Siege and Storm Review: A Genuine Step Up From Shadow and Bone

Is Siege and Storm better than Shadow and Bone? Here's a breakdown of the reception to this Grishaverse sequel — the worldbuilding, Alina's growth, and Sturmhond.

8/18/20263 min read

Siege and Storm Review: A Genuine Step Up From Shadow and Bone

Continuing directly from Shadow and Bone, this installment addresses several of the first book's most common criticisms head-on. Here's a breakdown of what reviewers consistently say about the improvement.

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Quick Answer

Reception is strongly positive, with multiple reviewers explicitly stating this book improves on Shadow and Bone in nearly every way that mattered to them — deeper worldbuilding, a stronger Alina, and a fantastic new character in Sturmhond. It also ends on what reviewers describe as an even more intense cliffhanger than the first book's.

What It's About

Picking up immediately after Shadow and Bone, Alina and Mal are on the run from the Darkling. As Alina becomes more entangled in Ravkan politics — no longer allied with the Darkling but increasingly recognized as the kingdom's only Sun Summoner — she crosses paths with a mysterious privateer named Sturmhond during a search for the mythical dragon Rusalye, setting off a chain of events that pulls her deeper into both power and danger.

What Reviewers Consistently Praise

Significantly deeper worldbuilding. Reviewers who found the first book's worldbuilding merely good describe this installment as a real step up — expanding into the King of Ravka's court, the tension between Grisha and non-Grisha citizens, and the broader political stakes Alina now has to navigate.

Alina's character growth. This comes up repeatedly as one of the book's strongest elements — reviewers describe her as noticeably less whiny and self-conscious, showing real strength and leadership as she steps into a larger role among the Grisha, with one reviewer specifically citing a moment where she asserts herself with Sturmhond as a turning point they cheered for.

Alina's darker character turn. As her power and the temptation of the Darkling's connection grow, reviewers note Alina descending into more morally complicated territory — several describe this shift as a genuine highlight, appreciating that Bardugo let her grow more emotionally complex rather than staying static.

Sturmhond as a new addition to the cast. Reviewers are consistently enthusiastic about this new character, describing him as sarcastic, funny, and genuinely compelling — bold, secretive, and effective in a way that makes him stand out immediately upon introduction.

The strained Alina and Mal relationship. Rather than treating their romance as settled, reviewers note the book explores real tension between them as Alina grows into her Grisha identity and Mal struggles to keep up — with at least one reviewer noting they'd actually hoped the two wouldn't end up together in book one, and appreciating that the relationship's difficulties are given real weight here rather than glossed over.

An unpredictable, higher-stakes conflict with the Darkling. Reviewers note that the Darkling remains a fully active, present threat throughout — not a background villain — and that neither side feels guaranteed to win any given encounter, which keeps the tension genuinely uncertain.

What Reviewers Note as Frustrating (In a Good Way)

An intense cliffhanger ending. Multiple reviewers describe the ending as explosive and heart-wrenching, with more than one noting it's an even harder cliffhanger to sit with than Shadow and Bone's.

Mal's arc growing more complicated. While reviewers appreciate the added depth to his character, his increasing distance from Alina is described as genuinely heartbreaking to read, with reviewers uncertain whether the relationship has a viable path forward.

What to Know Before You Start

Read Shadow and Bone first — this continues directly from its ending.

The cliffhanger is intense. Go in prepared to want the third book immediately.

The Darkling's power and menace escalate. Reviewers note he becomes even more formidable and unpredictable in this installment.

Who This Seems Right For

  • Anyone who enjoyed Shadow and Bone but wanted deeper worldbuilding and a stronger heroine

  • Readers who want their protagonist's romance to have real complications rather than easy resolution

  • Fans of morally complex antagonists who remain genuinely threatening throughout

Amazon Link: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Final Thoughts

Based on strong reviewer consensus, Siege and Storm improves on its predecessor in nearly every area reviewers cared about — richer worldbuilding, a more compelling Alina, and a standout new character in Sturmhond — while setting up what sounds like an intense final confrontation in the trilogy's concluding book.