Netflix’s latest cancellation is so infuriating because Shadow and Bone has only just reached the point where the fantasy series wanted to go. The current “ending” is the worst thing that could have happened.
Netflix has canceled Shadow and Bone and I’m really pissed. I can understand the fans’ angry reactions to the loss of the series 100 percent. Because anyone who has read the Grishaverse books by Leigh Bardugo knows that a fantasy universe was canceled before its climax. The Netflix series has spent two seasons preparing for something that will never happen – and ends on a “twist” that promises eternal frustration
Shadow and Bone cancellation: Netflix has ruined the chance of a well-rounded fantasy ending in season 2
Season 2 of Shadow and Bone was released in March 2023, after which Netflix kept mum for eight months about renewing or ending the fantasy series. Even if the agonizing uncertainty made me wish Netflix would finally come clean about the cancellation, the end comes as a shock. Because only now do I really realize that we have to live with the season 2 conclusion as the final end – and that hurts.
Even before season 2, there were signs that a third season of Shadow and Bone was by no means certain. Because instead of just adapting the first book like season 1, season 2 was based on the second and third novels. This felt like a safety measure to at least complete the first trilogy of the Grishaverse * around Alina (Jessie Mei Li). But instead of taking this safe route to a worthy interim conclusion, the series creators changed the end of the book to a merciless cliffhanger. Suddenly Alina and Mal’s (Archie Renaux) fate was open again
(Shadow and Bone: No happy ending for Alina & Mal in season 2)
This is more than just a missed opportunity. If season 2 had stuck to the original, I would at least know how the story ends. Because readers can find out more about King Nikolai’s mysterious infection or the end of Matthias’ imprisonment in the novels. But the books provide no answers to the unexpected twist that Alina suddenly possesses shadow powers. With this mystery never solved, novel and series-only fans alike are left scratching their heads. The Netflix series basically shoves us into a dark room, destroys the light source and throws away the key.
Double murder on Netflix: We’ll never see the long-prepared climax of Shadow and Bone
The fact that the spin-off Six of Crows dies at the same time as season 3 of Shadow and Bone exacerbates the fantasy misery. The new Grishaverse series about the gang of crow thieves was tied to the fate of the parent series from the start as an unborn child. But the scripts already written for Six of Crows are of little use to me if they now disappear into a drawer unused. And yet the new fantasy spin-off would undoubtedly have outstripped its parent.
For avid Grishaverse readers like me, Leigh Bardugo’s first three Shadow and Bone novels were the gateway drug. But with her two Crow books*, I experienced the coming of age of her world. While Alina’s trilogy tells a fairly classic Chosen One story, the Crows are the exciting next step in the development of this fantasy world. Magical Grisha powers are no longer the main focus here. Most of the members of the band of thieves have to make do without supernatural abilities and thus navigate their way through a continent where magic is more dangerous than useful. But gang leader Kaz (Freddy Carter) proves as the best example that the most interesting characters don’t need light magic when they shine as characters with their weaknesses and wounds instead.
(Shadow & Bone: The Crows in Season 2)
Shadow and Bone showrunner Eric Heisserer didn’t hide the fact that he was actually a fan of Leigh Bardugo*’s two Crow books. He read them without knowing Alina’s trilogy beforehand and tweeted enthusiastically about them. Netflix then approached him for a Shadow and Bone adaptation. But the Arrival screenwriter was not interested. It was only when Netflix also secured the rights to the Crow novels that they came to an agreement.
We have Heisserer to thank for the early series introduction of the gang of thieves, who do not even appear in Alina’s book story. The series Shadow and Bone unexpectedly gave us the backstory of the Crows and introduced us to Kaz, Jesper, Inej, Matthias, Nina and Wylan as adorably three-dimensional characters. In no time at all, and quite rightly so, they surpassed the actual main characters as fan favorites. The fact that the seeds of their own adventure were already sown in season 1 and will now never bear fruit is hard to digest after the long anticipation
A Netflix rescue of Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows is unlikely
Only very few Netflix series make it past the first season. The streaming service mercilessly cuts new formats again and again, as countless examples prove. Of course, like most people, I hope that my own favorite series will be the exception that sets the new Netflix season record. However, the 160 million hours watched in the second season (according to Fansided ) were apparently not enough against the backdrop of the new Netflix criteria for a renewal. As one of the streamer’s many fantasy series, Shadow and Bone did not, in retrospect, have the best chance of getting the attention it deserved for its convincingly detailed world
(Shadow and Bone sinks into the shadows of cancellation)
The fantasy of Shadow and Bone is an exciting long-distance run with ever-changing twists and turns. Netflix makes the mistake of only looking at the 100-meter sprint. The Grishaverse is tripped up just before the finish line of the first stage victory. The recently released Netflix game for Shadow and Bone, which underlined the potential of the world as an additional expansion, suddenly has a very bitter aftertaste for me.
The petition to save Shadow and Bone has now collected 140,000 votes. Nevertheless, I have little hope that Netflix will come to its senses and bring the great fantasy heist of the crows back to life after all. Of course, like author Leigh Bardugo, I could be grateful that I got two seasons after all. Surely more readers will find their way into the rewarding literary Grishaverse as a result.
It doesn’t help my anger at the premature cancellation, no matter how often the crows repeat their motto “No mourning, no graves”. Because such an unjust fantasy funeral can be stolen from even the most talented thieves.
