The Tailor

Shadow and Bone #1.5

by Leigh Bardugo

New scene from Shadow and Bone told from Genya's point of view.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Short Stories, Novella, Fiction, Magic, Young Adult Fantasy

18 pages, ebook

First published May 23, 2013

About the author

Leigh Bardugo is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House and the creator of the Grishaverse (now a Netflix original series) which spans the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, the King of Scars duology—and much more. Her short fiction has appeared in multiple anthologies including The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. She lives in Los Angeles and is an associate fellow of Pauli Murray College at Yale University. For information on new releases and appearances, sign up for her newsletter.

She would be delighted if you visited her at LeighBardugo.com and fairly giddy if you liked her selfies on Instagram.

Reviews

[~Calliope~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

"It hurts, but I can bear it. Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same."


Now, I can say that I understand better Genya's actions!

[Jessica Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how to rate it, because it's too short to relate it as a book, even as a short story. I didn't feel like I had a chance to like it, or otherwise. This novella is a glimpse into Genia's point of view. It makes you understand her character better, which I think is important.

[Virginia Ronan ♥ Herondale ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

”Besides, in this moment, I’m her friend. I can pretend all the little betrayals don’t exist. I can ignore the paper with Oretsev’s name on it burning a hole in my sleeve.”

Aww poor Genya!! My precious girl had to go through so much and no one was there to help her. It was really interesting to read her POV and to find out what happened behind the scenes, especially because I could never really grasp why she was so loyal to the Darkling.
I guess it makes sense now. Between all the hate of the queen, the sexual harassment of the king and not being welcome in the ranks of the Grisha it’s actually no wonder that she clung to the only person who gave her a feeling of safety. The Darkling.

”I shook my head, choking back another sob. He leaned forward and wiped the tears from my cheeks with the sleeve of his own kefta.
“If you tell me you cannot bear this, then I will send you from here and you need never wear those colors or walk the halls of the Grand Palace again. You will be safe, I promise you that.”

GAH, that’s why I like the Darkling so much! You can’t really hate him, yes, he’s corrupted and tainted but there’s still a gentle and caring side to him too. I mean, hell, he offered her tea and was the only one who listened to her, who made it bearable and saw her as a person. He gave her strength, dignity and a purpose when everyone else scorned her and it’s no surprise she felt obligated to stand by him. >_<

Still, the ending of “Siege and Storm” was heavy!!!
Poor Genya!!! My poor, poor baby! T_T She didn’t deserve this, she did nothing to deserve this treatment. Why did he do that to her?! *sobs*

All told this was a really good short story and a nice addition to the second book of the Grisha trilogy. =)

”I open the black wood box, and I feed the letters to the fire, one by one. It hurts, but I can bear it. Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same.”

[rehaab ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

જ⁀➴ 4 stars – no spoilers

ahh, i adore genya !! #justiceforgenya<3

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same

unlike those free tor shorts that are absolutely spoiler-free standalone stories, this one is meant to be read after Shadow and Bone, because it will give away important plot points.

this is just a little quickie of a story, but it's about genya, for goodness' sake, and she is one of my favorite characters in the whole trilogy, and arguably the one who had the hardest journey. this story is wonderful because in 18 pages, we get backstory, an alternate viewpoint of a scene in the first book, and foreshadowing. pretty damn impressive. i like this story because at first it softens genya's betrayal a little by spotlighting her impossible situation, but then - BLAMMO - EMOTIONAL BOOMERANG! because the fact that she is given the opportunity, by the darkling, to make her own decision about whether or not to return or send on alina's letters to mal brings the choice back into her own hands, which is huge. just when you start to have sympathy for her, it's undermined again by her ultimately clear-eyed decision.

this trilogy is very focused on choice, and making impossible decisions. so many characters end up doing things they don't want to do for the greater good, and while in this instance, "the greater good" is smaller and more selfish, it's a horrible decision to have to make, and takes the reader on a sympathy roller-coaster.

i hope there are more genya-stories to come, because there are plenty of scenes i want to see through her eyes.

[literarylesbian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t believe I hadn’t read this until now. Anyways, stan Genya and FUCK THE DARKLING!

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this just makes me want to reread The Grisha Trilogy😭. Ughh, why does The Darkling have to be so perfect?!?

[Layla · Rating 3 out of 5]

~ 3 stars ~

It was not as good as the Darkling's short story, but it was still decent. I love Genya, I just wish this story was a little bit more meaningful. I didn't really get much from this story unfortunately, but I do see what it was hoping to accomplish. I greatly admire Genya and how much adversity she has overcome. She is so strong, and I was let down over how little she ended up being involved in the main trilogy, but nonetheless, I will relish in whatever little content about her we can get.


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[Cardan Greenbriar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Darkling melts my heart like lava melts marshmallow

edit: lmao i forgot to add the *sarcasm/pun/bad-joke sign* my bad

[lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

”It hurts, but I can bear it. Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same.”

my poor baby genya ☹️💔

[Kaylin (The Re-Read Queen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Quick read because this is included in my copy of Siege and Storm! I adore Genya as a character and think the series desperately needs more of her. It was great getting to see her interactions with The Darkling (who never quite seems to give commands, but his subtle manipulations work just as well) and others.

Overall, glad I read this. It doesn't add anything new to the narrative, really, but it reminded me what I enjoy about this series.

[Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este es un relato súper cortito en el que conocemos el lado de la historia de Genya: cómo llegó a servir a la Reina, cómo perdió el favor de personas muy importantes, su deseo por ser reconocida como una Grisha y no como una sirviente y, por supuesto, cómo llegó a caer en las garras del Darkling.

Adoro estos relatos que nos dejan entrar en la mente de una persona que, desde el punto de vista de los protagonistas, los ha traicionado y se ha vuelto su enemiga.

[✨ A ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genya is a queen and you can't convince me otherwise.
_______
My reviews for { all books in the Grishaverse} :
[Grisha Trilogy]
Book 1: Shadow and Bone
Book 2: Siege and Storm
Book 3: Ruin and Rising

[Six of Crows Duology]
Book 1: Six of Crows
Book 2: Crooked Kingdom

[Nikolai Series]
King of Scars
Untitled book 2

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad that I didn't have to pay to read "The Tailor", not because it's bad -- rather, just because it's very short. And Genya is a character that I appreciate a lot, and I would have liked to stay longer in her head. Nevertheless, it is a pleasure to better understand her, her relationship with the queen, the Darkling and even that vile king. This book is a great complement to the Grisha series, but be warned that you may end up desperately wanting more!

[Deborah Obida · Rating 4 out of 5]

I told myself I won't read anything about Grishas till I find closure but I just could not help it.

This novella is written from Genya's POV about her life in the palace and how she became a servant. When the Queen turned her back and Genya and the king started abusing her she turned to the Darkling for help.

"The Darkling might have chastised me or turned his back. But he put his arm around me, sat me down at the table. He poured me a glass of water and waited until I was calm enough to take a gulping sip"

And she choose to stay in other to punish the king.

You have to read the whole triology before reading this or you'll be lost.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

#0.1 The Demon in the Wood ★★★★★
#1 Shadow and Bone ★★★☆☆
#1.5 The Tailor ★★★★★
#2 Siege and Storm ★★★☆☆
#3 Ruin and Rising ★★★★☆

Poor, sweet, wounded little Genya. :(

This short story gives some insight into Genya's day-to-day life as a tailor, including how she came to fall out of the queen's good graces (not through any fault of her own, unsurprisingly), and what the catalyst was that led her to seek the Darkling's help. I know this is listed as #1.5 in the series, but I personally think it "fits" better if you read it right after Siege.

Content warnings for rape and victim-shaming.

[♥ℂĦℝΪՖƬΪℕÅ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“It hurts, but I can bear it. Because I am a doll and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same.”

I liked this, for the most part I mean it was Genya POV and I really like her character a lot! I sure hope there is more of her in the last two books :) But this really didn't add much if anything to the story. Still, it was nice understanding some of her motives for the things she did. I'm really glad I read it!

[Sophia Triad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will make you understand Genya's motives and actions better.
You will also find out what happened to the letters that Alina wrote to Mal.

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars.

"He stops my fidgeting with the briefest touch of his hand. His power flows through me, calming, the steady rush of a river. Best not to think where the current may take me."

[• Lindsey Dahling • · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I also shouldn’t have a second buttered roll with my breakfast every morning, but sometimes one must indulge.”

Damn do I love Genya. I read this right after reading Shadow and Bone. It’s safe to do so, in case you’re worried (like I was).

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a solider all the same.

WOAHHHHHHHH.

Okay, I was not expecting this?
My heart just broke.

Genya's story is so heart breaking and the things she's had to endure and the things she's done... it's all so horrible.

Also, this made me love the Darkling & how he offered her protection? I mean, I guess he was also being a bit manipulative, but stiiiilllll. (Wow, I really am horrible.)

ps: the Darkling was shirtless in this and I may be dead because of it.

[Beenish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like her a bit less now. Genya I mean.
________
I LOVED Genya and I'm now worried knowing this is her pov from the scene that made me suspect her once in the book. Let's hope it's not bad. I don't want to not love her.

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like Genya in Shadow and Bone at the start but her character grew on me by the end. This short story is from Genya's point of view. Whilst it is too short a story to give anything of substance, it gives a better understanding of Genya's character and the decisions and choices she makes.

Genya has suffered so much at the hands of the king and queen and even the Darkling in my opinion. I obviously don't agree with everything she does but it's a start.

3.5 stars

[S. ≽^•⩊•^≼ I'm not here yet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I wasn't very fond of Genya in Shadow and Bone, but I wish the books had been written from few others but Alina's point of view.

[₊ ˚ ale ࿓ ♡ ⋆｡˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

“Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same.”

i loved this pov of genya and i cried, you know? but what pissed me the hell off was the fact that ivan said that zoya is replaceable. nope my queen isn't replaceable.

[Katerina Kondrenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

8 out of 10

Ревью в моем блоге/This review on my blog
Living A Thousand Lives (please use Chrome/Yandex browser or Android/IOS to see the page; otherwise, spoiler-tags I use to make my post compact may not work)

Nothing's going on here: it's just a memory of Genya and a few hours of her nowadays, but I'm so sorry for her and I even dislike the Darking. I liked Genya in Shadow and Bone, even her betrayal didn't make me hate her (okay, it made but not so hard). So it was interesting to see the world through her eyes. Her life wasn't easy, but it's obvious who's responsible for it. The same person she's so grateful for. The Darkling. And this episode with letters... I don't know how Leigh does this but she makes me feel with a few pages and a simple plot-line. What it's like to be a Grisha, but not to belong with your kind and not to belong with ordinary people as well? What it's like to be used? Being eager for love but be used all the way? I want this girl to be happy.

The Grishaverse (Вселенная Гриши):

The Grisha (Гриша):

— The Demon in the Wood (Демон в лесу) #0.1/3
— The Witch of Duva (Ведьма Дувы) #0.5/3
— Shadow and Bone (Тень и Кость ) #1/3
— The Tailor (Портниха) #1.5/3
— Siege and Storm (Осада и Штурм) #2/3
— The Too-Clever Fox (Уж очень умный лис) #2.5/3
— Little Knife (Ножичек) #2.6/3
— Ruin and Rising (Крах и Восход) #3/3

Six of Crows (Шестерка Воронов):

— Six of Crows (Шестерка воронов) #1/2
— Crooked Kingdom (Продажное царство) #2/2

[Mary ~Ravager of Tomes~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling sneak peak of Genya's narrative. I really enjoyed Genya as a character, and if you did also then I would definitely recommend reading this!

Special thanks to K for bringing the existence of this story to my attention, I thought I had read all the Grisha tales!

[Irmak ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same.”

This was fine. Genya was not particularly my favorite character in Shadow and Bone but it was nice to see her POV. I especially enjoyed seeing how she interacted with the Darkling and the Queen.

[Dannii Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This can be found online here: https://www.scribd.com/doc/143207221/...

A free prequel novella from the perspective of my favourite character of the series, you say? Yes please!

I love when authors take the time to pad their world and story with added extra instalments but, for me, this story gave me nothing. Whilst enjoyable enough, it added little to the overall trilogy's plot and left me with no lasting emotions.

Whilst the actual scenes depicted haven't been previously portrayed, Genya's actions have already been explained and particulars covered here already been hinted at in the first book in the Grisha trilogy. I didn't dislike this, in any way, it just didn't give me anything new to take away from reading this.

[Wren (fablesandwren) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I opened the black wood box, and I feed the letters to the fire, one bye one. It hurts, but I can bear it. Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same."

This was only about seventeen pages, the edition I have anyway, and boy does it still break my heart.

Genya fought with how she betrayed her friend. She didn't want to. But, after talking to The Darkling, she believed she was. And then him asking her to continue to let the king....

She deserves better. She got better. She is beautiful.