Which Book Should You Read Based on Your Grisha Order | Shadow and Bone

Book Choice: Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Heartenders cause damage to the internal organs of a person by manipulating the body on a molecular level. As such they are on the “death” part of the Corporalki.

In a world that claims to have conquered death itself, the Scythe are tasked to keep the population size under control and so they are the only ones able to take a life. Scythe follows Citra and Rowan as they are chosen as apprentices to the Scythe. Failure is not an option.

TW: Death, violence, torture, murder, suicide.

Book Choice: Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Pretty obvious, but Healers well heal the body. They can mend wounds but not serious injuries caused by the nichevo’ya.

I know what you’re thinking, despite having “Firekeeper” in the title our protagonist actually dreams of studying medicine but a family tragedy forces her to set those dreams aside.

Before she knows it, she is thrust into a criminal investigation. Going undercover, she relies on her knowledge of chemistry and medicine to solve the case. I don’t know about you but healers rarely get to be center stage in a book, so it’s nice to have something like Firekeeper’s Daughter.

TW: Alcoholism, death, drug abuse, mention of a drug overdose, rape, racism, physical abuse, violence, sexual assault, suicide, grief.

Book Choice: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Tailors have the unique ability to change a person’s appearance at will.

Described as Project Runway meets Mulan, I can’t think of a better description for our Grisha tailors. Their often “dainty” skills are underestimated and Genya Safin is a perfect example of that.

In Spin the Dawn, Maia competes for the role of imperial tailor and with three impossible tasks she has to use every bit of artistry and skill she possesses. This YA fantasy features a glittering royal court, magic, and forbidden romance all inspired by Chinese culture.

TW: Animal death.

Book Choice: The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad

Inferni are grisha who excel in manipulating the element of fire.

In a world where once humans and the otherworldly spirits (shayateen, djinn, and ifrits) coexist and rule, the shayateen brought war and annihilated the entire human population except for Fatima and two other humans.

Now Fatima is changed after one of the more potent Ifrits dies. Intrigued by magical battlefields, Fatima is determined to thrive in a city of mixed tongues, colorful cultures, and dangerous magic. In Islam, Shatayeen are demons made of fire, and with that title I couldn’t find a better pair for our Inferni grisha.

TW: None to Mention.

Book Choice: The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon

Squallors can manipulate the element of air (Think Airbenders).

Squallors have the advantage to be both loud and quiet Looking at it from a metaphorical perspective, air is unpredictable as it is stealthy.

That is exactly the reasoning behind my book choice, Lark is cursed with silence following her mother’s death. Unbeknownst to anyone except her father, Lark has a magical ability that she can cast through the words she speaks.

TW: Nothing Found but if there is something mention it for other potential readers 😊

Book Choice: Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Tidemakers manipulate the element of water, causing storms and floods at their will.

What a bitter fit than a sea shanty inspired book? Follow pirate captain Alosa as she deliberately gets herself captured in order to retrieve a hidden ancient treasure map.

The catch? Her captor is clever as he is attractive (and he is very attractive), but not to worry the daughter of the Pirate King has a few tricks up herself too.

TW: Attempted sexual assault, mention of rape, child abuse, violence, murder.

Book Choice: The Memory Theatre by Karin Tidbeck

The most rarest Grisha of all, Sun summoners can manipulate light taking their power from the sun itself.

A Grisha so rare, considered to be a myth deserves an equally imaginative and unreal setting. The Memory Theatre, follows best friends Dora and Thistle as they travel through space and time to find their freedom.

Similarly to Alina, the friends are desperate to escape the cruelty of the Masters, and on their way make acquaintances with a mysterious traveler who trades in favors and a troupe of actors who know more than they say (The Crows vibes anyone?)

TW: Violence against children

Book Choice: The Shadows by Alex North

Also a rare Grisha, Shadow summoners have the ability to gather and manipulate darkness.

Despite this pick is a non fantasy, it evokes a type of haunting thriller that is only found in the darkest places. Charlie Crabtree always had a dark imagination and dare I say a sickly imitation of The Darkling himself. 25 years ago he committed an infamous murder that left shockwaves in town.

And now 25 years later a similar murder has occurred, allegedly a copycat murder…

TW: Blood, gore, murder (including child murder), death of an animal, death of a parent, domestic abuse, suicide

Book Choice: The Thief on the Winged Horse by Kate Mascarenhas

Durasts focus their powers on solid materials like glass, metal, and textiles.

The Thief on the Winged Horse features world-famous dolls but unlike ordinary ones, these are crafted and laid with a specific emotion it’s maker bestows upon it. This mysterious magic is only special to The Kendrick family, but what happens when the family’s most valuable doll get stolen?

Magic and craft mix together in this fictional contemporary book.

TW: Nothing to mention but if there is something do mention it for potential readers 😊

Book Choice: The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

Alkemis set their expertise on alchemy and chemicals, creating poisons and explosives.

Playing with poisons as our skilled Alkemi, a female apothecary secretly brews and sells poisons to women who wish to be free from men who’ve abused them.

Entwining with three lives over centuries, the secrets and risks taken threaten to unravel the apothecary which may lead to deadly circumstances.

TW: Blood, mention of miscarriage

Thanks for reading! Which Grisha are you!?

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