Siege and Storm (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, 2)

As the conflict escalates the characters and world react, nothing is left unaffected! This installment's realistic main characters and incredible expanding world will have you begging for more. Luckily this is a trilogy, although if you don't like cliffhangers you might get frustrated as this one is worst than the first book's. As in the last installment you'd be hard pressed to guess who, the Darkling or Alina (the Sun Summoner), would win or maintain the upper hand during any encounter. This is not a novel where the "good" side or the protagonist always wins every battle. Truly this book is unpredictable, interesting, and realistic. In this installment the Darkling was (makes himself) present and accounted for, whether Alina wants him to be or not. He doesn't just do a three page camoe appearance and then disappear until the next installment. Also he doesn't just sit on his hands; he handles his business quickly, strategically, and personally. All of which are gradually becoming rarities for most antagonists and archenemies. Alina is (rightly) afraid, and overwhelmed by the Darkling's immense power (magical and political). She struggles against the Darkling and to make her personal life work. In this installment, Alina is starting to show the effects of having great power, being pursued by the Darkling, and being saddled with the hope of (fanatic) thousands all while trying to not lose her world/sense of normalcy, is having on her. She is not a classic, fearless, or I-can-do-anything-and-I'm-so-great type of heroine. She didn't want to be a hero and she hasn't suddenly turned around to start liking being the center of attention. So I find the way she reacts to it all is very reasonable, because from the beginning she was sort of insecure and lost in life. The pressure is on and she feels it, worries about it, and really just wants it to be over. I like that that part of her character didn't change to have her become an attention seeking space case or an arrogant brat. The determination and power of both Alina and the Darkling are exceptional, so whose destiny and drive will triumph is a toss up. I am eagerly awaiting the last book in the trilogy! Perhaps you'll join me? **Ramblings with Vague-ish Spoilers Ahead:** The Darkling also takes a turn for the darker side. He survives the Fold, but not untouched physically or mentally. Also he gains a power more terrifying than the heartrenders', which just makes everything more complicated and intriguing. If Alina was the only one to get power ups or change then I would have been disappointed. I like that he is allowed to progress as a character, even if it's becoming that much scarier. It certainly adds to the tension and unpredictable twists of the book and trilogy. Something else that definitely increases the suspense and conflict is the repercussion of the Sun Summoner's last ditch effort against the Darkling that left her in a devastating position. I can't wait to see her rise, firebird style! I like that Mal is also starting to react differently from what is usually expected of tritagonist/ protagonists best/boyfriend characters. He tries to remain supportive, but more and more grudgingly so. Alina and Mal's effort to keep their bond from breaking gets increasingly difficult due to the ongoing conflict with the Darkling. Since I didn't really like that they got together instead of remaining friends (I was disheartened in the first book when it happened, I don't think they are compatible as more than friends), so I'm glad to see that the concerns I had about a them entering into a deeper relationship materialize in the book. And at the end we are left to wonder if they will convincingly (as talented as the author and her support team are it is more than possible) work it out, go back to being friends, or not be able to be have an association outside of the campaign. That is if Alina can keep her sanity long enough to fix anything and not succumb to the Darkling's temptations or the seduction of her own power... oh and of course remain alive, what with being on the opposing side to the Darling and possible martyrdom-assassination plots and all. Sturmhond, what can I say about him? Except that he is superbly written! The addition of him to the cast was truly a good choice. He is bold, secretive, memorable, lives for pushing other people's buttons, but most importantly useful and smart. I'd want a guy like him in charge if my nation was on the verge of dictatorship or annihilation. Really, who would pick a king on his last shirt chasing leg or a slothful and shortsighted prince over a guy that invented/built dual-terrain transportation and has multiple identities at his disposal during a time of conflict?

*This review will contain spoilers from Shadow and Bone* Siege and Storm picks up right where Shadow and Bone left off, with Alina and Mal on the run from the Darkling. I read Shadow and Bone a few weeks ago, but had no problem starting the second book and the events of the previous story quickly came back to me. I am pleased to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The events moved along rather quickly and there was a lot of buildup for the final book. The aspects of the story that bothered me in Shadow and Bone, such as world-building and Alina’s character, were mostly resolved in Siege and Storm. In my opinion, this book is much better than the first and Bardugo has set the stage for an exciting finale. The world-building is so much better in this book! The story starts right off with an encounter with the Darkling, attacks from volcra and shadow soldiers and a ship ride with a privateer in search of the mythical dragon, Rusalye. While the first installment focuses heavily on Grisha politics, Siege and Storm offers us insight into the court of the King of Ravka and the relationship between the Grisha and non-Grisha. Alina becomes more involved in Ravkan politics as she is no longer allied with the Darkling but will obviously have an important role to play as the only Sun Summoner. Alina is a much improved character from the first book. She’s overall less whiny and less concerned with her appearance. While she is unsure of the role she wants to play in the upcoming war, Alina displays a strength I did not see in the previous book. I was pleasantly surprised when she told Sturmhond (I will talk about him a bit later:) ) that she wanted the second army. I cheered for Alina as she learned to become a leader among the Grisha. She also has some darker moments throughout the story as she realizes her power from the stag amplifier. While does increase her power, it also creates a connection with the Darkling. It is still unclear what this connection means, but Alina does feel the lure of the power. As Alina seeks to gain more power, her relationship with Mal also becomes strained. Alina descends to a dark place in this book and I loved it. I honestly don’t know what will happen to Alina, but I do know she will have to make some difficult decisions in the future. Kudos to Barugo for some excellent character development with Alina! This book also introduces a fantastic new character- Sturmhond. What a wonderfully sarcastic, funny and swoon-worthy character! We first meet him upon his ship when Alina and Mal are searching for the dragon, but he becomes an integral part of the story as we learn more about his identity. I am looking forward to see his story progress. A large part of this book is dedicated to the strained relationship between Alina and Mal. I’ve always thought Mal was an intriguing character and I feel like there is more to learn about his seemingly perfect ability to track. Towards the end of Shadow and Bone, Alina and Mal admit they have feelings for each other and they begin a romantic relationship. While there is some romance in the story, this is not the primary focus. Instead, we see Alina and Mal grow further and further apart as Alina assumes her Grisha identity and Mal is, in a sense, left behind. His scenes with Alina are heartbreaking, but Mal never really fit with Alina and being around the Grisha was slowly suffocating him. Their relationship is complicated and I honestly don’t see a happy ending for them, but I am eager to see where it leads. Finally, that ending was so explosive and heart-wrenching and I am eager to start reading the third book. I absolutely recommend continuing on with the series. I hope the third book is also as satisfying!

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 was a fabulous book! I loved it! It definitely made me feel like I was on a roller coaster with all that happened and the characters' different emotions. Sometimes a second book in a series is just filler leading up to the climatic finish in the third book, but that definitely wasn't the case here. There were several climaxes in this book itself. Let me move on to what I loved most about this book. I loved the characters! Well, except maybe Mal, initially, but in the end he redeemed himself a little. I loved Sturmhond/Nikolai. He is probably my most favorite character introduced in a second book of all time. He has an amazing presence and I know we're going to see more of him later. I loved his confidence, wit, mischievousness, honesty (I know he's not necessarily honest, but it does seem like he is fairly straightforward and says what he wants), intelligence, and his good looks don't hurt him either. I don't know if he'll be a romantic interest for Alina or not. I don't know that she will have her happy ending. The Darkling is right, in some ways, that like calls to like. He does get her and he is a force to be reckoned with. He definitely has that seductive, powerful, and dark pull that Alina is sometimes drawn to. I think she has to end up with someone who loves her as the Sun Summoner as much as the peasant she was and the person she is. Mal seems to have a tough time with that, although I think he is a Grisha in his own way with the talent he has for tracking. Of course I love Alina too. She has a lot to deal with. She is still trying to figure out who she is and her place in the world. I did wish in a few spots that she would have been more confident and communicated better (especially with Mal), but I still understood why she did what she did and she is still an amazing character. I really, really disliked the king and Vasily, who is the prince heir, even more. I actually could have strangled him towards the end. Ugh! The plot was intense! There was a lot going on and you could feel things thicken. I wasn't sure who would be a danger to Alina first or when and the whole time you know The Darkling is coming for her. I also appreciated the few slow parts and especially the humorous parts, mostly involving Sturmhond. I do wonder in some ways what The Darkling's ultimate plan is. I know he seeks power, but there has got to be more to him seeking Alina and the amplifiers than just that. It makes me wonder what he knows. Then that ending! It wasn't too terrible of a cliffhanger, but I can't wait to find out what Alina and Mal end up doing, how they do it, and when Sturmhond and The Darkling come back into play. If you enjoy reading YA or Fantasy then I definitely recommend this series! Content: Some violence and innuendo, but I would basically consider this clean.

This book was a little dull for me. The series and premise overall is enchanting and wonderful, but the pace of this book was much slower than the first. I don’ know if that’s because I read the first book so long ago or what, but for some reason I had a hard time getting into this one from the start. I kept hoping things would get more exciting as the book went on but they just didn’t. I just felt like a lot of time was spent on creating all this build up and looking for the amplifiers but in the end, it just didn’t deliver on all that build up. In the first book I felt like Alina had so much potential to develop into a strong main character but in this book she fell short. I felt like she did a lot of complaining about her situation and she doesn’t believe in her power like the people do…..she doesn’t have hope so why should they? Why should the reader love her if she doesn’t love herself? So I struggled with that a bit. Her ability to see that her and Mal were growing apart was also challenging. It was clear to the reader that they were just not going to get along…..they wanted two different things and they both had changed so much that they out grew their relationship….I felt like Alina failed to realize that…..Mal did but Alina was still holding on to this young ideal, and that bothered me. Not to mention she is always so unsure of herself and her powers….I could accept that in the first book because she is just becoming Grisha, but in the second book I expected her to be more self aware and strong. As for Mal, he is a great brooding and moody love interest but I feel like he’s much more mature than Alina. Alina always seems to ponder why Mal is interested in her and to be perfectly honest I was wondering the same thing. She just seems insecure and immature while Mal is a strong leader who knows who he is. He seems stable and heroic which I can appreciate. While he does become a little self destructive he doesn’t ever ask Alina to be something she isn’t and he refuses to become someone that he isn’t either. He knows his strengths and weaknesses. While I struggled with Alina and the pace of the book I still felt invested in the Grisha world and some of the characters. As I mentioned with the first book, the Darkling is still the most intriguing and complex character. I need more of him and need to know more about him…..while he’s still the villain, I feel like he’s still the right choice for Alina, at least at this point…..like calls to like. The character that saved the books for me was Nikolai. He was confident, strong, cocky, charming, and funny. I loved him and I am eager to see what happens with him in the third book. I am hoping that him and Alina end up together, but if they don’t then I hope he has a spin off series because he is such a well drawn character and I’m intrigued by him. I am eager to see if things pick up in the third book. As I said before I am invested in this series because I love the world and the concept behind the Grisha. This series just has so much potential and I was disappointed with the second book, but I am willing to tough it out and read the next and final book to see what happens to the characters that I have come to know in the last two books. The setting and world alone saved this book for me.

Somehow just as fast-paced as the first book! Overall, the plot felt to me the most like "waiting, preparing, and trouble-in-relationship-paradise," and Bardugo still accomplishes a wild read that is a worthy sequel that doesn't have 'second book' syndrome. This book picks up instantly where the previous left off, feeling almost as though the space between books was the tiniest of blips. We also meet a new character who is the shining star of the whole book in my opinion, and the stakes are definitely heating up. The end is thrilling and sets us up perfectly for book three. Knowing what I know now about this book, would I still read it if I went back in time? Yes! See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book CHARACTERS: In this book, Alina does have some questionable moments that I didn't quite agree with, part of the growing pains that she and Mal experience. Both of them reveal just how young they are in their love and at the same time aren't the best at handling issues. However I definitely find myself falling more and more in love with Mal, struggling to find his place, while Alina doesn't want to be in the place she's forced into. We also meet a new character, Sturmhond, who is by far one of the best characters in the series. Brash, smart, and witty, he's a breath of fresh air from the moment we meet him right at the beginning. PLOT: Just as fast-paced as the previous book, Alina and the gang face the Darkling again with a new enemy in tow, one that is extra terrifying and formidable. Throughout the book they spend time preparing for the battle that is sure to come, navigating the political waters, and struggling over those relationship issues I mentioned above. The last few chapters are explosive, a wild ride from start to finish, with an impressive ending that is a perfect set up. EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need. 1:5/low. Perfectly entertaining. CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled? 100%. For a middle book, this is impressive, but it does feel like the main issues were wrapped up well in a stunning conclusion that left me satisfied and ready for more. The perfect balance.

I wish I would have revisited Shadow and Bone before reading this. Since it has been almost a year there were a few things I couldn't remember exactly. The one thing I did remember was being absolutely heartbroken when the Darkling turned out to be the true villain. Siege and Storm serves to make him more of the villain, though I'm still hoping he finds some sort of redemption. Now onto my review. What I Liked: 1. The beginning. I loved being aboard the whaler and caught already by the Darkling. I know I should hate this man, but really, I can't find it in my heart to. I loved him so much in the beginning of Shadow and Bone and I still love him now. Even if he got even more creepy. Even if he's beyond redemption. 2. Sturmhond. What a great new addition. Every page he kept me guessing what he was going to do next. I wanted to know who he was and what he was about. He kept my head spinning for a good portion of the book. 3. The end. I don't want to spoil it, but it had my heart thumping in my chest. However the thump is a little bit diminished when you know this is the middle book in the trilogy. So nothing truly terrible can happen (I mean this isn't George R.R. Martin). However it did seem like an easy set up for the author to take. It makes other things in the story line up nicely. 4. Mal in the beginning. He was actually becoming a real person to me in this one. I started to fall for him at the end of Shadow and Bone, but I hadn't seen enough of him to really judge. He began to develop a little more in start of this one. I still think there's something really special about him that we don't know. What I didn't like: 1. The Darkling is absent for the majority of the book. It's not like in Shadow and Bone where he was always there. I expected to see less of him in this, but I was still hoping for more. Anything with the Darkling in it is a gem. 2. Nikolai. At first, he was a wonderful addition. Don't get me wrong I still like his character, but he kind of started to fall a little flat towards the middle of the book. I wish he could have kept the edge and the intrigue that made me love him so much in the beginning. 3. The middle section. I'm sorry, but other than showing Alina's distaste for politics, next to nothing happens in the mid section to really up the ante. The beginning was a raging storm and the end was a storm as well, but the middle really seemed like a long lull. I thought they would be going after the firebird in this book, with all the heavy talk about it in the beginning. I kept hoping for them to go off on the adventure so that the last book would be solely about fighting the Darkling, but alas, that did not happen. The only thing that did happen was Mal fading away and relationship angst (Which interestingly enough is the same problem I had with the second book in the Shatter Me series). What I'm on the fence about: 1. The before and after sections. They serve their purpose well, covering plenty of details in a short amount of pages. However, I'm not thrilled with the way they are written. They just seem so passive compared to the rest of the story. Overall, Siege and Storm is a great follow-up to Shadow and Bone. I enjoyed reading it immensely and I really don't want to wait a year for the conclusion. The beginning is fun and action packed, as is the ending. The book lost steam in the middle, but it was no where near a fight for me to continue on. There were still interesting things happening, I just wish there would have been more.

The fascinating Siege and Storm by the incredibly talented Leigh Bardugo picks up where Shadow and Bone left off, Alina and Mal are on the run from the Darkling, seeking to escape his terrifying power and consuming need to have Alina has his. And can we just say wow! I wasn't sure how this one would compare to the first book, but it was equally as thrilling and fascinating, if not a little better! Alina and Mal have thought themselves safe for the past few weeks having escaped the Darkling, but he finds them again all too quickly. And the group finds themselves on a ship surrounded by pirates seeking to find yet another amplifier; a dragon with scales that will only add to Alina's powers. Things take an interesting twist when the pirates and their captain help Alina and Mal escape and we learn exactly who these pirates are and what their game plan is, one that involves Alina, naturally. They are to return home to make a stand against the Darkling once and for all with Alina running as the leader of the Second Army. Things were pretty intense in this one. There's a lot of planning for all sorts of things going around Alina. The ultimate goal of course is to vanquish the Darkling. And yet, I still can't help but wonder at this guy's character. Why were we made to care for him in the first book, for awhile at least? Or I did for that matter. I grew to like him more than Mal even. But then he showed a darker side to himself, ironic no? During all this turmoil, Alina and Mal find themselves growing further and further apart. Alina is coming into her powers more and more and Mal distances himself from it all. Then in comes a new character, Nikolai who makes it clear that he wouldn't mind having Alina as his queen! So we're looking at a further love complication. I couldn't tell if his feelings for Alina were true or not. I think there's admiration for her, but was there love? Well, not in the beginning at least, who's to really say at the end either? The Darkling was absent for most of the book expect for when Alina sees him in her dreams, which feel incredibly real. Needless to say, I don't mind not being in Alina's tremulous position! I still find myself struggling at times to grasp what the overall mission or plan is. For everyone at this point. The Fold, the part of the world where darkness reigns and monsters live, is still a key role in it as well. It's grown since last time as we learned. I think everything kind of comes down to power and ruling. Which goes back to government and politics, which has never been my strong put, but I feel like it's one of those things I can follow along easily enough but come time to explain to someone else, I draw a blank! Oh the woes of a reader, when one just gets so sucked into the book the real world becomes lost to me. And trying to rehash what I read to these outsiders is a puzzle to me as well! Things definitely got intense at the end. More epic battling with losses left and right! It was exhilarating and a bit heart-wrenching as well. The works of a Heartrender maybe?! (har-har! couldn't resist a little dorky humor!) I feel like a simple course is set for the next book so far, finding a third and final amplifier for Alina to make her even more powerful, perhaps powerful enough to take on the Darkling again. Because like all villains--or possible, maybe villains--he just won't go away yet! I really have no clue where I stand on this Darkling, a part of me still wants him to be the hero that I thought he was in book 1, but his current actions keep leading me to think otherwise, and then there are those little moments that make you think there's something else to him! Naturally, this leaves me all confounded on it all! I'll be starting the next and final book shortly and will hopefully receive all the answers that are brewing. I can only hope they are happy answers! Siege and Storm was yet another thrilling edition to the Grisha trilogy and has me wondering why I never picked this series up before! Well, as they say, "better late then never" and the added readers' input: better when the whole series is out for a binge read! Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars

I didn't like it as much as the first book. It was a little slow paced and I was really annoyed by Mal. Just get over your sorry self already, puh-leaase... Also I found it a shame that the Darkling wasn't there in most of the book. I'm-sorry-not-sorry, but he is one of my favourite characters. Nikolai made up for most of that loss. Prince and Privateer, who wouldn't say yes to that. I do thought that Alina's last stand was kinda epic and even though all the negative stuff I just said I really am curious for the last installment.

Agradável

The book arrived in great condition. The story is also amazing! Amazing sequel to Shadow and Bone. Could not put it down!

I will admit that I went into this book with very high hopes. I bought Shadow and Bone when out on a shopping spree with my mother. After begging her to buy it for me (since I'm a poor student and all) I will admit I felt guilty. I had seen this book a million times on my Goodreads to-read shelf and never really felt that drawn to it. I bought it on that day simply for the sake of buying a book. I went home and thought I may as well start reading it straight away. I finished it in one sitting in two and a half hours. I wanted Siege and Storm immediately!! So, impatient as ever, I bought it for my kindle app on my iPad. I couldn't even wait until the next day to buy the paperback. I finished Siege and Storm within a few hours and went onto Goodreads to find out what the next book was called. I found out what it was called, Ruin and Rising, but I was in for quite a shock. Siege and Storm had only been out for a week or so and I had to wait another year for the next book! Oh the horror of that moment! I have seriously been rejoicing and despairing equally over my choice to impulse-buy Shadow and Bone that faithful day. While I may have had the unbelievable experience of entering Leigh Bardugo's world and meeting her characters, I now have one of the worst waits I have ever experienced for a book. Each of the character's will tug on your heartstrings, make you fall in love with them (Ahem, the Darkling) or, in some cases, both. Some characters you love to hate, others are fabulously lovable and all of them realistically imperfect, especially in the choices they make. Each character has to make a choice in this novel: Alina or the Darkling. There are no evil characters in this (excepting of course the Darkling who has to be redeemed in the last novel. Right? Right?!?!), only characters that have to make a tough decision and are making the best of the situation at hand. Those who you would believe would be on one side are quite commonly on the other. The characters decisions are explainable and believable. They are fully fleshed out characters with their own reasoning. My favourite character is of course Alina. She is one of the best heroines I have ever read about and she is such a strong female character. But that is another of this series' strong points: strong female characters. Not one of the females in this story is an archetype of femininity. Each of the characters may start out as such, the bitchy popular girl, the uncommon beauty, the tomboy. But their true characters are shown throughout the course of this series. Alina, the tomboy, is such a pillar of strength in this novel. She takes over as leader of the Grisha in the Darkling's absence and does a remarkable job for a relatively new member of the Grisha. As much as I adore the Darkling, Alina is what makes this series what it is. She is the rare character that can truly hold a series on her own, regardless of the many romances and political struggles around her. As you have probably surmised I am firmly in the Darkling camp when it comes to Alinas heart. I truly believe that Leigh Bardugo will redeem him in the final book and explain his actions satisfactorily. He is such a complex character, and though he struggles to gain control over Alinas power I truly believe he cares for her. If Darklina is not a possibility then I would choose Nikolai as my second favourite. I love how brash and confident he is and how he truly cares about the welfare of his people. I will admit that I also loved his and Alinas chemistry. Under no circumstances should she end up with Mal! For some inexplicable reason I could never take to Mal. Perhaps it is because he is a part of Alinas past while I wish her to strive toward her future as a leader. Or perhaps it is because he took so long to proclaim his feelings towards her. I mean come on; they've been friends since they were kids and he waits until she has a million and one other problems before telling her? I mean, really? I would rather she end up alone, an independent leader of the Grisha than live happily ever after with Mal. I really and truly love this series and the characters in it. The plot is sublime and you are left wanting more after every page read. I haven't felt this eager to read an unpublished book in a series since I waited for each Harry Potter book to be published. If you haven't been lucky enough to read this series and think I am over exaggerating then don't take my word for it. Go to your nearest library or bookstore and get a copy of Shadow and Bone and experience what the fandom is experiencing. I promise you won't regret it.

The second book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy starts by Alina and Mal being captured by the Darkling. He forces them to track down the Sea Whip, the magical creature required for the next amplifier. Just as all seems lost, the pair are rescued by a charming – and possibly mad – pirate, Captain Sturmhond. He has been tasked with bringing the Sun Summoner to his mysterious employer. And to their horror, and admittedly slight delight, Mal and Alina are brought back to Ravka and all its dangers. Though Alina longs to be with Mal, just the two of them, but she can’t abandon her people. Now determined to stand against the Darkling, who has developed a dangerous new power, Alina must learn the extent of her own power if she hopes to stop him. The characters were entertaining, and I was intrigued to see what happened to Genya and David. We were treated to two new, brilliant characters; Tolya and Tamar. The brother and sister quickly became two of my favourites and were real badasses, easily worth a dozen men in battle. Sturmhond was incredibly entertaining, I loved his snarky comments and quips and his blasé attitude, he’s the kind of man who would see a fatal gunshot as merely an annoyance. *SPOILERS AHEAD* Now the most powerful Grisha in the Second Army, Alina becomes the commander. It was good to see her in a real leadership role, and she flourishes with the responsibility. I enjoyed seeing her amongst the characters from the first book, my favourite being David. Not only does she now command the Second Army, but Alina must deal with the increasing Saint Alina/ Sun Cult following. But with the new responsibilities, Alina draws away from Mal, which was so sad to see. They are so obviously destined to be together, despite all the complications. Even without him there, the Darkling lingers in Alina’s thoughts. She may hate him and the terrible things he does, but she is still drawn to him, he is the only person in the entire world who can understand her and the weight of her powers. This was one love triangle I actually enjoyed since there were actual reasons for her to be drawn to the bad boy (since they are the only two of their kind in the world) even though she loves someone else. Still, I longed for Alina and Mal to overcome it all and be together. A third party appears, and it was intriguing to see whether they’d be an aid or a hindrance to Alina and her friends. I loved this book and its magic system. It had some brilliant twists and turns and a great cliff hanger. I give it 5/5 and am dying to find out what happens in the final instalment of Shadow and Bone trilogy.