Title: Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2)
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Release date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Macmillan
Pages: 448
Source: Publisher
Reading level: YA
Challenge: Sophomore reading challenge
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.
Siege and Storm, the second book in the Grisha trilogy, will not disappoint fans of the first book at all. In fact, readers just might be surprised to find that Siege and Storm takes things to the next level and is actually even a little better than Shadow and Bone. I know, who would have thought that was possible?
Things pick up right after the end of Shadow and Bone and don’t take long to get back into, at all. Mal and Alina are on the run from the Darkling, hiding out across the sea but it doesn’t take long for them to get pulled back into the madness. Alina is growing even more powerful and she knows that she is the only person who will ever be able to stop the Darkling. She just isn’t quite sure how yet. And she’s also not sure where exactly Mal fits into it all.
Alina is a character you can’t help but love but also just kind of want to slap at times. She’s stubborn, smart, resourceful, and kind but she can’t always see what’s right in front of her face. She and Mal need each other but with Alina’s power growing out of control, she’s not sure how she can be the Sun Summoner and be with Mal. Mal takes a bit of a back seat in Siege and Storm which really disappointed me. He’s changed a lot since the first book, having had to desert his post in the army to be with Alina. He’s very lost and confused and I just wanted to hug him. He’s still just as funny though and seeing a more vulnerable side to him made me love him even more. As for the Darkling, just wow. Leigh Bardugo is a master at crafting such a sinister villain but one that readers will still like, even if it is just a little bit. I truly don’t know what to feel about him. Oh and there’s a new guy introduced, making things even more interesting for Alina’s love life. Seriously, this is no longer a love triangle, it’s a love square. Sturmhond may be the frontrunner for me right now. He’s devious and smart and brave and funny. I dare you guys not to like him.
The story is super quick and while the book may be close to 500 pages, you won’t be able to put it down. It’s not going to take readers long to get through this one. There were so many times when I was on the edge of my seat, biting my nails to the cuticles, hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Leigh Bardugo is brutal. I went through the whole spectrum of emotions with this book. And let me tell you, the ending will leave you dying for the next book! Things are tied up pretty well but you still won’t want to wait since it’s just such an addicting story.
Overall, Siege and Storm is a must-read for everyone who read Shadow and Bone. Ruin and Rising just shot to the top of my wishlist. Get your hands on this one as soon as possible and join me in the wait for the final book!
What others have to say about Siege and Storm:
Forget Me Not’s review: “The enchanting world Bardugo has created is further explored in the sequel and although I love Shadow and Bone slightly more than its sequel, fans of the first book will definitely love Siege and Storm!”
Series:
Shadow and Bone (#1)
Siege and Storm (#2)
Ruin & Rising (#3) – 2014
So happy you loved this book, too! Agreed about Sturmhond, it’s hard not to like his character. He’s so charming. The wait for RUIN AND RISING is going to be torture 😉
Fabulous review (and thank you for linking to my review)!
Ack, I can’t believe this one is slightly BETTER than Shadow and Bone! I never thought that was even remotely possible! I’m a bit sad that Mal kind of takes the backseat in this book, because I really love him. However, I’m glad his humor is still here. 😉 This love square, however, sounds quite interesting…
Lovely review, Katie! You’ve gotten me even more excited about this book than I was before!!
-Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life
Eeek I CANNOT wait to read this! Brilliant review (although I’m having a hard time believing this could possibly be better than S&B)! 😀
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I’ve had this one on my “maybe” list for a while but it is slowing inching toward the top of the stack. Seems perfect for teens who can’t get enough of the latest YA craze!
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It sounds like an interesting book, I will for sure be adding this book to my list to read. 🙂
Once I got into the book, I was quite on the edge of my seat but it took a while to get there. I found the third-person opening VERY disorienting.
Sounds like a great book. I’m not sure why but I haven’t read this series. You’re making me think I should start it. Thanks for the great review.
Ann@Blogging E-books
I totally agree that Siege and Storm was even better than Shadow and Bone!
I’m still rooting for Mal! There’s just something about him, and he made a huge sacrifice for Alina. I know they’ve had a rocky past, with her pining for him and him not really caring, but I think in the long run they’d be better together if she decides to leave the magic world and just live a normal life after she saves everyone.
Lovely review 🙂