Shadow and Bone: Siege and Storm: Book 2

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He was a Kerch immigrant, and I’d gotten the distinct feeling he didn’t like Ravkans. Or maybe he just thought we were thieves. We’d shown up two weeks ago, ragged and grubby, with no baggage and no way to pay for lodging except a single golden hairpin that he probably thought we’d stolen. But that hadn’t stopped him from snapping it up in exchange for a narrow bed in a room that we shared with six other boarders. World. Gorgeous. Just gorgeous. In this series, Bardugo has crafted a world that's vivid, luscious and rich with depth, volume and weight. It's all in her attention to detail, saturating the story with it; never forcing or overwhelming, but rather effortlessly weaving it in and throughout her story and around her characters. From a pungent, filthy whaling boat heaving across choppy waves to dusty scraps of civilization populated by the weary and worn citizens of Ravka, to the elaborate artistry and opulence of the Little Palace, to various customs, histories, stories, magic, and unique cultural details - it's all worked together beautifully into the larger, cohesive tapestry of this spellbinding world. For a moment, everything in the room was silent and still. I could hear Mal's breathing, the shuffle of feet. I heard a man calling a hello down on the street. I couldn't seem to stop staring at the Darkling's hands—his long white fingers resting casually on the arms of the chair. I had the foolish thought that I'd never seen him in ordinary clothes.

Hmm? Oh, nothing. Did you know you have pollen in your brows?” He reached out to gently brush it away.

Comments:

Do I have to write it? I would have easily given this book 5 stars if it wasn’t for Mal and Alina. I just wanted to bang their heads and put amplifier on them that could give them power of sense. As I said they made middle part of the book exhausting.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina Starkov 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. Mal was my least favourite character. I was bracing for that. First half the book wasn’t bad, he went along with whatever happened but in second half, he was being total idiot and jerk. I haven’t seen any hero so insecure and jealous. He basically ignored Alina his whole life, went after other girls leaving her unnoticed. And now that Alina had men wooing her and people noticed her, he was feeling jealous! He knew power made her happy and healthy and yet he wished she never had those power and never used it! He claimed she was his nation and everything in the world, his love was eternal so how could he not accept her for what she was, along with her power, not respect her wish, not help her accomplishing in her mission!! And then blaming her for all his fault, childish sulk, not understanding his feeling and not keeping in mind his need and happiness! Argh, really! I was so ready to push him in Fold and urge and cheer Alina to go out with Nikolai. As we pushed off from the fountain, one of the washer- women leaned forward, practically spilling out of her dress.

Under no circumstances should she end up with Mal! For some inexplicable reason I could never take to Mal. Perhaps it is because he is a part of Alinas past while I wish her to strive toward her future as a leader. Or perhaps it is because he took so long to proclaim his feelings towards her. I mean come on; they've been friends since they were kids and he waits until she has a million and one other problems before telling her? I mean, really? I would rather she end up alone, an independent leader of the Grisha than live happily ever after with Mal. The narrative here shifts focus from Alina to Strumhond, who turns out to be one of the most fascinating and interesting characters in Bardugo’s ‘Grishaverse.’ Trust is a luxury Alina cannot afford to indulge in, and this is something she has learned the hard way. Therefore, during her time traveling on the privateer’s ship, Alina tries to gather information about Strumhond. However, even the privateer’s closest allies, Tamar and Tolya, whom Alina grows to like, do not let out much about the mysterious and alluring stranger. From his evasive nature to his secretive clientele and even his appearance, everything about Sturmhond seems to be somewhat unsettling for Alina.

World-building - I believe some of the criticism of Shadow and Bone was that it took too much from Russian culture--or the issue was with what was changed. Whatever the criticism, the czarist-inspired feel is still present, but the world has clearly expanded. There are more fairy tales, more adventures to be had, greater exploration of the bounds of both Alina and the Darkling's powers and their mutual connection, more parties and court politics, more on the Saints and the Apparat's shadiness, more on the Grisha and their power dynamics as well as those of the First Army... More, more, more. This world has become much more clearly developed, and it's all so wonderfully visually painted for you. As you have probably surmised I am firmly in the Darkling camp when it comes to Alinas heart. I truly believe that Leigh Bardugo will redeem him in the final book and explain his actions satisfactorily. He is such a complex character, and though he struggles to gain control over Alinas power I truly believe he cares for her. If Darklina is not a possibility then I would choose Nikolai as my second favourite. I love how brash and confident he is and how he truly cares about the welfare of his people. I will admit that I also loved his and Alinas chemistry. The Writing - It's no secret that I love Bardugo's writing. I loved it in the first book (favorited some GR quotes), and I think it's become even more refined and beautiful and atmospheric. But as the truth of Alina's destiny unfolds, she slips deeper into the Darkling’s deadly game of forbidden magic, and further away from her humanity. To save her country, Alina will have to choose between her power and the love she thought would always be her shelter. No victory can come without sacrifice—and only she can face the oncoming storm. I want to thank you,” the Darkling said. Now, that I hadn’t expected. “Thank me?” “For the gift you gave me.”It was very difficult to get past the constant concern she wasn't going to find the 3rd amplifier, and throughout the book this costs her her relationships with various characters. Mal is still one of my favourite characters, and his story with Alina was a very difficult one. He tries extremely hard to prove that he is not just some weak soldier only good at one thing, and despite his opinions, he tells Alina he will help her find the 3rd amplifier. Plot - If you've read the first few chapters, you know that the action starts right at the beginning... and really it doesn't stop. Political machination, religious zeal from cults, romantic drama, court drama, war preparations, dark v. light, the trappings of power and its consequences... yeah, so some of those are more themes than plots, but as you can tell, there is a lot more going on in this book... and I loved every detail. Plus, the plot twists were more subtle and careful and unpredictable and clearly, highly exciting to read. He was a Kerch immigrant, and I'd gotten the distinct feeling he didn't like Ravkans. Or maybe he just thought we were thieves. We'd shown up two weeks ago, ragged and grubby, with no baggage and no way to pay for lodging except a single golden hairpin that he probably thought we'd stolen. But that hadn't stopped him from snapping it up in exchange for a narrow bed in a room that we shared with six other boarders. He didn’t understand. The dreams were the only place it was safe to use her power now, and she longed for them.

Fine," I grumbled as I followed after Mal. "But just so I'm prepared, how do you say ‘you're an ass' in Kerch?" For a moment, everything in the room was silent and still. I could hear Mal’s breathing, the shuffle of feet. I heard a man calling a hello down on the street. I couldn’t seem to stop staring at the Darkling’s hands—his long white fingers rest- ing casually on the arms of the chair. I had the foolish thought that I’d never seen him in ordinary clothes. Soon we would go farther, deep into the wilds of the Zemeni frontier. Maybe then we’d begin to feel safe. He raised a finger, and the men holding me let go. I stumbled forward and then stood frozen in the center of the room, my hands balled into fists.

I was curious to read how Alina’s power would affect her and Mal’s relationship, what Darkling was planning, could Alina lead remaining Grisha army and would they follow her, who she could trust and who would betray her, and how arrival of second prince would change things in Ravka. Ich habe die Trilogie bereits vor ein paar Jahren gelesen und fand es relativ durchschnittlich. Seitdem habe ich aber die Krähen Dilogie geliebt und allgemein die Welt lieben gelernt. Deswegen wollte ich dieser Trilogie noch eine Chance geben. I lashed out with the Cut and the creature burned away to nothing, but the next monster was on me in seconds. It seized me, and revulsion shuddered through my body. Its grip was like a thousand crawling insects swarming over my arms. Stay close," I said. Better to take my chances and open a hole in the floor than to just stand there doing nothing. I concentrated and felt the power of the Cut vibrate through me. I raised my arm … and something stepped out of the darkness.