User reviews

This series really runs the gamut on storyline and acting quality. Not a lot of shows out there that are this hit and miss.

The Crow gang is fantastic and Netflix really should do a spin-off with just them (or make the show about them). The characters are interesting and the actor who plays Kaz is fantastic.

Meanwhile the main storyline with the Sun Summoner is dull and her love interests are frustrating to watch on screen. It's really hard to stay invested when the main character is unlikable.

But no matter, the Crow storyline makes up for it and I've enjoyed both seasons one and two. Here's hoping for more.

I really enjoyed season 1 but season 2 was just a bit too messy with too many characters and too much plot! While that sounds good it was actually a bit confusing as to who was who and what the different story and character arcs were. By far the best thing about the show were the Crows and I do hope they get a spin off series to themselves. They were the most interesting characters with the best dynamics. Other than the Crows the actors in the rest of the show were fine but they - alongside their story arc - felt a bit generic fantasy and I must admit to getting a bit bored. All that said it's a fun watch overall and I hope that there is a season 3 to conclude the shadow & bone part of the show and I 100% hope that there is a Crows spin off with Kaz and his crew.

I actually enjoyed Shadow and Bone more than I thought I would. It's definitely one of the better fantasy shows to come out in the last few years. While it's not the best, it's up there! I never read any of the books so I didn't know what to expect but have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It has a little of something for everyone...fantasy, humor, action, drama, romance, etc. While it does take a few episodes to really get going, stay with it because it's worth it! I just finished season two and thought it was good enough to warrant another season. Especially with that cliffhanger at the end. If you like fantasy then give this show a chance, you won't be disappointed!

One of the best fantasy television shows I've seen in a while. They did a great job of developing the side characters and building up the larger political dynamics at play, while also giving time to the main characters and their relationships.

Shadow and Bone is a solid, interesting fantasy series that will keep you entertained throughout each episode. While it's not the best fantasy shows to come out in the last few years, it's still a very good one that's worth your to time to watch. I never read any of the books so I didn't know what to expect but have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I've read that it is a good adaptation so even the book lovers should mostly be happy. It has a little of something for everyone...fantasy, humor, action, drama, romance, etc. While it does take a few episodes to really get going, stay with it because it's worth it! The pacing really picks up once they build their world and characters. If you like fantasy then give this show a chance, you won't be disappointed!

I LOVED the first season. It was pretty similar to the books it just combined two of the book series. Shadow and Bone and the Crows. It even made me buy and read the books. Season two took a turn the last few episodes. Without warning they changed the ending for a clear attempt at continuing the Netflix series. Making a certain character evil. And decreasing the value of several others. Disappointed in the outcome. Yet another string of disappointments for Fantasy genre. I feel like studio involvement got in way. It has been a little while but I remember certain characters dying, or dying in certain ways that they didn't.

Loved the first season. Waited patiently for the second season... all for almost nothing. There seems to be something lacking especially in the Darkling and Sun Summoner's storyline. I don't find these two characters engaging anymore. The corny script (or maybe taken verbatim from the book? I don't know) does not help either. I had to literally hit the pause button and distract myself with other stuff to rid myself of the second hand embarrassment after listening to such cheesy lines. The Crows on the other hand, well, I just can't get enough of them! Freddy Carter is such a joy to watch. He is the only motivating factor to finish watching season 2.

Fantasy shows on netflix is hit or miss, their biggest hit for me being The Witcher, this one comes in at a close second. It seems that they shelled out just as much of a budget for this show as much as TW. The sets, costumes and cinematography are all top notch. I find it interesting that the setting is like a fantasy world version of Russia. Plus gun battles and magic is not something I've seen in a fantasy show or movie before. The actors all do a great job as well, most of which are unknown to be except for Ben Barnes. I have not read the books but according to some other reviews the show is a good adaptation of them when usually their are massive changes. So if you are looking for a fun well made fantasy series this one is worth watching. I've watched half of the season so far and I'm trying not to watch the whole thing today but I'm hooked!.

Edit: ok I couldnt help myself, I watched the entire season cuz I think it was that good. However I have one complaint, at times the show is so dark you cant see what is happening, especially in the season finale battle scene. I'm talking Game Of Thrones battle of Winterfell dark, hence the 9. Other than that this is just as good as Witcher and Stranger Things, another success for netflix. Damn it I'm gonna have to read the books now, Please make a season 2!

Well that was annoying.

I really enjoyed the first season, but half way through the second season it all went wrong.

So season 1 had solid screenplay, writing, acting, effects and felt like a great dark fantasy adventure.

Little bits of wit and humour woven in here and there resulted in a well balanced introduction into the backstory, characters and entire premise of the world.

Then along comes season 2.

It's continues pretty much as good as the first and all is good, but... about halfway through the season there's a really weird but clear shift.

All of a sudden it becomes incredibly cheesy, poorly acted, over theatrical, effects somehow get noticeably poorer and overall results in it becoming not very interesting at all.

It's almost as if someone else took over but with half the budget.

By the end of it, I had zero interest in the plot or the characters and just wanted it to hurry up and end.

Season 1 gets a solid 7, but season 2 drags it down to a 5.

Special affects are great. Story is a little slow in the beginning but ends up being well worth it! Makes me want to go buy the books because I want to know what happens next!!

Not so much because of a tight plot that always made sense, but because the casting was really done, with engaging characters, with even some character development. This is the first Netflix fantasy in a long while I've found worth watching- most have been somewhere between horrid and utterly ridiculous. This YA offering does lapse into predictabllity at times, but the actors save it, with very fine direction. Don't look for deep and profound here- just sit back and enjoy, mostly, the ride.

I was very pleasantly surprised so much so I binge watched the whole 8 episodes.

The story is quite unique that in itself is a bonus as I am so bored of the numerous pathetic attempts of supernatural based sci-fi that don't try to be different This is different in a very good way I am not familiar with most of the cast but found the acting very good So a good start and I hope season 2 is of the same quality.

I was very disappointed by this offering.

It was all over the place trying to tell multiple stories at once and failing miserably. What was the purpose?

Predictable to a fault.

The writing and direction wandered, the actors deserved better.

It's still fantastic, and it makes me wish I'd read them! I usually read a book series before watching the adaptations, but I just found this on Netflix. I did a little research to fill in the holes I may have missed, and I'm sure having read the entire book series would enhance your viewing, but you can definitely watch and enjoy without having done so. It's a beautifully well done series, and the acting is superb (Ben Barnes is always worth a watch). An intriguing premise and a whole new and creative world, in a sea of fantasy options we have available to watch these days (I just recently got hooked on His Dark Materials and The Witcher as well). It won't disappoint, when if you are new to the series.

Shadow and Bone is a good watch. It'll keep you entertained and the actors and actresses did a good job. The script was sometimes a bit dull, as was some of the CGI and the costumes. But for me, the show kinda fell apart the same way most fantasy Netflix shows do: pace.

I would have loved a bit more world and character building. With a slower pace this would have been possible. The way they did it was neither a super fast action pace to keep you at the edge of your seat, nor was it a slowly building story where you could get invested into all the characters.

Also most characters that appeared really weren't that relevant to the plot. Especially the Crows and Nina/Matthias. They were entertaining but there was so much else going on, that these 'fillers' wouldn't have been needed. The Crows did bring a lot of humor into the show and I loved the casting there, but still, I felt like it would have been better to hold their storylines back for the first season and only explore the world we find ourselves in and properly develop the three main characters of Alina, Mal and the Darkling.

I think if we'd have gotten more time with the characters, the actors/actresses could have really showed all their potential and the world could have been much richer. This would have meant to put a bigger part of the plot into the following seasons, but I would've been fine with that. I'm aware that that might not be everyones cup of tea, but I'm a sucker for character study and deep and emotional storylines.

The show has potential and as I mentioned earlier, it is very enjoyable. Just don't imagine a second GoT (earlier seasons) or Harry Potter. For me, Shadow and Bone is really more a stand alone new fantasy that will certainly mostly attract a younger audience but is binge worthy for all ages.

I usually avoid these Fantasy shows but I was planning to test 4k and HDR and I just couldn't turn it off to go watch my usual crime dramas.

Just my kind of pacing and non-linear storytelling.

Mei Lei is so charming and jovial in it without seeming melodramatic despite her situation, hope her character remains that way.

These baddies are quite endearing too, mostly due to the accent, gaits and postures.

But I'd recommend people choose some moderately brighter picture modes if they're using HDR, otherwise it might look too dark.

Hope the remaining episodes don't drag too much and it gets multiple seasons because the casting and cinematography deserves such rewards.

I also wish the book fans don't start hating on it overwhelmingly because I was expecting the usual vile reviews when I logged in here.

Give it a shot.

Too many good books are being badly adapted into live action these days- but I can assure you that this is NOT one of those shows. It has a greatly paced, easy to grasp story with many wonderful characters that will keep you on the hook for 6 hours.

Are you kidding me?..What is with the negative reviews? This show is beautiful and well written show..I think this is one of the best adaptations .. Cast is so great .. Special effects and costumes are amazing.. everything is perfect..This show is a masterpiece .