Siege and Storm

This book. was. EVERYTHING

I wasn't a big fan of Shadow and Bone. I thought it was just decent - a bit trope-y, with stereotypical characters, and a main girliepop that is just another frail tiny smol thing that suddenly has amazing powers and two love interests. Nothing I haven't read before.

This sequel made me fall in love with this story.

Siege and Storm is a lesson in how to do the second book in a trilogy WELL. Great character development, more worldbuilding, more intrigue. It changes the world from a small palace to a living, breathing place, with multiple parties all with different intentions involving themselves in Alina's life. Sturmhond, the Apparat... all amazing characters with their own motives and worldview.

Alina is finally likable. She's struggling with who she is, what her place in this world is - what she wants. She has power and is no longer afraid to wield it.

9/10 - an amazing improvement to the first book, and a great set-up for what is hopefully a grand finale.