By Leigh Bardugo
CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS FOR SHADOW AND BONE
Summary from Goodreads
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. 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.
My Review
This book was so good, like the first one. I think I have to say that I liked this sequel more than Shadow and Bone, though, but I loved both of them. I really loved the writing in this book. The writing was so beautiful and wonderful and spectacular and all the adjectives. The pacing was well done in this book and her descriptions were specific and made the image really vivid in my mind.
"His voice was raw white wood, torn from the heart of the tree." (p. 418)The writing in this book was also really funny at times, too, and would help to lighten the mood. And I actually laughed out loud sometimes, which doesn't happen a lot with me, so that was a plus.
"'My brother snores like a drunk bear.'
I laughed. 'Mal snores, too.'
'Then they can perform a duet.'" (p. 90)Alina progressed so much in this book. It was great to see Alina finally come into her own and accept her fate as a leader. Alina had to take on a leadership role and she embraced it and faced it head on, which was so different from the same girl who used to run from her powers. Alina is also really loyal to her country, which is an admirable quality for her to have and shows her bravery. I liked Alina a lot in this book and I can't wait to see where she progresses in Ruin and Rising.
We meet a new character in this book and, boy, is he a great new character. Early on, Alina meets Sturmhond and he is such a good character. Sturmhond is so funny and sarcastic and sassy and all of his lines are just great and laugh-out-loud worthy. Sutrmhond was super confident and sometimes a little arrogant, but he was never too arrogant or cocky to the point where I found him annoying.
"Mal crossed his arms and considered the privateer. 'I can't decide if you're crazy or stupid.'
'I have so many good qualities,' Sturmhond said. 'It can be hard to choose.'" (p. 81)I really liked most of the book. I got a little bit bored in the middle, but it didn't last long. One thing that I didn't like, but always seemed to be there, though, was Mal. He annoys me to no end, and I don't like the relationship he has with Alina. I didn't love him in the first book, but now I just really don't like him. I can sum up most of my feelings with this one thought Alina had in the beginning of the book and I'll just leave it at that.
"I felt like I had when we were kids: capable Mal and useless Alina." (p. 13)Overall, I liked this book and I will be completing the trilogy and definitely be reading more of Leigh Bardugo's work once it comes out. I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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