Book Review: Siege and Storm (Grisha Trilogy Series, #2)

Siege and Storm (Grisha Trilogy Series, #2): Leigh Bardugo

 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.

It has been a long freaking time since I marathoned a series. I think the last time was The Sookie Stackhouse series and that is my absolute favorite series in the entire world. So, I think it's pretty amazing that I'm marathoning this series. The action is booming right from the beginning. Alina and Mal are on the run from The Darkling and his new power. However, very soon they realize they cannot run forever and instead have to fight their way out on multiple occasions until they can get to a place where they are safe (kind of for a little while, at least). 

"I have loved you all my life, Mal,"I whispered through my tears. "There is no end to our story."

I think that Alina is probably one of my favorite main female characters ever and let me tell you why. She doesn't want to be perfect like a lot of main characters. She doesn't want to save the world, people are trying to just force her to do it. She's interesting because she wants to give into the darkness and it's just begging to consume her. The Darkling has a part of her so she doesn't feel complete without a piece of the darkness. The second most main character in this story is Mal. I feel sort of bad for him here. He is so out of his element that he just wants to run away with Alina and live how they did when they were kids. Can you really blame him? He's the black sheep. There's a bunch of Grisha and noblemen and he's not. That would test any friendship. I think if I saw Mal in that environment, I may like him better. However, in the situations they're in I like The Darkling and Sturmhond better. Sturmhond, The Wolf of the Waves is another swoony guy that saves Alina's life except this time it's a good guy. He's not who he seems but I can't tell you more about that because why would I ruin it ;). 

I'm not sure if I like the romance better in this installment or in Shadow and Bone. There wasn't a lot of The Darkling in this book, so there's really not much romance with him. However, there is a great deal of romance with Mal and maybe even a dash with Sturmhond. The guys in this book are so swoony and you just want to shake Alina and be like "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!". Well, if she wants Mal so bad, I'll happily take The Darkling or Sturmhond. Literally the only thing I would change about this novel is the amount of Sturmhond. I deserve more because I'm a good person! 

"I've seen what you truly are," said the Darkling

"and I've never turned away. I never will. Can he say the same?"

I seriously loved Siege and Storm, and the entire Grisha world is remarkable. I can't believe there are only three books, I can't wait to see how Alina's story wraps up. So, I'm ordering Ruin and Rising right away. When will I learn to have the next book on hand? I wanted to wait until Book Outlet had it in stock but I just don't have that kind of patience or self control lol. If you haven't started The Grisha trilogy yet, I cannot recommend it enough! Swoony boys, badassery, and cool powers make this series a must read!