Mundie Moms

Monday, June 3, 2013

Siege & Storm by Leigh Bardugo, Blog Tour; Character Profile & Giveaway


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!


 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.




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 credits: image on the left Eeespeon & image on the right Ellie


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. 

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

35 comments:

  1. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  2. No other than Alina herself!

    ReplyDelete
  3. My favorite character is the Darkling!! Love all those pictures. <3
    -Cali W.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think Alina makes a great protagonist. She was my favorite from the first chapter or two.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Definitely Mal or Baghra.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Alina is probably my favourite (though I do like Genya and Mal). And for Alina's dislikes you forgot the most important! Hard cheese:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Of course Alina! She is a strong hardcore chick! I love this series! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    My name is different in the Rafflecopter: Vannah Batista

    ReplyDelete
  8. What can I say? I'm a sucker for men named Mal. :) I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to get a copy of these books.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I haven't read it yet, but I have the first one. I hear great things!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Definitely Alina. She goes through a lot and really grows as a character. Can't wait to read this.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love Alina, but the Darkling is my favorite character ♥

    ReplyDelete
  12. fave 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 >.<

    ReplyDelete
  13. Alina is my favorite character, but I also love the Darkling!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm still trying to decide on a favorite character!

    ReplyDelete
  15. *cough* The Darkling! *cough*

    But not as a love interest for Alina. Just as a character :D

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Alina is the most well-developed character. She's also pretty awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  17. My favorite character would be Darkling. I really love the complexity of his character.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ooh, 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!

    Thanks so much for hosting this incredible giveaway! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I 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

    ReplyDelete
  20. How could it be anyone but the Darkling? So evil, but so dreamy.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gotta 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

    ReplyDelete
  22. Who's your favorite Shadow & Bone character?

    I'm going to say Alina !!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Going to start the series next week when school is finally out! I cannot wait to get started!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'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!:)

    ReplyDelete
  25. My favorite character is Alina. She's so strong.

    ReplyDelete
  26. It is too hard to pick just one but Alina is my favorite :) .

    ReplyDelete
  27. I 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

Labels