Siege and Storm
Siege and Storm is the second installment in Leigh Bardugo's Young Adult fantasy trilogy, The Grishaverse. The story continues to follow Alina Starkov, a powerful Sun Summoner, as she navigates a world besieged by darkness and war, largely fueled by the formidable Darkling. Alina is hunted across the True Sea and grapples with her growing powers, which demand sacrifice and blur the lines between light and shadow. The narrative involves political intrigue, intense magical confrontations, and a complex love triangle, pushing Alina to choose between her destiny, her country, and her personal attachments. The book is characterized by its Russian-inspired setting, detailed world-building, and exploration of moral ambiguities and the corrupting nature of power, making it a compelling read for its target audience.
Concerns
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and occult themes are central to the entire narrative, revolving around the Grisha's magical abilities, amplifiers, and 'forbidden magic.' These elements are fundamental to the world-building and plot progression.
Grisha characters possess 'supernatural abilities referred to as small science,' which involve manipulating elements like light, darkness, or bodily functions. The antagonist, the Darkling, actively uses and promotes 'forbidden magic,' leading to the creation of shadow monsters.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe story features consistently scary and intense elements, including constant threats from powerful dark magic, horrifying creatures, and significant emotional distress experienced by the protagonist.
Alina and her allies are forced to confront 'deadly monsters made of darkness.' The Darkling's actions involve kidnapping and the deployment of newly created 'shadow monsters,' generating high-stakes and frightening encounters.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe book features implied LGBTQ representation through a supporting character. While not explicitly detailed, a character's sexual orientation is hinted at in dialogue, establishing a minor presence of queer identity within the narrative.
The character Tamar Kir-Bataar is indicated to be a lesbian when she states that Mal Oretsev 'isn’t her type,' a line explicitly noted by reviewers as signifying her sexual orientation.
Violence
MediumSiege and Storm contains frequent instances of battle violence, perilous situations, and descriptions of magical combat. Characters face deadly monsters and engage in detailed confrontations, with the threat of death and severe injury being constant.
Alina and her team encounter and battle 'deadly monsters made of darkness.' The Darkling, a primary antagonist, possesses a 'terrifying new power' which includes the ability to 'cause someone's heart to explode without touching them.'
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe book includes romantic tension and kissing, notably featuring a love triangle involving the protagonist. There is an instance of a non-consensual kiss and implied intimacy, though explicit sexual acts are not described.
In one scene, a male character kisses Alina without her consent, to which she reacts by kicking him. Additionally, there is a scene where Alina brings a male character into her bed and they share a kiss.
Substance Use
MediumThe book contains mentions and depictions of social drinking and, in one notable instance, a main character's over-indulgence in alcohol.
There are instances of 'social drinking' among characters. The character Mal is criticized for being 'at the bottom of a bottle' when he was supposed to be on duty, indicating a struggle with excessive drinking.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe narrative frequently explores themes of disrespect and rebellion, particularly through Alina's defiance of antagonists and Mal's sometimes petulant behavior. Challenges to authority figures and societal norms are a consistent part of the plot.
Mal exhibits behavior described by readers as 'whiny, clingy and insecure,' particularly in his interactions with Alina regarding her growing power and new alliances. Alina herself demonstrates defiance against those who attempt to control her, asserting her authority: 'I don't care if you think I'm a Saint or a fool or the Darklings's whore. If you want to remain at the Little Palace, you will follow me. And if you don't like it, you will be gone by tonight, or I will have you in chains.'
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumWhile the book does not explicitly mock or criticize Christian beliefs, its fantasy world operates on a magical system (Grisha powers, forbidden magic) that may be viewed as occult or non-Christian by some parents. The concept of a 'Saint' within the Grishaverse is not tied to Christian theology.
The core world-building relies on 'supernatural abilities referred to as small science,' and characters frequently engage in 'forbidden magic,' which is a central plot device. Alina is sometimes referred to as a 'Saint' by other characters, a title within the story's own mythology that is distinct from Christian sainthood.
Profanity
LowProfanity in Siege and Storm is minimal and generally mild, appearing infrequently and not contributing to aggressive or pervasive coarse language.
Parental reviews indicate 'a couple instances of mild profanity' throughout the book. An example of mild profanity can be inferred from a character's exclamation like 'Nikolai is so, so damn awesome!'
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Recommended for ages 14 and up. This age recommendation is based on the book's complex themes, moderate violence, implied romantic situations, and the exploration of morally gray characters and difficult choices. While some sources suggest ages 12 and up, the depth of content, including instances of non-consensual kissing and significant magical conflict, leans towards an older teen audience for full comprehension and appropriateness.
Additional Notes
Siege and Storm is the second book in a trilogy, and its plot directly builds on events and character developments from the first book, 'Shadow and Bone.' The book delves deeply into Alina's internal struggle with her immense power and the moral compromises she faces, which can be complex themes for younger readers. The focus on political maneuvering and the personal growth of secondary characters are also prominent.
Related Reviews
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