one dark power. With complicated friendships, a sprinkle of love interests, and danger and disaster mixed in, Alina’s journey is gripping to the end.

“I’m not used to people trying to kill me.”

Malyen Oretsev

Most commonly known as Mal, he’s Alina’s childhood best friend and is another soldier in the First Army where he serves as a particularly gifted tracker. After the revelation in the Shadow Fold that reveals his friend to be the legendary Sun Summoner, they’re separated, which only serves to deepen their relationship. Mal is described as friendly and cheerful at the start, but gradually grows more serious and committed as the series goes on.

"It's always just you and me, Alina.”

The Darkling

The Darkling is the leader of the Second Army of Ravka, which is composed up of the country’s grisha. Like Alina, he’s also a rare type of grisha, but seemingly her opposite. The Darkling is a Shadow Summoner, and in addition he’s also a living amplifier. He is the one who confirms Alina’s ability and takes her to the capital to train so that she can help him destroy the Shadow Fold. He’s described as very handsome, of an unknowable age, with black hair and grey eyes.

“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina. You and I are going to change the world.”

Genya Safin

Genya is described as incredibly beautiful, with long red hair and striking amber eyes. Alina first meets her after reaching the Little Palace to train as a grisha, and soon notices that Genya does not mingle with the others. Instead, she works for the Queen of Ravka, and has since she was very young when she was gifted to her by the Darkling. Genya is another rare type of grisha called a Tailor, which means she is able to adjust a person’s appearance and she uses her abilities to keep the Queen looking beautiful. She very quickly becomes a close friend of Alina.

“Be careful of powerful men.”

Baghra

Revealed early on to be a mysterious and very strict teacher who tries to help Alina master her powers. It’s soon clear that she has clear motives to make Alina become strong which results in her becoming a firm ally. Baghra is also a Shadow Summoner and a living amplifier, and quite remarkably, is also the Darkling’s mother and the daughter of a legendary grisha called Ilya Morozova. Like the Darkling, she’s of an unknowable age, and is described as having black hair and black eyes.

“He has served countless kings, faked countless deaths, bided his time, waiting for you.”

Zoya Nazyalensky

A favoured soldier of the Darkling, Zoya is also grisha, a Squaller – someone who can control wind and air. She has a fierce attitude and a short temper and early on becomes known as a rival of Alina seemingly out of jealousy of the attention the Darkling is giving her. She’s described as having black hair and blue eyes, and is strikingly beautiful.

"You stink of Keramzin."

David Kostyk

Another grisha that Alina meets at the Little Palace. David is a Fabrikator, specifically a Durast, and an inventor and manipulator of solid matter. He is very intelligent, though seemingly lacks social skills and awareness. He’s awkward and is the sole focus of Genya’s affections which are reciprocated. The Darkling values him as being incredibly talented, and he will get tangled up in things to come.

“I make things. I don’t destroy them.”

Other characters include:

Botkin Yul-Erdene — an instructor at the Little Palace who specialises in combat training.
Nadia Zhabin — a squaller, Etherealki, and friend of Alina at the Little Palace.
Marie — an inferni, Etherealki, and friend of Alina at the Little Palace.
The Apparat — the head of the Ravkan church and spiritual advisor to the king of Ravka.
Ivan — a strong heartrender, Corporalki, and guard of the Darkling.
Fedyor — a friendly heartender, Corporalki, who helps escort Alina to the Little Palace.