Novella Review: The Too-Clever Fox by Leigh Bardugo

 The Too-Clever Fox
(The Grisha #2.5)
by Leigh Bardugo
Format: ebook (32 pages)
Published: June 4th 2013 by Tor Books
Source: Tor (click here to read now)

  In Ravka, just because you avoid one trap, it doesn't mean you'll escape the next. This story is a companion folk tale to Leigh Bardugo’s upcoming novel, Siege and Storm, the second book in the Grisha Trilogy.









Review:
(Although I got to read this for free my review is still 100% honest)

This novella is another tale from the world of the Grisha Series by Leigh Bardugo.

This story is about a fox whose name is Koja. I really enjoyed reading Koja's story of him escaping many traps using is cleverness. I found that I enjoyed his character a lot with how clever he spoke to get out these traps.

After reading this I do see a resemblance of Koja from Nickoli from Siege and Storm. They both really clever and kind of the same personality. Which is maybe why I enjoyed them both a lot.

I was really surprised at the twist within this tale. I didn't see it coming at all. Koja's story is differently one that should be read. I think it can be read at any time even before Shadow and Bone if you wish.

I gave this 4 out of 5 bats.

Novella Review: The Tailor by Leigh Bardugo

The Tailor 
(The Grisha #1.5)
by Leigh Bardugo 
Format: Ebook (18 pages)
Published: May 23rd 2013 by Holt Children's/Macmillan
Source:Scribd (click here to read now)

 New scene from Shadow and Bone told from Genya's point of view.











Review:

This novella is almost like an extended scene in Shadow and Bone told from Genya's point of view. It goes over her thoughts about the letters she never sent to Mal. It also shows her relationship with the queen ever since Genya was given to her.

I would have to say I really enjoyed looking through her point of view. It was almost scary at how much she hated the queen and how she had made such a hard decision with betraying people. It seems as though the Darkling cared about her. I feel as though he planted her with the queen knowing what would happen as she got older.

This novella is a must read after you finish reading Shadow and Bone. It helps you understand a little more about Genya and the choices she made in the series.



I gave this 5 out of 5 bats.

Review: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm 
(The Grisha # 2)
by Leigh Bardugo
Format: Hardcover (432 pages)
Published:  June 4th 2013 by Henry Holt and Co.
Source: Bought Myself

 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.


Review:
First of all I have to say this book makes for a great sequel in this trilogy. It diffidently did not disappoint.  The beginning and end of this book have to be the most exciting parts though. The middle was slower but it wasn't boring. I actually found the middle to be interesting with all of the political talk.

The setting of this book explores past Ravka across the true sea. Into a land called Eames Chin, I enjoyed that the world is getting bigger.

 I loved the new characters introduced in this book. Nickoli was fun and really brightened up the book a lot through out it. I enjoyed his banter with both Alina and Mal, it was very enjoyable for me to read. The twins Tamar and Tolya I found to be very interesting, they made me want to read more to find out more about them.

Alina and Mal's relationship was very roller coaster in this book. I was sent for a loop though because now I do care for Mal more through out this book. I still feel like she should be with the Darkling, although he might be evil it seems like he cares for her the most. I'm not sure why but I just want them together!

With the constant threat of the Darkling appearing and killing everyone diffidently helped me  to keep on reading. I enjoyed his new found power and thought it suited him well. It really shows you how evil he can be and that you should not take him lightly. While something else I enjoyed was David helping Alina expanding her powers. I liked that the fabrikators work was shown more in this book then before.

I really didn't want to finish this book because I was afraid of what was going to happen at the end of it. All I have to say is that I can't wait to see where Alina's journey goes from her in the next book!


I gave this book 5 out of 5 bats.

Novella Review: The Witch of Duva by Leigh Bardugo

 The Witch of Duva 
(The Grisha #0.5)
by Leigh Bardugo
Foramat: Ebook (43 pages)
Published June 5th 2012 by Tor
Source: Tor (click here to read yourself)

There was a time when the woods near Duva ate girls...or so the story goes. But it’s just possible that the danger may be a little bit closer to home. This story is a companion folk tale to Leigh Bardugo’s debut novel, Shadow and Bone.









 Review:
( Although I got to read this book for free my review is still 100% honest)

This story is a Ravkan folk tale from the same world as the Grisha series. I was pretty surprised as I read this with how messed up it was. It was very dark, which I actually enjoyed quite a bit.

The main character is Nadya who is actually pretty brave having to go through what she did. Her brother Havel left her with her father to go off for his military career. Their father marries what Nadya believes is a khitka.The khitkii were spiteful forest spirits, bloodthirsty and vengeful. She ends up getting lost in the woods running into a witch's hut.

I found it interesting that the witch was not the one kidnapping and eating the girls. It was a pretty good spin on original folktales, where the witch is normally evil. I diffidently enjoyed reading this folk tale set in the world of Ravka. I would say that you could read this novella before or after reading Shadow and Bone it doesn't ruin any of the original story line. If anything I think it helps understand their world a little bit more. As I said before though it is really dark not a regular folk tale.



I gave this 4 out of 5 bats.

Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

 Shadow and Bone
(The Grisha #1)
by Leigh Bardugo
Published:   June 5th 2012 by Henry Holt and Co.
Edition: Hardcover (358 pgs)
Source: Bought Myself

 The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.

 Review:

I found the story interesting when I first started it. I was a little confused by who did what magic wise at the beginning but the more I read the more I figured it out. After the first action scene I couldn't stop reading it.

 The are quite a few words in Russian through out this book, which I had a hard time reading. It made me want to pronounce it, kind of understand it by what it meant. Which in turn slowed my reading for this book down. By the end of the book I was used to seeing these words so it wasn't a bother.

The setting for this book is Russian based not actually set in Russia. It takes place in a country call Ravka, which is between two other countries  that boarded it's North and South side. Through out this book you get to explore most it, if not all of Ravka. Which I happened to enjoy a lot.

Alina is the main character of this book. I enjoyed her a lot although she appears frail  at the beginning I enjoyed her personality. She kind of seemed like a smart-ass or something of that nature.

Alina and Mal grew up together and he never really acted like he thought much of her at the beginning of this book. Of course they both were just hiding feelings for each other and acting like friends. Their relationship together was kind of awkward at first.

I was soo rooting for the darkling and Alina to work out. I loved the way they interacted with each other at the beginning half of the book, much more than I did with her and Mal's relationship. Although Mal isn't a bad character for some reason I was more attracted the darkling.
As soon as things started to turn for the worst, Alina running away, I just kept wanted to see what happened next.

This book was a very entertaining read through out. I don't think the beginning was slow at all it actually made me want to find out more of the storyline. Anyways I have to say that this book has a pretty amazing adventure within it. The map at the beginning just proves my point for this. I really want to see what happens next in Seige and Storm. Which I'm gonna start reading now!


I gave this book 5 out of 5 bats.