Name: The Demon in the Wood
ISBN: 9781627796620

Leigh Bardugo

Before he ruled Ravka, before he was the Darkling, he was just a lonely boy with an extraordinary gift. In this prequel story to the New York Times-bestselling Grisha Trilogy, Leigh Bardugo takes us into Ravka's mysterious past, when Grisha lived as fugitives and the Darkling took his first steps on the path to power. Discover new territory in the Grishaverse, as well as two chapters from the soon-to-be-released Six of Crows.

A Darkling Prequel Story

The Demon in the Wood

Dani Pendergast

Before he led Ravka’s Second Army, before he created the Fold, and long before he became the Darkling, he was just a lonely boy burdened by an extraordinary power. 

Eryk and his mother, Lena, have spent their lives on the run. But they will never find a safe haven. They are not only Grisha—they are the deadliest and rarest of their kind. Feared by those who wish to destroy them and hunted by those who would exploit their gifts, they must hide their true abilities wherever they go. But sometimes deadly secrets have a way of revealing themselves . . .

Graphic Novel

Demon in the Wood

"Fear is a powerful ally, but feed it too often, make it too strong, and it will turn on you."

This is technically only a 30 page novella, but I read it as a 200 page graphic novel so I am counting those extra pages anyway 😂 

, giving a glimpse into the Darkling's younger years before he became a leader of the Grisha. I think this gave some interesting insight into his history and what lead to him becoming so jaded towards otkazat'sya (people without Grisha powers), showing him as a grumpy, lonely teen just trying to survive on the run in a world that hated Grisha at the time and hunted them as witches. This graphic novel was beautifully illustrated and the pieces of the novella which were pulled together to make up this story were really well written, with some great quotes and formative messaging which leaves breadcrumbs for the series following. I loved seeing the 

 quote which stood out to me so much in the other books.

Although I did love this addition to the Grishaverse I do wish it was a) longer and b) gave more information into his backstory. I would argue that this small snippet doesn't really add a lot to the overall storyline. Even if the novella had only been 100 or so pages (in book format, rather than graphic novel) then that would have had just a bit more depth to his villain origin story. I can't actually remember if it was in the books or if I just remember it from the TV series, but the scene where the Darkling is being hunted and he creates the Shadow Fold as a way to protect other Grisha had more of an impact on me than this story did, it gave humanity and a touch of empathy to such a corrupt and evil character, which I love to read and even though that existed in this story too, I just think it was far too short. Some flash forward scenes to see him becoming the Black Heretic or how he handled "dying" and coming back as another version of himself through all those years, I think this would've hit harder. Regardless, this was still a fun short read and well worth it if you love the Grishaverse.

Genevieve 

"Fear is a powerful ally, but feed it too often, make it too strong, and it will turn on you."

4.25⭐

This is technically only a 30 page novella, but I read it as a 200 page graphic novel so I am counting those extra pages anyway 😂 Demon in the Wood is a prequel story to Shadow and Bone, giving a glimpse into the Darkling's younger years before he became a leader of the Grisha. I think this gave some interesting insight into his history and what lead to him becoming so jaded towards otkazat'sya (people without Grisha powers), showing him as a grumpy, lonely teen just trying to survive on the run in a world that hated Grisha at the time and hunted them as witches. This graphic novel was beautifully illustrated and the pieces of the novella which were pulled together to make up this story were really well written, with some great quotes and formative messaging which leaves breadcrumbs for the series following. I loved seeing the "like calls to like" quote which stood out to me so much in the other books.

Although I did love this addition to the Grishaverse I do wish it was a) longer and b) gave more information into his backstory. I would argue that this small snippet doesn't really add a lot to the overall storyline. Even if the novella had only been 100 or so pages (in book format, rather than graphic novel) then that would have had just a bit more depth to his villain origin story. I can't actually remember if it was in the books or if I just remember it from the TV series, but the scene where the Darkling is being hunted and he creates the Shadow Fold as a way to protect other Grisha had more of an impact on me than this story did, it gave humanity and a touch of empathy to such a corrupt and evil character, which I love to read and even though that existed in this story too, I just think it was far too short. Some flash forward scenes to see him becoming the Black Heretic or how he handled "dying" and coming back as another version of himself through all those years, I think this would've hit harder. Regardless, this was still a fun short read and well worth it if you love the Grishaverse.

Léa

I never read the novel because i was waiting for the right moment and somehow the right moment came by itself when it was adapted into a graphic novel, it was too short for me and i really wanted more but i liked it a lot !!

clau☁️

Arielis Valentin

chloe rae

I loved this! The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is because it was too short. I wanted more! Off to read the second book!

Very interesting to see a bit more of the darkling a story 

Pia 

nina 

This is literally...the darkling’s villain origin story

Marian L

Lara Engle

Pretty basic story and storytelling, but the art is pretty and there is one rather shocking moment. If you're into the Grishaverse, this Darkling origin story is worth the brief time it takes to read it. Otherwise, it's nothing special.

freya.nightwolf

I loved it. 5 stars for this beautiful and heartbreaking story and also for the talented artist Dani Pendergast who made this story come alive in a whole different way. 

I read this story after the first trilogy and it was perfect for me because I didn't particularly appreciate how Ruin and Rising ended and needed more of the Darkling. And this book did not disappoint. It was perfect.

Nessa Luna

Ok let me be honest, the first time I read this I still kind of liked the Darkling, so this story was amazing IMO. Now, five years later, I actually do not like the Darkling anymore at all (I think he's an amazing character, I just really hate him *shrug*) so I couldn't justify giving this novella 4 stars. I've brought my rating down to 3,5. Yeah, it's still a nice story and nice backstory for the Darkling but meh.

The story gets like a 3 star, but I gave it an extra star for the artwork which is just absolutely amazing. I just can't bring myself to rate the story higher because I hate the Darkling with a passion. (view spoiler)[ And like I know, he's not the character he is in the S&B trilogy in this story, but still I just fucking hate him, ok?! (hide spoiler)]

Vicky (A City Girl's Thoughts)

Very short but Leigh Bardugo gives us a glimpse into The Darkling's upbringing and how he became the way he is. I expected it to be longer with more background information but other than that it's great!

Skye

I absolutely loved being able to finally read this in hardback format. This is an amazing origin story for one of the most iconic characters in the Grishaverse. Read if you’d like more insight into the Darkling and his path to infamy.

Monique Nagel

I really enjoyed this, and I really enjoyed Ben Barnes’ voice in die audiobook!

menna

Discover the start of a grand and sinister destiny in Demon in the Wood, the must-have graphic novel prequel to the bestselling book series and international Netflix sensation Shadow and Bone from spectacular new talent Dani Pendergast and #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo.

Before he led Ravka’s Second Army, before he created the Fold, and long before he became the Darkling, he was just a lonely boy burdened by an extraordinary power.

Eryk and his mother, Lena, have spent their lives on the run. But they will never find a safe haven. They are not only Grisha―they are the deadliest and rarest of their kind. Feared by those who wish to destroy them and hunted by those who would exploit their gifts, they must hide their true abilities wherever they go. But sometimes deadly secrets have a way of revealing themselves . . .

Demon in the Wood Graphic Novel

I enjoyed the drawings and getting back to the Grishaverse, but I don't really see the point of this graphic novel...

Philippine

brianna

could not care less about the darkling but god!! the art style is breathtaking

I wished this lasted longer, but from the very beginning I was invested and with each page turn I got more and more invested. 

A prequel to the Shadow and bone series. 

Shanelle M.

I wished this lasted longer, but from the very beginning I was invested and with each page turn I got more and more invested. 

A prequel to the Shadow and bone series. 

Unnecessary but a nice little supplement 

Lizeth Esmeralda

I like the fact that I got to see how the darkling became the darkling and what inspired him to do these things. this doesn’t make sense but anywho

katerina

Annabella

LB can pry my love for Aleks from my corpse.

Courtney

Anna

J’ai dépensé 25€ pour un roman graphique sur le Darkling ? OUI. Et c’est un putain de super achat. 

Je suis allée dans une librairie anglaise pour l’avoir, le grishaverse sont mes livres préférés donc quand j’ai vu ça à l’étranger j’étais obligée de le vouloir !!! 
Vraiment collector, incroyable et je suis trop contente de l’avoir lu. Je pensais que ce serait vraiment sur sa vie, comment il a fondé le Little Palace etc, mais en fait non c’est une anecdote de sa vie, un moment au cours de ses escapades quand il cachait le fait qu’il était Grisha. Au final c’est pas si mal !

The Demon in the Wood A Darkling Prequel Story

Reviews

Highlights