Hello & welcome to today's Siege & Storm blog tour stop! I am in major fangirl mode right now, and usually I try and keep my cool when it comes to posts on Mundie Moms, but I am like a little kid in a candy shop right now, because SIEGE & STORM blog tour is on Mundie Moms. I LOVE this series as much as I love Cassie's books. It's that good.
In none fangirly talk, I'm so thrilled that Leigh is here to talk about Alina (you can about Mal here), Sturmhond, and Botkin. Before we get to character profiles and a GIVEAWAY, here's a little bit about the Shadow & Bone sequel. FYI, this book is out TOMORROW June 4th! This is one you REALLY want to go pick up!
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.
Name: Sturmhond
Most Frequently found Wearing: A teal frock coat, leather breeches, and a brace of pistols
Line of Work: Privateer
Skills: Smuggling, arms trading, breaking blockades, making mayhem
Likes: Money, good wine, enthusiastic women
Dislikes: A fair fight
Inspired by: Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond, Han Solo and Lando Calrissian, and someone too spoilery to mention.
Frequent Fancasts: He's new to the scene, but Lee Pace, Colin O'Donoghue, Caleb Landry Jones
"My mother was an oyster and I'm the pearl."
Sturmhond practically writes himself. Whereas most of my characters struggle with their motives and themselves, Sturmhond is pure confidence. He knows exactly who he is and exactly what he wants. It's a pleasure to write that kind of clarity of intent.
*photo credit:Yoonona
photo credit:Ardawling
Name: Alina Starkov
Most frequently found wearing: Blue and gold
Occupation: Former cartographer's assistant in the First Army, Sun Summoner
Skills: Summoning and manipulating light, the Cut
Likes: Sweet rolls, time spent in the meadow
Dislikes: Herring
Inspired by: ... hard to say. But I like to think there's a little Emma Stone in there.
Frequent fancasts: Crystal Reed, Taissa Farmiga, Sarah Bolger
"I'm not the world changing type."
People often ask if I'm like Alina. I've always felt like an outsider and we definitely share a similar sense of humor, but beyond that, we're quite different. Alina is braver and more forthright than I could ever hope to be, and she's simply had a much rougher time of it. It's not always easy to see her fail or make a bad choice, or to watch her struggle with her own fear and doubts, but I like heroes who don't always get it right, and I hope all the hell I put her through makes for a more interesting story.
*photo credit:Zoe
photo credit :Irene Koh
Photo credit for image on the left Irene Koh & image on the right SixPaperDolls
Photo credit Chantalle
Name: Botkin Yul-Erdene
Most Frequently found wearing: roughspun and something lethal
Line of Work: Combat instructor at the Little Palace
Skills: A trained mercenary, Botkin is deadly no matter which weapon he wields
Likes: Seeing progress in his students even if they have to suffer for it
Dislikes: Bullies
Inspired by: One of my grade school teachers who was also a former marine
Frequent Fancasts: Jason Momoa, Sifu Kisu, Clive Russell
"Steel is earned."
Botkin is a Shu mercenary tasked with training Grisha in hand-to-hand combat. He's tough on his students because they tend to rely too much on their powers, and drives them mercilessly in drills and sparring bouts. Though Botkin is gruff, he's never cruel. He really is quite a bit like Mr. Lee, my fifth grade humanities teacher. He was a little terrifying and definitely hard to impress, but that made his praise all the more valued.
*photo credit Kira
Check out the Book Trailer:
About the Author:
Leigh Bardugo was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University. These days, she lives in Hollywood, where she indulges her fondness for glamour, ghouls, and costuming in her other life as makeup artist L.B. Benson. Occasionally, she can be heard singing with her band, Captain Automatic.
Her debut novel, Shadow & Bone (Holt Children’s/ Macmillan), is a New York Times Best Seller and the first book in the Grisha Trilogy. Book 2, Siege and Storm, will be published in 2013. She is represented by Joanna Stampfel-Volpe of New Leaf.
The Giveaway: Thank you to Fierce Reads, I've got an awesome giveaway! One winner will win a paper back copy of Shadow & Bone, and a hard copy of Siege & Storm. To enter, please fill out the form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Also, follow the Fierce Reads facebook page to see when Leigh will be on tour! She's coming to TX this SUNDAY! Get the details here.
I really like Alina as a strong female MC. She is not without her faults, which make her seem relateable. Bardugo had her go through some epic character development and I can't wait to see what happens in S&S.
ReplyDeleteNo other than Alina herself!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite character is the Darkling!! Love all those pictures. <3
ReplyDelete-Cali W.
Darkling!
ReplyDeleteI think Alina makes a great protagonist. She was my favorite from the first chapter or two.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Mal or Baghra.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
Alina is probably my favourite (though I do like Genya and Mal). And for Alina's dislikes you forgot the most important! Hard cheese:)
ReplyDeleteOf course Alina! She is a strong hardcore chick! I love this series! Thanks for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteMy name is different in the Rafflecopter: Vannah Batista
What can I say? I'm a sucker for men named Mal. :) I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to get a copy of these books.
ReplyDeleteDarkling :)Cant wait.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read it yet, but I have the first one. I hear great things!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Alina. She goes through a lot and really grows as a character. Can't wait to read this.
ReplyDeleteI love Alina, but the Darkling is my favorite character ♥
ReplyDeleteThe Darkling!
ReplyDeleteDarkling, FTW! :)
ReplyDeletefave shadow and bone character is a really hard question. They all have thier key moments and they're all so unique! I guess Alina, but everyone else is great too >.<
ReplyDeleteAlina is my favorite character, but I also love the Darkling!
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to decide on a favorite character!
ReplyDelete*cough* The Darkling! *cough*
ReplyDeleteBut not as a love interest for Alina. Just as a character :D
Thank you!
Alina is the most well-developed character. She's also pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite character would be Darkling. I really love the complexity of his character.
ReplyDeleteOoh, this is difficult... I think I like Mal the best because he's such a sweetie--wait no, I like Alina--wait no the Darkling. I CAN'T DECIDE!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting this incredible giveaway! :)
Alina!
ReplyDeleteI like Mal. Though we didn't see much of him in the first book, I love that he's funny and sweet and very caring. :D
ReplyDeleteHow could it be anyone but the Darkling? So evil, but so dreamy.
ReplyDeleteAlina!
ReplyDeleteGotta go with the dark one, The Darkling, for his dashing charms and evilness :P What can I say I'm a sucker for a good villain :D
ReplyDeleteWho's your favorite Shadow & Bone character?
ReplyDeleteI'm going to say Alina !!
The Darkling!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Leanne
Going to start the series next week when school is finally out! I cannot wait to get started!
ReplyDeleteI have 2: Alina and The Darkling!
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna have to go with the status quo here and choose Darkling although i really love Alina as well. Thanks for the lovely giveaway!:)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite character is Alina. She's so strong.
ReplyDeleteIt is too hard to pick just one but Alina is my favorite :) .
ReplyDeleteI have yet to read Shadow and Bone, so I don't have a favorite yet. It sounds like a great series, I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDelete