Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha #2
Pages: 435

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.

The beginning was great! The book started quickly, beckoning me into its pages... I was really happy with this, because any book with a quick start, that isn't confusing, deserves an A+ from me! Not to mention there was a plot twist, and it happend quite quickly in my opinion! Despite the quick start, I felt as though things were starting to ease back down, but then... BAM! I will say no more, for the very few of you have not read this book.

As things progressed, they began to slow down Although the true action parts were no longer there, conflict was still around. Everything that happend was very stressful in my opinion. You could tell that each of the characters was in a state of constant fear. The threat of the Darkling was actually only one of Alina's problems. The middle was focused more on romance. Yes she was also making plans for her army, but thats not important... What was really being focused on was love. Her and Mal's relationship, was well... I don't really know how to feel about it. Let's just say... they aren't my OTP *cowers* Their relationship was a bit, well, rough in this book. Mal was not happy, it was quite clear. Although I am DYING to say more, I won't. Don't fear. In the end, I felt the middle was a bit weak, I could have used some more action.

The characters were very clearly, themselves I think Leigh Bardugo did a very good job of expressing each of the characters personalities! Everyone had their own uniqueness... Each characters was fully developed and everything about them was clearly linked to their past! Which is of course, fabulous, as backstories are my life.

Alina was... transforming Throughout the book she was having what I like to think of as a battle against herself. The power of.... I'm not sure if I can say it... I guess I won't... The power of this thing she got at the beginning of the book was really affecting her. It was controlling her. I think it actually helped her find her priorities, and understand herself better. It also had a strong affect on her and Mal's relationship.

How about the end?  As you know, I wasn't the biggest fan of the middle, but I did enjoy the end. I liked the slight twist in the story, it made everything all the more exciting, without it, the book would have been quite boring. The twist was perfectly planned out, when I was starting get a little frustrated with all the romance and general boringness, it was there to save me! You know when your super hot and then you walk into an air conditioned room? Its like the best feeling ever, its just so nice. Thats what the ending felt like to me, perfect! Also it definitely makes a great transition into the next book!

1. Siege and Storm By: Leigh Bardugo this is the second book in The Grisha Series. I adored the first book! If you want to see more of what I thought about it click here! So for Christmas I would love to be able to continue on with the series!

2. Scarlet By: Marissa Meyer Another sequel, this time from The Lunar Chronicles. I did enjoy the first book, although it was a little slow for me. I am hoping that this book speeds things along, as I need action!

3. Magnus Chase and The Sword Of Summer By: Rick Riordan Wow that's a long title! Anyhow, I LOVE Rick Riordan, the Percy Jackson series is in my top 3 favorite series EVER. I was so sad when Heroes of Olympus ended because I knew it was my last time with Percy... Now that Rick Riordan has a new book, I must read it! And pray to the Gods it's as good as Percy Jackson.

4. Crown of Midnight By; Sarah J. Maas Sequel number three, I know, there is so many. This is the second book in the Throne of Glass series. I also adored Throne of Glass, and will probably be reviewing it soon! Of course I need the second book, so if Santa could be a darling and give it to me, that would be good.

5. The Wrath and The Dawn By: Renee Ahdieh Definitely one of the most hyped up books of 2015, but yet I haven''t read it. So of course it's going on my Christmas list!

6. A Court Of Thorns And Roses By: Sarah J. Maas This book sounds so good. I have been wanting to read it, forever. Have I? Of course not. Santa just give it to me.

7. Clockwork Angel By: Cassandra Clare This is the first book in the Infernal Devices. I have been putting it off forever. TMI is one of my favorite series ever, and I feel like this book won't live up to it's expectations for me. Everybody loves it, but I feel like I won't, which would be horrible. If I got it for Christmas, I would probably read it though.

8. Snow Like Ashes By: Sara Raasch Once again another book I have wanted to read for ages. But yet every single time I was buying books I decided to get it later... what is wrong with me? The concept of this book sounds so interesting! It's a must read for me!

9. To All The Boys I've Loved Before By: Jenny Han I don't like contemporaries very much, I have said this many times. But this one however sounds really good, and I'm hoping it is funny as well. Contemporaries are only good if they are funny.

10. Pure By: Jennifer L. Arementrout Yes a fourth sequel. This is the second book in The Covenant Series. Jennifer L. Armentrout is my favorite author. I loved Half-Blood (the first book, I love Jennifer, Therefore I need this book.

So these are all the books I demand for Christmas. I might be on the naughty list, but I still demand these books. Santa WILL get me them, or else.

Are you guys as excited for Christmas as I am(i will never grow up)? What

books do you demand Santa to give you? Comment your most wanted book 

below!

I Loved The World Of Grisha

I find many books don't have super interesting settings, usually they are based in today's world. Although I usually enjoy those books nonetheless, I love being taken to completely new worlds, places that are new to me, places that are sadly made up(real or not real?????) This book had just that! I loved how it had a 100% new location, not in the US like most books are set, instead in a brand new country! I also loved the concept of Grisha and how they weren't simply called witches, no, they were Grisha!

Everything Was Introduced Well And Flowed Nicely

It can be hard to introduce such a complicated world and deep characters, however Leigh Bardogo did it with ease! I never found myself confused throughout the book, wondering what she was talking about. If you payed attention while reading, you wouldn't get lost! I find with such a complex concept its easy to lose track of whats happening and what these strange things being mentioned are. Fear no more, because this book has got your back when it comes to that!

The Characters Had Depth

Each character had a backstory. I love backstories. They are the work of Gods. Backstories are perfect, they give characters so much depth, you get a better understanding of their actions and personality. The information given in backstories helps shape the character and give them more depth. They also give you a better understanding of the characters. In Shadow and Bone the important characters all had some sort of story behind them, I especially liked Mal and Alina's story! Even the Darkling had his own twisted tale that made up his personality!

There WAS Action But Not Tons

Books packed with so much action and adventure are perfect for me. Although I couldn't put this book down, it didn't have as much action as I expected. The beginning was nice and juicy with action, so was the end! However I found that the middle was lacking a bit of that extra intensity. Most of the book was spent with Alina training, obviously not the most interesting thing. Don't get me wrong, there was some though! I'm hoping the next book is a little more exciting!

The Ending Changed My Rating

I did not like the ending. Not one bit. It wasn't that there was a plot twist, or something crazy. It was too calm! There was nothing that made me want to scream and throw a fit! Don't get me wrong, those ending hurt me, but they also make me beg for more! Those are the things that get me excited for what is coming up next in the series, not the case in this book. The ending here was too easy. I did however read the first chapter of the second book, which was included. That really got me riled up! Such a cliff hanger! But why wasn't it included in the ending of the first book? Not added to the second!

Final Rating:

When I saw other bloggers doing this prompt from The Broke and The Bookish I knew I wanted to be a part of it! This year I have really gotten into YA. Yes I have read YA before, but never with such fiery passion(the feels just really got me this year) So here is a list of 10 6 of the authors that fed my addiction:

1. Jennifer L. Armentrout If you read my reviews on the first 2 books in the Lux series, then you know that I am in love with them, and with Jennifer L. Armentrout. Although it seems like forever ago, I was first introduced to her this year, and am going to read her books forever(and ever).

2. Tahereh Mafi is the author of Shatter Me. I adore Shatter Me. Her writing is gorgeousness, I honestly can't get enough of it! I can't wait to finish the rest of this series!

3. Marissa Meyer, author of The Lunar Chronicals. As somebody who dislikes Sci-Fi I was quite skeptical of reading Cinder. But after hearing such wonderful comments on it I pushed the hatred aside, and was blown away! I loved ever moment of this book, and I was entranced by her smooth easy writing! 

4. Victoria Aveyard, author of Red Queen. Bringing up Red Queen makes me want to have a temper tantrum. The plot twist ending shocked me so much I wanted to stab a couple people(or every single flipping person in the universe) Though the ending made me want to rip out my hair, it was a bold move, and I like that. Victoria Aveyard wrote the book beautifully! If anyone else tried to make such a wicked ending, I doubt it would work out for them, it takes a special (evil)skill.

5. Kelly Armstrong Of course I knew about her for quite a while, she has written many books. But never did I consider picking up a book by her. But I did. Sea Of Shadows was thrust into my arms, and man am I glad it was! She is actually a very talented writer, I'm thinking about trying out some of her other book as well! 

 6. Leigh Bardugo, author of The Grisha trilogy. So I haven't actually finished a book by her, but I am currently reading Shadow and Bone. I'm already in love with it. 160 pages in, and I know she is a fabulous writer!

Are their any new authors you have discovered this year? Tell me about them below!

Of course with Christmas coming and all the books I'm planning on getting my December TBR is DEFIANTLY going grow, a lot! so look forward to the wrap up at the end of the month!