Book Review: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Siege and Storm

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Series/Standalone: The Shadow and Bone Trilogy (Book #2)

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Pages: 435

Publisher: Square Fish

Year Published: 2013

Format: Paperback Copy (Own it)

First Line: "The boy and the girl had once dreamed of ships. long ago, before they'd ever seen the True Sea."

"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 p.an 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: 3.75/5

This really suffered from middle book syndrome for me. I felt that the start of the book had a few twists and actions, but as the book progressed I saw some of the things that were coming. Which lessened the entertainment value for me. I also didn't like the story that some of our side characters took. I am extremely curious to see how this trilogy originally wrapped up. I can't wait to see where the world goes. I look forward to watching the show and finding out where our characters go. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Shadow and Bone

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Series/Standalone: The Shadow and Bone Trilogy (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy,

Pages: 358

Publisher: Square Fish

Year Published: 2012

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

First Line: "The servants called them malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke's house like giggling phantoms, darting in and out of the rooms., hiding in cupboards to eavesdrop, sneaking into the kitchen to setal the last of the summer peaches."

"Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn into two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life- a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secret of the Grisha... and the secrets of her heart."

My Rating: 4.75/5

This was such a refreshing read. It was exactly what I needed to read this month. It really reminded me of the Young Adult fantasy that I used to read when I was younger, and why I started writing out my thoughts in the first place. I have so many thoughts on the characters, and I'm intrigued by the world as well. The plot was intriguing and the twists were so fun. I also enjoyed reading about the atmosphere and the training aspects of the story. Most of all I'm interested in the history of the world, and where this plot is taking our characters. 

Will I be buying the whole box set? Absolutely.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny