I received my copy from the publisher
By: Leigh Bardugo
Book 1 of the Grisha Trilogy
Alina and Mal are orphans. She is pale, seemingly insignificant and grows to be a mapmaker. He is talented, charming and popular and grows to be a gifted tracker. He is her only real friend. One day he is threatened and her power is unleashed, throwing her unwillingly into a world she never dreamed she would be a part of, The Grisha – the kingdom’s magical elite. Her rare power sets her apart even from them though and she is a prize in a competition she doesn’t understand. Alina has to study magic and learn to master her ability all whilst trying to understand the powerful machinations going on around her.
Alina is an interesting character. She hides who she is, and is mostly content with her anonymity. She doesn’t want the attention that her sudden rise brings. She struggles to master the ability she hid for so long. At heart she is quite timid but draws strength from her mission and from Mal. Mal is a sold presence, he keeps Alina connected to reality. The Darkling is a bad guy on every level, he is sly, conniving and manipulative, you wonder how someone can be drawn to him as Alina is. Power is seductive though and Bardugo depicts this well.
The world building is well detailed from the colours and grandness of the Palace to the darkness and menace of the Fold. This story has a grand plot with power and it’s corrupting ability at it’s core. As Alina is drawn to that which frightens her it will be interesting to see where Bardugo takes these characters.
Publisher: Indigo (an imprint of Orion Children’s)
Published: 05 June 2012
Format: Paperback 320 pages
ISBN 13: 9781780621418
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page
TheKylieVerse 
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