REVIEW | Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

“Weakness is a guise. Wear it when they need to know you’re human, but never when you feel it.”

Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2)
by Leigh Bardugo
Published June 4th 2013 by Henry Holt and Co.
Link to Goodreads
Young Adult Fantasy

Read on: 04 June 2016
My rating: ★★★★

Link to my Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1) review HERE. 

 

Synopsis from Goodreads:

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.

My Thoughts:

Before I started on this book, I’ve read it somewhere where when you think it gets good for the good guys, bad things is bound to happen to them… anddd that was so so true.

This book started off with Mal and Alina living perfectly fine in hiding. Until shit happens.

The story started with a bit slow for me but then, bang the shitty thing happened and I found myself frantically saying hooooooooooly shoot. KMN. Those weren’t even coherent words but it was just that good! It was dark, magical, and intense. There’s nothing light in this story. Nothing.

Let’s not pretend to be completely oblivious since it never really gets easy with the MCs, just realistically speaking… I more of ship Alina and Alina now. It’s not that I hate Mal or anything, I mean I looove Mal but honestly it’s never going to be easy for the both of them. At least not romantically as much as we would really like. After all, Alina’s the Sun Summoner while Mal’s just her bestfriend and love-interest since she was young.

No, this isn’t a spoiler review cause as of now, the third book is already out. Plus, this is Alina’s story after all. Not Alina and Mal. Although I’m still hoping for romantic aspects on the third book (which I’m aware, that there is).

Alina Starkov’s character development’s even better in this book as well! Although there are parts where you just can’t help but feel bad for the burden that’s put on her shoulders. She’s been through so much, and you go through everything with her. That just builds a sympathetic and emotional connection with Alina. You’re with her for her every ups and downs, and that’s they beauty of it.

I don’t find the huge fuss about The Darkling, to say the least. Until now, I’m still trying to dig through why people romanticize. Now I don’t want to go deep in to details, but I find him creepy… and well, manipulative. He only has a few parts in this book, but those were sufficient enough to make an impact on the story. Honestly, I enjoy his role in this story where he’s like Alina’s equivalent power-wise. He can do all evil things. He can bring destruction and chaos wherever he goes. That’s how powerful he is. But he still has his fears.

There are also a number of characters introduced in this story and I can attest that Leigh Bardugo does a great job crafting such magnificent characters that we’ll surely enjoy!

The world building was just wonderful on the first book, and to see it develop and expand more in this book was just even better! We were taken to new places of different culture. We were taken to the stormy seas, and taken to lands beyond Ravka. I commend Bardugo’s job well done in this aspect of the story.

Overall, this was an great adventure, although I believe it lacks the gripping factor. It wasn’t that type of read where I felt inclined to not put it down. But still, an enjoyable read. Seeing the world and it’s characters develop into something anew was definitely a fun experience in Siege and Storm.