Monday, September 16, 2013

Review: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

From Goodreads: 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 Rating: 4 hearts 

Thoughts on the Novel: Having loved the fantastic world that Leigh Bardugo created in Shadow and Bone, I couldn’t wait to read Siege and Storm. Fortunately, it didn’t disappoint! 

After running away from the Darkling with Mal, Alina is physically feeling the effects of not being able to use her power on a daily basis. She’s also struggling to feel useful because unlike Mal, she can’t make herself fit in easily everywhere. Soon enough though, the Darkling manages to find Mal and Alina … and he appears to be even stronger than before! 

While I was disappointed that the Darkling wasn’t as present in Siege and Storm as he was in Shadow and Bone, I loved that his actions very much continue to influence Alina throughout the novel. That being said, Bardugo does incorporate a new character who manages to be just as enticing as the Darkling. Sturmhond is charismatic, cocky, witty, ambitious and unafraid to take risks. It’s impossible not to fall in love with him!

Another thing that I really liked about Siege and Storm was how Bardugo addresses the seductiveness of power. In Shadow and Bone, there’s a clear difference made between the Darkling and Alina. But in Siege and Storm, once Alina starts hungering for more power, you see how having a taste of it can begin to change someone and their motives.

With Sturmhond vying for Alina’s attention and the power differential between Mal and Alina, there’s admittedly some tension that builds in the relationship between Mal and Alina. It felt very natural though, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the two of them get over the issues that developed in this novel.

Although I didn’t love Siege and Storm as much as Shadow and Bone, I did think this darker installment was a worthy sequel. Siege and Storm was released in June 2013 by Henry Holt and Co.  

Comments About the Cover: I just realized that part of the cover design of both books in the trilogy alludes to which one of Morozova’s amplifiers the book will be dealing with!

9 comments:

  1. Darkling who? Honestly, I didn't get the big deal about him. I'm all about Strumhond though! He definitely stole the show in this book and I really *really* hope we get to see more of him.

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  2. YES. I love that Alina talks about how how seductive power is--because it IS, and it's completely understandable to me how someone could be drawn towards it even if she knows how destructive it can be. I was sad that we didn't get as much Darkling in this book too, but you know...Strumhond more than made up for it, imo. ;)

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  3. Why haven't I read Siege and Storm already? AHH! I'm kicking myself for that, because it sounds awesome. Since it's a tad darker even it's probably a good idea to consider it as a Halloween read.

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  4. STURMHOND!! Yesss, he did indeed make up for the lack of Darkling. Definitely one of my favourite new characters I've read this year. I also really loved how Leigh introduced those themes of power; it was so well done. I seriously, seriously cannot wait for Ruin & Rising! It just seems like there is so much story left to tell and so the third book is going to be packed!!

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  5. Eeee! I'm so glad you enjoyed this! It was one of my favourite books of the year. I loved Sturmhond's character too. I needed someone with that level of entertainment, and he arrived at just the right time. I can't wait to see what happens next now, though I am dreading the fact that the series is close to wrapping up now. Lovely review, Z!

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  6. YAY!!!! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one Z! I'm with you on missing the Darkling, but like you said, we did have Sturmhond to make up for his absence. I hope we get plenty of both of them in the next book:) I'm definitely curious to see where Alina goes moving forward and how she continues to deal with the increase in her power. So good!

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  7. I'm glad this was such a satisfying read for you. Your opinion is pushing me in the right direction since I've been hesitant to read this for some unknown reason even though I really liked the first book.
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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  8. Now you have me curious seeing the changes in Alina. It feels like its been so long since I've read the first book that I hardly remember the story. But everyone raves about this series so will have to continue with it :)

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  9. Ok, I seriously need to read this book already! I even have a copy. Everyone is raving about this new character, and I'm super excited to meet him because he sounds like my kind of guy. I like that the Darklings has a presence and that that it isn't contrived. I'm also curious that you described S&S as darker. Lots of food for thought in your review. Thanks!

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