Do I need to read the first book before this one?

This novel is the second installment in a trilogy and directly continues the narrative arc established in the preceding book, making it necessary to read the series in order to follow the plot and character development.

Is there a screen adaptation of this book?

Yes, in part. Netflix's Shadow and Bone adapted this book in its second season, which premiered on 16 March 2023 — but that season condensed both Siege and Storm and the final book, Ruin and Rising, into eight episodes, and folded in characters from the Six of Crows duology, so it does not follow the novel beat for beat. Netflix cancelled the series in November 2023, so there is no further adaptation of the trilogy.

Siege and Storm

Reader reviews of Siege and Storm

Kiera · 2026-09-30T05:51:26.000000Z

Power, Greed and Jealousy... The three staples within this book. While I did enjoy this book - see the 5 star rating - there were parts that drove me up a wall and made me want to yeet the book of a 10 story building... Alina and Mal begin this book on the run after escaping the Darkling. Though thanks to their inability to be covert they are found out - instantly-. They get themselves captured and then we meet Sturmhond - my favorite character by far - who we later find out is Prince Nikolai Lantsov. Honestly, I think most people can agree that if it was not for Nikolai this book would have been downright disappointing. He brings so much sass, class and is an entertaining character to read. He livens up scenes with his witty remarks. If I didn't already know who Alina ends up with, I would have loved to ship Nikolai and Alina - cus lets be honest, he is so much better than Mal.... That brings us to the mopiest character I have ever had the displeasure of reading about. Mal cannot help but complain and whine about Alina's power and desire to help 'save' Ravka. He keeps trying to urge her to run away and leave, and when she declines because she has responsibilities (AKA saving the gosh darn world), he mopes and drinks himself into a stupor - like bruh why... How is Alina so caught up by him, like surely there is some other guy who compliments her that she could have been into...... Alina, Alina, Alina... She is getting caught up in her power - she is hungry for more and seems she is not concerned who she hurts to get it. Desperate for the third amplifier, when she didn't even want the second... Though, she does admit to this later in the book. I did enjoy this book and its storyline.

Fantasy Young Adult

Pages: 386
Published: 2013
Language: English

Synopsis

Hunted across the True Sea, Alina Starkov and her childhood friend Mal are trying to outrun the reach of the Darkling and the burden of Alina's growing power. But a life of quiet anonymity was never truly possible for the Sun Summoner, and the ties that bind her to Ravka and to the Fold cannot be severed by distance alone. Soon Alina is pulled back into the fight for her country, and into a widening war for its throne.

Back on Ravkan soil, Alina must take up the mantle of leadership she never wanted, uniting the Grisha and the common people against a threat that grows stronger with every passing day. Her search for a legendary second amplifier to boost her powers brings danger, temptation, and a charismatic new ally: the daring privateer prince Nikolai Lantsov, whose ambitions for Ravka may rival even the Darkling's.

The second book in Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone trilogy raises the stakes of the Grishaverse, deepening its political intrigue and its central conflict as Alina is forced to choose what kind of leader, and what kind of person, she intends to become.