Ravka — A Kingdom Divided

At the heart of the Grishaverse lies Ravka, a nation torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a deadly sea of darkness teeming with monsters called volcra. Ravka’s people depend on the Grisha, gifted individuals who can manipulate matter and energy. It’s here that we meet Alina Starkov, the humble cartographer who discovers her power as the Sun Summoner, destined to bring light to the Fold. Alongside her is Mal Oretsev, her loyal childhood friend, and The Darkling, a magnetic and morally gray leader whose control over shadow threatens to consume everything.

Key cities like Os Alta (the royal capital) and Novo Kribirsk (once a bustling trading hub on the Fold’s edge) form the backdrop to Alina’s rise and Ravka’s revolution. Each holds the weight of a kingdom both enchanted and broken.

Fjerda — The Frozen North

To the north lies Fjerda, a land of ice, faith, and warriors. Deeply religious and militaristic, Fjerdans see the Grisha as abominations, leading to centuries of persecution and war. The northern port city of Djerholm is home to the Drüskelle, elite soldiers who hunt Grisha in the name of Djel, their god. Bardugo explores this icy realm through Matthias Helvar, a soldier whose loyalty and love are torn between duty and compassion.

Shu Han — The Empire of Innovation

South of Ravka stretches Shu Han, a nation steeped in technological progress and mysticism. It’s known for its scholars and its scientific manipulation of the human body — sometimes cruelly, as Grisha are often subjects of experimentation. Nina Zenik and Zoya Nazyalensky, both with Shu heritage, embody the complex relationship between power, prejudice, and identity that defines this region. The capital Ahmrat Jen reflects the empire’s grandeur and secrecy, lying amid lush landscapes and golden temples.

Kerch — The City of Schemes

Across the True Sea stands Kerch, home to the mercantile island city of Ketterdam. Unlike Ravka’s rigid class structure, Kerch thrives on capitalism and corruption. It’s here that Bardugo’s Six of Crows duology unfolds, following the legendary Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa, Jesper Fahey, Wylan Van Eck, Nina Zenik, and Matthias Helvar.
The narrow alleys of the Barrel, the glittering merchant houses, and the cold, calculating politics of Ketterdam make it a haven for thieves, spies, and dreamers chasing impossible scores.

Novyi Zem — A Land of Opportunity

Farther west lies Novyi Zem, a continent of open skies and new beginnings. A refuge for those escaping Ravkan wars, it’s the homeland of Jesper Fahey, the sharpshooting Zemeni Grisha who left behind his family’s farm to gamble his way through Ketterdam. Novyi Zem’s free-spirited culture contrasts the rigid hierarchies of Ravka and Fjerda — it represents the hope for reinvention and freedom in a world defined by conflict.

The True Sea — A Bridge and a Barrier

Between these nations lies The True Sea, a vast expanse connecting commerce and conquest. Ships from Kerch trade with Ravka and Shu Han, their routes fraught with pirates and storms. Beneath its shimmering surface lies the metaphor of Bardugo’s entire world — peril and possibility intertwined.

A Living World Beyond the Fold

The Grishaverse isn’t just one story; it’s a constellation of them. The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, and the King of Scars Duology each explore different corners of this world — yet all are connected by the same undercurrent of power, survival, and transformation.
From the snowy borders of Fjerda to the golden sands of Shu Han, Bardugo’s world feels alive — flawed, magical, and endlessly compelling.