A villain-origin prequel to Shadow and Bone (2012), adapted from "The Demon in the Wood: A Darkling Prequel Story" (2015).Aleksandr, the boy who will grow up to be the Darkling, and his mother are Grisha-humans who practice magic, or "small science." They're on the run from witch-hunting drüskelle, but they must also be wary of fellow Grisha, who don't always react well to the duo's shadow-summoning powers. The storyline is tightly focused on a short period of time in Aleksander's life. When his mother finds a Grisha camp with a strong leader, they see the chance to stay put through the winter. There, Aleksandr befriends a girl named Annika when he helps her defend her "otkazat'sya" (non-Grisha) little sister from bullies, and he has a glimpse of what it would be like for outsiders to band together. Readers see the birth of Aleksander's ambitions-his craving for safety, stability, a home for his people. They also see the harsh experiences-from his mother's pragmatic and brutal teachings to betrayals-that shaped him. The graphic novel is calibrated for heartbreak, both in its tragic content and for Grishaverse readers seeing Aleksander's innocence while knowing where his story leads. Attractive, full-color art emphasizes characters' expressive faces, and the format is welcoming to Darkling fans coming to the series from the Netflix show (Aleksandr resembles the actor who plays the Darkling, and the book has the general aesthetic of the show). Characters are depicted with pale skin.A poignant, humanizing backstory for the antagonist of this beloved, long-running series. (Graphic fantasy. 12-18)

Gr 9 Up —In this beautiful graphic novel prequel to the Grishaverse, Bardugo and Pendergast weave a heartrending tale that foreshadows the rise of the Darkling. Eryk, as he calls himself in this story, wanders from encampment to encampment with his mother. They never stay for long because they are never safe in these camps, for reasons that are teased out during the story. Finally, Eryk gets a chance to spend an entire winter in one place, and he's looking forward to it. The camp is not far from a normal town, but the elders promise that it's hidden enough. Meanwhile, the elders debate how best to hunt an amplifier bear, and Eryk makes a new friend after saving her sister several times. It seems like for once Eryk will be able to put down some temporary roots, but nothing is ever safe for a Grisha, especially one like him. When his new friend discovers his most deeply held secret, Eryk has to do whatever it takes to survive. Pendergast's art adds a new dimension to the emotions in this book, with the characters' innermost thoughts appearing in their faces, which elevates every page. This turns into a necessary read for fans, while serving as an accessible entry point for anyone to enter the Grishaverse. VERDICT A well-done title that will be in high demand by series fans.—Stacey Shapiro