| BOOK REVIEW | SIEGE AND STORM BY LEIGH BARDUGO

Siege And Storm
Author : Leigh Bardugo
Series : The Grisha
Genres : Fantasy, Young Adult
Publication : June 17th 2014 by Square Fish (first published June 4th 2013)

This is the second book in the Grisha trilogy. This review will spoil you if you haven’t read Shadow And Bone.

Synopsis : 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.

Usually the second book in a trilogy is the weakest one. It was not the case with that one ! I really enjoyed this book !

When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable.

Plot

This book introduces us to new characters, including one I really like : the privateer Sturmhond.
There’s also Tolya and Tamar. I have to be honest, I had a hard time telling who was who between those two !
I love the story around Sturmhond, he brings humor to the posse.

The first part of the book is really dynamic, fast paced and full of surprises ! The author knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat !
The story around Morozova is really captivating ! I loved learning about it as the same pace as Alina !

The ending was explosive ! Another epic battle with a lot of deaths and an unknown future for some characters !

I came here for you. You’re my flag. You’re my nation.

Alina gets another suitor in the person of prince Nikolai. He is so swoon worthy and interesting ! He cares a lot about her !
The rivalry between the two princes was kind of funny to read about. Nikolai is a real leader, he only wants what’s best for Ravka and his people. That’s why he is the perfect match for Alina.
Vasily on the other hand is only interested in fame and power. He is also a competitive one. He wants to beat his brother.

Oh, and the easiest way to make someone furious is to tell her to calm down.

I really enjoyed how The Darkling evolved. He grew more powerful, and in a dark, twisted way. There’s no coming back from it. He gets darker (haha), more remorseless than he used to be. He doesn’t care for the casualties. Despite his darkness, I can’t help but love him. Sorry not sorry !
His loneliness tore my heart ! He really makes me think of Loki !

The only thing that annoyed me in this book is Mal’s behavior.

Characters

• Alina is such a strong character. She realizes that Ravka’s need is more important than what she wants.
  She knows she’ll need all the power she can gather to confront the Darkling. And she is well aware that she may not survive it.
• Mal really annoyed me in that book. All he wants is to get Alina just for himself. He doesn’t try to understand Alina’s strange behavior at times. Instead of fighting for her, he just gives up and drown his problems in kvar and fights. He doesn’t accept her great destiny.
• The Darkling is getting stronger in this book. But despite all his power, he needs Alina, he doesn’t to be alone.
• Nikolai is adorable ! He is witty, funny and dead serious, sometimes at the same time ! He is what the Darkling fears the most : progress. But he wants to mix technology with the Grisha’s abilities.
• Tolya and Tamar are a bit of a mystery to me until the very end !

And there’s no way I’m leaving you alone with Prince Perfect.”
“So you don’t trust me to resist his charms?”
“I don’t even trust myself. I’ve never seen anyone work a crowd the way he does. I’m pretty sure the rocks and trees are getting ready to swear fealty to him.

Overall I loved this book ! A GREAT sequel to Shadow And Bone !

About the author

Leigh Bardugo is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Grisha Trilogy (Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising).

She was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and most recently, makeup and special effects. These days, she’s lives and writes in Hollywood where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band. Her new book, Six of Crows, arrives Fall 2015.

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