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 4-7Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 4 Summary

Alina is taken to the Darkling’s coach to travel to the Little Palace, where Grisha train. She is under extreme protection in case of assassination attempts by Fjerdan and Shu Han enemies, as Alina’s ability to summon light gives Ravka greater strength against its enemies. A Corporalki Healer tends to Alina’s wounds. The chemical used creates an itching sensation and heals the wounds instantly.

All Grisha wear a different colored kefta, or robe, depending on their Order. The keftas are made by Grisha Materialki and are bulletproof. Alina is given the Healer’s red kefta for protection, since Alina’s First Army apparel is inferior. Two Grisha tell Alina about “amplifiers,” objects that amplify a Grisha’s power. The Darkling himself is an amplifier, explaining how his touch called forward Alina’s power. As they travel, Alina has mixed feelings of self-doubt and awe.

The coach comes up to a fallen tree—a trap—and suddenly they are under attack. Alina is chased by a Fjerdan who calls her a witch. In other nations, Grisha are feared and punished for their powers. More soldiers and the Darkling arrive just as the Fjerdan captures Alina, knife poised above her. The Darkling casts darkness around the Fjerdans, blinding them. When the Fjerdan with Alina refuses to let her go, the Darkling makes a slashing motion with his hands, performing “the Cut” and splitting the Fjerdan in two. This terrifies Alina. As they begin traveling, Alina rides on horseback with the Darkling while the coach is used as a decoy.

Chapter 5 Summary

They travel the next few days before briefly setting up camp. Around a fire over dinner, the Darkling sits next to Alina and invites her to ask any questions. Prompted by stories she’s heard all her life, she asks about his age and the Shadow Fold. He is about 120 years old and has been trying to undo the evil of the Fold, created by his great-great-great-grandfather, the Black Heretic. As modern weapons and inventions progress in bordering nations, the significance of Grisha power is waning. Ravka can only get its weapons from traveling across the Fold, and each journey leads to casualties. Divided by the Fold, Ravka will be too weak to survive. Alina is the Darkling’s “first glimmer of hope” for destroying the Fold and taking Ravka into the new era (81).

They arrive in Ravka’s capital, Os Alta—the “dream city.” The dirty market town surrounding it juxtaposes the decadent city. Os Alta is home to the King, the Grisha, and Ravka’s elite. The Little Palace, home of the Grisha, is full of grandeur, with carvings ornamented with pearls and a gold dome ceiling. A servant takes Alina to a large bedroom, where she collapses, overwhelmed and exhausted.

Chapter 6 Summary

Alina wakes from a nightmare featuring Mal and the volcra. A beautiful Grisha woman in a cream kefta is at Alina’s door, arrived to help Alina prepare to meet the King. The young woman, named Genya, calls for servants to draw Alina a bath. Alina has been traveling for nearly a week and is “covered in dirt and blood and the smell of horses” (91). Genya heals Alina’s bruises with a wave of her fingers. Genya is a Tailor, working on faces instead of clothes. This is why she is so beautiful. Genya can make small changes, perfecting things like skin tone and hair color. The Darkling has asked Genya to work on Alina’s appearance because “[i]n the King’s court, appearances are everything” (95). Alina argues but eventually agrees. Alina has always looked plain and sickly. While Genya’s improvements are small, Alina is pleased with what she sees.

Grisha gather in the domed hall, preparing to walk to the King’s palace. Two Grisha introduce themselves to Alina. Sergei is Corporalki, the highest Order of Grisha after the Darkling. Marie is Etherealki, the Order of Summoners and an Order below Corporalki. Sergei and Marie argue over who Alina should walk with. Although Alina is a summoner, her unique value places her in a higher status. A low voice cuts through the argument. It’s the Darkling, saying Alina will walk with him.

Chapter 7 Summary

The Grisha line up to enter the throne room in order of rank, from lowest to highest. Alina stands with the Darkling. Alina asks about Genya, and the Darkling explains Genya does not walk with the Grisha because she serves the Queen. Although Genya’s powers are special, her white kefta marks her as a servant. She is looked down on by the other Grisha, who distrust her and view her powers as frivolous.

The King’s palace is loudly extravagant, detracting from its beauty. It starkly contrasts the impoverished reality of Ravka’s peasants and soldiers. Seeing lavish wealth on display makes Alina question if the Shadow Fold is the only reason for Ravka’s lack of resources.

At first, the King is disappointed with how plain Alina appears. The Darkling leads Alina in a demonstration of her power, holding her hand in the darkness to amplify her ability. When light bursts through the room, the crowd applauds and weeps in joy. Alina meets the Apparat, the court priest. Alina finds his presence eerie.

After Alina meets the King and Queen, the Darkling tells Genya to measure Alina for a kefta before training starts the next day. He specifies it should be black, shocking both Genya and Alina. Wishing not to stand out any further from other Grisha, Alina asks the Darkling instead for a kefta in blue, the color worn by Etherealki Summoners. After a moment of silence, the Darkling agrees, then leaves abruptly. Genya is horrified, telling Alina, “no other Grisha has ever been permitted to wear a Darkling’s colors [...] It would have placed you high above all others” (111-12). Alina is more concerned with fitting in than showing her status. Back in her room, Alina asks Genya to stay and have dinner with her. Genya is both honored and disturbed. The Grisha observe a strict hierarchy and will disapprove, but Alina doesn’t mind. The rest of the night passes in friendly chatter.

Chapters 4-7 Analysis

Alina’s induction to Grisha life exposes an otherworldly side of Ravka. Her experiences in the First Army sharply contrasts the luxury, wealth, and status in Os Alta, highlighting social and political inequities dividing the nation. The Grisha ride in coaches made of silk and velvet while wearing bulletproof keftas of wool and fur; meanwhile, the First Army marches by foot wearing army-issued coats. While Os Alta is surrounded by an impoverished market city, the King’s palace displays ostentatious wealth, and resources are used without concern for their dwindling supply.

However, anxiety from the Shadow Fold and ongoing war still loom over Os Alta, especially for the Grisha. While Grisha exist outside Ravka, they don’t hold a place of power in these other nations. Instead, they are executed and enslaved for their powers. Even in Ravka, some still believe Grisha are witches. Though this belief is dismissed as peasant superstition, a sense of distrust and fear is pervasive. With Ravka struggling to industrialize due to the Fold, Grisha are increasingly vulnerable to their enemies.

Power and hierarchy define the Grisha, making Alina’s arrival disruptive. Growing up an orphan, Alina has always felt out of place, except with Mal. Alina shies away from the attention she gets once her power is discovered and is afraid it’s all a mistake. With her late arrival, plain appearance, and ignorance about Grisha politics, Alina is an outsider. Alina struggles with self-doubt and yearns to belong. Even so, Alina defies their strict hierarchy and refuses elevated status. She unashamedly befriends Genya and rejects the honor of wearing the Darkling’s signature black color. Although Alina is afraid of the Darkling and has heard many stories of his ruthless nature, she does not hold back from speaking her mind with him.

The Darkling is drawn to Alina. Her rejection of status and blunt statements both challenge and amuse the Darkling. His special attention invokes awe and jealousy from the other Grisha.