Casting Call- Shadow and Bone

Welcome to our new feature, Casting Call, hosted along with my good friends at Gone Pecan, The Book Addict’s Guide, The Grown Up YA and Teen Lit Rocks.  Each week we’ll be dream casting some of our favorite books and blogging about it. And we’d love for you to join us!

This week we are discussing Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. Um, excuse me, but have you read this book? It’s freaking awesome (review to come later. I just finished it!). Check it out:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart. (Goodreads)

This series has two things I love: a strong heroine and, you know, hot guys she swoons over.  It’s set in a mythical, magical word that envelopes you instantly, and there is a wonderful mysterious quality to the relationship Alina builds with the Darkling. Read it and love it.

Here is how I picture the cast were there ever to be a film and I, having just taken over the world, were in charge of casting it.

Alina

Leighton Meester as Alina

Alina is a strong, exceptional heroine.  And while she doesn’t believe herself to be typically beautiful, there are hints that she’s actually very pretty in a simple, effortless sort of way. She’s not necessarily a show-stopper, but there’s something about her.  I think Leighton Meester is incredibly beautiful, but there is a very pretty, approachable quality to her beauty. She exactly how I pictured Alina.

Mal

Sam Claflin as Mal. Also, nice scarf.

OK so, I’m totally excited to see Sam Claflin as Finnick in Catching Fire. I love that character and while I don’t think anyone can match the guy in my head, I think Claflin is a solid choice.  He was good in The Pillars of the Earth miniseries (despite some serious 90’s rick star hair). Moreover, the character of Mal comes across as a guy who genuinely cares for Alina. She is his best friend, and there is a love and devotion there that is difficult for either to put into words.  And this guy, with his fierce willingness to go to the ends of the earth for his best girl, is seriously swoony.  He may or may not realize that Alina is hopelessly in love with him, but he’s the kind of guy who wouldn’t be shocked by it because, hello, look at him. Everyone loves him. I think his expression says it all.

The Darkling

Ian Somerhalder as The Darkling

So, yes, I’m on a tiny Ian Somerhalder kick because, thank you Lord, The Vampire Diaries has returned, but truly, this is how I pictured The Darkling. He is pale, has slate eyes and dark hair. And he’s mysterious. And quite intriguing. He’s supposed to be someone with the potential to be truly scary and evil, balanced with a certain kindness he often reveals to Alina.  And this crazy power he seems to wield?  It’s intimidating a super-sexy, drawing in everyone around him in either fear or reverence.  Who better to play him than the perfect good boy/bad boy Ian Somerhalder?  Also, look at him. Come on.

Be sure to tell us your picks and link up at Teen Lit Rocks. Also, stop by and see picks from our other blogging friends:

Gone Pecan

The Book Addict’s Guide

The Grown Up YA

Teen Lit Rocks 

 

Happy Friday!