Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Orion Children's Books (2018), 384 pages
Description
"The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne. Alina forges new alliances as she and Mal search for Morozova's last amplifier. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that alters her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields"
User reviews
LibraryThing member Faith_Murri
I am ruination.
The Writing and Worldbuilding
I enjoyed the unexpected subversions of most of the expected YA tropes, but the very ending kind of pissed me off.Mostly because literally the only death that affected me and legitimately made me cry was the Darkling's. I actually kind of wanted Mal to
The plot was a little all over the place, and was, basically just them moving from place to place, getting a little demoralized, then having camp comradery, and then moving again. It became such a trend, I expected their plans to fail. They really only won because it's the last book in the trilogy and they had to at this point. And the themes felt a little forced tbh.
The jokes were pretty good though, as usual.
I really liked how the dark magic stuff was actually sort of explained finally. Not really how it's done in the first place, but its place in the plot was explained, and I found it interesting.
The Characters
Alina: Yeah, she was okay. I liked her enough, and I understood most of her feelings and stuff. She didn't really grow though, unless you count learning new skills and constantly traveling as a character arc.
Mal: I don't hate Mal, but I don't really care, ya get me? He's mostly the comic relief, so when he's trying to be all dramatic, it just kind of comes across as plot convenience.
The Darkling: Is it bad that literally the only character I cared about was the villain? He's been my favorite character, and really the only character I actually really care about other than Nikolai, from the start and remained that way.
Nikolai: He didn't feature as much as I'd have liked. I still really like him though and I'm excited for King of Scars!
The squad: I'm just grouping the whole camping buddy group together. They were okay. I liked them. But again, nothing new happened with their characters except for people actually liking Zoya.
Conclusion
I liked it, but really didn't care most of the time, which, for a final book, isn't exactly what should happen. All in all, she had her chance, but none of the Grisha trilogy books made my favorites list, though I really did enjoy the world.
The Writing and Worldbuilding
I enjoyed the unexpected subversions of most of the expected YA tropes, but the very ending kind of pissed me off.
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die, not because I didn't like his character, but because I was mostly indifferent towards him. I was literally pissed off that he didn't stay dead because it didn't come across as a miracle, it came across as plot armor. Let the dead stay dead and get over it. Playing with life and death is literally what started this whole mess in the first place.The plot was a little all over the place, and was, basically just them moving from place to place, getting a little demoralized, then having camp comradery, and then moving again. It became such a trend, I expected their plans to fail. They really only won because it's the last book in the trilogy and they had to at this point. And the themes felt a little forced tbh.
The jokes were pretty good though, as usual.
I really liked how the dark magic stuff was actually sort of explained finally. Not really how it's done in the first place, but its place in the plot was explained, and I found it interesting.
The Characters
Alina: Yeah, she was okay. I liked her enough, and I understood most of her feelings and stuff. She didn't really grow though, unless you count learning new skills and constantly traveling as a character arc.
Mal: I don't hate Mal, but I don't really care, ya get me? He's mostly the comic relief, so when he's trying to be all dramatic, it just kind of comes across as plot convenience.
The Darkling: Is it bad that literally the only character I cared about was the villain? He's been my favorite character, and really the only character I actually really care about other than Nikolai, from the start and remained that way.
Nikolai: He didn't feature as much as I'd have liked. I still really like him though and I'm excited for King of Scars!
The squad: I'm just grouping the whole camping buddy group together. They were okay. I liked them. But again, nothing new happened with their characters except for people actually liking Zoya.
Conclusion
I liked it, but really didn't care most of the time, which, for a final book, isn't exactly what should happen. All in all, she had her chance, but none of the Grisha trilogy books made my favorites list, though I really did enjoy the world.
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LibraryThing member stefferoo
Ruin and Rising was good, but perhaps it was just good…enough? I sat on this review for several weeks trying to gather my thoughts about this book hoping to figure out exactly how I feel about it. And in the end, I finally realized why I was so conflicted. I liked this book – and heck, up to
As you would recall, Siege and Storm had the unmistakable feel of a second installment within a trilogy, with our protagonists experiencing a momentary setback. Last we saw Alina, she was in pretty bad shape, having lost her powers as the Sun Summoner. She and Mal have retreated underground with their allies, surrendering themselves to the power of the Apparat and his band of zealots who worship Alina as a Saint. But while Alina may be weakened, she is far from broken. Her mission remains the same: to capture and secure the third amplifier, the elusive firebird that would be her key to defeating the Darkling thus freeing Ravka from his iron grasp.
In truth, I had my reservations from the very beginning. The first couple of chapters almost drove me to return the book. Looking back, these were so clearly “transition” scenes that served no other purpose than to link book two with book three. As an antagonist, the Apparat was almost a non-entity, used to accomplish what was required, and then quickly forgotten. I just wanted this obligatory intro done and over with as quickly and painlessly as possible, and fortunately and unfortunately, it seemed Leigh Bardugo had the same idea. We always knew Alina’s goal was to hunt the firebird, and this brief little romp through the tunnels and caves felt like nothing more than a throwaway distraction.
Thankfully, we soon get back on the right track. We meet up with Nikolai, the outlaw prince of lovable arrogance and smart-assery, and now we can finally ask the really important questions. How are they going to go up against the Darkling? And what would a future Ravka look like if they succeed? Alina has some difficult decisions before her. What is she going to choose? Or rather, ugh, WHO is she going to choose?
In some ways, I feel validated. I still love YA, but not long ago, I told myself I can’t read them for their romances anymore. And I’m a much happier person for it. Enjoying a novel mainly for its story and characters is how I’ve come to approach YA, because if you rely on the outcome relationship to satisfy you, you’re bound to be disappointed. Time after time after time, predictability and tired clichés have ruined YA romances for me, and I’ve found it much easier now to just NOT CARE. It also helps that I’ve never really felt much connection to the men in Alina’s life. I’ve failed for three books to see the Darkling’s appeal. And Mal was ruined for me in Siege and Storm (you can’t get stinking drunk and kiss another girl and expect bygones to be bygones, Mal – you only get one chance with me). Nikolai was perhaps the most interesting and had the best personality out of everyone, and that told me right there he was obviously all wrong for Alina, so I never took his role as a suitor seriously.
I’m not going to say what happens, naturally. But I will say Bardugo took the “safe” route. Which was pretty much what I expected, so I’m actually not too upset with the ending. I’ve come to accept the status quo in YA fiction, and it hadn’t even occurred to me that this series could end any other way. It’s entirely possible I would have rated this book higher if it had been a bit bolder and strayed from conventions, but I’m also satisfied if not entirely blown away. And if this had been the author’s plan from the start, I applaud her for sticking to her guns and telling the story she wanted to tell. Everyone deserves their happily-ever-after, and Alina got the one perfect for her which is all that matters.
I’d still recommend this series. It became increasing more predictable as the story progressed with each installment, to the point where there were really no surprises left for me by book three, but it’s an entertaining trilogy as a whole. I wish it had ended with less tepidness considering the incredibly strong start that was Shadow and Bone, but I have to say it’s worth experiencing from beginning to end.
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now this series has been one of my YA favorites – but as badly was I wanted this to be the grand finale, I just couldn’t convince myself to love it.As you would recall, Siege and Storm had the unmistakable feel of a second installment within a trilogy, with our protagonists experiencing a momentary setback. Last we saw Alina, she was in pretty bad shape, having lost her powers as the Sun Summoner. She and Mal have retreated underground with their allies, surrendering themselves to the power of the Apparat and his band of zealots who worship Alina as a Saint. But while Alina may be weakened, she is far from broken. Her mission remains the same: to capture and secure the third amplifier, the elusive firebird that would be her key to defeating the Darkling thus freeing Ravka from his iron grasp.
In truth, I had my reservations from the very beginning. The first couple of chapters almost drove me to return the book. Looking back, these were so clearly “transition” scenes that served no other purpose than to link book two with book three. As an antagonist, the Apparat was almost a non-entity, used to accomplish what was required, and then quickly forgotten. I just wanted this obligatory intro done and over with as quickly and painlessly as possible, and fortunately and unfortunately, it seemed Leigh Bardugo had the same idea. We always knew Alina’s goal was to hunt the firebird, and this brief little romp through the tunnels and caves felt like nothing more than a throwaway distraction.
Thankfully, we soon get back on the right track. We meet up with Nikolai, the outlaw prince of lovable arrogance and smart-assery, and now we can finally ask the really important questions. How are they going to go up against the Darkling? And what would a future Ravka look like if they succeed? Alina has some difficult decisions before her. What is she going to choose? Or rather, ugh, WHO is she going to choose?
In some ways, I feel validated. I still love YA, but not long ago, I told myself I can’t read them for their romances anymore. And I’m a much happier person for it. Enjoying a novel mainly for its story and characters is how I’ve come to approach YA, because if you rely on the outcome relationship to satisfy you, you’re bound to be disappointed. Time after time after time, predictability and tired clichés have ruined YA romances for me, and I’ve found it much easier now to just NOT CARE. It also helps that I’ve never really felt much connection to the men in Alina’s life. I’ve failed for three books to see the Darkling’s appeal. And Mal was ruined for me in Siege and Storm (you can’t get stinking drunk and kiss another girl and expect bygones to be bygones, Mal – you only get one chance with me). Nikolai was perhaps the most interesting and had the best personality out of everyone, and that told me right there he was obviously all wrong for Alina, so I never took his role as a suitor seriously.
I’m not going to say what happens, naturally. But I will say Bardugo took the “safe” route. Which was pretty much what I expected, so I’m actually not too upset with the ending. I’ve come to accept the status quo in YA fiction, and it hadn’t even occurred to me that this series could end any other way. It’s entirely possible I would have rated this book higher if it had been a bit bolder and strayed from conventions, but I’m also satisfied if not entirely blown away. And if this had been the author’s plan from the start, I applaud her for sticking to her guns and telling the story she wanted to tell. Everyone deserves their happily-ever-after, and Alina got the one perfect for her which is all that matters.
I’d still recommend this series. It became increasing more predictable as the story progressed with each installment, to the point where there were really no surprises left for me by book three, but it’s an entertaining trilogy as a whole. I wish it had ended with less tepidness considering the incredibly strong start that was Shadow and Bone, but I have to say it’s worth experiencing from beginning to end.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
When Netflix released the first season of Shadow and Bone from Leigh Bardugo, my daughter was the one who insisted I read the books first. When my daughter recommends I read a book, I take her advice, especially when this is a series she admittedly rereads as often as she can. So that is what I
What I discovered in Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising was a fascinating story of magic and power, oppression and heroes. The Grisha world is amazing with all the various powers alongside the fear and anger others hold towards them. At the same time, I will admit that Alina is not my favorite character, Even Mal is more charming and has a bit more personality than Alina does. I found I wanted more of the Darkling and less of Alina’s inner angst. While he certainly is evil, I find his backstory intriguing and his desire to see the Grisha earn a better place in society perfectly acceptable. Granted, he goes about it the wrong way, but he is only trying to make the world a better place for his people. You have to admire that.
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did.What I discovered in Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising was a fascinating story of magic and power, oppression and heroes. The Grisha world is amazing with all the various powers alongside the fear and anger others hold towards them. At the same time, I will admit that Alina is not my favorite character, Even Mal is more charming and has a bit more personality than Alina does. I found I wanted more of the Darkling and less of Alina’s inner angst. While he certainly is evil, I find his backstory intriguing and his desire to see the Grisha earn a better place in society perfectly acceptable. Granted, he goes about it the wrong way, but he is only trying to make the world a better place for his people. You have to admire that.
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LibraryThing member amandacb
Nothing has yet captured, for me, the emotions and raw power of the first book in this series. The second book felt disconnected and this third book felt much more of the same; I felt like Alina is going through the motions, at times strong and then weak, which is confusing. To be frank, I am
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getting kind of sick of trilogies because I am noticing many authors cannot sustain the narrative power throughout the series. Just stick with one powerful book and fans won't be disappointed! Show Less
LibraryThing member TheLoopyLibrarian
Action-packed with interesting character who continued to grow and mature from the first two novels. Suspenseful and full of surprises this story of good versus evil, light versus dark, takes place in a fascinating world with topography that is awe-inspiring in its imaginings. The violence is
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graphic and not for the feint of heart. Occasionally, certain contrivances seemed more for convenience than believability, but the story was still compulsively readable and enjoyable. A pleasing wrap-up to a very good trilogy. Recommended for fans of fantasy and paranormal young adult fiction. Probably better for older teens due to mature content. Show Less
LibraryThing member krau0098
This is the third and final book in the Grisha Trilogy. Honestly I think it was my least favorite book in the series, but I am having some trouble pinpointing exactly why. Things are nicely tied up and Alina has really grown a lot as a character.
Alina was severely weakened after her encounter with
I didn’t like Alina as much in this book as in the previous books. She starts out pretty weak, but then you find she has gained in power. I do like that she had to train to learn now to use her new abilities well. What I didn’t like was how narrow-minded and power hungry she is. She is worried about turning into the Darkling, and with good reason. Her hunt for the Firebird consumes her and she somehow believes that finding the Firebird will cure everything, it is a bit naive of her to believe that.
The supportive characters are well done. There is a bit of a love triangle going on here. Alina and Mel still love each other but both believe that Alina will need to ally herself with Prince Nikolai. Prince Nikolai is determined to earn Alina’s respect if not her heart. Then there is the Darkling, who still lures Alina with his power and with how similar it is to her own. I guess it is more of a love square?
Unfortunately I found both Alina and Mel to be a bit forgettable. Nikolai is much more engaging. The Darkling is also an incredible character, and although we see more of him than we did in the second book, he still wasn’t in the story a ton.
The book was paced well and decently written. However, I wasn’t ever really completely engaged and pulled into the story. I am not sure why. I really did enjoy the first two books in this series, but this one was a bit predictable and I just didn’t find it as engaging. As I said I am having a hard time pinpointing what it was that made this book less likable to me than the previous two.
Overall a well done conclusion to this series. Things are tied up nicely and the story is well paced. I think fans of the series will be pleased. I didn’t like this book as much as the previous two books; for some reason I had trouble engaging with both Alina and Mel and the story in general. However this is a well done YA fantasy series and I would still recommend it.
Alina was severely weakened after her encounter with
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the Darkling at the end of the second book. Now she is hiding underground in the dubious protection of the Apparat and his zealots who worship her as a Saint. However, Alina feels like she is more prisoner than Saint and is tiring of the Apparat’s lack of action. Her and her friends hatch a plan to escape the Apparat’s underground sanctuary and continue on their quest for the Firebird.I didn’t like Alina as much in this book as in the previous books. She starts out pretty weak, but then you find she has gained in power. I do like that she had to train to learn now to use her new abilities well. What I didn’t like was how narrow-minded and power hungry she is. She is worried about turning into the Darkling, and with good reason. Her hunt for the Firebird consumes her and she somehow believes that finding the Firebird will cure everything, it is a bit naive of her to believe that.
The supportive characters are well done. There is a bit of a love triangle going on here. Alina and Mel still love each other but both believe that Alina will need to ally herself with Prince Nikolai. Prince Nikolai is determined to earn Alina’s respect if not her heart. Then there is the Darkling, who still lures Alina with his power and with how similar it is to her own. I guess it is more of a love square?
Unfortunately I found both Alina and Mel to be a bit forgettable. Nikolai is much more engaging. The Darkling is also an incredible character, and although we see more of him than we did in the second book, he still wasn’t in the story a ton.
The book was paced well and decently written. However, I wasn’t ever really completely engaged and pulled into the story. I am not sure why. I really did enjoy the first two books in this series, but this one was a bit predictable and I just didn’t find it as engaging. As I said I am having a hard time pinpointing what it was that made this book less likable to me than the previous two.
Overall a well done conclusion to this series. Things are tied up nicely and the story is well paced. I think fans of the series will be pleased. I didn’t like this book as much as the previous two books; for some reason I had trouble engaging with both Alina and Mel and the story in general. However this is a well done YA fantasy series and I would still recommend it.
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LibraryThing member morandia
Nicely tied up trilogy. I enjoyed these three books and this was a fitting end.
LibraryThing member margaraawr
2.5 stars
“Maybe love was superstition, a prayer we said to keep the truth of loneliness at bay. I tilted my head back. The stars looked like they were close together, when really they were millions of miles apart. In the end, maybe love just meant longing for something impossibly bright and
I love this quote. I could quote this book all day! That's one of the good points of this book for me.
Anyway, I will not spoil you guys so I won't include important details here.
If I were a new reader, I definitely won't hesitate to give this 5 stars because well, I was not that particular with details before. But now, I just see loopholes everywhere. I can't ignore them.
Well, my expectations for Ruin and Rising are not.. met. Maybe they were just so high, I don't know.
What I liked:
1. I LOVE the secondary characters! While reading, you could see me giggling a bit here and there because of them. I even got around liking Zoya! She was just amusing! She doesn't take crap from anybody. I am also fond with Nikolai! My heart broke for him when... when...
2. Alina Starkov. She is such a strong female lead. I liked that she gets grumpy sometimes because that made her real to me. I mean, if a heroine was under such stress and she was like, "We can do it everybody! Never give up. We will win!", I am SO going to strangle her.
3. The writing. I found it quite humorous. It's as if when my mind can't take the sadness anymore, Bardugo inserted a dialogue between characters that are so entertaining. It take my mind off the depressing stuffs.
What I don't like:
1. Everything seems... so convenient! I know, they already went through a lot of bad moments but seriously? Things like that doesn't just happen! Like, what the heck? They suddenly learned how to do this trick and that. Some things were just given to them too easily.
2. Those last chapters were confusing as hell. Details and reasons passed with a blur. It was like Allegiant with all the stupid terms I could not comprehend. I was like, "Whaaaat? How could that happen?"
3. So MANY unanswered questions. The spoilers here are real! Do not open if you haven't read this book yet!
1. HOW could Mal live? I mean, he was stabbed in the chest!
2. So how did Alina got her power from the first place? Or was it mentioned and I just missed it?
3. What happened to the Grishas who sided with The Darkling after he died?
4. What in the world was that big bird if Mal was the amplifier?
5. What happened to the King and Queen now after they're sent away?
6. Who will be Nikolai's queen?! This is a pressing issue! It broke my heart when he as turned into some kind of monster!
7. So Mal is what, The Darkling's cousin? Or great-great something?
8. And seriously, HOW DID MAL LIVED? I wouldn't want him dead buuuut how?!?!
Overall, I couldn't say that this was a great ending to a trilogy. I was a little bit disappointed. It wasn't fantastic. It was just alright.
“Maybe love was superstition, a prayer we said to keep the truth of loneliness at bay. I tilted my head back. The stars looked like they were close together, when really they were millions of miles apart. In the end, maybe love just meant longing for something impossibly bright and
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forever out of reach.”I love this quote. I could quote this book all day! That's one of the good points of this book for me.
Anyway, I will not spoil you guys so I won't include important details here.
If I were a new reader, I definitely won't hesitate to give this 5 stars because well, I was not that particular with details before. But now, I just see loopholes everywhere. I can't ignore them.
Well, my expectations for Ruin and Rising are not.. met. Maybe they were just so high, I don't know.
What I liked:
1. I LOVE the secondary characters! While reading, you could see me giggling a bit here and there because of them. I even got around liking Zoya! She was just amusing! She doesn't take crap from anybody. I am also fond with Nikolai! My heart broke for him when... when...
2. Alina Starkov. She is such a strong female lead. I liked that she gets grumpy sometimes because that made her real to me. I mean, if a heroine was under such stress and she was like, "We can do it everybody! Never give up. We will win!", I am SO going to strangle her.
3. The writing. I found it quite humorous. It's as if when my mind can't take the sadness anymore, Bardugo inserted a dialogue between characters that are so entertaining. It take my mind off the depressing stuffs.
What I don't like:
1. Everything seems... so convenient! I know, they already went through a lot of bad moments but seriously? Things like that doesn't just happen! Like, what the heck? They suddenly learned how to do this trick and that. Some things were just given to them too easily.
2. Those last chapters were confusing as hell. Details and reasons passed with a blur. It was like Allegiant with all the stupid terms I could not comprehend. I was like, "Whaaaat? How could that happen?"
3. So MANY unanswered questions. The spoilers here are real! Do not open if you haven't read this book yet!
2. So how did Alina got her power from the first place? Or was it mentioned and I just missed it?
3. What happened to the Grishas who sided with The Darkling after he died?
4. What in the world was that big bird if Mal was the amplifier?
5. What happened to the King and Queen now after they're sent away?
6. Who will be Nikolai's queen?! This is a pressing issue! It broke my heart when he as turned into some kind of monster!
7. So Mal is what, The Darkling's cousin? Or great-great something?
8. And seriously, HOW DID MAL LIVED? I wouldn't want him dead buuuut how?!?!
Overall, I couldn't say that this was a great ending to a trilogy. I was a little bit disappointed. It wasn't fantastic. It was just alright.
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LibraryThing member margaraawr
2.5 stars
“Maybe love was superstition, a prayer we said to keep the truth of loneliness at bay. I tilted my head back. The stars looked like they were close together, when really they were millions of miles apart. In the end, maybe love just meant longing for something impossibly bright and
I love this quote. I could quote this book all day! That's one of the good points of this book for me.
Anyway, I will not spoil you guys so I won't include important details here.
If I were a new reader, I definitely won't hesitate to give this 5 stars because well, I was not that particular with details before. But now, I just see loopholes everywhere. I can't ignore them.
Well, my expectations for Ruin and Rising are not.. met. Maybe they were just so high, I don't know.
What I liked:
1. I LOVE the secondary characters! While reading, you could see me giggling a bit here and there because of them. I even got around liking Zoya! She was just amusing! She doesn't take crap from anybody. I am also fond with Nikolai! My heart broke for him when... when...
2. Alina Starkov. She is such a strong female lead. I liked that she gets grumpy sometimes because that made her real to me. I mean, if a heroine was under such stress and she was like, "We can do it everybody! Never give up. We will win!", I am SO going to strangle her.
3. The writing. I found it quite humorous. It's as if when my mind can't take the sadness anymore, Bardugo inserted a dialogue between characters that are so entertaining. It take my mind off the depressing stuffs.
What I don't like:
1. Everything seems... so convenient! I know, they already went through a lot of bad moments but seriously? Things like that doesn't just happen! Like, what the heck? They suddenly learned how to do this trick and that. Some things were just given to them too easily.
2. Those last chapters were confusing as hell. Details and reasons passed with a blur. It was like Allegiant with all the stupid terms I could not comprehend. I was like, "Whaaaat? How could that happen?"
3. So MANY unanswered questions. The spoilers here are real! Do not open if you haven't read this book yet!
1. HOW could Mal live? I mean, he was stabbed in the chest!
2. So how did Alina got her power from the first place? Or was it mentioned and I just missed it?
3. What happened to the Grishas who sided with The Darkling after he died?
4. What in the world was that big bird if Mal was the amplifier?
5. What happened to the King and Queen now after they're sent away?
6. Who will be Nikolai's queen?! This is a pressing issue! It broke my heart when he as turned into some kind of monster!
7. So Mal is what, The Darkling's cousin? Or great-great something?
8. And seriously, HOW DID MAL LIVED? I wouldn't want him dead buuuut how?!?!
Overall, I couldn't say that this was a great ending to a trilogy. I was a little bit disappointed. It wasn't fantastic. It was just alright.
“Maybe love was superstition, a prayer we said to keep the truth of loneliness at bay. I tilted my head back. The stars looked like they were close together, when really they were millions of miles apart. In the end, maybe love just meant longing for something impossibly bright and
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forever out of reach.”I love this quote. I could quote this book all day! That's one of the good points of this book for me.
Anyway, I will not spoil you guys so I won't include important details here.
If I were a new reader, I definitely won't hesitate to give this 5 stars because well, I was not that particular with details before. But now, I just see loopholes everywhere. I can't ignore them.
Well, my expectations for Ruin and Rising are not.. met. Maybe they were just so high, I don't know.
What I liked:
1. I LOVE the secondary characters! While reading, you could see me giggling a bit here and there because of them. I even got around liking Zoya! She was just amusing! She doesn't take crap from anybody. I am also fond with Nikolai! My heart broke for him when... when...
2. Alina Starkov. She is such a strong female lead. I liked that she gets grumpy sometimes because that made her real to me. I mean, if a heroine was under such stress and she was like, "We can do it everybody! Never give up. We will win!", I am SO going to strangle her.
3. The writing. I found it quite humorous. It's as if when my mind can't take the sadness anymore, Bardugo inserted a dialogue between characters that are so entertaining. It take my mind off the depressing stuffs.
What I don't like:
1. Everything seems... so convenient! I know, they already went through a lot of bad moments but seriously? Things like that doesn't just happen! Like, what the heck? They suddenly learned how to do this trick and that. Some things were just given to them too easily.
2. Those last chapters were confusing as hell. Details and reasons passed with a blur. It was like Allegiant with all the stupid terms I could not comprehend. I was like, "Whaaaat? How could that happen?"
3. So MANY unanswered questions. The spoilers here are real! Do not open if you haven't read this book yet!
2. So how did Alina got her power from the first place? Or was it mentioned and I just missed it?
3. What happened to the Grishas who sided with The Darkling after he died?
4. What in the world was that big bird if Mal was the amplifier?
5. What happened to the King and Queen now after they're sent away?
6. Who will be Nikolai's queen?! This is a pressing issue! It broke my heart when he as turned into some kind of monster!
7. So Mal is what, The Darkling's cousin? Or great-great something?
8. And seriously, HOW DID MAL LIVED? I wouldn't want him dead buuuut how?!?!
Overall, I couldn't say that this was a great ending to a trilogy. I was a little bit disappointed. It wasn't fantastic. It was just alright.
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LibraryThing member cfranson
Good ending to a series.
LibraryThing member alb2219
Wow, Bardugo. Just WOW! The third and final book in the Grisha trilogy and the best by far. So many emotions. So much happening. I couldn't put it down. I bought it within hours of finishing Siege and Storm. The whole trilogy took me less than 2 days to read. And that ending! Please, for your own
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sake, just read these books. They are well worth it. Show Less
LibraryThing member mountie9
Fabulous ending to a unique and fascinating teen series. Truly believe this would have been perfection, if it had been made into only two books. Extraordinary world building and loved the Russian aspects to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the secondary characters in this one (Especially Harshaw,
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Baghra, Nikolai and Zoya ). The humour in this installment was especially appreciated. The last chapters really made me smile. Still didn't really buy the relationship between Mal and Alina, but hey I am old and jaded. Would have loved more of Nikolai. Still don't understand his transformation. (Sorry cannot go into more without - spoilers) Plenty of sacrifice in this one my friends. Show Less
LibraryThing member sennebec
This is the final book in an amazingly good trilogy. Alina is still broken and terribly weak as the story resumes. She's far underground, separated from the power of the sun and controlled by the Apparat. While grateful for his aid, she hardly trusts him and his rigidity and fanaticism leave her
When her friends find a way to reconnect her with the power of the sun, things change very quickly. Alina regains control and she, along with the survivors of the horrific battle at the palace, make their way back to the surface and resume the quest for the third amplifier, the firebird.
It's a long journey, interrupted when Nikolai rescues them from bandits and ferries the party off to his remote mountain fortress. Even though Alina is able to hone her powers under the tutelage of Bagra, the Darkling's mother, they aren't enough to prevail when the Darkling makes a surprise attack and something terrible happens.
Alina and some of her party are able to escape and resume the quest, but when they reach the remote area where the firebird is believed to live, they're hit with another big surprise. After that, they have no choice but to engage the Darkling. How that comes about and who survives makes for a fifty page run that will have most teen readers (and adults) locking their door so they can't be disturbed.
While this is a dark and often violent series, neither element should deter librarians from adding this book. It's a great ending to one of the better dystopian series in recent years.
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wondering whether he can be trusted at all. She also worries about what the Darkling is doing while she is recuperating.When her friends find a way to reconnect her with the power of the sun, things change very quickly. Alina regains control and she, along with the survivors of the horrific battle at the palace, make their way back to the surface and resume the quest for the third amplifier, the firebird.
It's a long journey, interrupted when Nikolai rescues them from bandits and ferries the party off to his remote mountain fortress. Even though Alina is able to hone her powers under the tutelage of Bagra, the Darkling's mother, they aren't enough to prevail when the Darkling makes a surprise attack and something terrible happens.
Alina and some of her party are able to escape and resume the quest, but when they reach the remote area where the firebird is believed to live, they're hit with another big surprise. After that, they have no choice but to engage the Darkling. How that comes about and who survives makes for a fifty page run that will have most teen readers (and adults) locking their door so they can't be disturbed.
While this is a dark and often violent series, neither element should deter librarians from adding this book. It's a great ending to one of the better dystopian series in recent years.
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LibraryThing member jilliantow
I loved this book. Actually, I loved this series. I loved the characters and the setting. I was hooked from book one and waited all this time to finish it and was not disappointed. Of course, like all young adult novels these days, many people are upset and disappointed, which is their right.
I loved that the story shocked me multiple times. I usually find things predictable and I'm OK with that, but she got me a few times. Those surprises always felt earned and never felt like they were just deus ex machina. I loved the ending and felt that everything was earned. I haven't been this content with a series ending in a while, so I was happy. These books will definitely have a place on my bookshelf for years to come and I will revisit them later down the road.(less)
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However, I think they went into this book with an outline of how they wanted it to end and were sad that it didn't happen that way. I loved that the story shocked me multiple times. I usually find things predictable and I'm OK with that, but she got me a few times. Those surprises always felt earned and never felt like they were just deus ex machina. I loved the ending and felt that everything was earned. I haven't been this content with a series ending in a while, so I was happy. These books will definitely have a place on my bookshelf for years to come and I will revisit them later down the road.(less)
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LibraryThing member BethYacoub
~~~~~~4.5 Stars~~~~~
This was a satisfying end to an AWESOME trilogy! It wrapped up all the loose ends nicely, even though I was completely rooting for a different ending to the love story within :-( Mrs. Bardugo has such a way with world building and character development that I was teary eyed
This was a satisfying end to an AWESOME trilogy! It wrapped up all the loose ends nicely, even though I was completely rooting for a different ending to the love story within :-( Mrs. Bardugo has such a way with world building and character development that I was teary eyed
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saying goodbye to it all! Thankfully I later read that she would be expanding the world, though probably not following up on our favorite characters...ahem....one fair haired/undeniably charming/devilishly handsome/brilliant strategist of royal(ish) lineage. I truly loved this series and loved the spirituality/science/message behind it all. We are all of the same "stuff", even the pesky mountains that need a good cutting or the very particles of light that are found without and within everything. Great, easy, addictive read! Show Less
LibraryThing member BethYacoub
This was a satisfying end to an AWESOME trilogy! It wrapped up all the loose ends nicely, even though I was completely rooting for a different ending to the love story within :-( Mrs. Bardugo has such a way with world building and character development that I was teary eyed saying goodbye to it
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all! Thankfully I later read that she would be expanding the world, though probably not following up on our favorite characters...ahem....one fair haired/undeniably charming/devilishly handsome/brilliant strategist of royal(ish) lineage. I truly loved this series and loved the spirituality/science/message behind it all. We are all of the same "stuff", even the pesky mountains that need a good cutting or the very particles of light that are found without and within everything. Great, easy, addictive read! Show Less
LibraryThing member literaryperuser
I love when a series just gets better and better with every book. This series does that. Bardugo effectively makes you feel connected to Alina, Mal, Nickolai and even the Darkling in such a way that everything that happens to them creates a physical reaction. Bardugo also makes it clear that
A wonderful series!
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relationships are never simple and to ignore their complexity cheapens the experience.A wonderful series!
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
A bit of angsting but in the end Alina does what has to be done and gets it done. She has to face up to the fact that what she's doing is serious life and death stuff and that sometimes to save the many, a few have to die. Still it breaks her heart to do what she has to do and to embrace her fate.
I
I
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liked how the end was written, the afterword was sweet and very much fairy-tale-ish. Show Less
LibraryThing member CinaChilders
I knew coming into this book that Alina and Mal would be together in the end, as much as I hate them as a couple. I don’t know exactly why I don’t like Mal, but I never disliked a pairing/male lead so much. I just felt like Alina’s entire existence revolved around him. I thought the whole
The Darkling’s demise was coming, I knew. But it was boring and should have been built up more than it was. Badass characters should have badass deaths. His death was the only thing that stirred any kind of emotion besides the cheated feeling I got with Alina and Mal’s ending. I wish there could be a book solely about the Darkling because he’s the only one worth caring about besides Nikolai.
Speaking of Nikolai, he wasn’t well treated in this book. I felt terrible about what he went through. With the darkness still inside him, I wonder how this would affect his life. And I really wish he and Alina would have gotten together. He received the short end of the stick.
At least, thankfully, Mal wasn’t as whiney and controlling like in the last book. Alina made most of her own decisions. That’s all the positives I can think of right now. I’m a little weary of following series now, but I’ll hang in there.
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third amplifier thing/coming back to life was cheesy. Their ordinary life together bit made me roll my eyes. All three books just for that? Okay. I feel like I wasted my time. The first book was great, the second was okay, and this one was just /no/. The Darkling’s demise was coming, I knew. But it was boring and should have been built up more than it was. Badass characters should have badass deaths. His death was the only thing that stirred any kind of emotion besides the cheated feeling I got with Alina and Mal’s ending. I wish there could be a book solely about the Darkling because he’s the only one worth caring about besides Nikolai.
Speaking of Nikolai, he wasn’t well treated in this book. I felt terrible about what he went through. With the darkness still inside him, I wonder how this would affect his life. And I really wish he and Alina would have gotten together. He received the short end of the stick.
At least, thankfully, Mal wasn’t as whiney and controlling like in the last book. Alina made most of her own decisions. That’s all the positives I can think of right now. I’m a little weary of following series now, but I’ll hang in there.
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LibraryThing member cathishaw
This is the finale of the GrishaVerse trilogy and a fitting finale it is. As with both the other books in this series, Ruin and Rising is filled with action, adventure, heartbreak, loss, healing, and love. Bardugo does a fantastic job revealing the mysteries of the Amplifiers and the origins of the
I loved every bit of the trilogy, particularly the fact that the book ends with real closure. If you liked the ending of Mockingjay in the Hunger Games trilogy, you will like the ending of GrishaVerse.
My only critique, and it is a mild one, was that I felt the ending of the book might have been just a touch lengthy. While I appreciated that Bardugo tied up loose ends and beautifully framed the opening and closing of this book with fairytale-like narrative, I felt that after the great battle and all that is resolved through it, I didn't need to hear more about Alina's story.
This was a wonderfully entertaining, fast-paced series that I highly recommend to all magical fantasy lovers.
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Darkling and her own strange powers.I loved every bit of the trilogy, particularly the fact that the book ends with real closure. If you liked the ending of Mockingjay in the Hunger Games trilogy, you will like the ending of GrishaVerse.
My only critique, and it is a mild one, was that I felt the ending of the book might have been just a touch lengthy. While I appreciated that Bardugo tied up loose ends and beautifully framed the opening and closing of this book with fairytale-like narrative, I felt that after the great battle and all that is resolved through it, I didn't need to hear more about Alina's story.
This was a wonderfully entertaining, fast-paced series that I highly recommend to all magical fantasy lovers.
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LibraryThing member v_allery
Ruin and Rising is a reasonably satisfying conclusion to The Grisha trilogy. In my opinion, the ending was somewhat anticlimactic; I was left a little disappointed. It was a good and logical ending, though!
As to the way the story developed in the third book - it was excellent! I will not get tired
I felt as torn and divided and confused and bleak as Alina did throughout the whole book - she is a fantastic narrator!
I loved the way the dynamics between the Darkling and Alina changed in this book. If the Darkling was the one haunting Alina in the previous book, then in Ruin and Rising she was the one haunting him. Gradually, she appeared to feel like his equal; still terrorized and terrified, but equal nonetheless.
The relationship between Alina and Mal also became more profound and complicated. I did not like the idea of them together in the first two books, because each of their characters felt two-dimensional. They talked, they did things, but they did not feel like real people, especially Mal. Throughout the second book their characters developed greatly and in the third one they were completely three-dimensional, complex and credible. I genuinely felt for them, for situations they were in and for decisions they had to make.
Plus, that plot twist that came out of nowhere? Good job, Leigh Bardugo.
As to the way the story developed in the third book - it was excellent! I will not get tired
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of saying that Leigh Bardugo is most likely one of the best storytellers I have ever read.I felt as torn and divided and confused and bleak as Alina did throughout the whole book - she is a fantastic narrator!
I loved the way the dynamics between the Darkling and Alina changed in this book. If the Darkling was the one haunting Alina in the previous book, then in Ruin and Rising she was the one haunting him. Gradually, she appeared to feel like his equal; still terrorized and terrified, but equal nonetheless.
The relationship between Alina and Mal also became more profound and complicated. I did not like the idea of them together in the first two books, because each of their characters felt two-dimensional. They talked, they did things, but they did not feel like real people, especially Mal. Throughout the second book their characters developed greatly and in the third one they were completely three-dimensional, complex and credible. I genuinely felt for them, for situations they were in and for decisions they had to make.
Plus, that plot twist that came out of nowhere? Good job, Leigh Bardugo.
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LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
Alina is known as a saint, but her very fame has her trapped beneath the ground. With the help of her friends she manages to escape the caves full of controlling supplicants. She regains her strength after her last brush with the Darkling, and then she and her allies train for one last battle,
I really liked the interplay between Alina and her friends: their banter and relationships added enjoyable moments of humor and humanity. Also, I appreciated that they were creative with their powers, come up with tricks, and strategize, rather than just assuming they can overwhelm the enemy with sheer force.
That said, I felt the ending was a bit anticlimactic.
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where they will defeat the Darkling once and for all or be destroyed. I really liked the interplay between Alina and her friends: their banter and relationships added enjoyable moments of humor and humanity. Also, I appreciated that they were creative with their powers, come up with tricks, and strategize, rather than just assuming they can overwhelm the enemy with sheer force.
That said, I felt the ending was a bit anticlimactic.
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LibraryThing member aliceoddcabinet
Terrific end to the series, which is no mean feat. Can't wait to see more from this author
LibraryThing member dkgarner95
Methinks that Leigh Bardugo may in fact be the too-clever fox. All I can tell you is that I kinda feel like Alina used the Cut on me. . .
LibraryThing member aliceoddcabinet
Terrific end to the series, which is no mean feat. Can't wait to see more from this author
Awards
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Teen — 2014)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2014-06-17
Physical description
384 p.; 6.1 inches
ISBN
9781510105256