Ruin and Rising (Grisha Trilogy #3)

Ruin and Rising, the conclusion to the Shadow and Bone trilogy was exciting, intriguing and full of surprises.
Alina and Mal must find Morozova's last amplifier and try to defeat the Darkling once and for all.
I liked the plot that was really interesting. I also liked how Alina has developed as a character and seems more confident. And the other characters were just as great.
A memorable series and I'm looking forward to reading more from Leigh Bardugo!

I am now officially in a state of end-of-book-series mourning. I shall don my book nerd black armband and grapple for meaning in the world once more. *gazes wistfully out window*

Beautiful. The ending ripped me open and filled me simultaneously. I cried. I won't lie. Then, I smiled. It was brilliant. Perfect. Now, I wait patiently for the movies (which are in the works, btw).

Epic fantasy fans and readers of YA, I highly recommend this series to you. It has officially moved into my top ten favorite YA fantasy series of all time.

Go get the series.

Now.

You're welcome xD

Leigh Bardugo’s Ruin and Rising, the third and final book in her Grisha trilogy, was the finale the series needed. The characters experience a wide range of development; the plot was intriguing; and the ending was magnificent. I want to go cry on Bardugo’s shoulder for what she made me go through.

There were so many questions I had going into the last book: will Alina accept Nikolai’s proposal and become Queen of Ravka? Or will Alina and Mal set aside their grievances and find a way to be together? And perhaps the most important question: will she find a way to defeat the Darkling once and for all, or will she allow herself to be seduced by him and rule Ravka by his side?

The novel begins where it left off at the end of Siege and Storm: Alina and the other Grisha under her command are trapped in the underground church controlled by the fanatical Apparat, who has forced Alina into the position of ‘saint’ and the leader of the cult that has formed in her name. Because she is trapped underground, her sun powers are stunted and she is wasting away. Her rag-tag group of friends – who I consider the best feature of this novel – help her escape and restore her powers. Together, they make the perilous journey to find the last of the Morozova amplifiers, the firebird, so Alina can finally face and defeat the Darkling and his evil army.

The characters, especially the secondary ones, were perhaps the best part of Ruin and Rising. They really come into their own. The last few members of Alina’s army consist of: a brain-damaged pyromaniac and his cat, twin religious fanatics, a sassy and snobby Squaller, a redeemed traitor, her nerdy lover, and Mal. Zoya transforms quite a bit in this novel: she is just as bitchy and up-herself as usual, but this time she is focused and dedicated to herself and to what she believes is right. I love that about her. Although, my absolute favourite character was Harshaw – he was the cutest and the funniest of characters, and I just wanted to hug him and Oncat.

Perhaps the most fascinating part of the novel was the Darkling’s complex personality. He and Alina are connected so we are given an exclusive look into his true personality: he is definitely power-hungry, but he is lonely, too, and just a boy. Like all human beings, he simply wants someone to love and to love him in return. He thinks he’s found that person in Alina, who, like he, is the only one of her kind. I wouldn’t necessarily say the Darkling loves Alina, but he does desire her and want her to belong to him. However, that is not love; that is wanting to control another person, which is why I grow mad when I see reviews criticizing the ending of Ruin and Rising, specifically who Alina ends up with. As much as it pains me to say it, the Darkling and Alina would not make a good couple. It would not be a healthy relationship; the Darkling is too obsessed with power and control to fully allow himself to love another. Despite this, I don’t hate him! Hell, I actually love the guy! And that, my friends, is the mark of an incredible writer, where the reader doesn’t even hate the bad guy. However, Alina deserves better than the Darkling. She deserves Mal.

Mal. Oh, Mal. Didn’t I say in my Siege and Storm review that I still loved him, even with most of the fandom hating on him? Well, look who’s laughing now. Mal really grows in this book: he matures and gives Alina the space she needs; he is no longer yelling at her, or pouting in the corner feeling sorry for himself. He becomes an active member of Alina’s army and many of the Grisha look to him when it comes to making the big decisions usually reserved for generals. His love for Alina just gets sweeter and more powerful each book. The sacrifices he is willing to make for her were gut-wrenching to read. I cried and cried during the last few chapters of the novel. I can’t say anything more without spoiling a massive plot twist, but be prepared to sob into your pillow.

The story progressed smoothly. I was a little disappointed that it did follow a similar storyline to the first two books – as in trying to find a Morozova amplifier – but that disappointment was thoroughly removed by the last quarter of the book. Every time you think you know where Bardugo’s story is going, she screws you over and effortlessly introduces a plot twist that seems to come out of nowhere. However, if you look back on the other novels, you’ll find that Bardugo had slowly been leading up to it all along.

Overall, I was very satisfied with the conclusion of the Grisha trilogy. I didn’t see the ending coming at all and was very glad that it did not go the way I thought it would, as in the clichéd YA fantasy heroine ending with the protagonist becoming Queen or something along those lines. Everything came together, every plotline had been resolved and even though I was an emotional mess, I felt as though the ending had done the series justice. Leigh Bardugo has concluded her original, beautiful triogy in a spectacular way. I can’t wait to delve into her new series that melds elements of the Grishaverse with a whole new storyline and fierce characters.

It’s been one hell of a ride, Bardugo. Thanks for the memories.

I could not but Ruin and Rising down. Leigh has given her fans one of the most amazing series ending books I have ever come across. There are no breaks. No perfect "Okay, I think I'll start dinner now" moments. Not only do you not want to put it down, you can't. It's impossible! There was one very distinct moment, and I cannot say when because hello HUGE spoiler, where I knew I wasn't finishing this book on Sunday unless it was the wee hours of Sunday morning. I will tell you it was around page 250, about 59% into the book.

Alina's character has made such a transformation from herself in Shadow and Bone. Even The Darkling makes note of it when he makes a sex joke and she dishes it right back when two novels ago she would have blushed and looked away. Speaking of The Darkling - we learn is name! You know Leigh definitely is definitely going to tie up all loose ends when she reveals even that smallest detail.

There are so few Grisha left for Alina after the events of Siege and Storm, but this small group (we're talking 12 people) ban together in such an amazing way to stand against The Darkling and his cruelty. Considering the number of characters Leigh has to work with, each and every one of them stand on their own two feet. Their personalities never blend into one another and they don't come across as one secondary blob. A true testament to Leigh's writing ability.

It's not just characters though. She does an amazing job with descriptions, scenery, Alina's internal thoughts. Nothing about Ruin and Rising comes across as a 417 page novel. You can't escape her beautiful writing and the real world doesn't bleed through while you're reading either.

I'm not really going to touch on the romance, there is such a huge divide in this series that I know people will be pissed, pleased, and contented. Not many people are able to pull having more than one love interest, but it's real and logical in The Grisha. There is no "clear choice" or a guy thrown in there just to make things interesting. Leigh did a wonderful job with her love quadrangle, simple as that.

To boil this rather long review down, Ruin and Rising is a beautiful ending to a beautiful series. The writing is fantastic, the continuously developing characters lovable, and the plot simply amazing. I was already a fan of Leigh's halfway through Shadow and Bone, but knowing that she can end a series just as well as she can start a series has sky rocketed her to a position on my top authors.

I don’t know where to start. Ruin and Rising was one of the most anticipated book for me. When I finally got my copy, I was overjoyed and a bit nervous to finally learn the Darkling's name( *sighs*), and everything that will happen to end the series. I was so not disappointed. In this book everything that happen on Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm click together, every question was answered ( in the most unexpected way). The story of Morozava was the most shocking, thou I wasn't that off about the connection between him and the Darkling.
And now that I mention the Darkling I wasn't disappointed one bit about everything he did (thou he wasn't that present like that last two books). And his name, Love it, so common but makes him look more human. I know he can be a “monster” but that’s the only way he knows what to be. I love his somewhat redemption in the end. Oh and did I mention who hot he is ,no, well HOT!!!
Now, to Mal. What can I say, I felt for him, such a splendid ( and a bit martyr) soul. To learn what he truly has, it made complete sense. I was so sad to learn what happen to him that I almost couldn't finished reading R&R; but then again, I wanted more to know how Alina will react. I was jumping and screaming like a crazy person as I read the “miracle” produced in Mal. I may have fallen for Mal, but the Darkling will always be in my heart (like in Alina’s).
Nikolai, man was I so not expecting that to happen to him, but wow he’s such a fighter and cocky to the end. You just have to love him.
Alina, I love to see the changes and growth she has gone trough over the course of the three books specially in this one. She was awesome, great heroine.
I took my time reading Ruin and Rising because I wanted to savored every feeling, event, outcome, change, learning, everything about it. I was absolutely delighted with the writing, well the story itself. I loved everything Bardugo writes. Prior to reading this final book, I read the first to book again( for like the fourth time) and the short stories accompanying the Grisha Trilogy. She is an amazing writer with the ability to transport the reader to a whole new level of satisfaction. She was gifted and blesses by the Saints. This book exceeded my expectations.
I won’t say more or I will end up discussing every aspect of the story and more (which will spoiled everything for those who haven’t read it) YOU MUST READ IT, HEAR ME (or is it read me?).JUST READ IT.
I have only one word for this book UNFORGETTABLE. 5 are not enough, will give it an 8 (one of my favorite numbers) Stars.

I don’t know where to start. Ruin and Rising was one of the most anticipated book for me. When I finally got my copy, I was overjoyed and a bit nervous to finally learn the Darkling's name( *sighs*), and everything that will happen to end the series. I was so not disappointed. In this book everything that happen on Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm click together, every question was answered ( in the most unexpected way). The story of Morozava was the most shocking, thou I wasn't that off about the connection between him and the Darkling.
And now that I mention the Darkling I wasn't disappointed one bit about everything he did (thou he wasn't that present like that last two books). And his name, Love it, so common but makes him look more human. I know he can be a “monster” but that’s the only way he knows what to be. I love his somewhat redemption in the end. Oh and did I mention who hot he is ,no, well HOT!!!
Now, to Mal. What can I say, I felt for him, such a splendid ( and a bit martyr) soul. To learn what he truly has, it made complete sense. I was so sad to learn what happen to him that I almost couldn't finished reading R&R; but then again, I wanted more to know how Alina will react. I was jumping and screaming like a crazy person as I read the “miracle” produced in Mal. I may have fallen for Mal, but the Darkling will always be in my heart (like in Alina’s).
Nikolai, man was I so not expecting that to happen to him, but wow he’s such a fighter and cocky to the end. You just have to love him.
Alina, I love to see the changes and growth she has gone trough over the course of the three books specially in this one. She was awesome, great heroine.
I took my time reading Ruin and Rising because I wanted to savored every feeling, event, outcome, change, learning, everything about it. I was absolutely delighted with the writing, well the story itself. I loved everything Bardugo writes. Prior to reading this final book, I read the first to book again( for like the fourth time) and the short stories accompanying the Grisha Trilogy. She is an amazing writer with the ability to transport the reader to a whole new level of satisfaction. She was gifted and blesses by the Saints. This book exceeded my expectations.
I won’t say more or I will end up discussing every aspect of the story and more (which will spoiled everything for those who haven’t read it) YOU MUST READ IT, HEAR ME (or is it read me?).JUST READ IT.
I have only one word for this book UNFORGETABLE. 5 are not enough, will give it an 8 (one of my favorite numbers) Stars.