Who Does Alina Like? Unpacking Her Relationships In Shadow And Bone

Damaris Franecki 16 Aug 2025

Figuring out who Alina Starkov, the Sun Summoner, really has feelings for is a big question for many fans of "Shadow and Bone." It's a topic that sparks a lot of conversation, and honestly, there are quite a few layers to peel back when you look at her connections with the people around her. You know, her journey is very much about finding her own power, but also about her heart's direction.

The Netflix show, based on Leigh Bardugo's popular books, introduces us to Alina, a young cartographer who discovers she has an incredible, rare ability. This power, as you can imagine, changes her entire existence, and it also brings her into contact with some very compelling individuals.

Her relationships are, in a way, tied to her destiny. She faces choices that could reshape the world, and those choices often involve the people she cares about, or the people who care about her. So, who truly holds a special place in Alina's affections?

Alina Starkov: A Brief Introduction
Personal Details & Bio Data
Alina's Journey and the Heart of Her Choices
Alina and Mal: A Lifelong Bond
The Allure of the Darkling
Nikolai Lantsov: A Royal Alliance
Beyond the Main Three: Other Dynamics
What About Zoya or Genya?
Alina and Jade: A Question Mark?
Alina's Choices: Show vs. Books
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A Look at Alina's Complex Heart

Alina Starkov: A Brief Introduction

Alina Starkov, as we come to know her, is an orphan. She grew up without her birth family, a common story in the world she lives in. She was born in a settlement called Dva Stolba, which is near the southern border of Shu Han. It's a place where life can be hard, and survival often means finding strength within yourself, or with the people you grow up with.

She became a cartographer, a job that involves drawing maps, which is rather quiet work for someone who would later become so central to the fate of her country. But then, everything changed. She found out she was the Sun Summoner, a Grisha with the power to call light itself. This makes her one of the most powerful Grisha who has ever lived, and really, the only one believed to be able to destroy the Shadow Fold, a dark, monstrous place.

Her identity as a Sun Summoner puts a huge burden on her shoulders. She's meant to save her people from the horrors of the Fold and the creatures within it, called Volcra. This destiny, you know, shapes not just her path, but also the connections she forms with others, influencing who she might come to care for deeply.

Personal Details & Bio Data

Full Name	Alina Starkov
Alias	Sun Summoner
Origin	Orphan, grew up in Keramzin orphanage
Hometown	Dva Stolba (birthplace), lived in Keramzin
Affiliation	First Army (cartographer), later Second Army (Grisha)
Grisha Order	Summoner (unique, calls light)
Key Abilities	Summoning and manipulating light, capable of destroying the Shadow Fold
Notable Relationships	Malyen Oretsev (childhood friend), The Darkling (mentor/adversary), Nikolai Lantsov (ally/potential partner)

Alina's Journey and the Heart of Her Choices

Alina's story is, in a way, about growth and discovery. She starts out feeling quite ordinary, a bit unnoticed, even. But once her power comes to light, she's thrust into a world of grand expectations and grave dangers. Her journey is not just about mastering her abilities, but also about understanding herself, and who she wants to be, amidst all the pressure.

She experiences a lot, including, you know, some very real challenges related to her background. The text mentions that the racism she experiences is explained by the war between Ravka and Shu Han, even if that war isn't always seen on screen. This kind of experience, being singled out, can certainly shape a person, and it probably makes her look for connection and acceptance in the people around her.

The choices Alina makes, especially about her relationships, are a big part of what defines her moving forward. Showrunner Eric Heisserer even spoke about how Alina's choices would really impact her path in the future of the Netflix show. This suggests that who she likes, and who she chooses to be with, isn't just a personal matter, but something that has bigger consequences for her story.

Alina and Mal: A Lifelong Bond

Malyen Oretsev, or Mal, is Alina's oldest friend. They grew up together in the same orphanage, sharing a life that was, in some respects, quite simple and ordinary. Their connection goes way back, and they ended up serving in the Ravkan army together, which is a pretty strong bond, you know, experiencing so much together.

The original setup of their relationship, as described, is relatively straightforward. They're childhood companions, always there for each other. However, some fans, like my friend and I, who have seen the show and read the books, feel that Mal and Alina aren't actually a very good romantic pair. It's almost as if they give off major sibling vibes, you know?

It's a common thought that while their bond is deep, it doesn't always feel romantic. Personally, I haven't seen anything that really screams "romantic" in their interactions, something that couldn't also be interpreted as just very close friendship. So, while they share a long history, the question of whether Alina truly likes Mal in a romantic way is, for some, still quite open.

The Allure of the Darkling

The Darkling, also known as General Kirigan, represents a very different kind of attraction for Alina. He is powerful, mysterious, and he sees her unique abilities in a way no one else truly does. There was a scene in episode 4, for instance, where Alina and the Darkling were separated behind a door after what was nearly a romantic moment. It was a very telling moment, really.

After they were pulled apart, the Darkling was looking sad and longingly at the door where Alina was. This showed a deep feeling on his part, a sense of loss or a strong desire for her presence. Their connection is intense, and he often appears to understand parts of her that others don't, or can't. This can be very compelling, especially for someone like Alina who has felt like an outsider for so long.

Their relationship is, in a way, complex, filled with both a powerful draw and a lot of danger. He offers her a place of belonging and understanding within the Grisha world, a place where her power is not just accepted, but celebrated. Yet, his methods and his ultimate goals are often very dark, which creates a significant challenge for Alina, making her feelings for him quite complicated.

Nikolai Lantsov: A Royal Alliance

Nikolai Lantsov, the privateer turned prince, brings a completely different dynamic to Alina's life. He is charming, clever, and very much a leader. The Netflix show, in fact, makes many changes to the books' storylines, but Alina and Nikolai's relationship is much better because of it, you know, it feels more developed.

On their journey together to Os Alta, Nikolai and Alina make numerous public appearances in small towns. This helps build a public image for them, suggesting a strong alliance, perhaps even a future together. There's a moment outside of Tashta where Nikolai kisses Alina, and the crowd goes wild, which, you know, really emphasizes the public's excitement about their potential pairing.

Nikolai offers Alina a partnership that is based on mutual respect and shared goals for Ravka. He sees her as a queen, someone capable of ruling alongside him, and he values her strength and her power. This kind of relationship, built on a foundation of shared purpose and a certain level of equality, is quite different from her other connections and, in some respects, very appealing.

Beyond the Main Three: Other Dynamics

While Mal, the Darkling, and Nikolai are often seen as Alina's primary romantic interests, the world of "Shadow and Bone" is rich with other connections that are also quite meaningful. These relationships, even if not romantic, often shape Alina and her decisions, and, you know, they can sometimes hint at other possibilities.

The show, like, expands on some of these bonds, giving more depth to characters who might have had smaller roles in the books. This means that Alina's interactions with a wider cast of people become more important, influencing her perspective and, perhaps, who she ultimately trusts or even cares for in different ways. It's not always about romance, you see, sometimes it's about deep friendship or loyalty.

Exploring these other dynamics helps us get a fuller picture of Alina's heart. It shows that her feelings aren't just limited to romantic attachments, but extend to a broader circle of people who impact her life in significant ways. This adds a lot of richness to her character, making her feel, you know, very real.

What About Zoya or Genya?

Interestingly, some fans have different ideas about who Alina might have a connection with. Personally, I do not ship Alina with either Mal or the Darkling. I actually love the development of her relationship with Zoya. Their dynamics are, in a way, absolutely captivating, and Zoya fits the enemies-to-lovers dynamic perfectly, which is always fun to watch.

The idea of Alina with Zoya, or even Genya, is a discussion topic that comes up among fans. These characters, Zoya and Genya, have their own strong personalities and powerful stories. The way they interact with Alina, especially Zoya, who starts out as an antagonist but later becomes an ally, creates a very compelling bond. It's a relationship built on overcoming differences and finding common ground, which, you know, can be very powerful.

Even regardless of who these characters actually end up with in the established story, the appeal of their dynamics with Alina is undeniable. It highlights that feelings of affection and connection can take many forms, not just the traditional romantic ones, and that sometimes, the most interesting relationships are those that develop from unexpected places.

Alina and Jade: A Question Mark?

The text also brings up a question about "Alina and Jade." It asks, "Are Alina and Jade moving things forward, or is their relationship stuck in limbo or even dropped altogether?" This is, you know, a very interesting point because Jade is not a character typically associated with Alina's main romantic storylines in the books or the show.

This mention might refer to a fan theory, a specific fan fiction, or perhaps a different adaptation or interpretation of the characters that is not widely known from the main series. Without more context about who Jade is in relation to Alina, it's hard to say much. However, the question itself suggests that some people are curious about this pairing, wondering if there's any development there.

It shows that fans are always looking for new possibilities and exploring different connections between characters, which is, in a way, a testament to how much they care about the story and its people. For now, regarding Alina and Jade, it remains a curious question mark in the larger discussion of Alina's affections.

Alina's Choices: Show vs. Books

The Netflix adaptation of "Shadow and Bone" makes many changes to the books' storylines. This is a common thing with adaptations, you know, they often take liberties to fit the story for a new medium. These changes can, and often do, impact the relationships between characters, including Alina's.

For example, as mentioned, the relationship between Alina and Nikolai is seen as much better in the show because of these changes. This means that the show might emphasize certain aspects of their connection, or give them more screen time together, making their bond feel stronger or more likely to develop romantically than it might have in the original books. It's a creative decision that shapes how viewers perceive Alina's feelings.

Showrunner Eric Heisserer's comments about Alina's choices impacting her moving forward really underline this point. It means that the show's creators are actively thinking about how her romantic decisions, or lack thereof, will play out in future seasons. This makes the question of "Who does Alina like?" not just about her heart, but about the very direction of the story itself, which is, you know, quite a big deal for fans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Alina ever kiss Nikolai?

Yes, Alina does kiss Nikolai. On their journey together to Os Alta, they make numerous public appearances in small towns. There is a specific moment outside of Tashta where Nikolai kisses Alina, and the crowd around them reacts with great excitement. This public display, you know, is quite a significant event in their developing relationship.

Who is Alina in love with in the books?

In the books, Alina's romantic journey is quite complex, and her affections are, in some respects, divided. She has a deep, long-standing bond with Mal, her childhood friend. There's also a powerful, dangerous pull towards the Darkling, who understands her power in a unique way. Her feelings, you know, shift and evolve throughout the series, making it a nuanced exploration of love and duty.

Does she end up with Mal, the Darkling, or Nikolai in the books?

Without giving away too many details from the books, Alina's ultimate romantic pairing is a central part of her story's conclusion. The journey to that point involves significant developments with Mal, the Darkling, and Nikolai. Her choices are, you know, very much tied to her destiny and the sacrifices she makes for her world. To learn more about the specifics of her final choice, you might want to check out the book series itself, or, you know, read up on summaries from reliable fan sources like the Shadow and Bone Wiki.

A Look at Alina's Complex Heart

So, who does Alina like? It's clear that Alina Starkov's heart is a very complex place, filled with different kinds of connections and feelings. From the deep, familiar bond with Mal, to the intense, dangerous allure of the Darkling, and the strategic, yet charming, partnership with Nikolai, her relationships are, you know, a central part of her story.

The show, like, adds its own twists, sometimes making certain relationships feel stronger or more likely. And then there are the discussions among fans, exploring other pairings like Zoya or Genya, which just shows how much people care about these characters and their emotional lives. Alina's journey is not just about saving the world, but also about discovering who she is, and who she truly wants to be with, which is, you know, a very human thing to explore.

Her choices, as Eric Heisserer noted, will continue to shape her path. It's a fascinating thing to consider, isn't it? To learn more about Alina's powers on our site, and for more discussions on character relationships, link to this page . The question of who Alina likes remains a lively topic for discussion, and that's, you know, part of the fun of being a fan.

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