// Content Warnings: ableist language, body shaming, suicide attempt by self-sacrifice, alcohol consumption, blood and gore depiction, murder and attempted murder, physical and psychological torture, knife and gun violence, kidnapping, hostage situation, war themes, emesis, airship accident, death of a loved one, physical assault, animal death //
To check content warnings for all of the books you read, go to the Trigger Warning Database.
Haven’t read my review of the rest of the Shadow and Bone series?
Click here to read my review of Shadow and Bone.
Click here to read my review of Ruin and Rising.
Click here to listen to my review of all three novels.
// Quick Statistics //
Overall: 4.5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 Stars
Writing: 5/5 Stars
Setting: 5/5 Stars
Plot: 3/5 Stars
Memorability: 4/5 Stars
// Quick Review //
While I didn’t enjoy Siege and Storm as much as I enjoyed Shadow and Bone, I loved the new characters and the exciting new information gained about the Grishaverse series’ world throughout the novel.
// Other Information //
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Page Count: 435 pages
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Series: Shadow and Bone #2
Tags: Fiction, Young adult, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Adventure, Magic, High fantasy, Dark fantasy, Dark, YA fantasy
// Book Description (from Goodreads) //
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.
// Review //
I thoroughly enjoyed the sequel to Shadow and Bone. I cannot believe that I waited this long to read a series this entertaining and brilliant. Although I did not enjoy Siege and Storm as much as the first novel in the series, I loved re-entering the rich world that Leigh Bardugo created.
Fair warning, there will be spoilers for Shadow and Bone in this review. Leave now or forever hold your peace.
The novel takes place after the events of the first. Mal and Alkina have escaped the Darkling—for now—and are staying low in the hopes of retaining their freedom. The book jumps right into the action with the discovery that the Darkling did survive the ending of Shadow and Bone… and he has a new power that has made him supposedly stronger than ever before. Alina is thrown back into the dangerous ambitions of the Darkling, who won’t rest until he is able to control all of Ravka—and the world.
Just like the first book, the setting is magnificently built and described. The world-building of the entire series is excellent, but I do wish that Bardugo would delve more into the other countries besides Ravka. Perhaps this will happen in the last novel or the other series (I am currently reading Ruin and Rising… wish me luck).
Though showcasing characters from the first book, Siege and Storm also introduces us to the characters of Sturmhond/Nikolai, Tamar, and Tolya. Nikolai quickly became my favorite character of the entire series so far, and I cannot wait to see what happens with his character. As always, the characters were deep, realistic, and compelling.
With the introduction of Nikolai came another love interest and struggle in Alina’s life. Personally, I am still here for Mal and Alina’s relationship. I think that their history together makes their relationship truly important, and Mal does not wish to use Alina for political gain unlike Nikolai or the Darkling. However, I would not be entirely upset if Nikolai and Alina do end up together… he’s Nikolai, I mean, come on!
The plot itself was fantastic and moved at a quick pace, though there were some parts that felt slow and drawn-out. I enjoyed the new discoveries that were made along the way and cannot wait to find out the next piece of the puzzle.
My favorite part of this book was Alina’s character development. In the first novel, she is hesitant, weak, and kind. She hesitates to kill an animal despite what her hesitation puts at stake—her life and those of many others across the entire world. In Siege and Storm, she becomes much more powerful, ruthless, and quick to take control. I honestly hope that she becomes a villain somewhat. I think it would complete her character arc and really drive home the point that is brought up many times throughout the series—“What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.” – Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone
Overall, Siege and Storm is a solid sequel and build-up to the finale of the Shadow and Bone trilogy. I hope to be reviewing Ruin and Rising soon because I cannot wait to find out what happens to Alina Starkov and her friends.
Visit Leigh Bardugo’s website.
Add Siege and Storm to your Goodreads shelf.
Maya's Reviews 
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