The Bestfriend or the Swoon-worthy bad boy?: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2)

by Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Release Date: June 4th, 2013

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Source: Bought/Own Copy

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Synopsis:

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.

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Review:

“I've seen what you truly are," said the Darkling, "and I've never turned away. I never will. Can he say the same?”

Where does one start? I am completely baffled and left completely and utterly speechless by Bardugo's novels. Since this is my first review, I wouldn't want to be incoherently blabbing about irrelevant things like how the Darkling only showed up in Alina's dreams. I mean, how unfair is that? Okay, I'll stop.

Siege and Storm is the most-anticipated sequel to the ingenious and riveting Shadow and Bone. The success of the second installment of the trilogy comes as no surprise to us who have read its predecessor. It proves to be just as spellbinding, if not more, as Bardugo's novels and novellas for the trilogy. It topped many of my lists (and yours, too, i presume) effortlessly due to its well-thought-out world oozing originality and creativity. 

Bardugo, storming our bookshelves with her new novel, Siege and Storm, did not disappoint. I have to say that her take on the necromancer society turned out to be pretty amazing, although very confusing for new readers. I was captivated in the world Bardugo created with no trouble at all. Truth be told, I thought parallelism won't be attained because I honestly deemed Siege and Storm to be in the shadow of the genius that is Shadow and Bone. And oh boy, just imagine the sheer happiness I felt upon knowing that it actually topped its predecessor. It got better, if that was even possible. Siege and Storm is far more polished, both in writing and pacing. 

The development of Alina is outstanding. As the novel progresses, she starts asserting herself more and becomes less of how she was in Shadow and Bone. But, in addition to Alina's developments, the strain in Alina and Mal's relationship became greater and was made more complicated by her being the Sun Summoner and the appearance of Sturmhond. Truth be told, I awfully wish that Alina will end up with either Sturmhond or the Darkling. I am not a fan of the cliché shippings that are boring and sweet. I usually like the protagonist ending up with the person who they should be wary of. 

I was disappointed, however, with the lack of the Darkling's presence, and i'm hoping to see more of him in Ruin and Rising (obviously). 

The plot twists of this novel and its predecessor were unlike other books that try so hard to make the plot more complex that it just seems like they're trying too hard and, as a result, makes the book a difficult and tedious read. The plot twists are mind-boggling and compelling. Leigh Bardugo's one to read. 

All in all, I loved all the curves and twists of this book as well as the development of the characters and their relationships. I have to say, Siege and Storm is a great and a well-crafted novel. Nearly everything about Siege and Storm is something to be admired, and that's just putting it lightly. I love everything—the characters, their world, and the perfect balance of evil and good. There are scenes that'll have your toes curl, you cheeks blush, and your nails grip your seats. This novel is hands down one of the best releases this year.

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