The Demon in the Wood

"The Demon in the Wood" is a novella by Leigh Bardugo, set in the Grishaverse world of her Shadow and Bone trilogy. It tells the story of a young Darkling, the powerful leader of the Grisha, before he became the villain of the trilogy.

The story begins in the small village of Keramzin, where the young Darkling, then known as Aleksander, lives with his mother, a powerful Grisha healer. When his mother dies, Aleksander is forced to flee the village and join the First Army. Despite his immense power, he is bullied by the other soldiers and commanders for being half-Shu, and his only friend is a kind-hearted Grisha named Baghra.

As the story unfolds, Aleksander is sent on a mission to hunt down a powerful and dangerous Grisha who has been wreaking havoc across Ravka. The Grisha, a woman named Magda, proves to be a formidable opponent, but Aleksander eventually captures her and brings her back to the First Army headquarters.

But Magda is not what she seems, and her true identity and motivations force Aleksander to confront the darkness within himself. In the end, he makes a fateful decision that sets him on the path to becoming the Darkling.

"The Demon in the Wood" offers readers a fascinating glimpse into the early life and character of the Darkling, revealing the events and experiences that shaped him into the powerful and dangerous villain of the Shadow and Bone trilogy. Bardugo's masterful storytelling, richly drawn characters, and vivid world-building make this novella a must-read for fans of the Grishaverse.