2 Bloggers 1 Series - Siege & Storm

 

Back in April Stormi and I started the Shadow & Bone Trilogy. We both wanted to read the books before watching the Netflix series.  Well, it took us a few months, but we finally picked up Siege and Storm.  I can honestly say I thought Stormi was more excited to read it than I was, but I managed to finish first.  However, I don't think either of us had a good time.  So read on to see my thoughts and then hop over to Stormi's  at Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! to see what she thought.

TITLE: Siege and Storm

AUTHOR:  Leigh Bardugo

PUBLISHER: Henry Holt & Co.

PUBLISHING DATE: June 4, 2013

PAGES: 448

SOURCE: Own Library

FROM GOODREADS: 

Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Alina Starkov’s power has grown, but not without a price. She is the Sun Summoner—hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Shadow Fold. But she and Mal can’t outrun their enemies for long. 

The Darkling is more determined than ever to claim Alina’s magic and use it to take the Ravkan throne. With nowhere else to turn, Alina enlists the help of an infamous privateer and sets out to lead the Grisha army. 

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.

MY THOUGHTS:  So I personally think the synopsis should start out "Soldier. Summoner. Saint.  SPECIAL SNOWFLAKE." And that ladies and gentlemen sets the tone for the rest of my review.  Alina and Mal have escaped The Darkling but it doesn't last long.  Soon they find themselves on a ship with someone hired to bring her home.  However, he may have some ulterior motives.  And he also may just be the best character in the series.  Oh and I have to mention, once again Alina and Mal are hunting down some rare mythical creature so they can kill it so Alina will have even stronger powers.  Can you say ego-maniac?  

So if you haven't guessed it, I really didn't enjoy this read.  I truly believe there was little action until about the last 30 pages and that's sad even for a middle book.  Alina grates nerves that haven't been this raw since Bella and Edward and it may be an unpopular opinion, but I don't blame Mal for some of the things he does as he is only reacting to how Alina acts and treats people.

So what did I like about this book?  One word - Nikolai.  He was the saving grace.  He will be the reason I manage to slog my way through book #3 so I can put this series behind me so I can pick up Six of Crows.  I've heard that duology is better.  I will also add that after reading Siege and Storm, I believe I probably should have given Shadow and Bone 2/5 because I did like this book a tad better - as I said, Nikolai.  

RATING: 3 Paws