Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm

The Grisha Trilogy, book 2

written by Leigh Bardugo

Well done, Ms. Bardugo.  This book is ridiculously amazing. Bardugo succeeded in improving my vocabulary, that's for sure. Her word choice was excellent! Good thing I read on an eReader because it made looking up words to see what they mean a lot easier - ha! I'm having trouble deciding if I like this installment better than Shadow and Bone. I definitely liked it - at least - as much as book one in the Grisha trilogy, but maybe even more. 

The suspense throughout the book makes it an emotional page turner. Alina is such a lovable heroine. She reminds me of Elisa in The Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy. Siege and Storm shows Alina coming to terms with the responsibility her gift as the Sun Summoner gives her. She's learning to lead, and it is impressive yet realistically written how she gives commands, and is met with some resistance. I also loved how Bardugo was able to write the Darkling into the book, even though he wasn't actually present...oh, but was he?! He is most definitely a villain that you want to read more of... ;) I'm super confused which team I'm on, though because of Nickolai. Team Mal? Team Darkling? Or Team Nickolai?!?! *swoons*

I can't believe I have to wait an entire year for book 3. *sobs hysterically*

- becky

Hulk! SMASH!!!

Our kids L.O.V.E. the Avengers.  We are super excited that there is a new Marvel's Avengers Assemble cartoon on the Disney Channel.  And did you hear about the Phineas and Ferb Mission Marvel special coming out in August?!  Isaiah insisted we set the DVR for it.  Of course, we did.

This video of Mallory's "Hulk! SMASH!!!" is too cute.  I'll try to get Isaiah on video and post his later.

Avengers Assemble!
becky

When I grow up...

I love talking with my kids about what they want to do when they grow up. Mallory tells us that she wants to be a teacher like Mommy. *proud* Isaiah says that he would like to be a worker and build big buildings. I think that would be a perfect fit for him. (Over the past few months, he has gotten into that little boy stage where he tries to take things apart or unplug stuff.) Tim always tells me that he wants to retire on a lake where there is fishing-a-plenty.  I know. #shocker

But what about me? What do I want to do when I grow up? And when is my next grown up stage? I don't think I want to wait all the way until retirement. 

Don't get me wrong; I really do love teaching. I enjoy watching my students faces as concepts click in their minds. The smiles on their little faces as the come into each day make my heart smile. But I just feel like I somehow, ever so slightly, missed something.  And then it hit me.  A ton of books hit me.

If you know me at all, you know what my passions are. I love Jesus. I love my family. And I love to read. 

I know. You think I'm going to say that I want to write a book. WRONG. I want to read books. And I want to tell you what I think of them. So, it looks like Avid Reader Becky wants to become Book Critic Becky. So, as soon as I can find some time - ha! - I'm going to grow up and get right to it. 

- becky