A review by crin_d1nk
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous emotional fast-paced

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

5.0

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo is the second book in The Shadow and Bone trilogy. In this installment, Alina and Mal are both struggling with the weight of Alina’s growing powers. Alina decides to return to Ravka to help stop the Darkling, and though Mal begrudgingly agrees to join her, he’s unsure of his place in her new life. As Alina learns to harness her powers and take on the role of a leader, Mal is left questioning where, or if, he fits into her future. To make matters worse, Alina fears that in order to defeat the Darkling, she may lose herself in the process.

I absolutely love this trilogy and can't wait to see how it concludes in the final book. Alina is a fantastic main character. Despite wielding immense power, she remains flawed and insecure, which makes her incredibly relatable. Her internal struggles and the weight of her decisions make her a more authentic hero—nothing comes easy for her, and that’s what I appreciate most. I also enjoyed the introduction of three new characters in this book. They added much-needed dynamics to the story, and I found them more likable than some of the returning Grisha characters.

My only complaint is that I wish Alina didn’t love Mal quite as much. While I understand his motivations in this book, I still find him a bit frustrating. I would have liked to see Alina explore other romantic interests more seriously, and for Mal to work harder to win her affection back. This is more of a personal preference, but I feel that Alina, with her growth, deserves to be loved for who she is now, not just for who she was.