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Reading the Grishaverse: The Correct Reading Order

The Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo includes novels (one trilogy and two duologies), a comic book, two short story collections as well as individual short stories. It can be confusing when one wants to start reading in the Grishaverse, but fear not—I have been there, and I’m bringing you the reading order, and answers to some of the most common questions about the Grishaverse! Let’s demystify this together, then you’ll be ready to delve into those books confidently and with much pleasure!

 

Reading the Grishaverse2_Insta

 

The Most Crucial Question: Can I Read the Six of Crows duology before the Shadow and Bone trilogy?

 

Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Because the powers, the Grisha, the legends and the world are established and described in the Shadow and Bone trilogy. You would miss out on basics such as how the powers and Grisha work, and where is what, and what happened to the Fold…

In other words, you’d be confused.

I get that you want to reach Kaz Brekker and Inej Ghafa (or any other of the Crows, but let’s be real, Kanej—the ship’s name), but it’s best for immersion and comprehension, and your whole experience to start with Shadow and Bone.

Last thing on this question, too: You won’t get the insane fun and thrill when encountering the cameos in SoC (Six of Crows) from the SaB (Shadow and Bone) trilogy. And that would be a shame because it made me giddy to see them again, and I hope you get the same delight.

So, I urge you to read Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising before Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom.

 

The Other Most Crucial Question: Can I Jump in Right into the King of Scars duology without Having Read the Six of Crows duology nor the Shadow and Bone trilogy?

 

That would be like jumping straight into Doctor Who with the latest Doctor (I did that many years ago and loved it, but that’s another story)—it’s mind-bogglingly confusing! Or any other series, really! Let’s say you catch a movie at the last 20 minutes; good, you’re there for the conclusion. Of what? With whom? Why? What for?

If you start with the King of Scars duology, it’s the very same—you’ll read the conclusion of the big Grishaverse before knowing anyone or what it’s even about.

So, don’t do that please, you’ll miss out on everything. The references, the characters, the backstory, the purpose of the story, the cameos, the relationships…. You won’t understand much about the characters and their situations, nor be thrilled to see them “again”—because it’s the first time you see them for you. And spoilers! Huge spoilers.

Honestly, be kind to yourself and start by the very beginning, Shadow and Bone.

 

What about the Short Story Collections and Individual Short Stories?

 

The two short story collections are The Lives of Saints and The Language of Thorns.

Personally, I jumped into the Grishaverse by checking out the only book available in the series at my library (all the others were checked out!): The Language of Thorns. It’s such a magnificent collection of stories about Grishaverse legends and myths! It was a fantastic introduction to that world. And while I couldn’t get all the little references, it didn’t hinder my reading—they’re not necessary to understand the stories and immerse yourself in the sheer beauty of this book. Besides Shadow and Bone, this collection, The Language of Thorns, would be another good way to enter the Grishaverse.

The Lives of Saints is quite special. It’s a reproduction of the Grishaverse’s book of Sains for uyour pleasure to read. It’s like holding a piece of their world in your hands. However, since it features saints (i. e. Grisha) found in the first trilogy of Shadow and Bone, and that they’re quite important spoilers about who they are and other references, I would suggest to wait before reading this collection. Read the first trilogy, then venture into The Lives of Saints safely.

As for the short stories, The Demon in the Wood, The Tailor, and The Witch of Duva, they’re available both as ebooks or with certain editions of the books.

For full effect, I recommend reading The Demon in the Wood after the Shadow and Bone trilogy for a maximum of feels and realizations. Otherwise, The Tailor can be read after the first SaB book, and The Witch of Duva is a companion to the first SaB so I suggest reading it after the first book as well.

Speaking of The Demon in the Wood, it’s also available as a comic book!

 

The Correct Reading Order of the Grishaverse

 

Now, with all we’ve learned about the Grishaverse, here is the correct order for reading the books (according to yours truly):

 

(The Language of Thorns, to your choice, or start with:)

 

1- Shadow and Bone

1.2 - The Witch of Duva

1.3 - The Tailor

2- Siege and Storm

3- Rise and Ruin

3.1 - The Demon in the Wood

4- The Lives of Saints

5- Six of Crows

6- Crooked Kingdom

7- King of Scars

8- Rule of Wolves

 

(And you can end with The Language of Thorns, if ever you didn’t start with it.)

 

In Conclusion

 

Phew! That was quite the adventure, right? But fear not, Grisha, you’re now ready and set to explore the Grishaverse. In the end, it’s best to start at the beginning and follow the order of the major novels, with the short story collections and individual short stories interspersed between them.

Are you looking forward to a particular book or character in the series? Did you find this article useful for your reading experience?

Leave a comment and share this post please!

See you next post, lovelies!


How to Choose Your Next Read: Mood Reader Edition

As a mood reader myself, these are methods and techniques I experimented and found success with. I recommend using this article like a method bank because the same method won't always work. It hasn't for me because each "reading slump" brought by the end of the previous book is different and unique related to the story, characters, and the emotions and feelings it left me. So, I have to use either this one or that one at some time, and another time I have to try the other two again.

But the good news is that there's always one method that works—the trick is finding the right one at the right time for us, mood readers.

What I noticed is that this state of indecision and generalized bleariness towards each and every book seems to stem from boredom and routine. 

So, let's explore my favourite methods to stave off that state and win over it!

Ready?

Okay, scroll!

 

How to choose your next read mood reader edition (2)

 

Go with the Season

Okay, this one sounds like a given, but have you reeaaally tried it? I mean, not only with the holidays it includes, but the season and moods themselves. If so, a bit of reviewing the pros of this technique will help! If not, get ready to find a few new ideas. 

 

Your Favorite Genre

Here's my favorite one: choose a book of your favorite genre which either fits the mood, the ambiance, or the holidays of that season.

For example, I was in October (Fall), and I loooove fantasy! I wanted something Halloween-like (holidays), yet familiar and cozy. So, I went with Long Live the Pumpkin Queen: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas by Shea Ernshaw (you can see my bookstagram and read my review here),  knowing Nightmare Before Christmas is my favorite Halloween movie (it's a tradition!), it's not that scary, and it fit all the boxes for the season all while being in my favorite genre.

 

Something You Love

Now, I mentioned this tip with the previous paragraph, but it's: choose a topic you love (like a TV show, or a book series), and try to find a book that is either set during the season in question OR that has the ambiance and vibes. Some will do special season books, or one of them is set during winter and that's what you're looking for, for example.

For me, it was during the month of December, and as a big Doctor Who fan, I wanted to read something about that TV show, yet I wanted to feel Christmastime and winter. 

I looked up Doctor Who books and I stumbled upon Doctor Who: The Twelve Doctors of Christmas, and it was an instant purchase! 

It did checked my favorite topic and seasonal boxes. The stories are warm and wintery, and perfect for Doctor Who fans!

 

 

Venture Out of Your Comfort Zone

This one is an old trick, but it is tough for a reason: it works. Not always, but it helps shake the routine and boredom.

For this one, I have two different methods: trying an unfamiliar genre and looking for a different trope.

 

Try An Unfamiliar Genre

More often than not, we read what we love most and what we're familiar with. For example, I'm all about fantasy and romance, as well as documentaries. But, if I wanna shake up my world and try a different genre, I will choose a memoir, or a travel book written by someone who went to that country. See?

 

Under the Tuscan Sun

 

The first travel memoir—or memoir, for that matter—I ever read was Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes because it's about Italy. Enough said. No, but, truth is, I love the Italian culture and I speak Italian as a self-taught language since I was 14 years old. So, it was meaningful to me. And, thanks to this book, I found another genre to read sometimes: memoirs.

So, if you read mostly fiction, try a non-fiction by a researcher, or a writer you like, a memoir by a celebrity of some kind, something other than fiction.

If you read non-fiction instead, try a light novel, or a poetry book. Something that can grip you instead of always giving you information to feed on (which is awesome, I love that too, but you know, to shake things up a bit ;)).

 

Look for a Different Trope

A trope is a certain pattern that comes back so often it's common. For example, in Romance books I always go to enemies-to-lovers, but once in a while, if you're like me, try a friends-to-lovers, perhaps? Ok, not the same stakes, but that's what we're looking for here. These are both tropes, but since I'm quite the enemies-to-lovers gal, changing it up to friends-to-lovers will shake up my perspective and routine. 

Another example is how I love morally grey characters (*cue April Jay's bookish song, Morally Grey*), then when I'm looking for a different trope, I'll try a goody-two-shoes. 

I know, I know, these examples can seem rather daunting, but that's the point with getting out of your comfort zone!

 

Establish the Mood You Want with:

 

Put On A Playlist

Playlists are a great way to establish mood and ambiance, whether it's for reading, writing, cooking, and other any fun activities. Some prefer a classical playlist, others a moody one, and some others a lyrical playlist...

Here are a few suggestions, feel free to try them out to find the mood you're looking for:

Reading Soundtrack

Music for Reading

LoFi Reading

Fantasy Reading

Reading Romance

Dark Academia Classical

Sometimes lyrics are too overwhelming and confusing as you read, but others will enjoy it. As for classical music, it's mostly great for thrillers and fantasy, I found from experience, or deep drama readings like the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo, or dark romance.

Did you know there are also playlists compiled by the authors themselves for specific books or series?

Why not try and find one (if it exists) for the book you're about to read?

For example, the If I Stay playlist by the author Gayle Forman.

The Splintered Series playlist by the author A. G. Howard (my favorite Alice in Wonderland retelling).

Oftentimes the authors will leave a link to their playlists on their website, or do a manual search in your music app.

 

Brew Your Favorite Beverage

An essential in my opinion is a beverage. But not any beverage; it must be your favorite, or at least held in the same esteem.

For example, I am a coffee gal, but mostly iced coffee. I'm all about iced coffee; from Tim Horton's, Starbucks, from my home Nespresso, and more. I need that iced coffee, and what better way to drink it than to pair it with a book for a perfect mood?

Exactly what I thought: there is no better way than that!

If you're not a coffee gal or lad, how about some tea? You can use a little tea infuser with tea herbs, or you can use a tea bag. Either way, as long as it's a taste you love to sip and smell. 

And how about brewing your own coffee if you like that? This could get you into an enthusiastic mood with the smell and the movements, right before an interesting read!

Whichever drink you prefer, make sure to pair one of your favorites with a book. It never fails to delight!

 

Settle in a Pleasant Setting

Settings are as important in real life as in stories. For example, would the Shadow and Bone trilogy be the same without a Russian-inspired Ravka? Nope. How about Harry Potter without Hogwarts? Not the same feel at all.

Well, same goes for you!

Do you have a comfy chair? I call mine my "potato chair", because then I can become a potato on it and not move except for turning the pages and drinking my favorite iced coffee. 

Perhaps it's a cozy or favorite room in your house or apartment? Go there! 

If you prefer the calm and quiet of the library, or the cozy bustle of the coffee shop, why not spice things up by reading in these locations? I can lose myself for hours in a book in both the library and a coffee shop. Or if it's new to you, how about changing the pace of your reading and trying these places out?

In order for the reading to be more enticing and immersive, find yourself a pleasant spot.

 

Put On Comfy or Thematic Clothes

Clothes are often overlooked as a means to create mood. But sometimes, it can be the missing element!

If you want a cozy, calm and soothing reading experience, how about slipping on comfy clothes? Those baggy pants, or how about these leggings you bought last month? A big shirt or a tight tank top. Whatever your comfy is, make sure to aim for it. Clothes can put us in certain moods, and comfy is the one we're going for here for reading experience.

However, if you want to shake things up and be ready for the adventure at hand, let's say you're about to read a fantasy novel, how about putting on a Harry Potter shirt or scarf? If you have a shirt from Game of Thrones, it works, too! As long as it fits the topic/genre you're going to read, there's no trouble.

How about sexy underwear or cute pyjamas full of kisses or hearts for a romance book? 

I mean, why not? It's all about the right mood!

 

Change the Routine--Make it Special!

Remember when I mentioned how it's all about routine? Yeah, exactly, so let's make it special! Because, routine is good for daily life, but it can become tiresome, even in reading for we go to our favorite genres, things we like, but it sometimes loses that sparkle. You know the one! That sparkle that gets us giddy before a read, like we're an enthused two year-old before a new toy.

That one, yeah!

How do we find it back? Here we go!

 

Enjoy yourself!

You know how routines can become... well, routinely. Boring. Tiresome. Same old, same old. This happens with our reading, too! When our "want" changes to "must" because we've been meaning to read that book for so long, or perhaps we have a bookstagram or review coming up... But thing is, "I must read" is no fun, it's routine--reading's become a chore. Yikes! The horror! We love reading mostly for escapism (except those unique ones who don't and I can't relate, but hey, welcome to the party!), so when it stops being escapism... No, that's too terrifying to consider.

So, the trick is to subtly change the "I must read my book" to "I WANT to read my book". 

Start by changing the word in your thoughts and in conversations with people. That'll help. Then, try to view it as some me-time, to relax, to reappropriate your pleasure of reading. 

Don't let it be tiresome--make it awesome!

 

These Are Not Just Words

No, I did not make a mistake. Books are NOT just words. The ever so practical will tell me : "Of course not, there is glue, paper, ink...." Yes, alright, but dear fellow, that's not what I mean, so sit down.

What I mean is books are much more than words. There are mental images, stories, knowledge... and the best of all: they give us friends! Come on, don't tell me you never loved a book character so much as to think of them outside of your reading time, and some of us go as far as purchasing items about them and writing fanfics, making fanvids, and more.

These friends we find in the pages of books are our friends and no one else's. Why? Because every one reads a bit differently, so every one has their own versions of said characters. And that makes it unique, because books contain more than words--they contain friends we yearn to discover and develop a friendship with in the first read, or reconnect with through a second or third reading.

 

The Ultimate .gif Database

 

And that, my dears, is beautiful.

Magic is what it is, I think.

Magic of the heart, and mind, and soul... Magic of the story!

So, keep that in mind to enthuse yourself about your read, ok? ;)

 

Friendship: Lessons from "Harry Potter"

 

Dance, Laugh--It's an Adventure!

Last but the funniest is please please please make it fun. Sometimes, to go back to my "tiresome routine" point, we can lose ourselves in the daily grind. But, reading is no simple feat (psychologically and emotionally). We immerse ourselves into these worlds or into that knowledge. At least, make it some kind of privileged time! A party, if that's what it takes.

For me, I do love to dance and laugh on music to psych me up before sitting down with a book. Perhaps you'd like to play a game to have a good mood before reading, or read jokes.

Geez, you're going on an adventure to discover and befriend people (fiction) or learn tons (non-fiction) on how the world or people work! 

Don't make it something casual or too ordinary--reconnect with its fantastic nature! Put a movie in the background, or listen to classical music while reading.

Whatever you do, remember: reading is an adventure. 

So act like it's one!

 

Round 3: Holiday Adventure - Monks - Nerd Fitness Rebellion

 

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful. Don't forget to try out these tricks any time you get stuck as a mood reader (which happens, let's be honest, every day!).

See you next post, lovelies!