Title: SIEGE AND STORMAuthor: Leigh Bardugo
Published: June 4th, 2013
Series: The Grisha #2
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co
POV: 1st, past
Pages: 448
Format: ARC
Source: Requested from Publicist
Rating: 5 out of 5
"Darkness never dies.
Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.
The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm."
Darker and more dangerous than ever, SIEGE AND STORM is a simply outstanding sequel. Beginning a few weeks after SHADOW AND BONE's startling conclusion, readers find Mal and Alina on the run as they attempt to stay out of the Darkling's ever-expanding reach. Safety, of course, is an impossible hope for the two of them. After a bloody reunion with the Darkling and his new and terrifying creatures1, Alina finds that some wounds come with strange side effects. Battling her mind and her growing desire for power, Alina struggles as she decides what role she will play in the coming war. As both Alina and the Darkling push to obtain more power, each suffer consequence for everything that is gained. With new allies and enemies, Alina will have to find the strength to win, no matter the cost.
While book one focused heavily on the Darkling's character and on Alina's new abilities, this sequel gives readers a chance to learn more about Mal and it also delves into the cruel realities of exactly what gaining more Grisha power means for all of these characters. Relationships form, mend, and shatter as the characters either evolve or fall to pieces – nothing and no one remains untouched by the coming war. Bardugo sets the stage with a terror-filled and action-packed beginning, and that tension never fades as the story continues. SIEGE AND STORM gives readers an exciting and surprising story that will leave you begging for more.
Highlights: I enjoy how the Darkling's new abilities come with a price, and how even Alina becomes slightly corrupted by the power she gains. Nothing is easy for these characters. Sturmhond was a welcome addition, since his character lit up every scene with his sharp wit and overall devilishly charming personality2. Old characters reemerge along with the new ones, as well as a few revelations that are important to this story and the next. The best part about this story is that I didn't know what was going to happen next – Bardugo kept me curious as she took Alina and this story in directions I genuinely did not expect. This book has earned a spot on my favorites bookshelf.
Lowlights: Very little of the Darkling. And silly Mal and his silly, boyish moods. I adore you, Mal, but you really need to pull it together.
1 The nichevo'ya may or may not give me goosebumps. Creepy creatures. *hides*
2 Oh, Sturmhond. He's a very intriguing character, and one that I quite adore.
1 The nichevo'ya may or may not give me goosebumps. Creepy creatures. *hides*
2 Oh, Sturmhond. He's a very intriguing character, and one that I quite adore.
I really enjoyed book one, so I am pumped to check out Siege and Storm. I am glad you loved it! I was worried this was going to be a middle-of-the-road type of book. Your comment about Mal and his moods being the lowlight made me laugh out loud. So true! I heard there isn't a lot of the Darkling in this book, but I'm glad it was still entertaining nonetheless. Great review, Lea!
ReplyDeleteIt's fantastic. I was worried it wouldn't live up to the first novel, but Bardugo makes it clear from the first chapter that this book is no sequel slump.
DeleteOh, Mal. I adore him, but he can be such a moody boy sometimes ;)
Hope you love S&S when you get a chance to read it!
Glad to hear it is an awesome sequel, I still need to read the first, but want to.
ReplyDeleteIt's fantastic! You should absolutely check out SHADOW AND BONE if you have the time to do so. Bardugo's a talented writer!
DeleteI keep hearing how the Darkling doesn't really factor too highly into this second installment, and that actually really saddens me. However, everyone seems to still love it, so I'm sold on that! Wonderful review, Lea! :)
ReplyDeleteI was a bit sad when I realized how little the Darkling was in this book (just because he's so fascinating to read about), but I still ended up loving the story and characters (especially new ones like Sturmhond - he was a pleasant surprise)! Although, I hope we'll get a bit more Darkling in the third book ;)
DeleteI hope you love SIEGE AND STORM!
I absolutely can't wait to read this. I am a bit upset that the Darkling won't be in it much, but I am loving the sound of Sturmhond! A lot of people seem to like him. And oh Mal. I know how you feel about him. I like him too, but he definitely can be silly sometimes. Fab review, thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteI missed the Darkling a bit, but there's enough of him to hold me over until the next book. And Sturmhond is a delight! Mal gets even sillier in this book, but I still adore him :)
DeleteThanks for dropping by! I hope you enjoy S&S when you get a chance to read it!
Oh yes, I LOVED Sturmhond! He made up for the Darkling not being so present. I actually liked him even more and I am DESPERATE for more of him! LOVED this book!
ReplyDeleteSturmhond!! *swoons*
DeleteHe really did make up for Darkling's absence. I hope Sturmhond has a big role in the next book :)
So happy you loved this story too! Thanks for stopping by.
Eeeek! So excited for this one. I'm obsessed with the Darkling, so it's kind of sad he's not in it as much. But it still sounds soooooo good! Great review :D
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit sad that the Darkling was barely in the book, but he does make quite a few quick appearances throughout the story (I don't really want to describe how - you'll get it once you read the story). But he'll hopefully play a bigger role in the next book!
DeleteHope you enjoy S&S once you get a chance to read it :)
I really need to read the first in this series, but it sounds good! I love when books keep you on the edge of your seat, LOL. Fantabulous review, girly! Hopefully I'll get to read this series soon! (:
ReplyDeleteIt was impossible to set this book aside - so much going on!
DeleteI hope you get a chance to check out the first book soon (and that you love it)!
I loved this one too!!!!! And Sturmhound.... *sigh* but I'm SO a Darkling girl! Great review!!!
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad you loved it too! It's hard not to love the Darkling - he may be evil, but he sure is complex and intriguing ;)
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
Booo on there being so little of the Darkling. But hurray for what truly sounds like a fantastic sequel! Eeek, can't wait to read this!! Especially since it earned a place on your favourites bookshelf!!
ReplyDeleteEven with so little Darkling, this book still rocked! It's definitely one of my favorites now - action, danger, consequences, revelations! Everything I love and more :)
DeleteHope you love S&S when you get a chance to read it!
I really liked that we got to see more of Mal in this book, too--and I liked that she made their relationship believably complicated. SUCH a great sequel! I do wish there were more Darkling, though. Hopefully he'll spread his darkness all over R&R. ;)
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
I was so glad when I realized this was going to be more Mal-focused. After reading SHADOW AND BONE, I was left wishing he had been in the story more. I agree too, it's great that Bardugo isn't afraid to show the ups and downs of their relationship.
DeleteThe Darkling better make more appearances in R&R! Even if he's evil, I still find him utterly fascinating....The wait for that book is going to be torture! ;)
I wanted so much more of the Darkling-I never like the bad boy but he pushed all my buttons in the right way and I could have used a lot more of his darkness here (not that Alina doesn't have a lot to deal with already).
ReplyDeleteThe Darkling is such a fascinating evil character - he's one of those characters I love and hate at the same time, which is interesting. Let's hope he's in the third book more! :)
DeleteI swear I am starting this series this summer because I need to be able to flail with all of you! Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteYou must start them!! They're fantastic, especially the sequel! I hope you love both books, if you do get a chance to read them :)
DeleteGreat review! I just read Shadow and Bone, and I can't wait to start Siege and Storm:)
ReplyDeleteHope you love S&S!! :D
DeleteI feel like I am the last one in the world to not have read these books! I'm so glad that you enjoyed this one so much.
ReplyDeleteYou should check them out! But waiting is a good idea too - that way you won't have to wait as long for book three ;)
Delete