I decided to start a new series. I originally believed it to be a trilogy, only to do some more indepth research and discovered that there are actually two sets of duologies, and four additional pieces supplementing the series. I have entered the GrishaVerse.
Our female main character is Alina. She and her best friend Mal have known each other since they were both sent to the same orphanage after their parents died. Now adults, they entered the First Army, which consists of ordinary humans. They serve in the shadow of the Second Army, consisting of Grisha, humans who possess magic. The Grisha are headed by the Darkling, an extremely powerful being whose powers are different and greater than all others. While Grisha look down on anyone who doesn’t have magical abilities, and humans seem to either resent or revere them, everyone fears the Fold.
An enormous, cloudy, black mass that is the home to flying monsters, has land locked their country from the sea. In order to trade for much needed goods, ships must regularly cross through the Fold. The story begins when the regiment that Alina and Mal belong to must take a journey through the Fold on a routine trade mission. Shortly into their journey, they are attacked by the monsters that live within and something incredible happens as a result of the attack. Alina finds herself removed from the first army and sent to the king’s castle, far away from the Fold and from Mal.
This is a pretty good fantasy novel. It leans heavily on friendship and self discovery, and there is the tiniest bit of romance. I read through the first book in less than two days, not just because I have so many more books to read but because I was interested in the story. I actually already started to read the next book, but I forced myself to stop so I could write my thoughts down. I don’t want to spoil the story, so I won’t reveal any of what happens after Alina arrives at the castle and the bulk of the story begins. I think I am going to try to give an overall opinion on the series once I am finished, just giving a brief overview of the plot as I read through each book. So far, I am happy that I bought what I thought was a three book series after seeing that the show on Netflix was inspired by the books. I think I am going to watch the show after I finish the second book. I am not sure if the first, and from what I have heard will be only season, of the show ends when the first book does and I don’t want to spoil anything for myself. Perhaps when I watch the show I will throw a little bit of what I think about it into my review as well. Stayed tuned as I read through the rest of this series.
Nonfiction and Nonsense 