Book Review: Siege and Storm

Title: Siege and Storm (The Grisha Trilogy #3)
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Genre: Young Adult // High Fantasy // Romance (??)
Format:  Physical Copy
Source: Library
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 (goodreads).

You know, I wasn't even going to continue this series, (remember how I said I was picky about series I read?) Thank God I did, because 


Plot: Seige and Storm picks up in the aftermath of book one and there is not a lull one second of the book. One second we're  hanging out in hiding, then there are dragons, and then we were along side Alina as she prepared an army. I'm happy to say that there was action every step of the way and I was never bored. Be it actual combat or political strategies. Many bloggers will let you know that The Darkling was missing for a good chunk of this book, but my eyes were glued to the pages when he did make an appearance!

Characters: This was the first time we actually got to see Mal as an independent character, not the "ideal man" version that Alina made up in the first book and I must say, that kid leaves much to be desired. I didn't mind Mal much at the beginning as he seemed to support Alina and did everything he could to protect her, then the novel continued and he just got whiny. Alina, on the other hand, grew fabulously and I loved seeing her struggle between trying to be the girl pre-Darkling and the girl post-Darkling. It's kind of like they say, you can never go back home. We are also introduced to some new characters who found their way into my heart, as well as reintroduced to some old characters from Shadow and Bone. Oh, needs more Darkling. 

World Building: It's unbelievable to me when authors can create a world out of thin air. Not only is this world imaginative, but Leigh Bardugo's writing makes it seem as though these lands could be placed on a map. Everything is described so well and the cultures and well developed. I don't want to leave

Short N Sweet: Siege and Storm is pretty close to perfection. It focuses on character relationships and has a moving plot every step of the way. Needs more Darkling though. 

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