The characters of Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone include the protagonist, Alina Starkov, who is a teenage orphan who displays the magical power to create light, which allows her to become a member of the Grisha (a supernatural group with magical powers).

Alina’s friend Mal is also an orphan and has honed his tracking ability to join the Grisha. He is tasked with finding Alina when she escapes from the Grisha. Alina saves Mal’s life when they are marching in the Fold (a dark area separating the fantasy land of Ravka) and are attacked by monsters called Volcra.

The Darkling, leader of the Grisha, is handsome and mysterious and seduces Alina. She is trapped and enslaved by him when he adorns her with the antlers of a stag.

Other minor characters include Genya—a Grisha with the power to alter people’s appearances—who befriends Alina. There is also Nikolai, the self-effacing and curious son of the King and Queen of Ravka.