Shadow and Bone

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2012

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 3

Chapters 4-7

Chapters 8-10

Chapters 11-13

Chapters 14-16

Chapters 17-19

Chapter 20-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Chapters 14-16Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 14 Summary

The Grisha prepare for the King’s winter fete, where Summoners will perform a demonstration for Os Alta’s elite. Alina is excited for the fete and nervous to see the Darkling after their kiss. While Genya helps Alina get ready, servants arrive with packages for Alina. Inside is a new kefta made of black silk, with an eclipsed sun charm hanging from the neckline. The Darkling’s symbol and signature color set Alina apart from other Grisha. Although Alina declined wearing the Darkling’s color before, after the kiss she is thrilled by his attention. Genya warns Alina to be careful “[o]f powerful men” (209).

At the fete, the Grisha mingle amongst the Ravka nobles. Alina watches the Summoner demonstration. When it is Alina’s turn to perform, the Darkling joins her. They put on a magnificent light show, with shadow and light dancing through the room. The nobles proclaim it a miracle. The Darkling leads Alina to a sitting room and kisses her with desire and anger—anger because he is kissing Alina when he should be discussing Morozova’s herd with his men. He confesses: “The problem with wanting [...] is that it makes us weak” (221). Voices in the hallway interrupt their kiss. The Darkling makes to leave, stopping to ask if he can visit Alina later that evening. Alina hesitates. Before she can answer, they hear more voices in the hall. The Darkling leaves.

As Alina heads back to the ballroom, the Apparat appears and demands to speak to her, saying, “Things are moving far more quickly than—” (223). Alina leaves before he finishes. Overwhelmed by the day’s events, she exits the party early and returns to the Little Palace. She runs into Mal. She hugs him, then notices he looks different: “there was something harder about him, something cold and unfamiliar” (228). Mal’s unit has been tracking Morozova’s herd. They were separated from his regiment, so he never received Alina’s letters. Mal and Alina’s exchange is tense. Mal saw Alina and the Darkling’s performance. Mal’s worry for Alina’s well-being has turned bitter after he learned Alina is “safe and sound, dancing and flirting like some cosseted little princess” (229). He doesn’t like how the Darkling looks at Alina or Alina wearing the Darkling’s color. Mal leaves. Alina starts to go after him, but she decides not to chase him anymore.

Chapter 15 Summary

Back in her room, Alina finally lets herself cry about Mal. There’s a knock at her door. Alina wonders if it’s the Darkling, but it’s Baghra. Baghra grabs Alina and urgently takes Alina through a hidden door. Baghra gives Alina clothes, telling Alina to leave Os Alta tonight. The Darkling has been lying to Alina. He is the Black Heretic and created the Shadow Fold. He plans to use Alina to expand the Fold and increase his power. Baghra is his mother, and only she knows his plans. She tells Alina: “He has served countless kings, faked countless deaths, bided his time, waiting for you. Once he takes control of the Fold, no one will be able to stand against him” (237). The volcra were the only obstacle for the Darkling, an unintended consequence of creating the Fold. The volcra hate sunlight, meaning Alina’s power can banish them and give the Darkling full control of the Fold. The Darkling plans to kill Morozova’s stag and make Alina an amplifier, allowing him to control Alina’s power. If he succeeds, Alina will become “the most powerful Grisha who has ever lived, and all that new-found power will be his to command,” while Alina “will be powerless to resist” (239). Alina prepares to leave.

Chapter 16 Summary

Baghra has planned Alina’s escape route and has been training Alina for this journey. Baghra loves her son, and that is why she is trying to stop him from his greed. Alina leaves Os Alta, hiding in a wagon transporting entertainers from the fete. She slowly heads west. This is Alina’s first time completely alone. She realizes being alone is not as scary as she’d always believed. One day she passes a church and stops to hear Mass. She is shocked to hear the priest praying for her health, praising the Sun Summoner sent to save Ravka.

She stops in Ryevost for food and supplies, although she risks being discovered. She makes it to the city’s outskirts, where a drunken man grabs her leeringly, refusing to let go. Using custom gloves made with mirror discs to expand Alina’s power in combat, she sends light bouncing off the discs into the stranger’s eyes. Blinded, he lets go of Alina, and she fights him to the ground. One of the Darkling’s guards walks out of the tavern and surveys the scene, recognizing Alina.

Alina runs, managing to evade the guards pursuing her. She sleeps in the forest, hidden by bushes. When she wakes, soldiers pass looking for her but leave without seeing her. Mal appears, silences Alina, and leads her away. Mal has deserted the army to help Alina escape.

Chapters 14-16 Analysis

These chapters are a major turning point. Alina’s key motivation thus far has been to belong and be loved, first with Mal, then with the Grisha and the Darkling. The night of the fete, Alina is finally achieving this goal. She accepts wearing the Darkling’s color and symbol, just as she accepts the Darkling’s romantic advances. This acceptance symbolizes Alina’s new belonging with the Grisha, a personal triumph after feeling inadequate her whole life. Alina has found confidence and self-acceptance from stepping into her power. The fete is her first public appearance where she demonstrates agency over her power, no longer relying on the Darkling to perform. The adoration and respect from the audience is something she has finally earned. With good news arriving about the stag, everything is falling into place.

Seeing Mal again highlights Alina’s transformation. Alina is now caught in a love triangle between the Darkling, whose seductions moments earlier set her heart racing, and Mal, whom Alina has loved since childhood. Alina discovers Mal has not actually received her letters, complicating her feelings. However, Mal’s snide reaction to seeing the Darkling with Alina angers her. She has overcome personal struggles to reach strength, self-acceptance, and belonging. She is done waiting for Mal to finally notice her as more than a friend. She does not deserve Mal’s judgment of her newfound power and standing with the Darkling. Alina’s feelings for Mal have held her back from her power and from allowing herself to enjoy being Grisha. Seeing Mal again is a test, giving Alina the choice to follow Mal and turn back on the Grisha. Letting him go establishes Alina’s independence and full acceptance of her Grisha status.

This pacing heightens the dramatic discovery of the Darkling’s true nature. For the good of Ravka, Alina must disappear and leave behind the life of luxury, prestige, and belonging she only just accepted. This is a moment of self-realization for Alina. Her Grisha training has strengthened her power and independence, yet her deep need to belong at the Little Palace made her vulnerable to the Darkling’s manipulations. She has traded starving her power to belong with Mal, to handing over her agency to belong with the Darkling.

As Alina departs, her motivation changes. She now wants to maintain her agency and save Ravka from the Darkling. Her escape is symbolic of her personal journey. Alone for the first time, she realizes she can rely on herself and sheds her need to belong. When Mal and Alina are reunited, it’s important Mal has found her, instead of Alina running back to Mal. Alina’s journey has been about her personal growth alone. A lot has changed since they saw each other just a few days earlier, and they have both grown.