REVIEW: Siege and Storm (Leigh Bardugo)

Book: Siege and Storm

Author: Leigh Bardugo

My rating: 4/5.

Premise: Hunted across the sea, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, keeping her identity a secret. But she can’t outrun her destiny for long. The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a plan that will test the very boundaries of the 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.

I usually find myself slightly disappointed with sequels, but this one was on a par with the first book. The basic plot is typical for a sequel and many elements of the story are standard for the genre - the hero fighting with the darkness within, lovers becoming strained, all that. All that said, I'm a sucker for this sorta thing. What's made me fall in love with this series is the world building. I'm loving the diversity, the cultures and their real-life counterparts, watching Alina grow. In this book, we meet Nikolai, who is one of my favourites. He's pure sass and confidence, but also a softie underneath. Honestly, my main complaint about this series is how Alina chooses Mal when Nikolai and the Darkling are right there! (yes I ship Darklina, I'm going to hell). A good, fast paced fantasy. On to book 3!