Title: Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2)
by Leigh BardugoPublishing Info: June 4, 2013 by Macmillan
Source: Received from the publisher for review purposes
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Find it on the web: Buy from Amazon // GoodreadsDate Completed: April 30, 2014
Related Posts: Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1), Grisha Novellas: The Witch of Duva (The Grisha #0.5), The Taylor (The Grisha #1.5), The Too-Clever Fox (The Grisha #2.5), Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1), Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2), Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #3), Grisha Novellas: The Demon in the Wood (The Grisha #0.1) & Little Knife (The Grisha #2.6), The Demon in the Wood (The Grisha # 0.1), Little Knife (The Grisha #2.6), Six of Crows (The Dregs #1), Six of Crows (The Dregs #1), , Wonder Woman: Warbringer (DC Icons #1)
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.
OMG, YOU GUYS. Siege & Storm. SIEGE AND STORM!! It was amazing. And now I need to write a review for it… Where do I even start? So right off the bat, I was in love with SIEGE & STORM. This book hits the ground running with lots of exciting action, reuniting readers immediately with Alina & Mal, and introducing one of my favorite new characters, Sturmhond. I have to say that the action throughout the book was incredible. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book — there are periods of time where the story slows down and we get more of a slow build to the overall plot, but even that was exciting! I honestly took a step back from the book and sat there in awe as I was reading because I had to wonder how Leigh Bardugo not only came up with this story and its details, but observed how well it was written. Leigh Bardugo’s writing is eloquent, exciting, funny, thoughtful… The book honestly amazed me from start to finish.
The characters that Leigh Bardugo has developed all feel so REAL. We definitely see a new Alina in the end of SHADOW & BONE and we continue to see how she’s changing even more by coming into her power in SIEGE & STORM. I felt like Mal was much more present in this book than he was in S&B, at least for me personally. I didn’t really get into the romance until the end of Shadow & Bone and although I felt like it was still a little slow to develop in SIEGE & STORM as well, it was still SO good and I think I much prefer it that way than introducing it too soon. The romance didn’t take over the story because really, the primary focus is Alina’s powers and her role as possible savior of Ravka. The romance surely does help mold and shape this major plot line and it was wonderful to read, but I was just glad I felt like the powers and the magical elements were still the main focus of this book.
You may be happy (or unhappy) to know that The Darkling is still a major part of this book! I admit, I was a little concerned because for some reason I felt like he was going to fall into the background in book two, but nope. He is back with a vengeance and it’s delightfully wicked. Book two is (no pun intended) much darker than book one and readers really get to see more into the history of things as well, both from Alina’s side and The Darkling’s side. I loved all of the history/mythology/legends that we get as a background in SIEGE & STORM. Sometimes it’s not easy to picture a fabricated history as real, but I found myself gobbling it up and just wanting more and more clues, more and more details.
My final opinion of the book is that if you liked SHADOW & BONE, you’ll love SIEGE & STORM. I guess if you LOVED the first book, you’ll love this one even more (I hope)! I feel even more amazed than I was with book one. The plot and the characters are just SO well done and I felt like everything was just an expansion of what went on in SHADOW & BONE instead of introducing too many new things. This was truly a continuation of a series and it didn’t feel disjointed as so many second in a series do to me. I was overjoyed with how much I loved this book and I cannot WAIT for everyone to read it and love it as much as I did!!!
You may notice from the reading progress picture above that I actually started SIEGE & STORM on April 8th and didn’t finish until April 30th. Usually that’s an extremely long time for me to read a book. Yes, I did put it down so I could read for a couple other obligations, but honestly? This was a book I wanted to savor. I really took my time reading it, made sure I was in the right frame of mind, and really did not want to rush through it at all. I really took it all in and to be honest, I kind of didn’t want it to end!
Alina: Alina got way more complex in S&S! She’s definitely dealing with a lot and can even see herself changing… But it’s a slippery slope and it’s difficult to be a teenager AND be in love AND have powers AND save the world. All of her reactions and emotions felt so real, though. Sometimes with the main characters, I feel like too often their actions fit just to make the story work but this really seemed like I was watching Alina’s life and really seeing her make decisions. They weren’t always the right ones, but I could always understand what was going on in her head.
Mal: You know…. I wasn’t totally sold on Mal in S&B. I felt like he was MIA in part of the book so I was just missing that connection with him. Right from the beginning in S&S, I totally connected with him and I’m so glad he played such a huge part in so many different aspects of the story. I also have suspicions about him and I’m not sure if I’m just making something out of nothing, but I can’t wait to see his role in book three! Oh geez, that’s still so far away. How do I get into Leigh Bardugo’s mind to answer these questions…?
The Darkling: Ooooh boy, he sure is dark! The Darkling becomes an even more complex character and has a much creepier presence in S&S. I actually kind of loved him as a villain because I loved to hate him in this book. So many interesting things going on with his whole story as well! You just have to read it!!
Buy it… NOW!
WHEWWWW holy cow. This book was SO good. This is the best I’ve felt about a book in a looong time and I’m just so over the moon right now.
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Oh yeah, and there’s also a GIVEAWAYYYYY!!! I’m passing my ARC of Siege and Storm along to one lucky winner! Only thing you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Sorry, this giveaway is open to US/Canada residents only! Good luck!!!
41 thoughts on “Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) – Leigh Bardugo”
Eee, I’m so excited to start this series!! I haven’t read Shadow & Bone yet, but I really need to get on it because it seems like everyone loves the series. If I win your Birthday Giveaway, I’d love to receive Siege & Storm so I can finally start the series!
This novel was brought to you by Judith K. from Paper Riot.
Your paragraph at 27% is me the entire time I was reading this book. I was actually sort of bouncing up and down on my chair whenever I was reading because I WAS JUST SO EXCITED. So excited that I started my review with !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! because I felt it was absolutely necessary. And now I’m fangirling on your review because IT’S JUST SUCH A FANTASTIC BOOK.
I completely agree with what you said about Leigh’s writing and the combination of action and “slower” parts. The two complemented each other perfectly and the mix of action/dialogue/description was just SO GOOD. I honestly think it’s one of the best writing styles ever.
I admire you for taking such a long time to read the book. I do that with books I really really love as well, but I think this one took me a week because I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.
The characters were also one of my favorite parts of this book (yes, I have a lot of favorite parts!). I liked Alina in S&B but I LOVE LOVE LOVED her in Siege. Her growth is amazing, and she’s become even more of a badass trying to (SPOILER) lead the Second Army and all. I like that the romance doesn’t take over from the action, although my heart hurt for Mal and Alina so bad. I think that Mal became a better character in this, way more developed, but while he still holds a special place in my heart, I didn’t looove him in this book. I just wanted them to live happily ever after and all 🙁
As for the Darkling, I didn’t like him *as* much in this book (apart from the I’ll-make-her-scream or whatever line because OH MY GOD). I thought he was pure evil in this book, whereas in the first I wasn’t sure what to think of him. I hope the third book has more Darkling in it because I can’t get enough of his complexity. And then there is Sturmhond. STURMHOND <333333333 I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. He is my new favorite character.
As you can tell, I love talking about this book.
The end.
LOVED IT. I see we agree quite a bit 🙂 I love all the new additions too. Glad I can finally read this review in full now that I’m done!
I seriously can’t wait for S&S, the long wait has been painful.
I am SO excited for Siege & Storm!!! I can’t wait for more of the Darkling!!! Gah!
I cannot even express how much I’m looking forward to Siege & Storm because I really, totally am. It sounds like a great addition to the series, and I need more of the Darkling (and Alina and Mal) in my life <3
Can’t wait to read this one. I loved Shadow and Bone!
OH MY GOSH SO EXCITED TO READ SIEGE AND STORM! I am so glad that everyone is so excited! Hopefully it lives up to all of our expectations 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway! You ROCK ^_^
Oh man. This book has been at the VERY top of my NEED IT NOW list ever since I read Shadow and Bone! I’m DYING to read it!
Great review! 🙂 I absolutely loved Shadow and Bone, and was lucky enough to get my copy signed by Ms. Bardugo when she was on tour last year. I absolutely can NOT wait to read Siege and Storm!!!!
I cannot wait to read this book! My blog name was actually featured in the blogger thanks in paperback version of SHADOW AND BONE, and I’m dying inside to see what happens with the story!
Mine too 😀 SOOO exciting!!
Loove your review because I can feel your excitement!! This book was so made of awesome and I have no idea where to begin with the awesomeness!!!
Ridiculously excited!
I think excited is an understatement. I loved Shadow and Bone and cannot wait for Siege and Storm.
I am beyond excited for Siege and Storm! I absolutely love Shadow and Bone.
Yes, I am! 😀
Very excited for S&S! I just LOVE the Darkling! Thanks so much for giving out an ARC. 😀
Savouring books happens at the weirdest times for me. I just finished Prodigy after taking over a month to read it and I was like GAAAHHH how do I write this review? I can’t wait to read this!
I LOVED this book as well!
I’m so looking forward to Siege and Storm, all the reviews and buzz has been so positive! I need to know what happens next!! 🙂
I can’t wait for Siege and Storm to release. Only 3 more weeks to go, and I love Mal as well!
I have been excited to read S&S since I looked at my Nook and realized S&B was ending. Seriously cannot wait to get my greedy little paws on it <333
i absolutely cannot wait for this book – i loved the first one so much!
I was really torn between Mal & The Darkling in book 1, so I’m hoping that book 2 will clear things up a bit. So excited for Siege & Storm!
I want a copy of Siege and Storm so bad. I don’t know if I can wait until June! lol. I am going to a signing for Leigh Bardugo around the time Siege and Storm is released. I am REALLY looking forward to it 🙂
I am so excited to read Siege and Storm. I loved Shadow and Bone and I can’t wait for more of The Darkling 🙂
The excitement is well past the excessive obsession mark! I have a feeling it’ll be harder to wait for the third book though! :X
Woot! We’re all excited here!
EEEPPP you KNOW that I am so excited to read this one AND I HAVEN’T EVEN READ THE FIRST ONE YET!! This makes me scared to start the series because then I want to read ALL THE BOOKS. Oh series, WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME?!!
Dying to read this. Dying. 🙂
I cannot wait to read this! It looks amazing and it sounds amazing. If it’s anything like Shadow & Bone, it will be amazing. So excited!
Okay, first off, I love how you included your GR status updates in this! I’ve thought about doing something similar before but I rarely update my status on GR so that sort of defeats the purpose. But I think it’s a great way to get a glimpse of how you felt during your read instead of just after. You’re amazing!
Second, WHY HAVEN’T I READ THIS SERIES YET? I haven’t read the first one, even though the cover calls to me and everyone tells me I must read it! I feel like I’m constantly catching up on all these series (Still need to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and Cinder, and Shatter Me, and so on… Ahhh!) I’m so split between going to buy it now (thanks to your evil exciting-inducing review) or waiting until the third book comes out so I can read them all right in a row. DECISIONS!
Okay, sorry for the long rambling. I’ll leave now..
I am very excited!!! Shadow and Bone was one of my favorite reads from last year and I have been dying to read Siege and Storm. Thanks for the great review and giveaway!!!
Oh yay! I just finished writing up my review for this one and it was SO hard. I couldn’t even begin to express how much I loved this book. This was seriously an insane story. I never knew what was coming and was literally yelling out loud a few times. I loved Sturmhond! At first I didn’t get the appeal, but after we learn more about him I really began to care for him as a character. And OMG THAT ENDING. The last 100 pages or so were a killer in the best way. I seriously cannot wait for the last book.
June 4th cannot come soon enough! I don’t know if I’ll be able to savor it like you did, I have a feeling I will devour it in 24 hours or less.
I think I made a FB comment a few weeks ago, “who do I have to kill to get a copy of this ARC?” Thanks for your review, even though it’s making me even more antsy to get my mitts on this book, lol! 🙂
Serena Chase
contributor to USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog.
I’m ashamed to say my lovely hardback copy of Shadow and Bone is still sitting on my desk waiting to be read! You make me excited to read both, when my ARC challenge is over this month I’m definitely going to make time to read it.
Am I excited for S&S? Yes!! I have tried everything to get my hands on this arc. I have my copy preordered. Can NOT wait to read. Thank you for giveaway
Soooo excited! I read the first five chapters that they offered up for free on my kindle and now I’m dying for the rest.
Words cannot fully express how much I want to read this book! The first one blew me away and just All The FEELS! Great thoughts here (as always) and thanks for the giveaway opportunity!