Review: Siege and Storm

Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) 
by Leigh Bardugo Hardcover, 
432 pages 
Published June 4th 2013
 by Henry Holt and Co.HarperTeen
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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. 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. 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. 

I wanted to write a long and gushing review on how I enjoyed this book so much but since so many people have beaten me to it maybe it's better if I start my review with the most appropriate GIF for this book.

I can't believe I've been putting off reading this book since June last year. It's been 6 months! Now after finishing it, I just feel so overwhelmed with happiness, sadness, excitement and a whole other feelings that's hard to described. This book is much, much better than the first. And the introduction of new characters just takes the excitement to a whole new level. 

Creating a dangerous pair of crazy warrior Grisha twins (otherwise known as Tamar and Tolya) is just pure genius. And the devilishly handsome and totally unpredictable pirate ehem...privateer also known as Sturmhond either makes me want to whack his head so much or kiss him. 

An example of how outrageously funny Strumhond is.

                He shook his head. "And I'm notoriously immune to tales of woe. So unless your story involves a talking dog, I don't want to hear it. Does it?"
                "Does it what?"
                "Involve a talking dog."
                "No," I snapped. "It involves the future of a kingdom and everyone in it."
                "A pity," he said.

The love triangle  (more like a square to me) is totally acceptable. The only gripe I have is the relationship between Mal and Alina which is filled with ups and downs. But really I had to hand it to Mal for being so totally loyal to Alina even after all that has happened between them. His undying faith and love to Alina moves me to tears. God, I really can't wait for the next book to see who Alina will finally choose. Mal, the Darkling or maybe Sturmhond?