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A review by megancperry
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
3.0
PROS:
1. New character - Nikolai
2. Satisfying ending
CONS:
1. Alina
2. Mal
3. Literally everyone except Nikolai, and maybe the Darkling
4. Boredom. Extreme boredom
(spoilers for [b:Shadow and Bone|10194157|Shadow and Bone (Grisha Verse, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695s/10194157.jpg|15093325])
Where to begin? I'll start with the main characters; I hated them. I can't even explain why, but I just did not like Alina and Mal or their relationship. Alina just kept getting on my nerves with all her self righteousness, thinking she has the authority to come back after having fled the country, expecting everyone to be at her beck and call. Ugh she annoyed me endlessly, to the point where I wish the trilogy was in third person, similar to the Before and After sections.
Then there's Mal. Again, I can't even pin down why exactly I dislike him, I just do. After the romantic tension of [b:Shadow and Bone|10194157|Shadow and Bone (Grisha Verse, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695s/10194157.jpg|15093325], I was disappointed in the lack thereof in this sequel. All I got in exchange was inane jealousy.
Boredom. There were long stretches in the middle where I feel like nothing really happened; I was so bored! Perhaps the lack of action would have been bearable if I actually liked the characters, but I didn't, so it was not.
Aside from that, I was pleased with the ending; I thought it was an action packed last 50 pages, and it truly kept me on edge. I also adored the character of Nikolai, I hope we will see more of him in the finale!
1. New character - Nikolai
2. Satisfying ending
CONS:
1. Alina
2. Mal
3. Literally everyone except Nikolai, and maybe the Darkling
4. Boredom. Extreme boredom
(spoilers for [b:Shadow and Bone|10194157|Shadow and Bone (Grisha Verse, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695s/10194157.jpg|15093325])
Where to begin? I'll start with the main characters; I hated them. I can't even explain why, but I just did not like Alina and Mal or their relationship. Alina just kept getting on my nerves with all her self righteousness, thinking she has the authority to come back after having fled the country, expecting everyone to be at her beck and call. Ugh she annoyed me endlessly, to the point where I wish the trilogy was in third person, similar to the Before and After sections.
Then there's Mal. Again, I can't even pin down why exactly I dislike him, I just do. After the romantic tension of [b:Shadow and Bone|10194157|Shadow and Bone (Grisha Verse, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695s/10194157.jpg|15093325], I was disappointed in the lack thereof in this sequel. All I got in exchange was inane jealousy.
Boredom. There were long stretches in the middle where I feel like nothing really happened; I was so bored! Perhaps the lack of action would have been bearable if I actually liked the characters, but I didn't, so it was not.
Aside from that, I was pleased with the ending; I thought it was an action packed last 50 pages, and it truly kept me on edge. I also adored the character of Nikolai, I hope we will see more of him in the finale!
"What's a pirate doing on a whaler?" I asked.
"Privateer" he corrected. "I have several ships. The Darkling wanted a whaler, so I got him one."
"You mean you stole it."
"Acquired it."
"You were in my cabin."
"Many women dream of me" he said lightly.