Siege and Storm

I loved the part on the boat at the beginning, it really felt like a pirate story. After that I didn't felt that much invested in the story and the characters (especially Mal, so whiny...) but it was interesting enough and I really liked Nikolai and his story, I will for sure read the duology about him.
Ps: The Darkling creeps me out, I don't understand the fan's fascination with him as a romantic interest.