Showing posts with label Leigh Bardugo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leigh Bardugo. Show all posts

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Six of Crows
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: Six of Crows #1
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Release Date: September 29, 2015

Summary from Goodreads:
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.


Review

Is it a surprise to anyone that I loved this book? "A gambler, a convict, a wayward son, a lost Grisha, a Suli girl who had became a killer, a boy from the Barrel who had become something worse" - this cast of characters is like my dream come true. And a plot involving an impossible heist with lots of deception, trickery and power-plays in a world that I've already fallen in love with couldn't be more perfect. I devoured this book and I cannot wait for me.

Leigh Bardugo's execution of this story was pretty flawless. We learn more and more about these characters and their pasts - explaining who they are and why - with each turn of the page. New layers to the heist unfold with each new chapter read. It was like peeling an onion and and with each layer I became more and more invested, more and more enraptured.  By the end of the story I didn't want to say goodbye.

I loved how different these characters were but how perfectly they fit together. I loved watching the dynamics within the group evolve and deepen. I loved the strength of the female characters in this story who are beyond inspirational. I loved how Kaz Breaker was always one step ahead. And I loved how, despite their occupation which breeds distrust, they had become a little family and cared for one another. They were fearless, daring, and compassionate when it came to protecting their own but dangerous, merciless and calculating to those who dare cross them. It was the perfect combination. And I rooted for them every step of the way.

I loved the exploration into the other lands in the Grishaverse. I loved that the plot centered around  enhancing Grisha power. I loved every time Nikolai's name was mentioned in passing (maybe this was just me). For fans of the Grisha trilogy, it was just the right taste of a world we knew while being something entirely new and exciting. You do not need to read the Grisha trilogy to enjoy this book.

Everything about this book just worked for me. It was adventurous and unpredictable and so, so easy to love. This book was completely satisfying and yet that ending left me thirsting for more. I can't wait to go on another adventure with this gang and to watch them beat the odds again. Book two's release honestly can't come soon enough.

This book released on Tuesday and if you haven't picked it up already/don't pick it up soon, you are making a mistake a mistake. It was an easy 5 stars. An easy favorite. Leigh Bardugo rocks my world.

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Ruin & Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Ruin & Rising
Series: The Grisha #3
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Pages: 417
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:
The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.


Review

Over the past three years I have completely fallen in love with these characters and this world that Leigh Bardugo has created. I have had so many smiles and laughs and swoons as well as plenty of well-timed fits and anxiety attacks. I am sad that this series has finally come to an end, but I can’t think of a better conclusion for this story. It was wonderful.

When I look back at this series, I'd say Shadow & Bone was more plot-driven, whereas, Siege and Storm was more character-driven. But Ruin & Rising was a nice balance of both. The second half contained much of the action, but I still loved the first half. How could I not when most of it was filled with witty quips from my boyfriend, Nikolai? But really, I love this set of characters so much that I just love spending time with them. They don't have to be battling the Darkling or hunting down one of Morozova's amplifiers to have my attention.

I really think it is a gift when you can love a set of characters so completely as I do with this series.

I think like things ended the way that they should have – for the characters and for Ravka. It was fitting to the story and provided complete closure. Did everything unfold exactly as I would have liked? No, not exactly. I would have preferred Nikolai be in every single scene. But when you love a series so much, a good, strong ending is the best you can ask for. And I was more than satisfied.

I can't recommend this series enough, but I don't think I have to because it's reputation precedes itself. Every book in this series is strong and the story itself is so unique and fun. The characters are perfect. The writing is superb. I really can't say enough positive things about it. If you haven't started this series, or continued with it, I encourage you to do so.

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REVIEW #121: Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Siege and Storm
Series: The Grisha #2
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Pages: 435, Hardcover
Source: Bought

Darkness never dies.

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.

 

It's no secret I loved this book. I loved it every bit as much as Shadow and Bone.
Maybe even more so.

I'm sure some of my love stems from the fact that this is a fantasy series. 
A very well done one at that.
Leigh Bardugo has created such a stunning and intricate world in which to tell this story.
And there is so much originality.
The magic. The Grisha. The Darkling. The Fold. The Second Army. The Amplifiers.
Every detail is so unique and mesmerizing. I can't get enough.
It's probably one of the coolest YA fantasy worlds that I've had the pleasure of reading.
Fortunately we do get to see more of it in Siege & Storm.

The story is just so complete.
You know how some books sacrifice character development for action or vice versa.
This isn't one of those books.
There is plenty of action and adventure, suspense and excitement.
But everything in between is just as enthralling.
You will be captivated by these characters and their trials.

Alina suffers a pretty serious internal battle. She is unsure of who she is or what she wants.
Her power is consuming her.
The Darkling isn't around that much in this sequel but his presence is still felt.
And he is darker and more dangerous than ever.
Mal gets a lot of attention, but not exactly to his favor.
Alina and Mal have to reevaluate what they mean to each other.
Sturmhond, our newest recruit, really stole the show (and my heart).
He was handsome, capable, charming, and commanding.
He was both unpredictable and entertaining.
But he is mine, ladies. Don't fight me on this one or things will get ugly. ;)

I'm scared of elaborating on events for those of you who haven't read it.
I don't want to spoil any of the feels for you.
So trust me when I say that Leigh Bardugo delivers in a big way. Again.
The beginning left me breathless
The middle left me restless
The ending left me speechless.

This was one hell of a ride.
 
 That is me giving Leigh Bardugo a high five... if we were both men.

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I'm Waiting On Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine to shine a spotlight on upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating!

This week I chose...


Title: Siege and Storm
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Release Date: June 4, 2013

Summary from Goodreads:
Darkness never dies.

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, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But 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.

I think we can all agree that Shadow and Bone was awesome and Leigh Bardugo has some mad talent. And preliminary reviews of this book prove that Siege and Storm will be just as fantastic, if not better. Not to mention this cover is beautiful! For these reasons and more, this baby is pre-ordered and I am eagerly awaiting for June 4th to come around! 

What are you waiting on?


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