"Shadow and Bone" is a fantasy novel by Leigh Bardugo set in a war-torn world inspired by Tsarist Russia. The story follows Alina Starkov, a young soldier who discovers she has a unique power that could change the fate of her country, Ravka. She is thrust into the world of the Grisha, magical elite who serve the kingdom. As Alina trains to harness her abilities, she faces challenges from both external enemies and internal conflicts. The narrative explores themes of identity, power, and the struggle between light and darkness, while introducing key characters like the enigmatic Darkling and Alina's childhood friend, Mal.