Netflix and I may have to part ways. I just learned yesterday that my favorite show, Shadow and Bone, has been canceled after two seasons. And it ended on a cliffhanger! The streaming giant has a history of canceling successful shows after one or two seasons – Lockwood & Co, Warrior Nun, Iron Fist, Baby-Sitters Club… The list is long. And now my beloved Shadow and Bone! The last scene literally left us with Alina slicing a villain in half with her newly acquired dark powers. And Inej left Kaz!
If it weren’t for the Great British Baking Show and Stranger Things, I would cancel right now. But if I do, how will I learn to fix the soggy bottoms of my breads and cakes? (If you haven’t watched the Great British Baking Show – DO IT NOW! You will thank me when you learn the difference between American buttercream and French buttercream.)
This television show is based on the 7-book series by Leigh Bardugo – Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom, King of Scars, Rule of Wolves. I have reviewed all seven books on this blog before but just wanted to mention them again amidst my disappointment with the television show’s demise.
The first three books are a trilogy focusing on a young woman named Alina. Set mainly on the imaginary continent of Ravka. Bardugo has created a world based on Russian folklore. The magic is called Grisha and her expanded world is known by her fans as the Grishaverse. Her stories confront prejudice, insecurities, the horrors of war, and personal growth. In my review of the original trilogy, I mentioned that many reviewers who didn’t like the books called them ‘angsty teenage romances’ and they wouldn’t be wrong. These are young people growing and learning while they make mistakes, fall in love, and strive to save their country.
The fourth and fifth books are a separate duology set in the same world. Taking place after the events in the first three books, the novels Crooked Kingdom and Six of Crows focus on a band of teenagers/gangsters/my favorite characters surviving on the streets of Ketterdam. Ketterdam is located on the island continent of Kerch and is a character all on its own.
The last two books – King of Scars and Rule of Wolves – take us back to Ravka and focus largely on politics and the concept of Self Versus Country. How much is a ruler willing to do for his beloved country? We join up with characters Nikolai, Zoya, Genya, and others as they traverse the volatile minefields of throne rooms and politicians. Of course, there is plenty of magic along the way. Maybe even a love story!
Because the series has been canceled, we won’t get to see these continuing adventures of our favorite misfits. But perhaps all hope is not lost. Before the writer’s strike this summer, the showrunners noted in several interviews that a complete season’s worth of scripts were ready for a Six of Crows spin-off. I like Alina and Mal, but I adore the Crows gang. Casting was perfect, so if the original actors could come back, maybe another streaming company could pick up where Netflix let us down. Hulu? Paramount Plus? Amazon Prime? Are any of you guys listening?
In the meantime, I will make up with Netflix, maybe do the whole ‘It’s not you, it’s me.’ Even though it is totally them. I will re-read my novels and fanfiction stories while (in my mind) strolling the alleys and waterways of Ketterdam while munching on waffles. And I won’t be too sad. As the Crows say, No mourners, no funerals.
