I loved this book! The plotline was fantastic, with a really gripping and intriguing theme. My favourite aspect of the book was the characters. They were all so complex and three-dimensional, with interesting backstories. This really reflected how people in real life are not black and white, and everyone has another side to them. You don't have to read "Shadow and Bone". This was one of my all-time favorite books, and I hope there will be a third (after Crooked Kingdom). Highly recommend!