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Siege and Storm is the second book in the Grishaverse triology by Leigh Bardugo.
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.
Perhaps not shockingly, another lower score. Higher than the 2.5 of SaB, but still a low 3. It does get higher for a few reasons.
For one, NIKOLAI! That boi is just... Yes. All the yes. Can I get more? And not just because he's a sassy boy. I adore the princely side of him. I adore the human moments when he just genuinely cares for his kingdom and others. I adore the moments when you can see the loneliness and difficulties he faces THAT ALINA SEEMS TO JUST IGNORE. Look, chica, I know you've been hurt, but Nikolai is letting his guard down when you've acted as if you're walking away. Not the best way to trick a person. Okay, a genius way, but not a likely used one because of the chance you won't look back.
The smaller reason for the boost is Alina actually is less passive. She's still a very weak character. She feels very... plot driven. How do I mean? She is just whatever the plot wants her to be at the moment. But she does do stuff of her own choice this book, even if I don't actually see the reason for it.
The plot is intriguing. I have a soft spot for the Darkling. Like, I like him more than I should. And I loved his little visits more than I should. I seem to have a soft spot for manipulative, power hungry butts who have this bit of humane weakness that pops up beneath it all. Crazily toxic, cruel people? Yes. Fun to read about? Oh gosh, also yes. I wanted to see more of him, but it was always so much fun when he did appear.
Mal... Is Mal. I like the idea of the relationship drama, but it never really felt... Real.
And honestly, that's still my main complaint following over from last book. It reads like a first draft. Lots of interesting ideas are there. I like the "alone" idea going on with Alina. I like the idea of the relationship being strained not because either person is bad, but because it may just not be meant to be. I like the idea of Alina becoming addicted to power. There are so many little aspects that I just really like the idea of. They just... They don't hit home for me. Basically everything except Nikolai and the Darkling fall short for me. I guess the twins thing too, because there were some hints, but still, feels like it could be given more.
You know how annoying it is to really want to like a book better because the premise is good, but the execution just isn't there? Yeah, it really sucks.
Also, just a little tangent. I do like the idea of what happened for the ending... But do I hate the execution? You best believe it :) Why? Because yes, there is some leeway with first person. We don't have to be fully aware of the deep aspects of the narrator's thoughts. Some things can be withheld for the sake of the punch.
But... It felt more like Alina was even trying to trick herself? There was nothing in the narrative to imply her plan, so it's more like she really did do the thing and had a light bulb moment of "maybe I don't have to take this twist in character development that I'm telling the readers was there the entire book."
Ugh. I hate how many concepts I like from this. I really, really do. I could probably go on and on about how much I didn't like certain things because of the execution, but it requires veering into spoiler talk.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go fawn over Nikolai, debate getting more therapy than I already have because I really do love the Darkling, and finish this trilogy so I can get to the SoC duology everyone raves about.
