Why is Shadow and Bone Russian?

The Russian Connection

Shadow and Bone, the new Netflix series based on novels by Leigh Bardugo and inspired in part by 19th-century Russia, is airing now. Shadow and Bone's Kingdom of Ravka was built entirely in Bardugo's imagination, but that doesn't mean it wasn't inspired by moments in a non-fictional world.

Is Shadow and Bones Russian?

Shadow and Bone still has plenty of things fantasy fans will recognize, from chosen one tropes to problematic romances to political and cultural wars, but its Russian roots give it a special flair.

Is Ravka supposed to be Russia?

The main setting of the series (and Bardugo's books), Ravka is a nation loosely based on 19th-century Russia (right down to the language), and is the home of lead characters like Alina, Mal and Nina.

What ethnicity is Shadow and Bone?

Shadow and Bone takes place primarily in the country of Ravka, which is inspired mainly by Russian culture and mythology. The rest of the Grishaverse is too, in some respects, though countries and cultures like Shu Han are clear references to other places.

Is Alina Starkov Russian?

The series protagonist, Alina Starkov, we are told, was born in the border regions of Shu Han and Ravka and is herself part Shu. In the book series, however, Alina was full Ravkan, Ravka being the Grishaverse's stand-in for Czarist Russia. (Though, Ravka was also inspired by 16^th century Amsterdam, Bardugo has said.)

Why SHADOW AND BONE is Funny For Russians

Is Grisha Russian?

Grischa (alternatively spelled Grisha or Gricha) is a short form for the name Gregory or Grigorij, and sometimes for the name Georgi as well, used in Russia and some other Slavic countries, including Ukraine and Bulgaria.

What ethnicity is Alina Starkov?

The series protagonist, Alina Starkov, we are told, was born in the border regions of Shu Han and Ravka and is herself part Shu. In the book series, however, Alina was full Ravkan, Ravka being the Grishaverse's stand-in for Czarist Russia.

Why is Alina a half breed?

"[Alina] was really ostracized at the orphanage where she grew up, and that's why [she] and Mal got together," they explained. "Obviously, they also wanted Mal to be mixed race, so they, the two of them, the two 'half-breeds,' as they say, sort of have more in common with each other.

What race is Zoya?

Zoya's half-Suli heritage was only established in King of Scars. And since Zoya is born in Ravka and described as having raven hair and blue eyes, a lot of fans, including myself, assumed she was purely Ravkan.

What is the accent in Shadow and Bone?

Netflix's Shadow and Bone includes all the classic touchpoints of a new juggernaut fantasy series: a coming-of-age narrator, an ominous place full of darkness and monsters, period costumes, and British accents.

Is Kaz Brekker in Shadow and Bone book?

While some characters, like Kaz and Inej, never appear in the pages of Shadow and Bone, the book, they certainly make themselves known in the show. Based on the best-selling fantasy novel by Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone is an exciting Netflix fantasy series.

Is the darkling Ravkan?

For the Netflix adaptation character, see The Darkling (Netflix). The Darkling is a Shadow Summoner, the former Second in Command in all of Ravka, and the former leader of the Second Army.

Is Nikolai still King of Ravka?

Nikolai Lantsov is a former King of Ravka. He is the second son of Alexander III (though later revealed to be the biological son of Magnus Opjer).

What country is Shu Han based on?

Shu Han, for example, is Alina's mother's homeland. Ruled by a matriarchal monarchy, the perpetually warm country rests to the south of Ravka and is inspired largely by Mongolia and China, meaning its residents have mainly East Asian characteristics.

What country is Ketterdam based on?

Ketterdam is inspired by Amsterdam, Antwerp, Las Vegas, London, and old New York (aka New Amsterdam). The Exchange is modeled after the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.

What country is Fjerda based on?

Fjerda is based on Scandinavia.

What race is Mal Oretsev?

Unlike the novels, in the Netflix series, both Mal and Alina are mixed-race—part Ravkan, and part Shu-Han (in real life, Alina actress Jessie Li Mei is a Chinese-British actress, while Mal actor Archie Renaux is White English)—two countries that have long been at war with one another.

Is Alina in Six of Crows?

Alina isn't a part of the Six of Crows duology (although characters from those books are used in the Shadow and Bone series on Netflix.)

What is INEJ nationality?

Inej is Suli, who are a nomadic people of Ravka, with deep brown skin and dark hair. Based on her descriptions throughout the duology, Inej could be coded as someone from the Indian subcontinent.

What does part Shu mean in Shadow and Bone?

Part of the reason is the Shu. The country of Shu Han is to the south of Ravka and is modeled on China and Mongolia. Its people are called the Shu and are known for their golden eyes and black hair, and for living in a country with perpetual summer.

Is Mal related to the darkling?

While searching for the last amplifier, Mal and Alina find out the truth about Mal's heritage. He is descended from Baghra's sister, making him a great-nephew of the Darkling. It also makes him an amplifier.

Why did Alina Starkov hair turn white?

During The Darkling's attack at Os Alta, he reveals that he has set nichevo'ya on Genya Safin for sparing Alina. Alina fights him and uses merzost, which causes her hair to turn white, and nearly drains her of her power, defeating them both. This leaves her almost dead and the Darkling, also, badly wounded.

Is the darkling in love with Alina?

Bardugo, the author of the Grishaverse novels as well as executive producer of the show, walks a very fine line. She doesn't objectively romanticize the Darkling, but lead character Alina Starkov, against her will and better judgement, does, to an extent.

Why is Alina different in Shadow and Bone?

Alina was always from a Ravkan border town, but in the show, she's explicitly part Shu. In several interviews, actor Jessie Mei Li, who plays Alina Starkov, talks head-on about being relieved that Shadow and Bone doesn't shy away from race.

Is Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows related?

The Grishaverse is comprised of the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, the King of Crows duology, and three supplemental books. While the primary storyline of Netflix's Shadow and Bone follows the trilogy of the same name, the show also has a subplot with the characters from the Six of Crows duology.