Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo Review

"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."

Yes! The second book in the Grisha series (or is it trilogy?) is Siege and Storm. I was so excited when I got it in my hands, which was a few days ago. Remember Shadow and Bone? Well, that was a pretty awesome and killer book. I love it when it was so dark and crazy. Shadow and Bone totally takes everything to limits and beyond! I can't say the same for Siege and Storm. It went beyond Shadow and Bone! I hope the third book will be even better.

Fangirl Moment: (Yes, I'm doing another one of these.) Eeee! Oh...my...goodness. This is one book of deliciousness. Priceless. Priceless. Priceless. I can't believe I'm still on the Darkling's side even after all he has done to everyone. Even to his mother!

Now onto the review. Siege and Storm is basically a chase-the-dog book, then dog-chase-the-chaser book, and then back to chase-the-dog book, and then back to...yeah. The point is that hunter can become the hunted quickly enough. The plot moves quickly, but gives the reader enough time to connect the places and journeys together. (Thankfully.) Like before, Siege and Storm is as addicting as ever. It's exciting to go through the ups and downs with Alina (sometimes I want to get off the ride though, Mal somehow foresaw this before me).

The beginning of Siege and Storm seems cowardly and sigh-"You're making a big mistake"-sigh. I hate how petty and scared Alina seems to be in the beginning. (Obviously I cheer for strong leading characters like Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games Trilogy or Artemis Fowl from The Artemis Fowl Series.) But that's what always happen in books. Weak characters become strong after being kicked by a big, big bully. (Although I wouldn't call the Darkling a bullying. The Darkling is a formidable archenemy who is not to be underestimated.)

The ending of Siege of Storm makes me pump my fist into the air. Yes, yes, yes! I will never get over these moments of stand and bravery. (I'm not going to reveal anything of course). I love this moment. I nearly cried (but I didn't) with sheer happiness.

Alina, Alina, Alina is crazy character. I can never get enough of her, because she is of light of pure awesomeness. It's amazing to see all Alina has to go through to finally see what she is like in the end. She was humiliated and embarrassed and on the fence and lost. For her country, she realized that she must end this at once and for all.

The second prince is a complete dork. Any chance of Alina and him hooking up? They seem to be very close to each other, but then again, Alina may be suffering from Mal-withdrawal.

Rating: Four out of Five

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo Review

"The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance."

Shadow and Bone is amazing. I regret ever putting off this book. I waited like a week before deciding to actually read this book. (A week, that is a pretty short time.) Shadow and Bone stars the Grisha, who are feared, lonely, and powerful, in their magical abilities. Don't you dare to put off this book.

The beginning of the Shadow and Bone starts off with Alina and Mal being analyze for a Grisha ability. I don't usually really care about beginnings, but Shadow and Bone really made a good first impression, in my eyes. The plot of Shadow and Bone is really jagged, but has a positive slope until the end. (Great, I'm going mathish again.) The twist that ended all twists made my jaw dropped. To the ground. I need to start washing it again; there's dust from the floor, figuratively, of course.

The writing of Shadow and Bone is pretty. I'm afraid if I tear my gaze away from it; it will be shattered and ugly like a wine bottle that has fallen to pieces on the ground. The writing, to put it in simple words, is fun and irresistible. It's addicting; I can't help but read this book.

The ending, the ending. Wow, I love how the author puts the beginning and ending in third person. She makes me feel as if I'm zooming into these lives, in the beginning, and zooming out, in the end, using a great big telescope or binocular. Anyway, the ending is really touching (not crying material), and really sweet. I'm going to go nuts for the second book.

Told from Alina's POV, Shadow and Bone makes a hilarious and epic adventure to be read and experienced.

Characters:

Alina is an orphan who serves as an assistant to a cartographer (map maker). She's often lonely and sad because of the fact that she's a orphan. Her only company is her best friend and big crush Mal. She would sacrifice everything just for Mal, like suppressing her Grisha powers to be with her crush. Alina is young and naive. She doesn't really expect deception and evil from the very people who stink of it.

Mal...Mal...Mal. He's a jerk sometimes. I don't know what Alina sees in him.

The Darkling is a complicated character. Well, I hope so, because, if not, then I will be sorely disappointed if the Darkling has the mentality and personality as Lord Voldemort.

Rating: Four out of Five