The Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo is 2 books of fiction that runs on epic and dark. Spice ranges from 1/5 to 1/5 across the series, clocking in at 857 total pages. Here's exactly how to read them in order.
Publication order — the way Leigh Bardugo intended. Each book links to our full mood and spice guide.
The end of everything — or the beginning. Alina has never been more powerful, and never more at risk of losing herself to it. The trilogy's conclusion is divisive among fans (the ending made many read
Full guide →Alina and Mal are on the run, but the Darkling is never far behind. Book two expands the world of the Grisha to include the sea, a new type of amplifier, and a charismatic privateer who complicates ev
Full guide →The heat stays consistent across the series.
Ruin and Rising is book 1 and the intended starting point. It introduces everything you need — characters, world, and the epic energy that define the entire series. No prequels or companion novels required.
Read the full guide for Ruin and Rising →Read the Shadow and Bone series in publication order: 1. Ruin and Rising, 2. Siege and Storm. This is the intended reading order by Leigh Bardugo.
The Shadow and Bone series has 2 books totaling 857 pages. We have full mood and spice profiles for every book in the series.
The Shadow and Bone series is low-heat, averaging 1/5. If you want clean or mild reads, this series delivers.
The Shadow and Bone series is a fiction series by Leigh Bardugo with epic, dark, emotional vibes. Check each book's full guide for a spoiler-free breakdown of mood, tropes, and fit.
Start with Ruin and Rising — it's book 1 and introduces everything you need. Our full guide for Ruin and Rising breaks down the mood, spice, and what to expect.