Hello Mona,
I already read and binge-watched the 'Shadow and Bone'. The book was definitely amazing and the detailed world of Grishaverse is just perfection. The character's complexity and diversity is what makes the novel plausible.
As for the cinematic version, there are alterations but they did some justice. After all every adaptation is not perfect and there always be an alteration due to budget or storyline (just like the awful Mortal Instruments).
If I would I have to choose between the novel or the adaptation. I would choose the book for an in-depth understanding of the Grishaverse while the cinematic is just a savoury for all of the avid readers per se. I hope I answered your question.
Guys ... this isn't manga related but can you tell me if watching Shadow and Bone before reading the books is a good idea or not ?.
Cause I love reading but can't really read books rn , have my finals in a month or two ....
But I just am really so invested in the Shadow and Bone franchise ....
Cause I really want to read Six Of Crows and The King of Scars as well.
Also does the show follow the original trilogy and the spinoffs or only the trilogy ???....