Welcome to Litsy!

Clear case of Middle Book in a Trilogy syndrome at play here. The back half of this crawled in terms of plot with a ton of focus on YA willful dramarama.

No longer Team Mal…but I‘m not sure I want to be on Team Alina either. 🤷🏻‍♀️🫣 Nikolai was the best part of this book by far. ☀️ 🏴‍☠️

When YA fantasy also kind of feels relevant to real life… 🫣🤷🏻‍♀️

Only 40 pages in and I already see another contender join the ring of this Love Triangle? Bardugo playing 3D Chess. Will I come out of Part 2 still playing for Team Mal? 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️🫣

Sometime shortly, I shall delve back into the Grishaverse as promised. 🥹👋🏻

Book 2 for #AuthorAMonth 🙂📚. It‘s pretty rare I read more than one for any given month, but I‘m thinking I might move right on tho book 3 since I have it.

I agree with others that the common YA trope of refusing to communicate because of fear of the other‘s reaction (self-gaslighting) was annoying. But the story is compelling and I feel like so far the Netflix series did a pretty good job of keeping pace with the books.

“You know, for two people with a love eternal, you're awfully insecure.“

I agree with other Litsy readers that Nikolai is the best part of this book; otherwise, this feels like yet another frustrating YA romantsy, where Alina could have solved most of her problems with Mal by communicating better.

#NoveListReadingChallenge - March
Read a book from the last five years that's been adapted into a movie or TV series.

Torn a bit between Pick and So-So for this one but think So-So most appropriate as I found this quite difficult to get into. The second half was wayyyy better and I am looking forward to reading the conclusion to the trilogy.

#doublespin done for Jan!

Same as the first one: a short, fast-paced read but still underwhelming — most likely my fault as I expected too much from this series.

On to the third book!

// I was on vacation this past week so I didn‘t finish it as quickly as I‘d hoped but I still read everyday. 100 days on my Kindle streak! Woohoo!

Not sure why, but it took a lot more effort and concentration from me to get through this second book after having read through the first one so super fast. It was still enjoyable tho!!

The weather is finally getting better, so let‘s start some outside reading sessions 🤩

Overall a good story, but it wasn't as exciting as the first. YA relationship fixation bubbled over more than I'd have liked but wasn't the worst. The world building and cultural themes are fantastic.

Kindle ed: Excerpts from two other books makes it seem like the book will never end, compounding the dragging middle effect (the book itself as well as being #2 in the series). Keep track of the chapters so you don't give up right before the end.

I enjoyed this one, but I have realised I have definitely aged out of YA fantasy.

I will finish the series via audiobook though.

I listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox,
It was not bad/was enjoyble.

Read for reading challenges

4/5

The only thing I wish is that Alina wouldn‘t doubt herself so much!

10-24 Jan 22 (audiobook)
A satisfying end to the trilogy but I am not inclined to read anything more of Bardugo or the grishaverse. Too many great books to read. The romantic in me was satisfied that true love eventually prevailed.

I enjoyed the second book a lot more than the first and I think that is mostly because of the addition of Prince Nikolai. Loved him so much and the twins were great adds to the story ❤️❤️and can‘t wait to read his duology after I finish Ruin and Rising. Most of the time just wanted to slap Alina and Mal lol but that‘s YA sometimes 😂

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I‘m just powering through these I guess. My review of book 1 actually said I like how Bardugo writes YA that doesn‘t make me roll my eyes BUT

Alina seems to find it impossible to just be friends with the selection of hot men she‘s around, so despite being in lifelong love with one of them she‘s thinking of kissing all of them but him.🙄🙄🙄

Still, action-packed beginning & end, slower, angsty stuff in the middle, & fun new characters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/NGFSpYMM-KU

Enjoy!

I really can‘t get enough of the Grishaverse. I love every book more than the one before it. This was a solid addition to this trilogy. #ebook #Kindle

The story picks up right where it left off with Alina and Mal in hiding and on the run from the Darkling. Alina changes significantly in this book as she claims more of her power. A huge chunk of the book is just them traveling on the road and it was SLOOOW. Great writing, but not as much action in this one. Not until the very end.

Number 2 of the series. I liked this one better than the first. There was more dialog and it kept me engaged.

It was a little slow in the middle, but there was enough drama between the characters to keep me going and keep me in anticipation. I really enjoyed it and it ended on the perfect cliffhanger to lead me into the final book. The characters are really going through it and I can‘t wait to see what happens…

“The less you say, the more weight your words will carry.”

“Legends come to life before my eyes, just to die in front of me.”

I‘m so excited to dive back into the GrishaVerse 😁

Got the next two books in the trilogy! So excited 😄

Definitely slower than the first book, but still an enjoyable read. Although I am blaming this book for keeping me up late reading and contributing to my tiredness today. 🤣

#booked2022 #weathertermintitle
#pop22 #featurestwolanguages

This book was also good. It takes place across the True Sea with Alina and Mal hiding from the Darkling and his forces. After an encounter with him, they sail wayward to the Bone Road for the second amplifier.
If you enjoyed this book or any in this series, I suggest either the Magnus Chase series or the Kane Chronicles, as both are similar when it comes to their descriptions of different creatures.

I‘m surprised by the low ratings for book 2 in the series ; But then again our reading is a personal experience. I thought it had a slow start but picked up pace after around 100pages ; love the character of Nikolai and the tangled love affairs between Alina , Mal, Zoya and Nikolai , it was pure escapism for me and I personally loved it , now on to the others . Love a series 😆

Lola and I will be starting this in the glorious sunshine ☀️ this afternoon 😎

Fantasy, YA. This is the second book in the series and it does not disappoint. Alina & Mal are forced out of hiding to battle the Darkling and save Ravka whose King & Queen are incompetent. However, their estranged second son is a worthy leader if only he was first in line to the throne. Nickolai joins Alina & Mal in a contentious relationship to save their land, but the Darkling is more powerful than any of them believed possible.

The cast of Shadow And Bone Season 2, folks!🤩

Which book is your favorite from the Grisha Verse?

I think mine are Siege and Storm and Crooked Kingdom.

#siegeandstorm #grishaverse

As second books go, this one held it's own against the "second book curse". Alina's narrative drug a few times for me but the story was really pretty good. A lot of times you get romance focused fantasy in YA, but Alina is often too busy being a badass to have time to worry too much about her love interests. I like the change of pace and the tone she sets for younger readers.

I ship Alina/Mal on the run forever. Ruin and Rising up next!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I‘m not a big fantasy reader, but occasionally a series sucks me in and sticks it‘s hooks in me. I‘ve thoroughly enjoyed the first two books and am looking forward to the third.

One of my favorite quotes! I have it printed out and on my wall for when I need some motivation ✨

Finished book one and LOVED it! I cannot wait to start this one!

Four stars of YA enjoyment which demanded little of me. A strong middle book in a trilogy, Siege & Storm offers everything you‘d expect, action, sexual tension, betrayal, mystery, plenty of red herrings, all packaged within a pretty well-tested narrative and character arc. A great escapist read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The second in the shadow and bone series picks up right where the first left off, with Alina and Mal on the run. But soon they find themselves pulled back into the battle for Ravka when the Darkling unveils his troubling new power.