Shadow and Bone relationship breakdown: Chemistry or just the Small Science?

Malina: The friends-to-lovers option

There seems to be some sort of rule out there: You can’t have a YA fantasy, especially with a female protagonist, that doesn’t put the main character in the middle of a love triangle. Unlike some attempts at creating this type of romantic mess, Netflix’s Shadow and Bone is an example of doing the trope right.

If you don’t ship Darklina, one of your reasons (among others) might be that you’re here for Malina instead. Alina Starkov and Malyen Oretsev grew up in the orphanage at Keramzin, and they were inseparable. So much so, in fact, that Alina suppressed her powers for years, making herself sick, in order to stay by her best friend’s side.

For some, Malina’s story might be a little bit too sweet or even more unrealistic than everything else the Grishaverse has to offer. It’s so unbelievably rare that the first “one” we meet in life really is the one.

But what Netflix’s adaptation does so well is present viewers with emotionally charged flashbacks to give the full background on these two characters that, yes, it is (and always has been) love. The series also manages to make Mal a much more fleshed-out character than the entire written trilogy did, which makes Malina that much better on screen than on the page.

Of course, just like with Ben Barnes, Jessie Mei Li has wonderful chemistry with Archie Renaux, who plays Mal. It’s a much different type of chemistry, but it is still a beautiful thing to see.

If you went into Shadow and Bone Season 1 thinking you had your shipper heart all figured out, don’t be surprised if you’re extremely conflicted after watching all eight episodes. That is, of course, what makes this particular love triangle so good. The case for both of Alina’s options is well made—clearly and without remorse.

Now, good luck choosing a love interest for her and sticking to it. Don’t feel bad if you can’t. We couldn’t quite do it either.