A review by tsundoku_
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous dark tense medium-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

3.75

I really have no idea what to rate this so maybe I'll change it later. This took me way too long to read and I blame that on both me being busy and that I'm still learning to love fantasy. This was good though. I don't know if I liked it as much as the first one. I mean it was nice that I already knew the characters and the world. I just think how long it took me to read it affected how much I liked it. Ok but Nikolai. I love Nikolai so so so much. Mysterious boys in books are just *chefs kiss* Also, those moments when Nikolai like takes off his cool prince persona and is just a normal human with real emotions are quite nice. I honestly didn't enjoy Mal and Alina's relationship and that makes sense given what they go through. But I loved them so much when they got together in the first book and I just don't feel that chemistry anymore. I almost wish Mal would leave or Alina would make him leave so that he could be free and eventually happy. But at the same time I still like Mal so I want him to be there. But then again do I really like Mal? I like who he was at the very beginning of their relationship. But now not so much. They were both jerks to each other for most of this book though. Also, the ending.

Kinda scared me there because Alina just wanted more and more power and while that is understandable given the circumstances, it's also scary to see her not as human. I hated seeing her say yes to the Darkling, but at least it didn't go that way after all. Also, Genya. Poor Genya. I know Genya betrayed Alina but I don't think she really wanted to. I still love Genya and I hate what the Darkling did to her. Also I do not trust the Apparat at all. He's so creepy and I don't know what's going to happen with him but I don't think it's going to be good.

I do think the ending was a bit rushed and sure some of the rush did make sense with the plot but it still ended kinda abruptly. But overall this was good and I'm excited to read the next book