Reviews with content warning for Animal death - Siege and Storm

I loved this second book! Leigh focused much more on the political and strategic side of the plot, I think, and I loved it! It's true that before Rule of Wolves, I didn't realize this was something Leigh worked on a lot, but now I realize it a lot more, and it's a delight! I also really liked Alina who asserts herself a little more. She has to measure herself against the desire for power, must prevent herself from succumbing. It made her come a little closer to the Darkling (like calls to like), and it was very interesting to follow her in this internal fight in which she was engaged.

The appearance of Nikolai was quite spectacular, but I tried, for this rereading, not to be fooled by his beautiful manners. What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men. And Nikolai is no exception. He too wants the power. And it's interesting to analyze the approach he has. A real politician. I tried to give Mal more credits, but it was quite complicated just looking at Alina's point of view. I understood her distress, and I just wanted to slap Mal sometimes. But then I said to myself: "but he isn't in her head, he does not understand her unhappiness". The Darkling is less present, or at least in an intangible way. I find it even more threatening! But shit then, he is so toxic and manipulative! I was glad that Alina has measured herself against him, it will bring him back down to earth!

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krijemseoddusana's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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lupinschocolate_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

this book was so good and i didn’t expect that ending at all ??? & the whole battle scene at the end had me sobbing so much.

also ouch the stuff with mal and alina at the end was painful, like the rift between them growing and him not understanding her was so </3

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therobinjoyce's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Once again, Leigh Bardugo has done it and produced a fantastic and gripping piece of fantastical fiction for the world to enjoy.

The action definitely heats up in this one with the introduction of Sturmhond and the whole Pirates, nichevo’ya, and Rusalye arcs.

It’s so wonderful to dive back into the mind of Alina Starkov as she tries to escape the dark forces after her and her strained relationship with her old friends. While it was a little slower pace-wise than Shadow and Bone it was still wonderfully written and I absolutely loved the new characters we got to meet in this novel.

The ending also was insane and I cannot wait to finish Ruin and Rising and find out what happens!

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teri_b's review against another edition

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This book and this author is definitely not for me.

I thought I'd give the second book a try and see if it gets any better.

It does not. The writing is still atrocious, everything is overly dramatic and I cannot bear to listen to another of Alina's childish tantrums.

To me this is YA at its worst.

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ellipalmer's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Really enjoyed this book! In some ways this book is more about inner drama than the first. Alina is grappling with her own power and the roles being thrust upon her. I appreciate that the romantic relationships are used as mirrors for reflecting the characters struggles rather than just for steamyness. Sometimes I find it annoying that characters are supposed to be experiencing all this traumatic stuff and we're worried about love triangles?! But I think Bardugo threads the needle well. I appreciate that Bardugo stands by her characters nature's in such a way that we see them struggle and be messy and it all feels right for who they are. The communication struggles feel authentic. The world building continues to be really good. I loved the new characters. This series is reminding me of how good "YA" fantasy can be!

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