The series delivers the best of both worlds in an intricately crafted sophomore season that will leave audiences wanting season 3 immediately after.
Shadow and Bone season 1 combined the disparate areas of the Grishaverse — which encapsulates the Shadow and Bone trilogy of books by Leigh Bardugo and everything set in that world, including the Six of Crows duology — rather seamlessly, marrying the plethora of stories together in a way that made sense and elevated the source material. In eight episodes (which were provided for review), Shadow and Bone season 2 manages to do the same.
Far from a sophomore slump, season 2 merges various aspects of Bardugo’s trilogy and parts of the Crows’ story while continuing to revitalize the narrative with a fresh perspective. It’ll still be a familiar story for book readers, but there are enough changes to make it worthwhile and enticing. Adaptations are difficult, and there will always be things left by the wayside, but showrunner Eric Heisserer and his team of writers deliver the best of both worlds in an intricately crafted sophomore season that will leave audiences wanting season 3 immediately after it ends.
Shadow and Bone season 2 picks up shortly after the end of season 1. The Crows — Kaz Brekker (Freddy Carter), Inej Ghafa (Amita Suman), and Jesper Fahey (Kit Young) — return to Ketterdam only to discover Pekka Rollins (Dean Lennox Kelly) has taken the Crow Club for himself. Worst of all, the trio are now wanted for a murder they didn’t commit. The Crows unite with demolitions expert Wylan (Jack Wolfe) and Nina Zenik (Danielle Galligan), a Grisha who turns to Kaz for help in freeing Matthias (Calahan Skogman) the former Fjerdan slaver, from Hellgate prison, to clear their names and get back at Pekka.
Over in Ravka, Sun Summoner Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li) and best friend/romantic interest Malyen Oretsev (Archie Renaux) have fled Ravka for Novyi Zem after the Darkling (Ben Barnes) used Alina’s power to expand the Fold. But it isn’t long before they join forces with Sturmhond (Patrick Gibson), a privateer who had been looking for Alina, and his allies in a bid to defeat the Darkling and destroy the Fold once and for all. Alina must contend with the connection she has with Kirigan, forged through the stag amplifier at the end of season 1, and work to find two more amplifiers — the sea whip and the firebird. But Alina may not be ready for the sacrifices she must make.
To say there is a lot going on in Shadow and Bone season 2 is an understatement; yet, the series actually flourishes despite the weight of plot expectations and character development. Once again, the story wastes no time, its pacing quick and breezy as it treads through one plot after the other. Season 2 is filled with exciting adventure, brand-new characters, multiple storylines that come together nicely by the end, and intriguing, in-depth character development. One might expect that with so much going on, Shadow and Bone would falter in servicing character arcs and delivering a thoroughly enjoyable, engaging story, but the writing is sharp, and the plot leaves no room for aimlessness.
What’s more, season 2 isn’t so plot heavy that there isn’t room for character growth and heartwarming relationship dynamics. The main characters from season 1, and some of the new characters introduced in season 2, all have well-rounded and personal storylines. They aren’t left behind simply because the season needs to get to a particular end. Alina and Mal have some fantastic moments, as they grow together and apart, while the Crows each have their own tensions and hurdles to overcome. The payoff is immense and satisfying for each of the characters, with a promise of more exciting things to come.
The worldbuilding is still spectacular, and even better this time around considering the set-up in season 1. The costumes, the set and production design, and special effects are on point. The music by Joseph Trapanese is haunting and gripping, and the actors have settled into their characters, giving wry, magnetic performances that ensure an investment in what happens to them throughout the season. Matthias is isolated from the rest of the Crows for the majority of the season, and has the least amount of screentime, but it works considering what comes next in his story. Meanwhile, season 2 could have cut back on some of the flashbacks to Kaz’s past; at some point it becomes a tad redundant. That said, it doesn’t take away from the season’s enjoyment, adding context that fleshes out Kaz’s past.
It was a smart choice to combine Bardugo’s Grishaverse books. This decision makes season 2 all the better; it considerably raises the tension and the stakes for all involved. And while the first few episodes of the season seem wildly disparate in their storytelling aims — the Crows have their own thing going on for a bit before their plot bridges with Alina’s — they’re still individually interesting, coalescing quite nicely and seamlessly. It’s an intoxicating world to be immersed in and season 2 proves that a few story changes and risks pay off when it’s so wonderfully and carefully handled.
Fans will find everything they loved about season 1 present in season 2, with even more style, character development, and gravitas that elevate what’s at stake for everyone. Shadow and Bone’s strengths remain in its personal storytelling, though it never forgets about the wider effects the Darkling’s plot has had across the Grishaverse. Season 2 is about hope and love above all else, and how far the characters are willing to go to protect everyone and everything they hold dear. It makes for a thrilling, emotional, and intense sophomore season that will leave one waiting impatiently for what comes next, and how the characters will fare and find each other again.
