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.

Listening Length

11 hours and 49 minutes
Author

Leigh Bardugo
Narrator

Lauren Fortgang
Audible release date

June 4, 2013
Language

English
Publisher

Audible Studios
ASIN

B00D1ZLRK8
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

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Product details

Listening Length	11 hours and 49 minutes
Author	Leigh Bardugo
Narrator	Lauren Fortgang
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com Release Date	June 04, 2013
Publisher	Audible Studios
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B00D1ZLRK8
Best Sellers Rank	#346 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #1 in Dark Fantasy for Teens #1 in Teen & Young Adult Dark Fantasy

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Kindle Customer

FYI Hardcover Warning

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2021

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Netflix advertisement is printed on the hardcover sleeve. I was disappointed to learn that what I thought was a remove-able advertisement sticker is actually a permanent eyesore. I had to return all 3 books in series because 2 of the 3 had the logo printed on.

49 people found this helpful

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Chelscey

Why aren't we done with Mal yet?

Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2019

Verified Purchase

If you haven’t read “Shadow and Bone” yet then, 1. I don’t know why you are reading reviews for “Siege and Storm” and 2. Stop reading this review now because, while I’ll do my best to avoid all the spoilers, inevitably there will be some in here that will pertain to the first book in the trilogy, but not this book in particular. So, if you’ve read the first book, then I welcome you! Come, sit next to me while I tell you my thoughts on this dark YA fantasy. So, book 2 starts pretty much right where the first book left off, with Mal and Alina on the run, trying to find safety in far off shores, away from Ravka, and the Grisha and the Darkling who Alina abandoned to the Fold. But within the first few chapters, the safety Alina thinks she has is shattered, and she’s plunged back to where she was before, struggling to free herself of the Darkling’s physical and mental hold on her, and to save Ravka from the tide of darkness the Darkling will bring with him. But, in order to do that, Alina will need more power, and that makes Mal pout CONSTANTLY. Like, seriously, can we be done with Mal yet?

I’m going to get this out of the way first because, honestly, I don’t think I’ll be able to talk about all the good in this book if I don’t start with the “bad” and that’s namely Mal. I disliked Mal in the first book. It really, really bothered me that lonely little Alina loved him so completely, and he didn’t even notice her until her waif like presence was gone from him, until she became powerful, and others coveted her. His affections always felt disingenuous to me, and that continues in the second book. He is honestly the worst! Alina is trying to save her people, and he resents her for it, he resents that someone, anyone with power actually, gives Alina a second glance but has no problem flirting with his hot Grisha ex. His hypocrisy rubs me all kinds of wrong, and I struggle to understand why Alina doesn’t kick him to the curb. Especially when she meets Nikolai, who is all kinds of amazing. It seemed like we got a lot more of the characters you—as in I—didn’t like from the first story and not enough of the fun ones. I needed more of the Shu twins, I always, ALWAYS need more Nikolai, and I didn’t get enough Genya, whose arc in this story was so heartbreaking and tragic. Instead, I get Mal and Zoya. I’m waiting for the day when I am supposed to like Zoya (or Mal), because I know she pops up and plays a big role in later books, but right now, I’d like to hold her pretty head under water until she stops being such an elitist prat. Because, honestly, her only reason for abandoning the Darkling seems to be that he didn't give her a heads up about expanding the Fold so she could warn her family to get out of there. If he had? I'm fairly sure Zoya would have had 0 problem with all the other people who died.

Whew, glad I got that out of my system. Those characters aside, my only other issue with the story was pacing. The first quarter of the book with Alina and the Darkling hunting the second amplifier is wonderfully tense and fast-paced. Full of intrigue and danger and introduces us to delightful new characters and makes you nervous for Alina, while also drawing you right back into the Darkling’s charm, even though he is one seriously dangerous and bad guy. But then they achieve their goals and Alina is whisked away to “safety” and then we get mired in half the book spent with Alina kind of sulking and learning how to function in the royal court while organizing the remaining Grisha into an army that is supposed to withstand the Darkling’s creepy, dark horde. Compared to that first quarter, the next half is really slow, and could be a bit of a slog to get through as Bardugo repeats the same issues over and over, between Mal’s jealousy, Alina’s reservations about Nikolai, and her trying to embrace her power while battling her loneliness. Poor Alina will forever be lonely, I’ve decided.

I did like most of this book more than the first one in the trilogy. I still prefer the Darkling to most of the characters in the book, even though his role is more behind the scenes in this story—until the end, then holy cow! I missed Genya, and when she did return, my heart was shattered for what was done to her, and what she did to Alina. I need more Nikolai, I will never have enough of him and his witty charm, his roguish ways, and how he’s lost himself to the political game, but is trying to carve out who the real Nikolai is. Alina is a bit better in this book, too. Her arc with struggling to not be seen as saintly but her drive to rectify her mistakes and protect her country makes your heart twinge, now if only we could keep her from interacting with Mal, or thinking about him for most of the book, that’d be great. I even like how David redeems himself for his part in shackling Alina in the first book. But for as much as I really liked certain parts and characters in this story, my annoyance at others is still simmering.

I was debating between 3 and 4 stars for this book pretty much the whole time. But ultimately, I think I’ll lean toward that 3.5 rating because of how quickly Alina got the second amplifier and then did very little about getting the final one, taking an otherwise heart pounding, fun paced story to a grinding halt. I just can’t get over Mal, who looks like he should be a great love interest based on his backstory, but the execution means he’s always the center of an undeserved pity party, and it takes up too much page time. And then there’s his interactions with Zoya… I certainly enjoyed the book enough to continue on with the series, mainly because I know I HAVE to in order to get more Nikolai and Genya. I’m invested in the struggle between Alina and the Darkling and need to know how that final conflict gets resolved. But what I don’t need is more slow political intrigues laced with moping, and I definitely need less Mal, please and thank you.

51 people found this helpful

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Samantha

I liked this book more than the first one.

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2021

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The last book left off with Alina and Mal escaping The Darkling, leaving him in The Fold. Somehow he emerges with even more mysterious power. He is more determined than ever to find Alina and use her magic to take the throne of Ravka for himself.

I liked this book more than the first one. Most people will say the opposite, but I actually started to like some of the characters in this one. Rather than just enjoying the magic system and world building. That alone made this book better for me. We got to explore more of the world with some actually loveable characters.

Alina
In the first book, I wasn't a big fan of Alina. She was just far too bland for a girl with immense power. She just tried too hard to blend in with everyone around her. Trusting far too easily. Alina finally realized that she and the darkling are equally unique and probably also just as powerful. She was battling with her inner darkness for much of this book. Which made her character much more than this one dimensional girl. I still don't love her character, but she gained more of my appreciation in this book.

Mal
I can't believe that for a small amount of time I actually liked Mal as a person in the first book. Towards the end of the first book I started to dislike him, and by the end of the second I can easily tell you why I don't like him one bit.
Why don't I like the handsome tracker who follows Alina around, willing to give his life for hers? Because he didn't even notice her until she was gone. He only loves certain parts of her. Not including one of the biggest parts of her, that she suppressed for years so that she wouldn't lose him, being Grisha.

The Darkling
I was pretty upset that The Darkling wasn't present during most of this book. Especially since I loved his character so much. I still have hope that he will get some kind of a redemption arc. I feel like he deserves it. I know he's done some extremely awful things, but it would be great to try and watch him come back from all of that. He is an incredibly powerful Grisha, and that could be very helpful with the rise of Ravka at some point.
He's dark and mysterious with how old he is how could he not be. He's been through so much in his life and I think he just needs to not feel alone with everything. Even thought it is very clear that Alina will chose Mal, I still think that DarkLina would be an amazing power couple! He just needs to stop threatening to torture Alina all the time and everything will be okay.
I will always be a sucker for the bad boy, and no one can stop me from that. I have to blame Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries.
“I've seen what you truly are," said the Darkling, "and I've never turned away. I never will. Can he say the same?”

I'll say it again, I love this world. And I plan to read everything Leigh Bardugo writes in the Grishaverse

9 people found this helpful

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ateachersguidetoreading

Time to return to the Grishaverse...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2021

Verified Purchase

"The world is changing. We change with it, or there will be nothing left to remember us but the dust..."
*
Book two in the Grishaverse sees Alina and Mal return to the Little Palace with a new ally in tow, a notorious privateer who is more than he seems. Together they ready themselves to face off against The Darkling and his new powers that have made him an even bigger threat to Ravka's future. Can Alina stop him?
*
"We do the best we can..."
*
Okay, so I'd heard this book was slow but I actually enjoyed it. Which is weird because I was also simultaneously annoyed at the fact that The Darkling is barely in this book 🙈 I mean all the hype about this series revolves around him and he was hardly there! This annoyance is clearly due to my questionable attraction to The Darkling 😂
It was nice to see Alina become more comfortable in her powers and I liked seeing her grow a spine. But, despite trying to, I'm just not feeling Alina and Mal they have no chemistry and they don't act like a couple. The saving grace in the character end of things was Nikolai bloody Lantsov 😍 that man!! He's hilarious - most of my tabbed sections were just his sarcastic remarks and jokes! He's also the reason for the fourth star, if I'm honest. I'm looking forward to his books.
I've already started Ruin and Rising and I hope to at least get Six of Crows read before the Netflix series starts.
*
"You know the problem with hereos and saints, Nikolai? They always end up dead..."

7 people found this helpful

Jess Gofton

Great ideas, flat characters

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2019

Verified Purchase

I have to be honest, the only reason this book got 3 stars was thanks to the saving grace that is Nikolai. I met him briefly in Crooked Kingdom but was properly introduced to him here, and he brought with him some of that same sense of humour that made me fall so hard in love with Six of Crows.

That’s not to say this is a bad book, because it really isn’t. Even though this trilogy isn’t quite my thing I do love Bardugo’s ideas, and every now and then there are glimpses of an amazing book. I love the struggles between the different pillars of power, from the church who believe Alina is a saint to the power struggle between the monarchy and The Darkling, and I love the idea of Alina’s internal struggles.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, and Alina’s not the same girl as she was before. Her power is a natural part of her, always has been even though she spent so long suppressing it, and so she can’t help but crave more. The real question here is: is Alina really losing herself, or is the person she’s becoming the version of herself she was supposed to be all along?

The problem is I still don’t feel like I know Alina well enough to care about the answer to that question. I feel mean saying it but she’s so boring. I’ve tried so hard to see her from a different way – maybe I’ve gotten too used to ‘kick-ass’ (I hate that phrase) YA heroines and I need to respect that Alina has a different kind of power – but it’s not that. I love quiet heroines as much as I love the Katniss Everdeens of the world, but I know nothing about Alina other than that she loves Mal and she’s drawn to The Darkling. She’s a heroine defined by the men around her and that’s so boring.

I keep reminding myself that Alina’s only 17 and try to compare what happens to her with how I’d react when I was 17, and I can guarantee I’d also make stupid decisions and get things wrong and probably just cry in a corner and hope my parents came to help me, if I’m being completely honest. It is heartbreaking that Alina doesn’t really have anyone to turn to other than Mal, the two of them don’t have parents they can remember, and as she and Mal grow apart she feels completely alone with the burden that’s been thrust on her shoulders at such a young age.

But, again, I don’t know this girl well enough to care. I can empathise with her and I can feel her frustrations – it is unfair of Mal, for example, to expect her to be exactly like the girl she was before, especially when that girl was essentially a girl he could ignore unless it suited him to remember she existed – but when all I know about Alina before this series started is that she spent her entire life waiting for Mal to notice her, and nothing else, then I’m sorry but that’s not a compelling enough heroine. Maybe there’s stuff here I’m just not seeing, and I did really appreciate Bardugo exploring how there are certain things you can’t come back from even if you might want to, but Alina makes no sense to me.

I feel like Bardugo thought of Alina’s role in this story before she thought of Alina, so this unknowable girl is simply walking through the steps of a story that was decided long before she came into the picture. If you create a heroine and her personality does nothing to change the original plot progression you had in mind, have you really created a fleshed out person or have you created an actress for the part you want played out in your story?

Personally, I think I would have loved this series if it had started a little differently. If Alina’s power had been discovered when she was younger and she’d been taken to The Darkling and raised by him, this story would be so much stronger. Imagine this girl being brainwashed with ‘love’ from a man who tells her he wants to use her power for good when really he wants to use it for his own gain, and this girl having to turn against him, even though she loves him, to ultimately do the right thing. My major problem with this series is that I don’t know enough about Alina before The Darkling discovers her to care when she changes.

Also this book had yet more boy drama and far too much of it in a story set in a country that’s literally being ripped apart by shadow monsters. I don’t care who you want to kiss, Alina, I care about the religious, political and military upheaval in your country!

That huge rant aside (and I send my sincere apologies to people who adore this series, I’m not trying to be purposefully mean) there are parts of this book that are done well. Alina’s starting to discover that her whole life from now on is going to be a game of guessing whether people want to get to know her because she’s Alina or because she’s the Sun Summoner, and that’s a horrible conclusion for any 17 year old to have to come to.

The highlight of this novel for me, however, was Nikolai and his crew. He so easily could have been a flighty prince who Alina had to teach the importance of Ravka to, but thankfully Bardugo doesn’t go down that route. Nikolai already cares about his country a great deal, and he knows that, compared to his older brother, he’s what’s best for it when it comes to the succession. He also teaches Alina a lot about how to be a public figure, lessons she sorely needs when rumours are being spread that she’s a saint returned from the dead.

I could have done without the one-sided jealousy between Mal and him, however, and there continues to be rampant girl hate between Alina and Zoya that I have no time for. Zoya isn’t a particularly nice person, but I do like her because we know her loyalty to Alina is genuine considering how little she and Alina care for each other, but for Alina to question why Zoya would choose to side with her instead of The Darkling when, shock horror, this conflict isn’t only affecting Alina is infuriating. Again, I’m trying to remind myself that Alina’s only 17, but sometimes she’s so inward-looking it’s painful.

Ultimately I did enjoy this book more than the first, mainly thanks to Nikolai, and the actual bones of the story is a story I like, but for me the characters fall too flat for me to ever completely enjoy them.

15 people found this helpful

Readinginpyjamas

Not as gripping as the first installment!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2021

Verified Purchase

This second instalment in the Shadow and Bone series didn't grip me quite as much as the first one. After how the first book ended I was expecting a lot more action and less conversation. The plotline felt dragged, and the Darkling was not as present as I would have liked. I wanted to see more of him and less of Alina and Mal constantly bickering. I didn't feel any chemistry at all between her and Mal and I just can't imagine them as a couple. The only saving grace for this book, in my opinion, was the last few chapters (that compiled most of the action) and Sturmhond/Nikolai. His presence revitalised the story and his effervescent personality made me like him from the get-go. He is a complex character, arrogant, seductive, manipulative. His intentions were hard to guess but his remarks constantly brought a smile to my lips, especially when he made annoyed Mal. This volume focuses a lot on Alina and her development as the Sun Summoner. It was interesting to see her inner turmoil, she's definitely a layered character. Overall I liked this volume but I feel it could have offered more. On to the next one!

3 people found this helpful

Hayley

I miss The Darkling

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2020

Verified Purchase

⭐⭐⭐💫 3.5 mainly for Nikolai's banter and ability to keep this entire book afloat.

I usually finish 400 page book in a day, but this took me nearly 2 weeks!

I love Leigh Bardugo's writing, but I found this book a struggle because Alina is so frustrating in this installment. Also, the lack of The Darkling literally took the magic that I experienced with Shadow and Bone away.

I hope the character development improves in Ruin and Rising because I don't doubt that Leigh will crush any hope I have for Alina and the Darkling to be end game (yes, I have read spoilers - but her ability to give you hope on one page and then to tear it away on another is why I love the tension she creates in all the books that I've read of hers).

4 people found this helpful

Vendela Ahlstrom

Leigh Bardugo just upped her game.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book was so frustrating to read! While Shadow and Bone only took a weekend to read this book took a month. And this book was better! I guess it wasn't strictly speaking frustrating to read. Rather, it was frustrating that I didn't get a proper chance to sit down and read it.

Leigh Bardugo just upped her game. I thought Shadow and Bone was good. I mean, I really liked it, it got an 8/10 rating but I didn't feel like it was as good as everyone made it out to be. But I see now. This book just made the series so much better. The plot was more exciting, Aline is becoming more of a flawed and layered person, but more and more intriguing. Her and Mal's relationship is much more tense, which allows for much better reading material and Nikolai's introduction to this series, along with Tamar and Tolya just spiced up this story like no other. And the new introduction to Sankt Ilya to the general plot gave Alina so much more purpose. Leigh Bardguo is starting to tick those boxes and I'm not letting this series go on without me.

Can you now understand why it was frustrating to not being able to truly immerse myself in the book? I advise you to have a sit down and read this book in a few sittings, like I did with Shadow and Bone, instead of painfully trying to get a few minutes in of reading here and there. It's torture. I'm picking up Ruin and Rising straight away now to keep reading and hopefully can move on to reading Six of Crows and the rest of Bardugo's books. While I was a little doubtful of her fantasy world while reading the previous book she totally won me over with this one!

4 people found this helpful

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