Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo - Restarting December 8th 2021

[Ashley W]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[ There is so much lying going on and political scheming. I could never trust anyone who would marry for an alliance like this. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 19
(view spoiler)[ This chapter was just tedious. Mal is being petty. He knew she would be busy and should have anticipated not being her priority. What did he expect? (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ While it was pretty writing, it was also repetitive. Like the entire middle could be taken out. Hunt the firebird, then don't find it. Have sad little army, and they all die. I don't think much was accomplished until the very last pages. (hide spoiler)]

[Ari ☾]

Chapters 5-9
(view spoiler)[God, I hate Mal, he is totally holding Alina back. He's a jealous monster.

Also that Nikolai reveal has me screaming. Like I actually loved Sturmhond. This makes it even better? I'm pretty sure I am falling fo Nikolai.

Also that whole fight in the Fold was terrifying to read. So much was happening. (hide spoiler)]

[Cecilia]

Up to chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ Okay so I gotta say, i hate Alina with a burning passion. I hope I'm not the only one. I find her winy and annoying and complaining about literally everything. If she died (and I know she wont) I wouldn't care. On the other hand, I love the Darkling and Genya a little too much. Mal is okay. Does anyone think it was a little too luckly for Mal to find the dragon in a week when he wasn't really trying? I feel like that was a bit rushed. (hide spoiler)]

[Cecilia]

Ari ☾ wrote: "Chapter 1-4
Oh my god. *fans self* The Darkling is baeee.

But there is so much happening at once. I really hope Alina stops doubting herself because she has so much potential. Also still hate Mal..."

I'm glad im not the only one who loves the Darkling! He is daddy to be honest

[Ari ☾]

Cecilia wrote: "Ari ☾ wrote: "Chapter 1-4
Oh my god. *fans self* The Darkling is baeee.

But there is so much happening at once. I really hope Alina stops doubting herself because she has so much potential. Also ..."

Yesss, Edgelord Daddy *drools*

[Ari ☾]

Cecilia wrote: "Up to chapter 5 [spoilers removed]"
I felt that part was super rushed as well, it was sorta amazing. XD

[Ari ☾]

Chapters 10-16
(view spoiler)[I am loving the political aspects to this book. The whole system feels more fleshed out than it did in Shadow and Bone. But that could be a fact that Alina has had to step up be a part of it, and is finally filling her role as the Sun Summoner, mostly thanks to Nikolai, and GOD DO I LOVE NIKOLAI.
I love how sassy he is. I think he might be more bae that the Darkling tbh. Also I ADORE, how much he taunts Mal. Like fuck you Mal. (hide spoiler)]

[Ari ☾]

Finishing
(view spoiler)[God, Mal was literally the worst character throughout this whole novel. LEGIT HATED HIM. He didn't support Alina, and he didn't listen to her or anything. And he claimed to love her.
The Darkling is angsty and bae as fuck. Even tho he is kind of a creepy stalker, minor details.
BUT NIKOLAI, UH YES PLEEASSSEE.

That ending, literally anything and everything that could, hit the fan. It was fantastic. And I legit cried for Genya. Save me. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

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Reading from the 5th of September 2018

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[Sierra]

25%(view spoiler)[
Is this fairy tale real? Will they find the seal whip? I hope they get the seal whip before the darkling does. What is this new boat and where did it come from? (hide spoiler)]
50%(view spoiler)[
Not the darkling again. Omg she punched him. That was so amazing! I cant believe he is a prince. I so dislike that king so much. He is very rude. Is he going to kill mal? (hide spoiler)]
75%(view spoiler)[
I wonder if zoya will change her mind. I feel like she cant trust anyone because any person could turn on her. Will she really rule this new age that is to be coming? Does that priest have the journals? Oh wow they think shes sleeping around. (hide spoiler)]
finished(view spoiler)[
Is she going to fall for this prince? Is mal with zoya? Im sad that mal is leaving. Are they going to be able to get out of there? Oh no bagra might be dead, i was hoping to see if she had more information. I cant wait to see what happens in book 3. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[I think it's been two or three months since I read Shadow and Bone, which isn't that long, but sure feels like it. It's taken me a bit to remember the details of the book, but now I think I can remember well enough.

I found Sturmhond intriguing and did see that he wasn't that, like, loyal to the Darkling, so it wasn't that surprising he turned on him. Another amplifier, though? Actually, a whole three of them? I didn't have a good feeling about this. (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

starting today!!

[Wiktoria]

^ me too ^.^

[Marie]

Great! I look forward to seeing all your thoughts :)

I'm up to chapter 10 now: (view spoiler)[I wondered why the book kept mentioning Sturmhond's face being off, and now it turns out he's actually Nikolai? That's something I didn't suspect!

Flying boats are cool XD Well, until they crash. I thought it was cool we got to see that as an example of something the Grisha can help make happen.

I do have to say though, Mal is kinda... annoying. And Alina too, somewhat. Just the way they keep getting angry and having outbursts instead of being rational. I mean, Sturmhond/Nikolai really wasn't being that bad. He was being pretty decent apart from the cocky attitude, treated them well, helped Alina get the second amplifier... (hide spoiler)]

[Shahana]

@marie iam on chaptr 10..iam also getting annoyd with mal n alina...mostly mal

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

I had one hour to read at work. Omg wasn’t expecting it to immediately take off. Literally dying to get off work and read more lol

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Initial thoughts: (view spoiler)[ About to dive into this one and I am so ready to get back to the Grisha universe. Cannot wait to see how the relationship between Mal and Alina evolves now that he admitted and recognizes how he feels for her. I'm not even a little convinced the Darkling is gone so I'm curious how he'll make his reemergence and if he'll be the big bad in this novel or if something else or someone else will take the Evil Villain spot." (hide spoiler)]
17% (view spoiler)[ Omg this book immediately took off. God do I hate the Darkling and his scheming. Plus everyone that’s helping him just puts me into a rage especially Alina’s old friend or should I say who she thought was her friend. Truly sad about this sea dragon too. (hide spoiler)]
50% (view spoiler)[ I don’t know how Alina is going back to the place she ran from. So much has happened and yet at the same time, not much time has passed. I was able to figure out Sturmhond was fairly early on. The options for him were limited since it was clear he was going to become a more prominent character. Hope his plan works. (hide spoiler)]
69% (view spoiler)[ Waiting for the other show to drop. I’m thinking their underestimating the Darkling too much even with all the planning and preparation. Also curious for Alina’s sake what did happen between him and Zoya? That wench poses a problem but I’m hoping I’m wrong. (hide spoiler)]
Final Review: (view spoiler)[ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (hide spoiler)]

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos)]

I will be starting this later today

[Vendea]

Finished first book today, continuning with second one.

Chapter 1-4
(view spoiler)[So... yeah. Alina and Mal had a little time for themselves which I am happy about! Fingers crossed for Mal dying asap, because man, I can't stand him. So good it took off immedeately. Now there's pirates? Cool. And second amplifyer? Yaay. Darkling's back and I am 1000 % sure that Pirate Captain is Nikolai, younger prince from Ravka. Wanna bet? It must be him. (hide spoiler)].

[Marie]

Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[Okay, so, Alina's bite wound definitely does have something to do with why the Darkling can... teleport to where she is? Make himself into a hologram that is somehow solid? She also didn't like killing the volcra, right? So the wound is having some strange effect on her.

But yeah, Mal still annoys me because it seems all he can do is get mad. I like Alina and Mal together before, but... honestly even though I don't think it'll happen, I like Alina and Nikolai together better.

I'm actually a bit surprised Alina got control of the Second Army, and I'm waiting to see how she continues to handle that. Though I like the part about the herring XD.

Also ahhh, poor Baghra. Alina did step out of line there. (hide spoiler)]

[Vendea]

Chapter 5-9
(view spoiler)[Hell yeah, I was right about Nikolai. Loving him already though. Definitely better than Mal. Can Alina just be with Nikolai, please? It's just funny that eventhough she has a tracker by her side, she always ends up being captured. I mean... Mal could track their enemies, right? (hide spoiler)]

[Shahana]

chapter 1-10
(view spoiler)[the first book was an amazing read..so i had expectations for this one
it is equally bravo like the first ..a perfect sequel...
after mal and alina fled from ravka haunted by the fold,they are together.Alina, compared to first book is clear about her power and grisha world.
iam glad Darkling appears early..quest of finding a second amplifier with a pirate,Nikolaii
nikolaiii is my fav so far...veryy intriguing character..
alina's power doubles after the secnd amplifier ..mal is getting irritated with alina power and all sorts of things..iam getting annoyed with their fightssss!!!!

looking for more of nikolaiiiii (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[ Alina and Mal are on the run but captured and then rescued lol Even though the pirate rescued her and Mal, I don't think they're out of the clear just yet. They will fall into the hands of the Darkling soon I'm sure. I'm kind of mad at Genya for betraying Alina. I really liked her :( I think the dragon scales will work as an amplifier for Alina and her power will get stronger. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 5

[Marie]

I was going to post another update before finishing the last part of the book, but instead I ended up reading it all before I could get on to update XD.

So here are my last thoughts: (view spoiler)[I'm not 100% sure yet, but I think I'll be giving this 3 stars. It wasn't bad, but I think a good chunk of the book was slower than I liked where Alina was just in the palace and nothing major was happening. We got to see her transition some, which was good, and I enjoyed seeing Nikolai, but it was still... kinda slow.

I think the most interesting part of this book is how Alina deals with suddenly having this giant power, and you could definitely see her change and how she began to understand the Darkling a bit more. (But no, I don't ship Alina with either Mal or the Darkling.) So I'm looking forward to seeing more of that development.

Also, I'm so sad that Genya was hurt like that??? I really wanted to see more of her character and now it seems she's just... going to be broken or something. (hide spoiler)]

[Shahana]

chapter 10-20
(view spoiler)[ soooo now nikolaii is expecting to make alina his queen..and alina is having illusions with Darkling dont know howmuch power darkling actually posess..
mal is going hunting often which makes alina relaxes coz she thinks mal lost lot of things becz of her
then she gets to know that was not the case he was actually avoiding her becz of the rumor between the soldiers
i dnt have a slight idea where the storyy is going..its a couples of pages to findout ..lets see who alina endsup with (hide spoiler)]

[Shahana]

chapter 20-23
(view spoiler)[mal and alina are on the verge of breakup..on the night of nikolaii bday ..a riot takesplace with darkling and all shadow monsters..alina tries to kill darkling but fails.
alina mal tamar and other grisha escapes to white cathedral.
alina cant bringback her power..hope it wil be alrit in the next book (hide spoiler)]
my final review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Vendea]

Chapter 10-13
(view spoiler)[I'm happy Nikolai is now on the scene because Mal gets more and more annoying (is that even possible?). Alina's now back in town and ready to kick some ass. I really like aspect of her becoming Saint and seeing all the creepiness coming with that. Now now.. where's my darling Darkling? (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[ Alina is rescued by some good undercover people who want her to be the best Grisha she could be. I like how sassy Nikolai is. Alina is on the hunt for that new trifecta thing, and I think she'll find it and it'll work. Not without a big fight with the Darkling.

The trifecta thing is kinda giving me Harry Potter vibes. And Alina's whole story is giving me Star Wars vibes. She's kind of like Rey coming into her new power, and the Darkling is like Kylo Ren, just pure evil.

Anyway, can't wait for more action! (hide spoiler)]
Ch 10

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[ Alina and the Darkling are somehow still connected which is why he can come to her in visions that are real (giving me Harry Potter and Voldemort vibes). Her not telling anyone is a big mistake. I wonder if the Darkling has any power when he appears to her like this or if it's only visual.

Mal's jealousy is annoying, but I do like him and Alina together. I kinda want a smut scene with them. Just sayin

Baghra still hates Alina. Sad what the Darkling did to her. But I think she's going to come in handy at the last second and somehow help in finding the third amplifier. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 15

[Vendea]

Chapter 14-17
(view spoiler)[It's creepy how Alina and Mal are connected. Why can't she just tell someone? Like Mal? Or Nikolai? Or even Baghra? I am happy that she's alive eventhough she is the Darkling's mother. She was my favorite character in the first book and it's really sad she ended up like this. These last few chapters were kinda slow and I hope we get some action soon because I'm getting bored. I usually like politics and strategy planning but I am not feeling it here. Hope it gets better. (hide spoiler)]

[BiblioKalen]

I feel so far behind in starting this read but I finally got started! And oh man, I am loving it so far. Here are my current thoughts:

Chapter 1 - 4
(view spoiler)[ First off, that first chapter was so perfect in pulling me in! ALSO PIRATES AND SHIPS - This is perfect for an upcoming summer or coastal/beach vacation read! Second, there better be a scene in this book where Alina gets to absolutely SOCK IT to Ivan. I swear, his only purpose in the book is to be a glorified caveman, clubbing Alina over the head and dragging her back to the Darkling's seedy-ass cave. I do want to mention that I read the Grishaverse fairy-tale collection, "The Language of Thorns", before reading this book and would actual recommend others to do the same. Has anyone else also done this? Because! The freaking broken nosed, fox-faced boy!! YES! I loved his fairy-tale and his character is my favorite sea-faring trope - smoking hot, mysterious pirate boy trying to be a hard ass, but secretly has a heart of gold. I cannot wait to dive further into this and see his part in the story. The Darkling still leaves me with conflicting feelings, but most of the time I hate his guts, but then sometimes the author is able to still make me feel bad for him. We'll just have to see how that goes. Either way! Happy Reading~ (hide spoiler)]

[Vendea]

Chapter 18-23
(view spoiler)[Well... I was not expecting this to be so slow but it was and nothing really happened besides Alina x Mal drama. And as I stated before, I don't like Mal so all of this was kind of disappointing. As for Darkling invasion... that was it? She just lost her powers and did that? I mean it was epic but I was still expecting something a little bit... more. And poor Genya :( (hide spoiler)]

Final thoughts
(view spoiler)[It was pretty solid book but I still prefer Book 1 just because there was more action and character development. I still like Alina and I was definitely invested in her development and power growth, but at the same time... I dunno. It's hard to say what's gonna happen in the final book with her powers gone (forever or just for now? Who knows). I'm glad we got to meet Nikolai because he is definetely one of the best characters in the series so far. I am and always will be Team Darkling, just because I find Mal blunt and annoying. Wish there was more Genya because she was and still is more interesting to me than Alina. (hide spoiler)]

[Jammin Jenny]

I should be reading this next week

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[I was hoping for a more action packed ending, TBH. I feel like everyone was in their feelings between Alina, Mal, and Nikolai. Like that whole drama was basically the whole book without much story progression. Then at the end, Nikolai's dumbass brother accidentally sold them out to the Darkling. ugh!

That whole fight scene was scary and sad. Between what happened with Genya and Marie and everyone getting killed. And apparently Alina loses her powers and looks like hell? I have a feeling they will find the firebird and they will come back in book 3 but not sure

Also the Darkling's appearance to Alina was kind of glazed over. We didn't really get the answer to that.

This book was just ok. I hope book 3 is better (hide spoiler)]
End

[Maddie]

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Date changed. Restarting December 19th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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[Carolyn]

Starting this book early, so um yeah. 🙂

0%- I'm scared for Mal and Alina. I'm scared for what might happen to them. I guess it's time to read again. 🙂

[Carolyn]

5%- (view spoiler)[ I can't believe the Darkling has already found Alina and Mal! It's only the second chapter. Oh boy, I feel like this book is going to be a tizzy. I'm scared to find out what will happen to them. (hide spoiler)]

[Carolyn]

23%- (view spoiler)[ Thankfully, Mal and Alina have escaped the Darkling's grasp once again. Now, they're on another boat with some other people. I'm kind of confused here. And apparently there's another magical amplifier animal: the firebird. Alina wants it. This is too much for me. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Starting this today! :D

I remember like nothing from the previous book, thank goodness for series recaps!

[Carolyn]

41%- (view spoiler)[ Alina is being used a political power by Nikolai. I'm scared either he will use her badly or the Darkling will find her and trap her for good. She needs to find the firebird! (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

23%
(view spoiler)[Wow, things are moving fast as heck in this one. I like it I guess? I'm starting to wonder if Mal has some sort of supernatural ability too because his tracking abilities seem pretty inexplicable by human means.

Sturmhond totally reminds me of Alucard from ADSoM because he's also a sassy not-pirate :D (hide spoiler)]

[Carolyn]

Didn't get much read. It was my sister's birthday. Plus, it's exams time at school. 😞 I don't like exams.

43%- (view spoiler)[ How dare Nikolai! Alina's heart belongs to Mal and Mal only. Stupid political alliance. Kissing her...not right. (hide spoiler)]

I'll try to read more tomorrow.

[Claire]

Best of luck on your exams! :D

30%
(view spoiler)[Woo, Sturmhond is sketchy as heck. Also I keep having to open the book every time I type his name because I can't seem to figure out how to spell it.

This is gonna sound bad but I am utterly bored by Alina and Mal. I wonder why she's hallucinating the Darkling though, something to do with the collar maybe? (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[Oooooh so he's Nikolai! I've heard so much about this Nikolai guy, I was wondering when he was finally going to show up :D (hide spoiler)]

[Carolyn]

Thank you! I think I did well.

100%- (view spoiler)[ Oh my gosh, how can it end this way! Alina lost her power?!?! I think the Darkling is still alive. Ugghhh!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Wow, talk about instant karma for Vasily 😂

So that ending came out of nowhere, although as soon as they said that the Darkling was coming from the south I knew it would be the other way around somehow, that's how it always works.

Just like the first book I enjoyed it overall but I wasn't overly into the plot other than the crazy stuff at the end, even though quite a lot happened during the story it felt a little slow for me? I don't know if that makes sense. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Ch 8 (view spoiler)[I love Sturmhond. I am so fascinated by him and I can’t wait to meet his client 😏. I was shocked the Darkling found Alina and Mal so fast but excited to see this chase for the second amplifier. Not sure how I feel about Alina going after the third one yet tho. And my feelings are SO CONFLICTED agh. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 13 (view spoiler)[ahaha it’s revealed that Sturmhond is actually prince Nikolai 😍 god I love that boi. I definitely can’t see Alina as a queen. It just wouldn’t work but I’d totally be Nikolais Queen 😂. I can’t wait to see Alina work with the other Grisha. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 18 (view spoiler)[Alina really needs to tell someone about these visions of the Darkling. I don’t think they’re good at all. I love seeing Nikolai act like the real King. But idk if Alina can truly trust the Grisha. The Darkling is going to appear eventually. (hide spoiler)]


Finished (view spoiler)[ Damn I totally forgot that the bond between Alina and the Darkling worked both ways. That was badass what she did! I hope her powers will come back tho! (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Carolyn wrote: "Didn't get much read. It was my sister's birthday. Plus, it's exams time at school. 😞 I don't like exams.

43%- [spoilers removed]

I'll try to read more tomorrow."

I love how flirty Nikolai is, but yes I totally agree that Alina and Mal are end game