Shadow and Bone is a hit fantasy show from Leigh Bardugo’s books. It takes place in a war-torn Ravka. Young soldier Alina Starkov finds out she can summon light. This makes her a prime target for power-hungry villains. With a bunch of misfits, Alina goes on a wild ride to save her country and face off against dark forces. Fun times, right?

Meet the characters from Shadow and Bone

Alina Starkov

Alina is this awkward, incandescent force of nature who goes from cartographer’s kid to literal Sun Summoner and nobody is more surprised than she is. She’s fierce and hopeful and kind in a way that sometimes makes her reckless — will do anything for people she barely knows, then immediately blush about having shouted. She hoards little tins of tea (except she swears she hates chamomile but then drinks it when nervous) and has a tendency to stand in sunlight like it’s a warm hug. Also: prone to dramatic, accidental wardrobe choices and inexplicably humming while concentrating.

The Darkling

The Darkling is broody, magnetic, and impossibly mysterious — like, you can’t look away and you also maybe shouldn’t. He commands rooms and shadows with equal ease, speaks in very measured sentences and loves chess or something dramatic like candlelit monologues. He’s terrifying and heartbreaking at once; ruthless in pursuit of his goals but weirdly sentimental about a very specific shawl or an old song (don’t ask). Has the kind of jawline that makes people forget their morals for a second, which is both a problem and kind of the point.

Kaz Brekker

Kaz is sharp, ruthless, and always thinking three steps ahead while sipping something suspiciously cold and probably illegal. He’s miserly with feelings but extravagantly obsessed with plans, crates, and the ever-elusive payoff — trust issues are basically his hobby. He hates being touched, keeps pigeons at arm’s length (or claims to), and somehow has a soft spot for overpriced pastries that he pretends to disdain. Also has a slogan-ready grimace and a cane that is half fashion statement, half lethal instrument.

Malyen Oretsev

Mal is the loyal, steady, kind-of-grumpy type who is terrifying with a rifle and even more terrifying when he’s mildly jealous. He’s all about straightforward courage, hates nonsense, and will protect his people like a very stubborn wolf. There’s a surprising tender side — he tends to rescue stray things (dogs? old boots?) and forgets where he left his hat, which is very on-brand. Occasionally bursts into military-grade competence followed by a baffling obsession with baking bread, because why not.

Inej Ghafa

Inej is soft-spoken but lethal, a shadow that moves with grace, and morally grounded in a way that anchors the whole crew. She’s devout, steady, and can climb anything — like, you’d lose your phone but she could still find you and the phone, probably. Loves tiny ritual things (a prayer, a snack stashed away) but also will absolutely stab you if you deserve it; she’s gentle and terrifying in the best combination. Has an odd obsession with butterflies in her spare time and low-key sings to keep herself calm.

Jesper Fahey

Jesper is loud, messy, and endlessly lovable — equal parts terrible gambler and charming softie with an eye for flair (and pockets full of bad luck). He jokes to cover nerves, shoots with worrying accuracy, and eats like he’s trying to taste the whole world in one sitting. He’s dramatic, deeply affectionate, and will flirt with literally anything that breathes, then apologize profusely and offer you a cookie. Also can never keep his cards clean or his hands still, which somehow makes him even more fun to watch.

Ivan

Ivan is the big, steady mountain of muscle who will quietly carry everyone’s emotional luggage and also probably their literal luggage too. Slow to speak but immediate in loyalty — if he’s on your side you can relax, mostly, unless someone threatens his friends and then it’s not relaxing at all. He likes simple things: strong coffee, stronger silence, and awkwardly thoughtful gifts that are somehow always perfect. Slightly prone to surprising whimsy, like a secret fondness for tiny knitted hats for pigeons (don’t ask where he learned that).

Fedyor Kaminsky

Fedyor (Fedya? Fyod?) is the practical, good-humored one who keeps the group from falling apart just by being… quietly competent and slightly sarcastic. He’s a fixer, likes to joke about being an adult, and is suspiciously fond of pickled everything — also very proud of his stew, and maybe a terrible dancer. He’s loyal to a fault, will argue with you about logistics for forever, and somehow always knows where everyone left their keys. Slight contradictions: claims not to care about romance but will write very sappy birthday notes at 3 a.m.

Nina Zenik

Nina is a whirlwind of warmth, food enthusiasm, and sharp intelligence — a spy with a laugh that fills a room and fists that will rearrange your face if needed. She’s outspoken, deeply compassionate, and has this habit of rescuing people (and animals and complicated causes) with alarming efficiency. Obsessed with flavors, expect her to feed you something magnificent then lecture you about your life choices while hugging you. Also has weird little contradictions like being terrified of deep water but insisting she’ll take a midnight swim anyway.