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New scene from Shadow and Bone told from Genya's point of view.

18 pages, ebook

First published May 23, 2013

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About the author

Leigh Bardugo

52books171kfollowers
Leigh Bardugo is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House and the creator of the Grishaverse (now a Netflix original series) which spans the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, the King of Scars duology—and much more. Her short fiction has appeared in multiple anthologies including The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. She lives in Los Angeles and is an associate fellow of Pauli Murray College at Yale University. For information on new releases and appearances, sign up for hernewsletter.

She would be delighted if you visited her atLeighBardugo.comand fairly giddy if you liked her selfies onInstagram.

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5 stars
5,845 (20%)
4 stars
10,726 (38%)
3 stars
9,637 (34%)
2 stars
1,616 (5%)
1 star
215 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,220 reviews
Profile Image for ~Calliope~.
245 reviews387 followers
January 31, 2023
"It hurts, but I can bear it. Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same."


Now, I can say that I understand better Genya's actions!
Profile Image for RoseBane (Jess).
187 reviews521 followers
March 6, 2020
I'm not sure how to rate it, because it's too short to relate it as a book, even as a short story. I didn't feel like I had a chance to like it, or otherwise. This novella is a glimpse into Genia's point of view. It makes you understand her character better, which I think is important.
Profile Image for Virginia Ronan ♥ Herondale ♥.
586 reviews35.1k followers
October 12, 2018
”Besides, in this moment, I’m her friend. I can pretend all the little betrayals don’t exist. I can ignore the paper with Oretsev’s name on it burning a hole in my sleeve.”

Aww poor Genya!! My precious girl had to go through so much and no one was there to help her. It was really interesting to read her POV and to find out what happened behind the scenes, especially because I could never really grasp why she was so loyal to the Darkling.
I guess it makes sense now. Between all the hate of the queen, the sexual harassment of the king and not being welcome in the ranks of the Grisha it’s actually no wonder that she clung to the only person who gave her a feeling of safety. The Darkling.

”I shook my head, choking back another sob. He leaned forward and wiped the tears from my cheeks with the sleeve of his own kefta.
“If you tell me you cannot bear this, then I will send you from here and you need never wear those colors or walk the halls of the Grand Palace again. You will be safe, I promise you that.”


GAH, that’s why I like the Darkling so much! You can’t really hate him, yes, he’s corrupted and tainted but there’s still a gentle and caring side to him too. I mean, hell, he offered her tea and was the only one who listened to her, who made it bearable and saw her as a person. He gave her strength, dignity and a purpose when everyone else scorned her and it’s no surprise she felt obligated to stand by him. >_<

Still, the ending of “Siege and Storm” was heavy!!!


All told this was a really good short story and a nice addition to the second book of the Grisha trilogy. =)

”I open the black wood box, and I feed the letters to the fire, one by one. It hurts, but I can bear it. Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same.”
Profile Image for Brittney Arena.
226 reviews5,114 followers
August 20, 2017
How have I not read this until now? I freaking LOVED the Grisha Trilogy (or Shadow and Bone trilogy as it is now known) - and this legit has more Darkling.

Literally that is all I need to say. Go read.

My Blog~Instagram~Twitter~Etsy
Profile Image for karen.
4,005 reviews171k followers
August 25, 2014
Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same

unlike those free tor shorts that are absolutely spoiler-free standalone stories, this one is meant to be read afterShadow and Bone,because it will give away important plot points.

this is just a little quickie of a story, but it's about genya, for goodness' sake, and she is one of my favorite characters in the whole trilogy, and arguably the one who had the hardest journey. this story is wonderful because in 18 pages, we get backstory, an alternate viewpoint of a scene in the first book, and foreshadowing. pretty damn impressive. i like this story because at first it softens genya's betrayal a little by spotlighting her impossible situation, but then - BLAMMO - EMOTIONAL BOOMERANG! because the fact that she is given the opportunity, by the darkling, to make her own decision aboutbrings the choice back into her own hands, which is huge. just when you start to have sympathy for her, it's undermined again by her ultimately clear-eyed decision.

this trilogy is very focused on choice, and making impossible decisions. so many characters end up doing things they don't want to do for the greater good, and while in this instance, "the greater good" is smaller and more selfish, it's a horrible decision to have to make, and takes the reader on a sympathy roller-coaster.

i hope there are more genya-stories to come, because there are plenty of scenes i want to see through her eyes.
Profile Image for Rosie.
9 reviews89 followers
November 18, 2017
Reading this just makes me want to reread The Grisha Trilogy😭. Ughh, why does The Darkling have to be so perfect?!?
Profile Image for literarylesbian.
226 reviews2,830 followers
June 8, 2021
I can’t believe I hadn’t read this until now. Anyways, stan Genya and FUCK THE DARKLING!
Profile Image for Layla.
376 reviews432 followers
August 11, 2021
~ 3 stars ~

It was not as good as the Darkling's short story, but it was still decent. I love Genya, I just wish this story was a little bit more meaningful. I didn't really get much from this story unfortunately, but I do see what it was hoping to accomplish. I greatly admire Genya and how much adversity she has overcome. She is so strong, and I was let down over how little she ended up being involved in the main trilogy, but nonetheless, I will relish in whatever little content about her we can get.


credit
Profile Image for Cardan Greenbriar.
90 reviews1,007 followers
March 24, 2020
The Darkling melts my heart like lava melts marshmallow


edit: lmao i forgot to add the *sarcasm/pun/bad-joke sign* my bad
Profile Image for lulu.
282 reviews1,950 followers
July 5, 2023
”It hurts, but I can bear it. Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same.”


my poor baby genya ☹️💔
Profile Image for Kaylin (The Re-Read Queen).
426 reviews1,902 followers
April 18, 2017
4 Stars

Quick read because this is included in my copy of Siege and Storm! I adore Genya as a character and think the series desperately needs more of her. It was great getting to see her interactions with The Darkling (who never quite seems to give commands, but his subtle manipulations work just as well) and others.

Overall, glad I read this. It doesn't add anything new to the narrative, really, but it reminded me what I enjoy about this series.
Profile Image for Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora).
1,009 reviews42.2k followers
February 9, 2019
Este es un relato súper cortito en el que conocemos el lado de la historia de Genya: cómo llegó a servir a la Reina, cómo perdió el favor de personas muy importantes, su deseo por ser reconocida como una Grisha y no como una sirviente y, por supuesto, cómo llegó a caer en las garras delDarkling.

Adoro estos relatos que nos dejan entrar en la mente de una persona que, desde el punto de vista de los protagonistas, los ha traicionado y se ha vuelto su enemiga.
Profile Image for Michelle.
147 reviews265 followers
August 22, 2018
I'm glad that I didn't have to pay to read "The Tailor", not because it's bad -- rather, just because it's very short. And Genya is a character that I appreciate a lot, and I would have liked to stay longer in her head. Nevertheless, it is a pleasure to better understand her, her relationship with the queen, the Darkling and even that vile king. This book is a great complement to the Grisha series, but be warned that you may end up desperately wanting more!
Profile Image for Deborah Obida.
688 reviews675 followers
June 8, 2017
I told myself I won't read anything about Grishas till I find closure but I just could not help it.

This novella is written from Genya's POV about her life in the palace and how she became a servant. When the Queen turned her back and Genya and the king started abusing her she turned to the Darkling for help.

"The Darkling might have chastised me or turned his back. But he put his arm around me, sat me down at the table. He poured me a glass of water and waited until I was calm enough to take a gulping sip"

And she choose to stay in other to punish the king.

You have to read the whole triology before reading this or you'll be lost.
Profile Image for destiny ♡ howling libraries.
1,855 reviews6,062 followers
March 29, 2018
#0.1The Demon in the Wood★★★★★
#1Shadow and Bone★★★☆☆
#1.5The Tailor★★★★★
#2Siege and Storm★★★☆☆
#3Ruin and Rising★★★★☆

Poor, sweet, wounded little Genya.:(

This short story gives some insight into Genya's day-to-day life as a tailor, including how she came to fall out of the queen's good graces (not through any fault of her own, unsurprisingly), and what the catalyst was that led her to seek the Darkling's help. I know this is listed as #1.5 in the series, but I personally think it "fits" better if you read it right afterSiege.

Content warningsfor rape and victim-shaming.
Profile Image for ♥ℂĦℝΪՖƬΪℕÅ.
230 reviews3,954 followers
July 18, 2018
“It hurts, but I can bear it. Because I am a doll and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same.”

I liked this, for the most part I mean it was Genya POV and I really like her character a lot! I sure hope there is more of her in the last two books:) But this really didn't add much if anything to the story. Still, it was nice understanding some of her motives for the things she did. I'm really glad I read it!
Profile Image for Sonja⁷.
583 reviews550 followers
May 14, 2021
3.5 out of 5 stars.

"He stops my fidgeting with the briefest touch of his hand. His power flows through me, calming, the steady rush of a river. Best not to think where the current may take me."

Profile Image for • Lindsey Dahling •.
357 reviews744 followers
February 17, 2019
“I also shouldn’t have a second buttered roll with my breakfast every morning, but sometimes one must indulge.”

Damn do I love Genya. I read this right after readingShadow and Bone.It’s safe to do so, in case you’re worried (like I was).
Profile Image for Rose.
428 reviews711 followers
June 5, 2016
Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a solider all the same.

WOAHHHHHHHH.

Okay, I was not expecting this?
My heart just broke.

Genya's story is so heart breaking and the things she's had to endure and the things she's done...it's all so horrible.

Also, this made me love the Darkling & how he offered her protection? I mean, I guess he was also being a bit manipulative, but stiiiilllll. (Wow, I really am horrible.)

ps:the Darkling was shirtless in this and Imaybe dead because of it.
Profile Image for Beenish.
364 reviews446 followers
February 18, 2021
I like her a bit less now. Genya I mean.
________
I LOVED Genya and I'm now worried knowing this is her pov from the scene that made me suspect her once in the book. Let's hope it's not bad. I don't want to not love her.
Profile Image for Prabhjot Kaur.
1,060 reviews196 followers
May 17, 2021
I didn't like Genya in Shadow and Bone at the start but her character grew on me by the end. This short story is from Genya's point of view. Whilst it is too short a story to give anything of substance but it gives a better understanding of Genya's character and the decisions and choices she makes.

Genya has suffered so much at the hands of the king and queen and even the Drakling in my opinion. I obviously don't agree with everything she does but it's a start.

3 stars
Profile Image for Katerina  Kondrenko.
498 reviews1,005 followers
January 6, 2021
8 out of 10

Ревью в моем блоге/This review on my blog
Living A Thousand Lives
(please use Chrome/Yandex browser or Android/IOS to see the page; otherwise, spoiler-tags I use to make my post compact may not work)

Nothing's going on here: it's just a memory of Genya and a few hours of her nowadays, but I'm so sorry for her and I even dislike the Darking. I liked Genya inShadow and Bone,even her betrayal didn't make me hate her (okay, it made but not so hard). So it was interesting to see the world through her eyes. Her life wasn't easy, but it's obvious who's responsible for it. The same person she's so grateful for. The Darkling. And this episode with letters... I don't know how Leigh does this but she makes me feel with a few pages and a simple plot-line. What it's like to be a Grisha, but not to belong with your kind and not to belong with ordinary people as well? What it's like to be used? Being eager for love but be used all the way? I want this girl to be happy.

The Grishaverse (Вселенная Гриши):

The Grisha (Гриша):
The Demon in the Wood (Демон в лесу)#0.1/3
The Witch of Duva (Ведьма Дувы)#0.5/3
Shadow and Bone (Тень и Кость) #1/3
The Tailor (Портниха)#1.5/3
Siege and Storm (Осада и Штурм)#2/3
The Too-Clever Fox (Уж очень умный лис)#2.5/3
Little Knife (Ножичек)#2.6/3
Ruin and Rising (Крах и Восход)#3/3

Six of Crows (Шестерка Воронов):
Six of Crows (Шестерка воронов)#1/2
Crooked Kingdom (Продажное царство)#2/2
Profile Image for Mary ~Ravager of Tomes~.
357 reviews996 followers
May 30, 2017
A compelling sneak peak of Genya's narrative. I really enjoyed Genya as a character, and if you did also then I would definitely recommend reading this!

Special thanks toKfor bringing the existence of this story to my attention, I thought I had read all the Grisha tales!
Profile Image for Dannii Elle.
2,126 reviews1,719 followers
February 7, 2017
This can be found online here:https://www.scribd.com/doc/143207221/...

A free prequel novella from the perspective of my favourite character of the series, you say? Yes please!

I love when authors take the time to pad their world and story with added extra instalments but, for me, this story gave me nothing. Whilst enjoyable enough, it added little to the overall trilogy's plot and left me with no lasting emotions.

Whilst the actual scenes depicted haven't been previously portrayed, Genya's actions have already been explained and particulars covered here already been hinted at in the first book in the Grisha trilogy. I didn'tdislikethis, in any way, it just didn't give me anything new to take away from reading this.
Profile Image for Irmak ☾.
252 reviews55 followers
June 18, 2021
“Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same.”

This was fine. Genya was not particularly my favorite character in Shadow and Bone but it was nice to see her POV. I especially enjoyed seeing how she interacted with the Darkling and the Queen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,220 reviews

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