#i just LOVE that mal and alina wanted a few farm animals and children in a safe warm place when they were little

[thebirdandhersong]

Well, I am pleasantly surprised!!!!

#i just finished the first shadow and bone book and can i just say. was not expecting to like it #but the fact that alina first wakes up her powers because she's trying to protect mal made quite an impression #the worldbuilding is just as confusing as i remembered but the descriptions of some of the settings are really fascinating #i had zero feelings about the characters the last time i read this book and now?? very attached #genya and david and mal in particular #honestly was not expecting to like mal at all #but you know how katniss makes her choice between peeta (peace and kindness and green growing things) #and gale (war and conflict and trusting no one but oneself) #yeah any sort of story with that already has my attention #(by 'that' i mean choosing love and kindness and light over darkness and fear and cruelty and hatred) #i just LOVE that mal and alina wanted a few farm animals and children in a safe warm place when they were little #and i love that they keep referring back to the meadow line (that one has my whole heart) #and i love the simplicity of their love and affection. it doesn't come with strings attached (as the darkling's love does) #not gonna lie though after seasons 1-3 of agents of shield and being scared out of my wits by grant ward in s3 #i hear alarm bells any time i hear charismatic morally dubious bad boy with sad past #i'm sure we'll see more development in book 2 and 3 and my feelings may change #(i do feel bad for him a little because it IS obvious that he wants connection) #(but Wow there really is no excuse for all he's done and he still has no problem tormenting alina) #the thing is that he's just so good at manipulating your perspective that he SEEMS so charming and convincing #and casting ben barnes was a top notch decision tbh #because you can just tell by looking at pictures that he's given the darkling that fascinating factor from the books #which goes to show that he takes advantage of all of these things in order to get his way #anyways that's terrifying #reading adventures