How old was Alina in Shadow and Bone? This is a question that many fans of Leigh Bardugo’s captivating fantasy series have pondered. Alina Starkov, the protagonist of the series, embarks on an extraordinary journey that takes her from a small village to the heart of a war-torn world. Understanding her age at different stages of the story is crucial in appreciating her growth and the challenges she faces.
At the beginning of Shadow and Bone, Alina is introduced as a young girl living in the small village of Kankarov. She is depicted as a gifted but ordinary girl, with no idea of the incredible destiny that awaits her. In this initial phase of the story, Alina is around twelve years old. This age is significant, as it sets the stage for her transformation into a powerful sorceress known as the Sun Summoner.
As the story progresses, Alina’s age remains relatively unchanged. She is still a young girl, but her world has been turned upside down by the appearance of a dark force known as the Shadow Fold. This sinister entity threatens to consume the world, and Alina finds herself at the center of the struggle to save it. Throughout this journey, Alina’s age remains in the early to mid-teens, which is appropriate for a character who is still discovering her own strength and purpose.
It is not until the final book of the Grishaverse, The Kingdom of Ash, that Alina’s age is revealed to be slightly older. By this point, she has become a seasoned warrior and a leader among her people. In The Kingdom of Ash, Alina is approximately twenty years old. This age reflects her maturity and the responsibilities she now carries as the ruler of the world she once knew as her home.
In conclusion, Alina’s age in Shadow and Bone is a crucial element in understanding her character development. From her early years as a young girl in Kankarov to her adulthood as a powerful leader, Alina’s age is a testament to her resilience and the incredible journey she undertakes. The question of how old she was in Shadow and Bone is not just a curiosity but a reflection of the complex and captivating story that Leigh Bardugo has woven.
