BOOK REVIEW: Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo
A visually stunning look into the early days of the Darkling.
This was my first foray into the world of graphic novels. I am obsessed with the Grishaverse, at least I thought it was just the Grishaverse. After having literally just finished Hell Bent, I’m beginning to think I’m simply just obsessed with Bardugo’s writing.
Demon in the Wood is a short graphic novel that prequels the events of Shadow and Bone. Honestly, I am still trying to process through my feelings on this little gem. I think that graphic novels just might not be my thing. I don’t have anything against them per say, but I feel about them the same way that I tend to feel about novellas. There is a length issue, which leads to a depth and development issue. It’s ok if you call me a book snob, I can take it…maybe. It’s just my personal preference.
Fear is a powerful ally, but feed it too often, make it too strong, and it will turn on you.
I absolutely loved the artist talent demonstrated by Dani Pendergast. The portrayal of emotions and doubt and betrayal and determination can all be seen simply by the visual composition that fills the pages. There is definitely a special type of talent needed for a successful graphic novel. It’s more than the words, since there are so few of them. It is about how the whole page is used. The size and placement of each panel on a page. Words and lack of words both serve their purposes in telling the story.
The artistic and visual structures paired with Bardugo’s amazing storytelling, character development and conflict management allows the story flow with clear and concise scenes. The only thing it lacked for me is that “more” factor. I just wanted a little more. I feel that because it was short, we only got a surface level approach to how Darkling progressed to the point of establishing the Little Palace. What the book did not do was establish why and how the Darkling became the villain that we know him to be. The book ended with him still wanting to do right by the Grisha.
My favorite scene was clearly the evening swim when he loses control of the situation that he and his mother were trying so hard to manage. When you are hiding secrets and trying to blend in like everything is normal when that is the furthest thing from the truth, it’s all bound to catch up to you eventually. The scene made me sad, but I also recognize that it ended the only way it could.
Black has always been the color that seems to wrap itself around the Darkling. He created the fold which is almost like a living blackness. In this book, we can begin to see the beginning of that blackness that surrounds him. The visual wisps of black act as a character enhancement. I don’t really feel it is character development, but it enhances what we already know about him and what we are learning about him at an early stage of his life. Black symbolizes mystery, power, sophistication and elegance all of which are ideals that surround the Darkling throughout the series.
And these traits are also what leads to his tragic flaws as well as the isolation he suffers as we can see in this book. Power corrupts. He tries to hide his power, but can only do so much, and once others have a taste of what he can do, they seek to own that power.
Where does this book land on my bookshelf?
This is a tough and debatable placement, but I will put this on my middle shelf. Prequels can be difficult in general in my opinion, but I think the graphic novel approach just didn’t resonate as well with me. I’m not a big reader of novellas either. So, while there is nothing negative to report about this particular book, it just was presented in a format that I couldn’t connect with. However, the colors and the art were beautiful. I still am a huge fan of Leigh Bardugo and the Grishaverse and will watch every season of Shadow and Bone on Netflix! Overall, I’m glad I read it and had the opportunity to recognize that graphic novels just are a genre/format for me. At the end of the day, if you are a fan of the Grishaverse, this is a MUST READ!
Don’t forget to check out my other fun sites!
Website for book lovers: www.azdesertbookworm.com It has links to my podcast Speaking LITerally, book reviews, breaking literary news, games, links to small business and more! I also have a lot of content on my Instagram! Check it out - @azdesert_bookworm
Speaking LITerally podcast! Our monthly misadventures into all things literary. Separated by the Atlantic, Liz and I come together in our love of reading!!! Find us wherever you listen to your other favorite podcasts! Click here to find us on iHeartRadio!
If you are really bored you can read about some of my personal adventures in life raising two teenagers, commentating on professional wrestling shows and loving a husband who is fighting Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and all the lesson I learn along the way. Educate This.