Siege and Storm: Book 2 (THE GRISHA)

Loved the first book but this one bogged down for me a bit. Too much time spent on politics and not enough on the main action. Prince Nikolai was a great addition but he just made Mal seem like a dud in comparison, and there wasn't enough emphasis placed on his potential match for Alina. All in all, I found myself skipping ahead hoping for something to latch onto.

Ah the Grisha Trilogy. I loved the first book, and the sequel while not quite as good was still SOOO good. Bardugo is a master, I can finish the book then start right back over. Still love the darkling, not entirely sure why! He is one very well written villain, so much that a few times in each book I found myself hoping the villain comes out on top! All the short stories by Bardugo seem to be in this same world, though you may not see Grisha they are all worth reading. MUST READ!

I am loving the depth and emotion of this series. It is such an imaginative and vivid world, fully developed and infused with action, emotion, and mystery. I can't believe I haven't read this series sooner; I'm so very late to the party where this series/author is concerned, but better late than never.

I loved how this book was written it brought Alina to life. I remember reading at night and thinking the darkling would come out of the shadows......crazy right! one thing I didn't like was ****spoiler**** mal was an arse to Alina ahhh but I guess that's just how life goes right?***spoiler over*** anyways I could not lift my eyes away from this book and Vasily I just, I can't with vasily.This book was an amazing sequel to shadow and bone.

This book becomes a compelling read by the end of chapter 1. It has lots of exploration, discovery, and over all adventure (you know, the stuff you wanted in the first book!). Alina and Mal are hunted by a now incredible powerful Darkling. It still involves a now even more fantastical twists with the hunt for the alluding sea whip. As I have said before, the characters have been hunted by the Darkling and are now forced to find the sea whips scales, as events led them to a town they hear of a new saint, Santika Alina this new found saint is supposedly dead and the man responsibly is now a royal fugitive. Over all their were a few dry spots, but after they introduce the alleged illegitimate prince it becomes a volume couldn't put down. I've only read Leigh Bardugo's three books on the store, but they have all been fantastic! I'm standing on my head for the next one. Its a pretty hard to compare it to anything but the most amazing books I've read, probably because it is the best book I've ever read, besides mistborn, if you haven't read that one and you liked this one, you will like mist born.

This second book of the trilogy did not disappoint. It's a heart-in-throat story that starts with Alina and Mal exile. I loved seeing more of the alternate world in this book, and it turns out I love a story with maps--which all the books in this series have. There are some wonderful new characters and some potent dilemmas for both Alina and Mal.

Lots of conflict for the characters. My heart aches for them. Beautifully rendered drama. I feel worn out and am anxious to find out how everything turns out in the next book. I highly recommend for readers who like: magic, characters who struggle with internal conflicts, romantic tangles, witty dialog, dire battle scenes, twisty plots, and a heroine with true grit. Fantastic writing!

"All that light, all that power. I want it all." ~ Alina Starkov

The Sun Summoner. Now on the run from The Darkling and his Grisha, Alina finds herself in a foreign land, growing physically weaker and more frustrated from being unable to use her power, lest she and Mal be detected. She feels useless and uncertain of the future, and deeply guilty for the part she played in the grisly incident on The Fold. Since being bound to Morozova's Collar, something within Alina has shifted irrevocably, and she feels herself drawn toward a destiny that part of her wants nothing to do with, but that another, darker part of her craves.

Forced back to Ravka with Mal, Alina is compelled to right the wrong she was made to be a part of, to defeat the Darkling and destroy The Shadow Fold. To do this means accepting a position of leadership she's uncomfortable with, and one that she's acclimating to far too easily for her liking - a position that places her in danger and a position where she could either save Ravka or become it's undoing. For though she tries her best to suppress it, there's a growing part of her that's drawn to power and darkness.

Alina has come a long way from the lonely girl she once was when she was a mediocre and unremarkable cartographer in the King's Army. Gone is her naivete and her innocence. She's seen darkness and what it's capable of. She's seen the destruction a lust for power can wreak. While I wouldn't call her jaded, she's been used and manipulated because of her powers, and as a result she's not as trusting; she's more wary, she's more mature. She's more capable, fiercer, and stronger. Alina is, however, still lonely - unable to trust or unable to burden those closest to her. Caught up in a web of political maneuverings, ambitions, lies and secrets, she's learning to mask her fears and weaknesses, playing at diplomacy. Although, diplomacy only goes so far when restraining Alina's sharp wit and firm opinions. Her common roots give her an interesting perspective on royal life and bureaucracy, and she often loses patience with the pretense and posturing. She's tired of being viewed as a pawn, the political ace-up-someone's-sleeve, and she's ready to start making her own moves.

"It's never easy with us, is it?" ~ Mal Oretsev

The Tracker. Mal sacrificed a great deal to save the girl he loves, getting them away from Ravka where they hope to live in peace away from the Darkling. But fate has other plans, and it's impossible to ignore that Alina is changing before his eyes, becoming less and less the girl he once knew. When they unexpectedly end up back on Ravkan soil, Alina's direction and purpose seem undeniable, but Mal flounders and struggles to find his place within their new circumstances, leaving him to wonder if Alina's been set on a course he cannot follow.

" I was meant to rule. It can be no other way." ~ The Darkling

The Darkling. The encounter between he and Alina in The Shadow Fold has irrevocably altered him as well. The Darkling's power is growing as is his hunger for it, and for Alina. Like calls to like, as he's so fond of reminding Alina, and he will stop at nothing to claim her, her power, and the Ravkan throne.

The Darkling is truly one of the most intriguing villains I've read in a long while. There is just something so... irresistible about him even though he's just so mired in darkness, even though he's done things that are horrible and unforgivable. I wouldn't call him a sympathetic villain. "Multi-layered" would probably be a better description, and despite the things he's done in Shadow and Bone and what occurs in Siege and Storm, a little part of me can't help but hope that Baghra is right, and that he's not yet "beyond redemption."

"I tend to be overfond of risk." ~ Sturmhond

The Clever Fox. Always two steps ahead with a Plan B and a clever, perfectly-delivered one-liner that's sure to catch his opponents off-guard, Sturmhond is, put simply: absolutely (frustratingly) delightful. A brigand, a privateer, Sturmhond commands a crew of mercenaries who terrorize True Sea. He's incredibly complex, perpetually unruffled, perfectly evasive, endearingly infuriating, infinitely charming, chronically untrustworthy and completely incapable of answering a direct question. One can never be quite sure where one stands in his game, or what game he's playing. However, one thing's always certain, he is playing at something and he always has some angle. Sturmhond's a compelling mix of sincerity, honor and compassion coupled with ambition, cunning and ruthlessness, and easily rivals the Darkling as my favorite character in this series.

World. Gorgeous. Just gorgeous. In this series, Bardugo has crafted a world that's vivid, luscious and rich with depth, volume and weight. It's all in her attention to detail, saturating the story with it; never forcing or overwhelming, but rather effortlessly weaving it in and throughout her story and around her characters. From a pungent, filthy whaling boat heaving across choppy waves to dusty scraps of civilization populated by the weary and worn citizens of Ravka, to the elaborate artistry and opulence of the Little Palace, to various customs, histories, stories, magic, and unique cultural details - it's all worked together beautifully into the larger, cohesive tapestry of this spellbinding world.

Story. This is art. Truly. Lovely prose, perfect pacing, striking imagery, powerful and clever dialogue, gut-wrenching conflict - it's everything I love about storytelling in one gorgeously (soon-to-be) dust-jacketed package. Every line, even the ones that took the story and characters in amazing, but difficult, directions is fantastic; every word artfully handpicked to create something amazing. Have you ever had that feeling when reading a book? That "This!" feeling when you know you've found a book you've fallen head over heels for? When "This!" is the only word that comes to mind to describe your feelings because your ability to form coherent sentences has been blown away along with your mind?

Well then, I simply say "This!"

Personally, I'm a firm believer in going into second books blind. I've found distancing myself from rumors and teaser chapters and blurbs make for a more enjoyable reading experience. I'd rather unravel where the story's going as it unfolds in front of me, than know bits and pieces ahead of time that might morph into unfounded and unmet expectations. So, that said, I didn't know much about the directionSiege and Storm was headed when I began the book, and I don't want to take that thrill away from you by revealing too much of the story. So, I'll just say... I love Siege and Storm more than Shadow and Bone. It's a second book so you can expect much drama, much conflict, much political intrigue, and moments that will tear your heart to pieces. And in those moments where it feels like your heart is being ripped piece by tiny piece from your chest, be prepared to say, "Please sir, may I have another?" Because seriously, it's just that good.

Overall. I must revert to my natural state of incoherent fangirl where I'm only capable of saying: "This!"

You can read my initial impressions of Siege and Storm here. I have since reread the novel, so my review may be slightly altered from those impressions. Also, there may be spoilers for the first novel if you have not yet read it.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) Alina, the protagonist - Alina starts off the book as she was before: slightly insecure. Weakened by not using her power, she feels tired constantly and compares herself to the other women... but quickly circumstances force her to become otherwise. As the times grow rougher, so does Alina. Yes, she can be vain and insecure, but she is also so much more. She evolves into a stronger, smarter, more capable leader, and with a growing list of responsibilities added to her mantle, she too becomes more hardened and mature, and she's a fascinating heroine to follow. I love her snark and I can't wait to read what happens to her next.

2. (+) World-building - I believe some of the criticism of Shadow and Bone was that it took too much from Russian culture--or the issue was with what was changed. Whatever the criticism, the czarist-inspired feel is still present, but the world has clearly expanded. There are more fairy tales, more adventures to be had, greater exploration of the bounds of both Alina and the Darkling's powers and their mutual connection, more parties and court politics, more on the Saints and the Apparat's shadiness, more on the Grisha and their power dynamics as well as those of the First Army... More, more, more. This world has become much more clearly developed, and it's all so wonderfully visually painted for you.

3. (+) Romance - A lot of sequels/2nd books in trilogies are about breaking up the main couple or testing the MC and interest to see whether their love can sustain multiple trials. As such, Mal and Alina will have to deal with her powers, the unique situation they place her in the Grisha world, and the fundamental difference between the two, although they both are the hero and heroine of this series. Of course there's also the Darkling ever looming, and his last attempts with Alina are clearly not over. And there too may be someone else... The tension and conflict in each and every situation was heightened and developed, stakes clearly raised, and it was a job well done indeed.

4. (+/-) The Darkling - For those of you Darkling fans out there, understandably he's not as present in this novel. That's not what bothered me, since I thought the way in which he was included was really creative and well done. His actions in relation to Alina, however, confused me. I understand intimidating and confusing and still seducing her, but it's a fine line to walk between having him act mysterious and be transparent, and I'm not sure his motivations made sense to me. Granted, he is a villain, and I probably shouldn't have full access to them, but... to me, he seemed more complex in the first novel. Perhaps because he wasn't always the villain, and there were plenty of scenes to wonder at later--wonder at his authenticity, that is. Now it's not really wondering at his authenticity or end game, just fighting him and whatever he has in store.

5. (+) Plot - If you've read the first few chapters, you know that the action starts right at the beginning... and really it doesn't stop. Political machination, religious zeal from cults, romantic drama, court drama, war preparations, dark v. light, the trappings of power and its consequences... yeah, so some of those are more themes than plots, but as you can tell, there is a lot more going on in this book... and I loved every detail. Plus, the plot twists were more subtle and careful and unpredictable and clearly, highly exciting to read.

6. (+) Character Cast - Loved the new characters! All of them. Not just Sturmhond, though I've lost count of how many reviewers I've seen become Team Sturmhond. Also: Tolya and Tamar, and many more but some may be spoilers to discuss. Suffice it to say, although the series is dark and becomes darker, the unique mix of humor and political intrigue continues in this novel, and the characters, both new and old, really make the book what it is.

7. (+) Character Growth/Series Advancement - This was the thick chunk of the book, as this sequel was less about Alina realizing her destiny and more about her embracing it and the political consequences of those actions. She is tempted by power as much as the Darkling, and she becomes a leader in times of crises. She rises magnificently to the occasion. In addition to the plot of this novel, the series plot also thickens with greater intensity, and there's no question that Ruin and Rising will be an epic final installment.

8. (+) The Writing - It's no secret that I love Bardugo's writing. I loved it in the first book (favorited some GR quotes), and I think it's become even more refined and beautiful and atmospheric.

9. (+/-) Pacing - This book is clearly more dense than Shadow and Bone. With the introduction of many new plot lines, I thought the pacing in the middle dragged, though there was still advancement of the story. It was all essential, and truthfully I'm not sure what I would have done differently, but it was a tad slow. It may simply be that I noticed it more in this sequel just because of its additional length.

10. (+/-) The Cover - I'm still not a huge fan of the cover. It certainly represents the book well, but it's just so much showier and bolder than Shadow and Bone--they don't seem to go very well together.

In short, my only issues were with the pacing and the Darkling's motivations. The rest? FANTASTIC. I'm going to quote from my initial impressions post now: "Siege and Storm is a great mixture of religion, politics, court intrigue, magic, romance, character introductions and growth, and subtlety... Leigh Bardugo has earned herself an assured spot on my trusted authors shelf. She knows how to tell a story, how to create characters whose motivations and growth are shown, how to expand on a world while keeping its previous intrigue and consistency. How to create a protagonist whose struggles you can relate to, and how to include humor, intensity/passion/sexiness, and doubts within a budding romance." If you haven't started reading this series yet... what are you waiting for?

This book is amazingly well written. The complex plot and deep well thought out characters make the story irresistible. I cannot wait till the third of The Grisha Trilogy books comes out. I recommend this for people who like fiction, the perils of romance, and amazing action. I gave it five stars because I could not put it down. It made me read till midnight every night. I finished this book in four days. Great thought put into everything. It is not often you read a book set in a place very similar to Russia. A unique story and setting. I loved this book.

Product problem: It's been more than a month since buying this audio book. Therefor there is no return or replacement available.The last CD had two small bubbles which caused the the last two tracks of the CD and the last two tracks of the story to NOT PLAY. What happened? For me to find out I have to buy the book again. Sheesh.

This second has every thing the first book did and more. It also brings a lot of the little plot reserves from the first book into play. The main character is beautifully flawed, and the enemy makes you want to help him despite his evilness. I love this series. Starting book 3 today.

Story has potential and author has proven herself better in other books. Unfortunately this middle book drags along. It sole purpose is seemingly to put a middle book in the trilogy. Hope things turn around in book three.

love, love, love it! original started reading the trilogy because of an article I saw saying it was the next Harry Potter (I'm a HP fan). It does have similarities like a school for kids with gifts and such, but it has a totally different awesome vibe to it! I highly recommend this book!

Alina is such a strong character- and her inner turmoil is so real. I love the characters that were introduced in the second book, most especially Nicholai. I'm interested to see what happens with him!

Bardugo DOES it again! What a thrilling follow up book! But now I'm upset that the next book doesn't come out until 2014!
This book picks up perfectly where the first ended. Bardugo manages to keep readers on the edge of their seats as they are taken on journeys of the heart and body. WELL DONE! I can't wait to see what happens next!!!

Ms. Bardugo makes good on the promise of excellence offered in Book 1 of the Grisha trilogy, Shadow and Bone. Her characters are compelling, her plot twists deft and yet human, full of messy emotions and lush atmosphere. This world is finely drawn, inviting, foreboding - looking forward to visiting it again in book 3!

I enjoyed this sequel. I enjoyed enough to read the third when it comes out. It's not the best ever, I think it drags a little in some spots, but I love the addition of the prince's character, and I still enjoy the Darkling's character. I hope something more is done with Mal in the next one and I think it will be. We'll see :)

Ms. Bardugo makes good on the promise of excellence offered in Book 1 of the Grisha trilogy, Shadow and Bone. Her characters are compelling, her plot twists deft and yet human, full of messy emotions and lush atmosphere. This world is finely drawn, inviting, foreboding - looking forward to visiting it again in book 3!

I enjoyed this sequel. I enjoyed enough to read the third when it comes out. It's not the best ever, I think it drags a little in some spots, but I love the addition of the prince's character, and I still enjoy the Darkling's character. I hope something more is done with Mal in the next one and I think it will be. We'll see :)

Second in the series was fantastic. Better than the first. Lots of magic, fighting. Good vs. bad. Lots of secrets and an awesome new character in the Prince. Alina changes and not necessarily for the best. Mal is still hanging around. The last book could be very interesting.

I always have mixed feelings about sequels. We follow Alina into a new adventure, where she must face the challenges that come with opposing a great enemy. There are amazing new characters and the story will leave you breathless.

I loved it personally! Going to get last book now. Still somewhat reminds me of the movie/tv show The Avatar instead of evil fire king its the Darkling. I'm not good at righting reviews but I no what I like!

While there were times the first book actually bored me a little, that never happened here. I went to a party late because I needed to keep reading this book!

Can't wait for book three tomorrow.

This was a great continuation of the story that held my interest thoroughly. There were fantastic twists and turns that left me wanting more....which is why I am buying Ruin and Rise immediately! I need to see what happens next.