Shadow and Bone
Netflix | Release Date: April 23, 2021
7.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 95 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
64
Mixed:
18
Negative:
13
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
mrmonsterJun 11, 2021
A very exciting first season. Great fantasy show, and I can't wait to see more.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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8
LunaticInkJul 23, 2021
I quite enjoyed this series. It was somewhat original and a lot of fun. The two leads were great, and the supporting cast excellent. While there was a bit of in your face “muh representation” that felt a little forced, it wasn’t overlyI quite enjoyed this series. It was somewhat original and a lot of fun. The two leads were great, and the supporting cast excellent. While there was a bit of in your face “muh representation” that felt a little forced, it wasn’t overly preachy and the themes has mass appeal. I was surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did given the current state of Netflix.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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10
Lucas565Sep 3, 2021
Uma das melhores séries que eu já assisti eu recomendo ela é maravilhosa mesmo muito boa
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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10
joellycardosoSep 2, 2021
love to see what i’ve read a long time ago adapted on the screen, and jessie mei li as alina is the perfect cast ever
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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10
acosolaSep 11, 2021
Shadow and Bone was a fantastic show. The plot line and characters immediately grabbed your attention and brought tears as well as laughter to the audience. This show combined human and unnatural beings and was able to keep your focus theShadow and Bone was a fantastic show. The plot line and characters immediately grabbed your attention and brought tears as well as laughter to the audience. This show combined human and unnatural beings and was able to keep your focus the whole time. This show brought a never seen before combination with elements from Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. I am excited for season 2 and cannot wait to see what is in store.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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8
TheSHChroniclesNov 11, 2021
If you love reading young-adult fantasy novels or watching these type of series/movies, then Shadow and Bone is a must watch! Netflix again surprises by adapting the books to screen with Shadow and Bone, a fun, action-packed series based onIf you love reading young-adult fantasy novels or watching these type of series/movies, then Shadow and Bone is a must watch! Netflix again surprises by adapting the books to screen with Shadow and Bone, a fun, action-packed series based on Leigh Bardugo’s best-selling Grishaverse books. This season captures much of the darker magic of young-adult fantasy without being hesitant to make smart changes to certain characters’ origin stories and even the sequence of events.

Full review at: https://www.theshchronicles.com/post/shadow-and-bone-season-1… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
viroodiemApr 25, 2021
First and foremost this is a good show. That said it comes off as a great show. Not because it is great, but because it comes in the middle of a TV drought in the month of April 2021. If you stack this against other months where there are 2-5First and foremost this is a good show. That said it comes off as a great show. Not because it is great, but because it comes in the middle of a TV drought in the month of April 2021. If you stack this against other months where there are 2-5 good shows running, it illustrates is a good show and might even be at the head of its respective pack. But definitely not something above a good show.

The show feels like the illegitimate love child between Anna Karenina and Final Fantasy or The Last Airbender or something of a similar vein with an emphasis on elemental style magic, A looming evil, Huge monsters and a battle between light and dark magic. All done with a well made steampunk aesthetic that is not too overwhelming that it becomes tedious.

The writing is much wht you would expect for a YA translation. It does a good job of crafting likable heroes and even anti-heroes. It is however fairly predictable and does get pretty tropey at times.Even cringy how close they follow TVTropes templates for some characters. The world building here is a major strong suit. You really want to see more of this world and its fall.

The actors, although mostly fresh faces, churn in good work that elevates that writing, for the most part. The lead actress being a definite step down in quality, but it not being so glaring it hurts the production. There are a few other weak actors but again, nothing so glaring as to cause much concern after you are an episode in and can suspend disbelief.

Arguably the biggest strong suit is the visuals. Between the set pieces and costuming you can tell a LOT of budget went into it and they definitely got their moneys worth. This is one of the best looking fantasy series since Game of Thrones.

The season ended well with a satisfying conclusion and setting up a whole new season for us to anticipate. Only complaint is it being netflix and netflix style of dumping everything for it to be binged which can be great, but at the same time the audience does not get to adequately digest episodes which makes a series more memorable. With as big of a production this has to be we are likely looking at a year if not upwards of two for a second season. Shows like Altered Carbon illustrate what happens when you go too long between seasons after a season was just binged. People forget and dont care the same way when a new season returns. So hopefully netflix knew how big this was going to be and had production set up well in advance to make a second season turn around low. We shall see.

All in all I would give a 7.75 and go ahead and round up to an 8 because of it coming in the big drought and needing something good to sink teeth into.… Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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10
MissgeekMay 22, 2021
Wonderful cast and immersive story. I was hooked immediately. Very well done. Hoping for a season 2!
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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10
chanelle__xApr 24, 2021
The definition of perfect casting. Freddy Carter played an amazing Kaz, Kit Young as Jesper? SPOT. ON. Ben Barnes as the darkling? SPEECHLESS. Mal deserves the world and Archie Renaux gave it to him. Jessie Mei Li did an incredible jobThe definition of perfect casting. Freddy Carter played an amazing Kaz, Kit Young as Jesper? SPOT. ON. Ben Barnes as the darkling? SPEECHLESS. Mal deserves the world and Archie Renaux gave it to him. Jessie Mei Li did an incredible job playing Alina. Leigh adding the six of crows characters into the shadow and bone timeline was genius and she did such a great job. She included iconic lines from the books, and gave us scenes she knew the fans would want. The world building / magic system was spectacular. The chemistry between all of the different love interests *chefs kiss*!!! I can't wait for Nikolai to get casted. I NEED SEASON 2 ASAP!!… Expand
2 of 6 users found this helpful24
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10
MatlocktvApr 26, 2021
I've watched quite a few bad fantasy series but Shadow and Bone blows them all out of the water. As someone points out, the casting is spot on and the characters are likable and well rounded. I can see a bit of a comparison to Game ofI've watched quite a few bad fantasy series but Shadow and Bone blows them all out of the water. As someone points out, the casting is spot on and the characters are likable and well rounded. I can see a bit of a comparison to Game of Thrones in terms of style and scale. The show is so much better imho. Moves along nicely and is massively binge worthy. Ignore the tepid critic reviews and make up your own mind.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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10
AlofiApr 26, 2021
This was an absolutely brilliant adaptation! The actors were casted perfectly and you can clearly see they all had a ton of fun embodying their characters. This show was definitely created with a lot of love and passion and because of thatThis was an absolutely brilliant adaptation! The actors were casted perfectly and you can clearly see they all had a ton of fun embodying their characters. This show was definitely created with a lot of love and passion and because of that I'm more than okay with overlooking a couple of small nitpicks.… Expand
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
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10
TheCritiicApr 24, 2021
This show has a level of overall polish that I haven't seen since Game of Thrones. The sets costumes, and artistry create absolute immersion. It's fascinating to be able to delve into the ideology that there exists a fold in which one cannotThis show has a level of overall polish that I haven't seen since Game of Thrones. The sets costumes, and artistry create absolute immersion. It's fascinating to be able to delve into the ideology that there exists a fold in which one cannot enter or one should not enter and how the world always wants to go where no man should. What is this fold or this crease, this area that we're unable to enter. What is it that captivates us and lures us to want to explore the fold. Why was the fold created. What is this forbidden fruit that we are not allowed to enter. What makes it unattainable. What is the sin in exploring. So just watch the show and we'll find out, you'll thank me later.… Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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9
IsteffyMar 17, 2023
I must be crazy because I think this show should be rated way higher than both the professional and user critic score. This is a fanastically underrated show with great actors, a solid plot with interesting characters and motivations, andI must be crazy because I think this show should be rated way higher than both the professional and user critic score. This is a fanastically underrated show with great actors, a solid plot with interesting characters and motivations, and shot well with impressive sets and CGI. The show is also not afraid to kill characters. Honestly with all of the lame fantasy out at the moment like Rings of Power, this is a breath of fresh air. Sad to see that people think this is 'extra-woke'. Their brains must explode when they watch Rings of Power. 9/10… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
asdfdsaDec 14, 2021
Really good show, one of the best Netflix fantasy series. Great acting, unique story.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
Augus100Aug 31, 2023
Excellent cast and well development of characters we need a season 3, season 2 was a good addition.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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