Netflix’s Huge Mistake: Why Fans Are Furious They Didn’t Get a ‘Six of Crows’ Spin-Off

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Learning that a cherished novel series is being turned into an adaptation brings uncontainable excitement. It was no exception when fans discovered that Netflix acquired the rights to Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone series. But, the joy soon morphed into a touch of confusion upon hearing that this adaptation would merge not just Shadow and Bone, but also Six of Crows – another of Bardugo’s series. Although it seems logical since both series take place in the same universe and have shared characters, overlooking their individual storylines by treating them as a single entity would be misleading.

Back in 2020, I was among those who eagerly awaited the news about the adaptation of “Shadow and Bone.” My excitement knew no bounds! The first season received acclaim, even though it blended two different adventures and groups of characters. However, the reception for season two was quite different. Newcomers to this world found the storytelling bewildering, while die-hard fans felt let down by some unusual decisions. In hindsight, it appears that the narrative was hurried, which seemed to shortchange the vibrant characters and their intricate world-building.

Shadow and Bone vs. Six of Crows

Over time, Leigh Bardugo has created multiple storylines set in the same universe, affectionately known as the Grishaverse by fans. The initial series was Shadow and Bone, comprising three novels (and later, a graphic novel) followed by Six of Crows, a two-book sequence that introduced fresh characters while subtly incorporating some familiar ones.

As a captivated movie critic, I found myself immersed in the enchanting realm of “Shadow and Bone”, where magic, power struggles, and mythical beasts intertwine. The narrative revolves around Alina Starkov, a humble mapmaker-turned-soldier, who uncovers her extraordinary hidden abilities connected to an ancient prophecy. This sets the stage for a riveting journey exploring the boundaries of magic, the question of rulership, and making moral choices. The intrigue unfolding in this tale is evidently why it demands time to fully blossom and captivate audiences.

In another phrasing, “Six of Crows” is an exhilarating heist story set in a magical universe. Despite its brief summary, don’t be deterred; it’s quite enjoyable! As the title suggests, “Six of Crows” focuses on a band of six characters known as The Crows, led by Kaz. This motley crew is assembled for an extraordinarily dangerous mission. Contrary to what the adaptation might lead you to think – no, their mission isn’t about kidnapping Alina Starkov. Instead, they aim to infiltrate a seemingly impregnable fortress within a nation notorious for its brutal treatment of Grisha. Should they succeed, the rewards could be everything they’ve ever desired; failure, however, would inevitably lead to death – or even worse outcomes.

Two Shows Should Never Have Become One

In our storytelling approach, we often find ourselves drawn to weave multiple tales within a single universe – indeed, this strategy has proven effective for novels. However, merging two intricate narratives and a large ensemble of characters into one narrative proved disastrous for the series Shadow and Bone. Let’s address the glaring issues head-on. The show aimed to maintain a swift pace by juggling two storylines simultaneously. This strategy worked well in season one, but it faltered in season two, causing viewers to feel bewildered and hurried. Furthermore, Netflix opted to focus all their resources on a single project, which seemed ill-advised when they could have created two potentially successful series instead.

It’s worth mentioning that even devoted readers of these novels usually have their preferred series. As you might notice from this piece, we personally lean towards our favorite one too. In essence, by merging the two narratives, they made readers endure the less favored story in order to enjoy the one they adore more. The response to Season 2 demonstrates why such an approach doesn’t sit well with viewers. One of the main complaints, which grew louder during Season 2, was that the characters from the Crows were often sidelined, even though they have a more engaging cast.

This leads us to another issue: During the adaptation, the storyline of Six of Crows underwent significant changes, merging into Shadow and Bone. Originally, the entire heist concept was reworked for Shadow and Bone. Despite this, the characters were so captivating that we could easily brush it off during Season 1. After all, who minded the alteration in the heist, as long as they were part of the story? However, it became harder to ignore during Season 2, as The Crows continued to collaborate with Alina in ways that seemed unexplained, making their narrative seem subordinate at best.

What’s most painful is how fantastic the casting was for The Crows. They managed to breathe life into these characters, and fans adored them. They were undeniably the heart of the Shadow and Bone series, and fans passionately demanded their own standalone story. Regrettably, that spin-off was cancelled together with Shadow and Bone due to the low viewership in Season 2. It’s completely reasonable for fans to continue feeling upset about the chain of events leading to this letdown. We all know it will take some time before we can move past this.

You can watch “Shadow and Bone” online via Netflix, or if you’d rather delve deeper into the story, you might want to explore the original books authored by Leigh Bardugo.

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2025-04-21 04:41