LEIGH BARDUGO
(Book 2 in the Shadow and Bone trilogy)
(Note: there are other editions of the cover)
Synopsis:
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.
Content:
Language: a few minor swear words and rude/cruel insults
Violence: there are a few fight scenes and descriptions of atrocities, as well as heavy scarring. There are some moments where the main character (Alina) beings to "give in to her darkness" and finds she enjoys the fear of those around her and the dangerous power she knows she wields.
Sex: several kisses, described appropriately for a YA audience, romantic pining, an almost lustful connection between Alina and the villain, proposals, allusions to sex and illegitimate son in the royal family.
LGBTQ: an implication of romantic longing between two females
My Review: I've really been enjoying this series. I like the magic system and the world building and I even like some of the characters. But then there are some things that I really hate. The lack of communication trope is used between the main couple—literally my least favorite trope of all time. It got a little annoying at times (I had to force myself through that portion of the book), but I throughly enjoyed the rest.