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June 17, 2013

Review: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo


Title: Siege and Storm (The Grisha, #2)
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher:
 Henry Holt and co.
Publication date: June 4th, 2013
Genre(s): Young Adult (Fantasy)
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 435
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. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. 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.
I have read many reviews for this book, and all were very positive. Some even said that it was better than the first. Shadow & Bone being one of my top 2012 reads (You can read review HERE), I was literally spazzing over this one.  Shadow & Bone was definitely a fantastic read, and there was one of the best world building I have ever read. Unfortunately, this wasn't as great. I honestly don't see how people can think of this as better than the first. I mean, overall, it's a great book. Just not as good as the first, so definitely not better. We start off with Alina and Mal, and their escape from the city of Ravka and the Darkling. I don't know if it's just me, but I wanted MORE of the Darkling!! I loved him in the first book, and I was very upset that there wasn't much of him here. I also did not like how the story started off pretty slow. 
I don't want to write any spoilers in here, but I did like how Alina changed to be. Those who read the book will probably think I'm crazy for her power seeking, but I'm talking about her determination to do anything to save Ravka. Alina showed us her very strong and powerful side here, and I found it very hard to be in her position, in these certain circumstances. I liked the twist towards the middle of the book, and I did grow on liking the Prince who I don't want to mention but yea. There was some intense fighting in here which I totally loved, and it was great to see a girl who was stronger than the guy. Alina grew on me even more, and she's a great character. I did hope for a better romance story, because I just find Mal to be so.. bleh. I just don't find him interesting enough, and I was hoping for another competition to be added or something. I guess I'm just not a fan of Mal.
Overall, Siege and Storm was a great book, but it was still disappointing compared to the first. I didn't find the ending much of a cliffhanger, but I'm still excited to see how this series will come to an end. I definitely recommend this to all readers out there, especially those who are big fans of fantasy!

Other books by Leigh Bardugo:

15 comments:

  1. I really need to get started on this series, the world builing sounds absolutely amazing and everyone loves them. Happy to see that you enjoyed this one so much too!

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  2. great review. bleh the darkling is not that often in it . but anyway great review farah

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  3. I was also irked by the lack of the Darkling and kind of indifferent towards Mal. But I adored the new addition of Sturmhond. I want to say that he's in this "love triangle" but yeah, I don't think he really has a shot. What's frustrating is that the Darkling DID, before he got all evil. :/

    Lovely review!

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  4. I really want to check out this series. Shadow and Bones sounds like a great read and I'm like you liked the sequel! Great review Farah :)

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  5. Sorry you didn't love it! I totally agree about the Darkling, though - he better be more present in the third novel!

    Nice review! :)

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  6. I appreciate your honesty. I know some people wanted more Darkling in this book, and I didn't feel a ton of romantic chemistry between Alina and Mal. But I adored Sturmhond and I am amazed at all the new possibilities this book set up. I have absolutely NO idea what is going to happen, and I absolutely love that.

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  7. While I'm sorry you didn't like this one as much as the first, I'm glad you at least enjoyed it. Honestly, S&B was one of my favorites of last year, and so when all the reviewers were saying that it was 'even better than the first', I was all like yeaaaah, right. So your review is probably more akin to how I'll find Siege and Storm. But it sounds like Alina went through some great character growth. I'm also a big Mal fan, so I think I'd enjoy the romance in this book. However, a slow beginning and little Darkling is definitely a bit off-putting. :/

    But great review, Farah! Hopefully with some lowered expectations, I'll enjoy this one as much as you did (and perhaps more!). <3

    -Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life

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  8. Great review. Glad you liked this one cause i've been iffy :)

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  9. This sounds amazing. I am sad that there isn't much of the Darkling, but I am curious abut the prince. Hopefully I can read this soon. Great review.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  10. I loved the first book, especially the scenes which included the Darkling so I'm sad to hear he doesn't get a lot of page time, Mal was a bit lacklustre for me so I was never truly invested in a romance which included him.

    A wonderful review! I'm glad you still enjoyed this despite the slow start.

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  11. It was actually the opposite way for me :D I didnt really like Shadow & Bone it was kind of meh for me but I will admit it had AMAZING world building rich in every aspect and high in quality just WOW, however I just didnt like it as much as I thought I would, maybe it was due to the high expectations I had for it due to hype :/ Siege and Storm on the other hand while not "OMG AMAZING" it was pretty good and for me much better than Shadow & Bone. It was a bit slow at the beginning but it picked up alot much by the middle. I agree on Mal I didnt feel much for him o_O I would be like "okaaayyy moving along" BUT THE PRINCE!! *SWOONISH SOUNDS* HE WAS SO CHARMING AND DSJJDSBFJAB I TOTALLY SHIP HIM AND ALINA (YET I ALSO SHIP THE DARKLING AND ALINA SOOOO....) Dude, but the ending was insane O_O *WIDE EYES* It made me want the sequel in a way Shadow and Bone never did! Great review :)

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  12. It's always nice to see a different, not-so-gushing review. I actually loved this one even more than the first, but not every book hits every reader in the same way, and I appreciate your honest review of the book.

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  13. I haven't started this series yet. Thanks for the great honest review.

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  14. I didn't love Shadow and Bone, but I quite liked it. Your prince comment made me smile, because I just KNEW he was gonna be in this one! lol. I'm hoping to start it soon, but I couldn't resist reading your review ahead of time. I am so bad for myself!

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    1. Oh and I have similar issues with Mal... but he did begin to grow on me towards the end of Shadow and Bone so I am hoping he really steps up in this one!

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