Demon in the Wood

A Shadow and Bone Graphic Novel

By: Leigh Bardugo

Narrated by: Ben Barnes, Benjamin Valic, Cassandra Morris, Eason Rytter, James Fouhey, Mary McCartney, Matt Leisy, Salli Saffioti, Sean Gormley, Tom Bromhead

A 2023 Audie Award winner!

A 2023 Odyssey Honors title!

“This is no ordinary audiobook, but rather a graphic novel for the ears. Readers will be delighted by the auditory magic of this book.” —Booklist

"A full cast of talented narrators taps into the darkly magical atmosphere of Bardugo's graphic novel prequel to the Shadow and Bone trilogy. Primary narrator Ben Barnes depicts the villainous Darkling when he was known as Eryk, a young teen who hungered for companionship and stability. An evocative soundscape, incorporating everything from the clip-clopping of horses' hooves to the sounds of the night, further enhances this spellbinding audio." - AudioFile Magazine (Earphones Award Winner)

See the Grishaverse come to life on screen with the Netflix series, Shadow and Bone—Season 2 premiering March 16, 2023! Discover the origin story of the Darkling in this first-ever Grishaverse graphic novel.

Discover the origin story of the Darkling in this full-cast, first-ever Grishaverse graphic audiobook.

Before he led Ravka’s Second Army, before he created the Fold, and long before he became the Darkling, he was just a lonely boy burdened by an extraordinary power.

Eryk and his mother, Lena, have spent their lives on the run. But they will never find a safe haven. They are not only Grisha—they are the deadliest and rarest of their kind. Feared by those who wish to destroy them and hunted by those who would exploit their gifts, they must hide their true abilities wherever they go. But sometimes deadly secrets have a way of revealing themselves.

A Macmillan Audio production.

Critic reviews

"Calibrated for heartbreak . . . A poignant, humanizing backstory for the antagonist of this beloved, long-running series." - Kirkus

“An absolutely vital addition to the Shadow and Bone world...centering on the Darkling when he was just a boy, this tragic and beautiful story adds layers to the villain we know and the scared child he once was.” — Nerdist

"An illuminating new chapter in the Darkling's origin story." - Entertainment Weekly

"A worthy addition to the canon that will surely leave readers wishing for more." - Shelf Awareness

Excellent Reading Actors

As you listen to this story it is easy to be playing it like a movie in your imagination. The readers not only read but there are added sounds like climbing or horses running that fits what is happening in the story. I will be listening to this more than once as it was very insightful into the development of the Darkling from the Greisha universe.

Amazing!

Absolutely love Ben Barnes. This was well done! I would read anything she put out!

A small glimpse into the darkling's history

I always love new content for the Grishaverse! The story was well told and gave a small glimpse into the darkling's history. I really wish it was longer to provide time for more character development and adventure.

Super fun!

This was a very creative little drama that I throughly enjoyed (though I wish it was longer). I’m not sure it would be worth the price but I do think it’s worth a credit if you have a membership. Ben Barns kills it!

Well, that was unexpected

Who knew you could feel sorry for the Darkling? I never thought I would . . . But this sure tugged at my heartstrings for him a little bit.

4 stars