Happy Women’s History Month! This March, I want to highlight a new favorite female author of mine: Leigh Bardugo. She wrote the first book in the DC Icons series, Wonder Woman: Warbringer (a fantastic read), along with a few short story anthologies, but she is most well-known for her collections of novels set in what is called the Grishaverse.
The first series is the Shadow and Bone trilogy. It follows Alina Starkov, a soldier of Ravka, as she enters the Shadow Fold—an expanse of darkness filled with monsters—for the first time. When her ship is attacked and all seems lost, she unleashes a powerful gift she never knew she had and saves her fellow soldiers. She then begins a new life as a Grisha, working for the order of magical soldiers, but everything is not as it seems. The trilogy chronicles Alina’s discovery of her powers, uncovering dangerous secrets and plots, and attempts to free her nation from an evil force. The Shadow and Bone series debuts on Netflix as a live-action TV show in April!
Set in the same universe, next is the Six of Crows duology. The two books chronicle con artist Kaz Brekker’s endeavor to pull off a dangerous but unimaginably rewarding heist with his crew of gifted outcasts—some Grisha, some not. When the plan goes off the rails and a sinister plot is revealed, the ragtag team must overcome immense obstacles in order to save themselves and possibly the world.
Lastly, the King of Scars duology continues with some of the characters from both Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows (namely Nikolai Lantsov, Zoya Nazyalensky, and Nina Zenik) as they try to thwart plots against Ravka and fight demons from their pasts. The second and final book in the duology, Rule of Wolves, will be released at the end of this month!
There are a few companion books as well, such as The Language of Thorns, a collection of tales and legends set in the Grishaverse. Leigh Bardugo has created a wonderful universe full of magic, brave characters and compelling character development, dangerous forces, corruption, romance, and plot twists. Additionally, her books feature a wide array of strong, detailed, and interesting female characters. This month, if you’re looking for a good fantasy series, an accomplished female author, and intriguing female characters, look no further! Check out Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse. You won’t be disappointed.