10 STARS! I KNOW THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE SINCE STARS ARE ONLY UP TO 5 BUT WTF, THIS BOOK DESERVES MORE THEN 5 STARS.

Okay, okay. I've calmed down. But seriously, guys, I can't believe I just read that.
Shadow and Bone was so good! But Siege and Storm, maaan. IT WAS AMAZING.

For one it's more intense. The plot is bigger, but it's not too complicated for me to keep up with. I love that at the back of the book, it says "Darkness never dies", and it's kind of a metaphor, and reality, and foreshadowing altogether. The Darkling stirs and hunts for Alina once again.
I didn't like seeing Alina sort-of helpless in the early parts of the book, that the Darkling has grabbed hold of them once again. So when she finally turns the table around near the end of the story, I was definitely silently cheering her on!

I let go of my fear, my guilt, my shame. There was darkness inside me. He had put it there, and I would no longer deny it. The volcra, the nichevo'ya, they were my monsters, all of them. And he was my monster, too."

The plot surrounding the amplifiers from mythical animals thickens as well. I love that they started from myths, stories, and now they can either help save Ravka or destroy it. (And now I finally realize the significance of the covers and the connection it has to the story!)

I love the addition of new characters as well! Sturmhond was a breath of fresh air, so was Nikolai. He was right downright hilarious, and a bit annoying, but that just adds to his personality. And Tamar, I love her! Fierce female characters are what I live for. These three—four—characters (four including Tolya, let's not forget Tolya and his coolness!) play different yet equally important roles in the plot. Vasily is a downright idiot.

No one can convince me otherwise that it was his idiocy is what got him killed.

I have no sympathy for him. Sorry not sorry.

I also like that somehow, I felt like there were hints of psychological elements in this book. Alina keeps seeing things that she shouldn't have—leaving her confused and scared, and dragging her further away from Mal. And in then, in the end, she confronts the darkness inside her.

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT MAL AND ALINA (Or Malina, my newest ship!). I admit, in the first book I wasn't fond of the pairing yet. I know they're best friends but I wasn't on board with Team Malina just yet. But in this book, we see just how much their new situation is straining their relationship, as friends and as lovers. Chapters 20 and 21 messed with my feelings, okay?! I seriously felt like putting the book down and just cry my heart out. I didn't like seeing them so disconnected with each other.

And can I mention once again how much I love the author's style of writing?! It's so so good. Bardugo really has that ability to hook you on a character, on the plot, and the entire story itself. She's becoming one of my favorite authors now!

LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK. I'm so excited for Ruin and Rising! Although, I'm not sure if my heart will be able to take it.
MILLION STARS FOR THIS ONE.
ALSO HAVE YOU SEEN THE COVER?! IT'S GORGEOUS.

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Thoughts on my second read.

Well. I loved this book the, I still love this book now.

Vasily is still and idiot, Tamar and Tolya are seriously the best, and of course, our dear Nikolai is as charming as ever. I realized Mal was kind of annoying here, tho. But I tried to grasp his situation and understand him.

This reread also forced me to finally face and accept something I've always thought about though. Alina should have died in this book. Don't get me wrong, I don't want her to die! I adore here! But, I really felt like she should have died in this book 'cause it would have ended everything. She was willing to give her life, she was willing to die for Ravka, for her friends, for all the people who died. But she didn't. I guess I kind of understand it though. If she died in the second book, there would be no third book, there would be no ending to the mystery surrounding Morozova, and there would be no closure in the subplots and all.

Still, I loved this book. And let me say it again, THIS COVER IS GORGEOUS!