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Shadow and Bone Season 2 Ending Explained

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As a fan of Shadow and Bone, you might be feeling overwhelmed after finishing season 2.

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While the first season mainly focused on the events of the first book in Leigh Bardugo's trilogy, the second season covers the entire trilogy and introduces new plotlines.

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Due to the vast amount of content covered, some elements were dropped, skimmed over, or reconfigured for the screen.

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The ending of season 2 is a significant departure from the books, with Alina and Mal's fate taking a drastically different turn.

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In the books, Alina loses her power when she stabs Mal with the same blade used to kill the Darkling, and they fake their deaths together.

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Alina chooses to fake her death to escape being turned into a figurehead, but in the show, her fate is left open for a potential third season.

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The show's ending puts Alina and Mal in the center of the action, with new challenges ahead for the characters.

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The tension between Alina and Mal is different in the show than in the books, with the conflict centering around Alina's drive to save Ravka at any cost.

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In the books, the final amplifier multiplies Alina's power into thousands of people, causing the Fold to crumble, and the Darkling to die.

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The show introduces the concept of merzost, which Alina uses to revive Mal after he dies.

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Mal loses some of his innate tracking ability and decides to part ways with Alina, taking up the identity of Sturmhond.

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The show also introduces the power of shadow magic, which Alina uses to subdue a Fjerdan agent during Nikolai's coronation.

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The show's departure from the books may disappoint some fans, but it also leaves room for new storylines in future seasons.

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Regardless of the differences between the show and the books, Shadow and Bone remains a captivating and thrilling fantasy series.