Tag: Magic

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

LinnBooks

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Siege and Storm is the second book in the Grisha triology by Leigh Bardugo. You can read my review of Shadow and Bone if you want to. Obviously the first book was good enough for me to read the second one as well. This review will have spoilers if you haven’t read it yet.

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I got very frustrated in the beginning of the book when they got captured again, so fast! I felt it was kind of pointless that they escaped in the previous book only to get caught again so fast. Even when conitue reading I still think it was a unneccesary event. It created a good ending to the first book though, wouldn’t be much of a end if they continued to be captured by the Darkling.

I liked this book and I will probably read the third one as well. It’s such a bummer my local library doesn’t have the third book in the series. They only have the first two books (in both Swedish and English), but not the third book (in any language). How frustrating!

Back to the book,  the story continues and has a fast pace throughout. I like prince Nikolai, I’m not sure if I’m supposed to or not, but I do. I guess I get a bit bored of Mal, her childhood friend and her love interest. In the beginning of the first book he’s a flirty guy who’s quite confident. That side gets lost as the books goes on. I did like the fighting scene that shows he does have a different side and is not just moping around drinking which seems to be what he’s doing in this book.

In the book they prepare for war or a larger fight, they don’t know when but they know it’s coming. It came as a big surprise and I love how Leigh Bardugo did that! All hell broke loose in a way I did not expect. It was a great plot twist!

 

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I can only continue to praise the covers for this series! I love this one even more because of the popping colours it has. They have really hired a great illustrator because the detailing is perfect. I also love how they have incorporated the title into the design. It’s not on top of the design, it’s in the design and I love that. Great work! This is a series I really could buy to have on my shelf because it’s so well done.

Romantic fantasy at its best – Air Awakens series

LinnBooks

 

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Air Awakens and Fire Falling by Elise Kova

I have to start by saying that these are the best books I have read this year! Really. Not only did they tick every box of what I wanted to read, but the books are well written, the plot is good, great character building and the world the story takes place in feels well developed. It even has a map (Fire Falling)! Awesome books! I started reading this series because the cover  was so pretty! Along with a enticing synopsis, of course. But really the great cover really matches the greatness of the book.

We get to follow Vhalla as she “awakens” and she needs to decide to either become a sorcerer or cut herself off from it. Her choice would have been easy had she not gotten entwined with Prince Aldrik and Prince Baladir. A good romantic story is something I like and this book had me hooked from the start. I really could not stop reading it! Kova has a great way of building up feelings and the romantic tension between Vhalla and Aldrik. It’s a great romance that gives you butterflies in your stomach, but that also makes you frustrated because you can’t control the events.

I would easily say that these are the best books I’ve read this year! If you like fantasy, great characters and a bit of romance you’ll like these books.

The third book in the installment is called Earth’s End and it is on the way (will be released in febuary). For more upcoming information you can Visit Elise Kova’s homepage.
Fire Falling

Design
If it’s something I love it’s great graphic arts. And I’m a sucker for these kinds of covers. The airiness and the roses makes the cover very pretty. It’s very clear that the graphic designer has skills and paid interest to details in these images. For the cover of Fire Falling I like that Aldrik is featured in the cover together with Vhalla. Again, look at the details in the cover, it’s so well done.

The cover for the third book in this series is out and it too looks really good too. I can’t wait to read it!earths end

In January I’ll share my interview with the designer of these great covers but in the meantime you can visit her home page. Merilliza.com.