Netflix’s 2-Season Fantasy Series Is So Good, You’ll Finish It in One Sitting

Published Oct 31, 2026, 9:23 AM EDT

Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics.

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With so many shows available, it can be hard to find the right one, but one Netflix fantasy series is the perfect binge-watch. A product of the recent boom in fantasy TV, 2021's Shadow and Bone is adapted from Leigh Bardugo's book of the same name and other stories set in the same world. The only downside of Shadow and Bone is that it ended too soon, just when the show was heading towards some of the book series' best stories.

Though its premature ending is disappointing, Shadow and Bone's two seasons are still worth watching. Combining a chosen-one arc with a heist plot, the series delivers a compelling story of magic, love, and crime unlike anything else, following a young girl with extraordinary abilities and how she impacts the ongoing war around her. With exciting characters, detailed world-building, and a rare balance between action and humor, Shadow and Bone is an addictive fantasy watch that you won't be able to stop thinking about.

What Is 'Shadow and Bone' About?

Netflix has released several fantasy titles over the last few years, but Shadow and Bone is one of its best. The series takes place in the war-torn kingdom of Ravka, which is divided in half by a dark territory full of monsters known as the Fold. Crossing the Fold requires escorts from the Grisha of the Second Army, who possess supernatural abilities. When unassuming cartographer Alina (Jessie Mei Li) is sent through the Fold, she discovers her unique Grisha ability. As the Sun Summoner, Alina might be powerful enough to destroy the Fold and save Ravka, but that means being separated from her lifelong friend Mal (Archie Renaux). As she works toward her destiny with the mysterious Darkling (Ben Barnes), Alina discovers long-held secrets that put her in danger.

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• The 1977 original won six Academy Awards plus a special achievement award for sound effects.
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While Alina is a driving force in the story, Shadow and Bone features another major storyline that revolves around a group of criminals known as the Crows, who accept the risky but lucrative mission of capturing Alina. Kaz (Freddy Carter), Jesper (Kit Young), and Inej (Amita Suman) travel across the expansive world, interfering with the Darkling's plans and making the audience question who the good guys are. These thieves may be on the wrong side of the law, but they're also some of the story's most interesting characters. Thanks to the Crows and those who join their ranks, including Nina (Danielle Galligan), Matthias (Calahan Skogman), and later, Wylan (Jack Wolfe), Shadow and Bone manages to distinguish itself from its competition on streaming.

There Is No Fantasy Series Like 'Shadow and Bone'

Shadow and Bone excels in many areas, but at the top of that list is its world-building. With its two drastically different stories, the series creates an intricate fantasy world that is easy to invest in. The Grisha themselves are an interesting bit of lore, as their abilities are clearly defined by three different types: Etherealki, Materialki, and Corporalki. This division limits what each character can do and establishes a unique system for their powers. International relations are another important aspect, and the series introduces cultures such as the Fjerdans, the Shu Han, and the Kerch, each of which has a different perspective on the others.

Another aspect of what makes Shadow and Bone unique is its distinctive blend of technology and magic, as well as its ability to find laughs within its epic story. With witty characters like Jesper and Nikolai, Shadow and Bone features more comedic moments even in the midst of dangerous adventures. While it does lack a proper conclusion, ending on a cliffhanger that may scare some viewers away, Shadow and Bone is an irresistible series that fantasy fans won't be able to stop watching.

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  Jessie Mei Li

  Alina Starkov

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  Archie Renaux

  Malyen 'Mal' Oretsev