Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author best known for the Grishaverse series. She is a critically acclaimed author who writes young adult and adult fantasy novels. Her most popular books, the Six of Crows duology, is part of the Grishaverse, along with Shadow and Bone and King of Scars. The Grishaverse also has several companion books. Netflix adapted the Grishaverse into a combined TV show, but Shadow and Bone was canceled after season 2. Leigh Bardugo’s other popular series, the Alex Stern books, currently consists of Ninth House and the sequel Hell Bent.
Amazon has secured the rights to the Alex Stern books and is creating a Ninth House TV show adaptation. Leigh Bardugo’s books all incorporate Jewish themes. The Grisha people are based on Russian culture and mythology while Ninth House draws inspiration from Yale secret societies. The Familiar, Bardugo’s most recent novel, explores Judaism under the Spanish Inquisition. However, all of Leigh Bardugo’s books are unique and bring something different to literature. While some are better than others, Leigh Bardugo’s bibliography is quite impressive.
14 The Lives Of Saints
Companion Book, Grishaverse
The Lives of Saints is one of the Grishaverse companion books that documents various Ravkan saints and influential figures. Each saint has a backstory or short segment that portrays how the saints affect ordinary people in Ravka. Although The Lives of Saints is a fascinating read, the best part about the book is the stunning illustrations by Daniel J. Zollinger. The Grishaverse stands on its own without this companion book, and while it provides further insight into the high fantasy world, it is not one of Leigh Bardugo’s best works.
13 The Language Of Thorns
Collection Of Short Stories, Grishaverse
The Language of Thorns is another Grishaverse companion novel. It is a collection of six short stories exploring various Grishaverse mythologies. Three of the short stories—The Too-Clever Fox, The Witch of Duva, and Little Knife—were previously published as e-books, but The Language of Thorns has three brand new short stories as well. Although the narratives are more compelling than The Lives Of Saints, the characters do not connect to the primary works in the Grishaverse. It is an enjoyable addition to the series, but otherwise, The Language Of Thorns does not have much substance other than being bonus material.
12 Demon In The Wood (Illustrated By Dani Pendergast)
Graphic Novel, Grishaverse
Demon in the Wood was initially a short story, but Leigh Bardugo turned it into a graphic novel and expanded the narrative. The story is a prequel to Shadow and Bone about the Darkling’s childhood. Demon in the Wood serves is his backstory; it provides the Darkling’s motivation for creating the Fold and what might have led him to betray his people in the trilogy. Demon in the Wood is Leigh Bardugo’s best Grishaverse companion novel. Although it does not compare to the full-length books, it is still a compelling narrative because the Darkling is her best villain.
11 Wonder Woman: Warbringer
Standalone Novel
Wonder Woman: Warbringer is Leigh Bardugo’s only novel that ventures into the DC world. It follows the iconic Princess Diana of Themyscira, who meets a girl named Alia. However, Diana quickly learns that Alia is a Warbringer—someone who causes death and destruction. Diana can kill Alia, or she can bring the Warbringer to Helen Of Troy’s burial site, where a ritual will cleanse Alia of her ailment. Wonder Woman: Warbringer is a powerful story about sisterhood, feminism, and friendship, but there are many other Wonder Woman narratives out there. Leigh Bardugo’s original fantasy novels are simply better.
10 Ruin And Rising
Shadow & Bone Trilogy #3, Grishaverse
Ruin and Rising is the final book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy. It picks up after the Darkling and Alina Starkov’s confrontation, which was so disastrous that it destroyed the Little Palace and killed most of the Grisha. Ruin and Rising features Alina Starkov bouncing back from that loss, taking control of her future, and preparing to defeat the Darkling once and for all. Although the book is riveting and provides an epic conclusion to the trilogy, it is highly disappointing that Alina Starkov lost her powers entirely.
| Shadow and Bone Trilogy | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| Shadow and Bone | June 5, 2012 |
| Siege and Storm | June 4, 2013 |
| Ruin and Rising | June 17, 2014 |
Leigh Bardugo tried to highlight a theme through her quote, “What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men,” but this theme still works if Alina just lost the amplifiers instead of her powers altogether. Alina Starkov spent almost three books trying to reconcile having love and her powers, and this ending suggests she cannot have both, even though her light and her love for Mal are both integral parts of her character. Thankfully, Alina still got the peaceful life she desperately craved, but it should not be at the price of losing what made her healthy and whole.
9 Rule Of Wolves
King Of Scars Duology #2, Grishaverse
The King of Scars duology started strong, but the second book, Rule of Wolves, was more disappointing. Nikolai Lantsov, Zoya Nazyalensky, Nina Zenik, and Hanne Brum carried the narrative, but there is only so much they can do when the storyline is all over the place. The biggest problem with Rule of Wolves is that the book has too many points of view. Sometimes, multiple points of view work, but they only hurt Rule of Wolves. The only necessary points of view were Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina. The rest hindered the plot and rushed the main characters’ arcs.
| King of Scars Duology | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| King of Scars | January 29, 2019 |
| Rule of Wolves | March 30, 2021 |
The Darkling was a long-awaited point of view, but after the events of the Shadow and Bone trilogy, having his chapters just to set up a redemption arc is pointless. Mayu is a fascinating character, but she is simply not compelling enough to have that many chapters. The Shu Han arc was dragged out, which rushed other storylines. Mayu’s chapters could have been condensed to give Nikolai, Zoya, Nina, and Hanne more time. However, despite the issues with the points of view, the two primary romances—Nikolai and Zoya and Hanne and Nina—were compelling, making Rule of Wolves worth the read.
8 Siege And Storm
Shadow & Bone Trilogy #2, Grishaverse
Siege and Storm, the second novel in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, introduces new characters—including the fan favorite Nikolai Lantsov—a second amplifier, and higher stakes. Alina’s conflict becomes messier as the new Grisha leader and Ravka’s saint, all while searching for the third amplifier. Despite these exciting events, Siege and Storm still suffers from second book syndrome. The first half of the novel is compelling, but the narrative runs in circles in Os Alta because of Alina and Mal’s fighting. Siege and Storm improves with an epic showdown at the end, but the narrative drags during Alina’s time in Os Alta.
7 Hell Bent
Alex Stern #2
Hell Bent is the sequel to Leigh Bardugo’s first adult fantasy novel, Ninth House. It is the second installment in the Alex Stern series, which will feature another Ninth House book since Leigh Bardugo confirmed it. Hell Bent continues Alex and Darlington’s journey with the dark magic surrounding Lethe and Yale’s secret societies. The novel introduces a new mystery, and while it is entertaining, it is not quite as compelling as the mystery in Ninth House. However, Hell Bent features excellent character development for Darlington and is still a good sequel overall.
6 King Of Scars
King Of Scars Duology #2, Grishaverse
King of Scars is the first book in Nikolai Lantsov’s long-awaited duology, and it does not disappoint. Taking place over three years after Ruin and Rising, the darkness that the Darkling implanted in Nikolai becomes a problem again as Ravka teeters on the edge of destruction due to its precarious position in the political landscape. King of Scars also features a new storyline for Nina Zenik, who has spent the last year grieving for her lost love, Matthias Helvar. She is now in Fjerda as an undercover spy, trying to save Grisha and root out the systemic oppression.
Leigh Bardugo portrays grief and love authentically, honoring Matthias and allowing Nina to find love again.
Although Nina Zenik’s story in King of Scars is controversial, it is one of the best arcs in the Grishaverse. Leigh Bardugo portrays grief and love authentically, honoring Matthias and allowing Nina to find love again. King of Scars also introduces Nikolai Lantsov and Zoya Nazyalensky’s dynamic, which has become a close partnership with romantic tension. The storyline also includes Ravka’s saints as present characters—a bold move that pays off. The book’s only downside is an unnecessary point of view from a new character, Isaak. Otherwise, King of Scars is excellent and one of the better novels in the Grishaverse.
5 Ninth House
Alex Stern #1
Ninth House is the first book in Leigh Bardugo’s Alex Stern series, revolving around a troubled 20-year-old young woman named Alex Stern. She attends Yale and joins Lethe, the ninth house of Yale’s secret societies because she can see ghosts—also known as Grays—without additional magic. The novel explores dark magic sprinkled with themes of addiction, trauma, class conflict, and Sephardic Jewish culture. Ninth House is Leigh Bardugo’s first adult fantasy book, presenting a riveting mystery within a world of ghosts and dark magic. Besides a slow start, Ninth House is excellent and worthy of being in Leigh Bardugo’s top five books.
4 Six Of Crows
Six Of Crows Duology #1, Grishaverse
The Six of Crows duology is Leigh Bardugo’s most popular work, and there are many reasons why the books resonate with such a wide audience. The first book follows six teenagers who seem to have nothing in common—except that societal circumstances have turned them into criminals. Kaz Brekker, known as the Bastard of the Barrel, is one of Ketterdam’s most notorious criminals as the leader of the Dregs. Inej Ghafa joined the Dregs after Kaz saved her from Tante Heleen’s brothel. Jesper Fahey is a University of Ketterdam dropout and another member of the Dregs.
Wylan Van Eck is a demolitions expert, and Matthias Helvar is a prisoner from Fjerda. Nina Zenik is a Grisha heartrender who is determined to free Matthias after she sends him to prison. Six of Crows follows these teenagers on an epic heist in Fjerda’s Ice Court, sponsored by the rich merchant Jan Van Eck. Although Six of Crows is a bit slow at the beginning, the novel quickly picks up as the narrative unfolds, with many twists, turns, and reveals. The characters are complex and compelling, and the dynamics are riveting. Six of Crows is exciting and adventurous, and once the story picks up, it is impossible to put down.
3 Shadow And Bone
Shadow & Bone Trilogy #1, Grishaverse
Shadow and Bone is Leigh Bardugo’s debut novel and the book that started the Grishaverse. It revolves around orphan and soldier Alina Starkov, who discovers she is the Sun Summoner, a rare Grisha that exhibits light powers. While the Shadow and Bone trilogy has flaws, the first book is one of Bardugo’s best works. The concept of Shadow and Bone is the most compelling of all the Grishaverse series, touching upon themes of oppression, war, identity, and power. The Darkling is Leigh Bardugo’s best villain to date, and Alina Starkov is her most underrated protagonist.
Alina is selfish and stubborn, although she adores her friends dearly. A significant part of Alina’s arc deals with her struggles with accepting her darker side and hunger for power.
Shadow and Bone paved the way for the trilogy’s popularity, which. in turn, paved the way for the iconic Six of Crows duology. Alina Starkov is unlike any other young adult fantasy protagonist. Although she falls into the classic chosen one trope, her arc makes her significantly different from other protagonists. She is not the typical selfless heroine born to save the day. Alina is selfish and stubborn, although she adores her friends dearly. A significant part of Alina’s arc deals with her struggles with accepting her darker side and hunger for power.
Alina does not want to be Ravka’s saint, and this sentiment is consistent until the end of the trilogy. She loves her light powers, but the amplifiers make her miserable. She longs to be an ordinary girl with the freedom to express her love and light as she pleases. Alina Starkov’s moral grayness as the chosen one protagonist is part of why S hadow and Bone is one of Leigh Bardugo’s best books and certainly deserves to be in Bardugo’s top three works.
2 Crooked Kingdom
Six Of Crows Duology #2, Grishaverse
The only thing more epic than Six of Crows is its sequel, Crooked Kingdom. The book picks up after Jan Van Eck turns on Kaz and kidnaps Inej. Kaz is determined to get his millions, save Inej, and take Jan Van Eck down for good. Crooked Kingdom has raised the stakes with nonstop plot twists, heartfelt moments, and gut-wrenching deaths. It is the best book in the Grishaverse; nothing comes close to it. Crooked Kingdom is an epic conclusion to the Crows’ narratives and cements the Six of Crows duology as the Grishaverse‘s best series.
1 The Familiar
Standalone Novel
Leigh Bardugo’s best book is her most recent one, The Familiar. It is a standalone fantasy novel that follows a servant girl, Luzia Cotado, who hides her Jewishness during the Spanish Inquisition. However, when her employer, Valentina, discovers Luzia’s magic—which comes from her Jewish faith—Luzia must portray herself as a Christian miracle as she trains to impress Spain’s king. It certainly does not help when she falls in love with her mentor, a mysterious man named Guillén Santángel. The Familiar contains several real historical figures, despite the fantastical elements.
The Familiar is a compelling tale about cultural oppression and the terrors of the historical era, mixed with a story of self-determination and deepening romance. The novel portrays what it was like for Jewish people under the oppressive Spanish Inquisition, a powerful and bold story that Leigh Bardugo chose to write. The Familiar illustrates the best of Leigh Bardugo’s craft with its electrifying romance, complex characters, and Bardugo’s lush, lyrical writing style. This book deserves to be at the top of any Leigh Bardugo list.
