Netflix’s Shadow and Bone arrives in a little under a month, and the streamer has finally released the first full-length trailer for this adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s popular YA fantasy series. The footage dives more deeply into the overall plot of the show than previously released clips have, highlighting Alina Starkov’s (Jessie Mei Li) role in solving the problem of the Shadow Fold.
Those behind the series have been hyping up the Fold as one of its major antagonists, but the trailer offers further insight into why this huge mass of darkness presents such a problem. It’s not just that the Fold is cutting the land of Ravka clean in half; it also contains disturbing and dangerous monsters, and we see a few glimpses of them in the trailer. Those attempting to cross the Fold must contend with these creatures, but Alina’s ability to wield light seems to offer some defense against them. According to General Kirigan — better known as the Darkling (Ben Barnes) — Alina’s power may even be enough to eliminate the Fold entirely. Of course, that’s assuming she can call upon it properly, and the clips of her training suggest that’s going to be another obstacle to overcome.
You can watch Netflix’s official Shadow and Bone trailer below:
The Shadow and Bone trailer highlights the Sun Summoner
Those following the promotion of Shadow and Bone may have heard the term “Sun Summoner” thrown around, but the new trailer for the show dives further into what that means.
From the footage, it’s clear that Alina’s power to summon light is rare, even among the magical Grisha. From the disbelieving acceptance that “she’s real” to the Darkling’s promise that there are no other people like him and Alina, it’s clear many see her as an answer to their nation’s problems.
Unfortunately, as much as Alina’s abilities might help Ravka, it looks like they’ll pose a few new problems for her as well. “The whole world will be after you,” she’s told in the trailer. And apparently, that includes the Six of Crows gang.
For those wondering how the Netflix series planns to integrate the characters from Bardugo’s sequel duology Six of Crows into Alina’s story, the trailer provides an answer. With a bounty on the Sun Summoner, it makes sense that Kaz Brekker and his band of misfits would go after her. After all, they go where the money is. Going up against her and the Darkling won’t be an easy feat, though, and that’s if they can reach Alina in the first place.
Overall, the Shadow and Bone trailer suggests that the series will live up to its source material in terms of action and magic. And it looks like the show’s main characters will be just as fleshed out as their book counterparts.
With all of that to look forward to, it’s a good thing the show debuts so soon. Shadow and Bone arrives on Netflix on April 23.
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