April 2019 Not First in a Series BOTM - Siege and Storm, by Leigh Bardugo

[Felicia]

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her—or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

[Keri]

Ch. 2
(view spoiler)[Ugh. Can’t even go one chapter before the Darkling catches them again! (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Ch.7
(view spoiler)[ Yay! I was already liking Sturmhond, and then he helped them escape the Darkling! I can’t believe there’s three Morozova amplifiers! I’m both excited and nervous for what that would mean if Alina got those.
I really hope she can find a way to get rid of that wound from the Darkling’s shadow creature. I have a feeling that’s why she has the creepy visions where it seems like he’s there. Super creepy! (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Ch.19
(view spoiler)[ugh so many frustrations now! I’m frustrated with Mal for not accepting Alina for who she is. Even tho I don’t really believe this is true, it makes it seem like he just wants to be the one with all the importance and her go back to being sickly like when not using her power and being helpless. They need to find a balance.
I also HATE that the Darkling can still ruin things even when he’s not there! Why do his stupid visions come when so inconvenient. I felt horrible for Mal assuming she didn’t want to kiss him. But on the other side Alina’s extremely stupid for not telling him, or SOMEONE, about the creepy Darkling lifelike visions. We need that taken care of stat.
Also, I love Nikolai! I had a feeling he was going to be Sturmhond once he was suspicious when asked about his past and real name. However I think that’s only because I had heard he is introduced in this series lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[ wow what an ending! I feel like Alina’s power can’t really be gone? I’m hoping/guessing it has something to do with how weak she was after sucking out power from the Darkling, along with the Apparat being shady and scheming something. Don’t trust him one bit!
I was SO mad at her for wanting to go to the Darkling but that made it SO COOL when she only kissed him for contact to suck his power out and try to kill him.
Can’t wait to read Ruin and Rising! (hide spoiler)]