Shadow and Bone discussion

Am I the only one who likes Mal after the first book?I've been hearing that he changes in the second book

They both aren't perfect characters but if I had to choose, it would be the darkling because he's bratty later on. I still like the series but gosh the characters aren't easy to get through with

In terms of a character and not a romantic interest, I would say the Darkling. Mal feels like a generic copy of Peeta from the Hunger Games, which is another character I really didn't like. I like the Darkling better, but that just might be because I tend to favor evil and/or twisted characters far more often than the good guys haha.

I love darkling

Okay so this is a spoiler comment, but really, the ending had me throw the book across the room, she did it really well, but I just no... The darkling should have been the one, and Alina should have ended up with him, god I shipped them so bad, and then he just... Died? I was so disappointed, sure Mal was sweet and I could really use a Mal in my life but THE DARKLING *swoon* he was perfect, and don't even get me started on Nikolai, Leigh Bardugo did say she would make 'at least one book about him', but it hasn't happened yet, I'M ITCHING TO SEE WHO HE ENDS UP WITH, whoever it shall be, I will imagine myself as them, I hope it's a romantic story and not his childhood story as that would be horrifyingly disappointing, DON'T LET ME DOWN LEIGH BARDUGO OR I WILL UNLEASH MY OWN PERSONAL VOLCRA ON YOU.

Darkling all the way!! Mal can be nice and all, but he's a pretty generic male love interest character.

I really disliked Mal. The way he treated Alina and her powers is the very same reason numerous other characters in YA books leave somebody, but for some reason it just brought them closer in this series. I also agree with everyone else in that all his positive characteristics are way too cliche to be considered amazing. Absolutely adored the Shadow and Bones series, but Mal was a character I could not get over. The Darkling, however, completely stole the show for me.

Darkling forever ❤️

I hated Mal. I thought he was okay in the first book, because I didn't see him as a potential love interest. I thought Alina and the Darkling would be together, (Nikolai was my second choice though) and I was so disappointed to find out he was evil ;-; It really didn't help that until the second book, somehow it didn't click that Alina and Mal weren't related; I thought he was her brother for some reason... I didn't like his personality, which progressively gets worse, but thinking of their relationship like that... no, just no. Even if I never had that misconception, the series would have still been 100 times better without Mal. It felt like he was just there so the romance could be a love triangle.

Mal. Mal, how is this a contest. Mal wins hands down. Darkling is evil.

Honestly, I love Nikolai the most...

My answer will always be the Darkling <3

I still think it should have been Nikolai....
Best of both worlds in my eyes

Darkling forever. I've hated Mal since the first book and my opinion hasn't changed since then.

I will always love the darkling I just love him soooooo much.

Okay, I just have to say that the Darkling is the ultimate romantic, swoon-worthy villain out there. LIke cmon, the way he stares at Alina and the way he converses with her honestly makes me blush, cry and want to kiss him, all at the same time. At first, I honestly thought he was the good guy and that just shows how beautifully cunning he is, even though he might be a lil (or a lot) messed up, he just wants someone to love him.

I love love love the Darkling. If I had to choose between him and Mal, I'd definitely choose the Darkling. Also, why is it that when Alina actually shows interest in someone other than Mal, Mal suddenly wants Alina all to himself, when she's practically been in love with him forever!!!!!!!!!!!??????

Though I love love love the Darkling for Alina, I kinda want Nikolai, like he's the absolute sweetest-rugged prince in the kingdom. But I'd still marry the Darkling, so sorry Mal and Nikolai fans....

NIKOLAI PLEASE

Darkling tbh

Darkling, To be honest I hated Mal, he was whiny and generic and so annoyingly boring. Darkling was hot and dangerous, But I always love the evil guys

I definitely prefer the Darkling. Mal is not very likeable to me.

of course Darkling. I just LOVE him

DARKLING IS SO DAMN BETTER!!

yall weird as fuck, the darkling is a bitch

The Darkling had the best looks imo, and deep down he's kinda messed up. I like Mal too but he's a bit...weird.
I don't think I prefer either of them, since they are both pretty messed up and kinda treat Alina like property (although Mal does redeem himself a bit at the end, and maybe darkling too)
Both are messed up, but if i had had had to choose, I'd say Darkling (sorry Mal you're just not brooding enough)

You guys are still loving Darkling after he KILLED THE INNOCENT STAG & TRIED TO KILL ALINA'S BEST FRIEND? OK.

Nikita wrote: "Mal. Mal, how is this a contest. Mal wins hands down. Darkling is evil."

Lol, i also think the same. I was surprised at how many people chose the darkling over him. At first i liked the darkling, but than after the first book he became a bit weird, like overly addictive and possessive of Alina. Mal was the nicest to her and I loveeeee the interaction between them in the epilogue and the letter mal sent was just heart breaking.

I didn't finished the series so I'm wondering ...
Who did Alina end up with?
P.S. I know what happens with Darkling :/

Mal all the way, having read the whole series he definitely goes beyond friend standards. The Darkling was amazing in the first book but so teasing and disappointing in the next 2.

Definitely not Mal. At least the Darkling accepted the way she was while Mal tried to change her and make her the weak person she was at the beginning (which he succeeded eventually). I didn't like that she ended up with him and it felt kinda forced towards the end. I would prefer seeing her with Nikolai or being on her own in order to find who she really is.

Darkling for me, he stands as an individual with specific traits. Mal just seems to be compressed of generic childhood crush not interested until the main character changes in a sense for the better

Nikolai!!!

Hmmm...none of them.Mal always wanted to change her, make her more comfortable for him.What about Darkling..He is so complected character and come on he is so wicked..(on the other hand "good girls like bad boys" ahahah).
All in all..definitely Nikolai is a perfect choice as for me

I don't like Mal or the Darkling, so... Nikolai.

I mean..if book one hadn't ended the way it did (with the Darkling being the villain) I most certainly would've wanted them to be endgame. Cause Mal..well...he's ain't that great. But after book one I didn't like Alina anymore so I wasn't bothered about who will end up with her cause it didn't matter to me. I honestly felt bad for Nikolai that he was being considered as a possible suitor for her cause my baby deserves much more than whiny annoying Alina. (Also, let's not forget what the Darkling did to Nikolai...) But in the end, she ends up with someone just as whiny and annoying as her so...All's Well That Ends Well, I guess.

Definitely The Darkling. I know he kills a lot of innocent people, but I just love him.

DARKLING OBVIOUSLY ❤

Darkling all the way!! Mal's character irked me, especially his views on Alina and her powers. The Darkling just wanted a time where there didnt have to be fear for people like him. Sure he went about it wrong, and could have changed tactics to something less villainous, but if you think about it he was just mislead in a sense.

I like the Darkling, I actually don't care what he does, he's not so bad, but I think he's a good character, makes everything interesting and he doesn't want be the only one with a special power, have someone like him nearly makes him a little crazy (very crazy) but after all, he could change his future.... And about Mal, I really don't like him at all... And I like Nicolai even more that the last ones.

I loveeed the darkling... damn I loved him so much I spent the rest of my summer looking for characters like him! Closest I got was in The Cruel Prince

Alina just *belongs* with Mal, she always has. I'm into the 3rd book and they're still these star-crossed lovers just waiting to get enough guts to just go for it, responsibilities be damned! The Darkling is pure evil. Nicholai is fun but Alina doesn't love him. #TeamMal

SPOILER for book 3




I looooove the darkling but i liked that Mal ended up with Alina i understand why they have so much love for each other. However i did think the way Mal treated Alina in book two was wrong but i understood the way he felt.

Darkling for sure. Sorry, Mal.

The Darkling is definitely the best he's the most powerful Grisha and hands down he is such a better character than Mal. Spoiler for King of Scars The Darkling is back in town and ready to do some damage

I love the darkling more as a character and the scenes between the darkling and alina.
BUUUTTTT Mal was the smarter choice and I do think they were perfect for eachother
if i had to choose for myself
Nikolai- i mean not evil, but also not boring and trying to be some goddamm hero like mal
incase it was not clear i didn't like mal or alina. they were both trying to be so good and hero like and so god damm serious.
GROW SOME BALLS MAL

Definitely the Darkling. He was the only one who truly wanted Alina for who she was, even when Mal shunned and feared her for her powers.

Is it just me, or is Mal the Gale (Hunger Games) of this universe?

Mal. A romance with the Darkling may lure you in with an enemies-to-lovers and contrasting powers move but don't forget that he killed and/or permanently damaged people Alina loved and was overall evil and cruel. You may dislike Mal but he's the one Alina loves and the one she chose, and a quiet life with him was what made her happy in the end.

Touché

If you're talking about them in regards to their characters and with the romance aside then I'm all for the Darkling. Honestly these days the more grittier or darker the character is the more drawn to them I am if they are well written.

Hands down Mal.
The majority loving The Darkling because he's interesting and all is not new.
I mean there's a reason why the bad boy troupe is everywhere right!?
Disregard whatever wrong and creepy thing bad boy did because he's hot and interesting (again), he will change anyway because he fell in love with the female lead.

Yep, not for me.