Six of Crows vs Shadow and Bone: Which to Read First?
Six of Crows and Shadow and Bone are Leigh Bardugo's two Grishaverse series. Here's how they differ, what each does best, and which to read first.
By Marcus Webb
Leigh Bardugo built the beloved Grishaverse across two series, and new readers always ask where to begin: the original Shadow and Bone trilogy (2012) or the Six of Crows duology (2015)? Both are set in the same richly imagined world of Grisha magic, but they could hardly feel more different in tone, structure, and quality. Here is how they compare, using each series’ first book.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Shadow and Bone | Six of Crows | |
|---|---|---|
| Published | 2012 | 2015 |
| Format | Trilogy | Duology |
| Story | A chosen one and her hidden power | A heist crew and an impossible job |
| Cast | Single heroine, Alina | Ensemble of six morally grey leads |
| Tone | Classic YA fantasy | Darker, sharper, more mature |
| Read first? | Yes, for full order | Or first, for quality |
What Happens in Shadow and Bone
Shadow and Bone introduces the Grishaverse through Alina Starkov, an orphaned soldier who discovers she possesses a rare power that could save her war-torn nation of Ravka from the Shadow Fold, a swath of deadly darkness. Drawn into the world of the Grisha and their enigmatic, dangerous leader, Alina must master her gift. It is a more traditional chosen-one YA fantasy — and while many fans find its first book the weaker entry, it builds the world, magic, and history that the rest of the Grishaverse depends on.
A Quick Look at Six of Crows
Six of Crows follows a crew of six teenage outcasts — thieves, spies, and survivors — recruited for an impossible heist: breaking into the world’s most secure prison. Told through multiple sharply drawn viewpoints, it is a darker, wittier, more mature story than Shadow and Bone, with morally grey characters, slow-burn romances, and intricate plotting. Widely regarded as Bardugo’s finest work, it is the book most often pressed into the hands of anyone curious about the Grishaverse.
What Makes Them Different
The most obvious difference is scope and cast. Shadow and Bone is a single-heroine chosen-one story; Six of Crows is a sprawling ensemble heist with six distinct, equally compelling leads. If you love a tight protagonist arc, the trilogy delivers; if you love a found-family crew, the duology is unbeatable.
A second difference is tone and maturity. Shadow and Bone reads as classic YA — younger, more romantic, more straightforward. Six of Crows is darker, funnier, and more morally complex, with higher stakes and grittier characters. The duology simply aims higher.
The third is quality and consensus. This is the rare case where fans broadly agree: Six of Crows is the stronger series. Shadow and Bone is enjoyable and important to the world, but its first book is the most common place readers stall.
Which to Start With
For the full experience in order, start with Shadow and Bone. It establishes the Grisha, the magic, the geography, and a few characters and references that deepen Six of Crows, so reading it first gives you the richest version of the world.
But if you want Bardugo at her best, or you only plan to read one series, start with Six of Crows. It functions almost as a standalone, and its quality hooks readers immediately. Many fans now recommend exactly this path — begin with the duology, then loop back to Shadow and Bone if you want more of the world.
A Note on the Netflix Adaptation
One reason this question comes up so often is the Netflix Shadow and Bone series, which cleverly wove the two storylines together on screen even though they are separate in the books. If the show was your entry point, be aware that the novels keep Alina’s trilogy and the Crows’ duology distinct, so you will not find the crew inside the Shadow and Bone books themselves. Knowing that helps set expectations: read Shadow and Bone for Alina’s arc, and Six of Crows for Kaz, Inej, and the rest of the gang the adaptation made famous.
Where to Head Next
Once you have explored the Grishaverse, our authors like Leigh Bardugo guide points to Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black, and more, and our best YA fantasy series roundup gathers more immersive worlds to binge.
The quick answer: read Shadow and Bone first for the world in order, or Six of Crows first for Bardugo at her absolute best — and either way, you will want to read both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I read Six of Crows or Shadow and Bone first?
For reading in order, start with Shadow and Bone — it was published first and builds the Grishaverse that Six of Crows later expands. But Six of Crows is the more acclaimed series and works almost as a standalone, so if you only read one, or want Bardugo at her best first, you can begin there. Most fans recommend Shadow and Bone first for full context, Six of Crows first for quality.
Which is better, Six of Crows or Shadow and Bone?
Six of Crows is widely considered the stronger work — a tighter, more mature heist duology with a brilliant ensemble cast and morally grey characters. Shadow and Bone is a more traditional chosen-one YA fantasy with a slower first book, though it builds the world and introduces key lore. Six of Crows is the fan favourite; Shadow and Bone is the foundation.
Do I need to read Shadow and Bone before Six of Crows?
No, but it helps. Six of Crows assumes some familiarity with the Grisha and their world, and reading Shadow and Bone first enriches the setting and a few references. That said, Six of Crows is accessible enough to enjoy on its own, so it is not strictly required.
