REVIEW – RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo

Posted August 11, 2014 by Emma in Blog / 10 Comments

Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #3)
by Leigh Bardugo
Publisher – Indigo
Release Date – June 19th 2014
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository

The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova’s amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling’s secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

As we, myself, Glass and Tanja slowly drew to a close to Mal and Alina to the most magical, and best YA fantasy series of 2014. Full of action, heart-breaking and soaring passions of power and love, Ruin and Rising is a depiction of timeless talent and thought-provoking plotlines, you wouldn’t want to miss such an ending.
After the end of Siege and Storm, I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen, but I was thankful that I didn’t have to wait and that I could share and fangirl with Glass and Tanja. But it certainly was a page-turner right to the end. 
There is SPOILER FREE review, here are the reviews of Shadow and Bone & Siege and Storm. So without further ado here is the last of our group reviews for The Grisha series. 
This book also focuses on secondary characters. Which one was your favorite?
Without a doubt my favourite would have to be Nikolai/Sturmhond. His unique ability to be two people yet be untouched by it or that fact he is part of a huge battle of politics and power, admired me. His talent for magnificent inventions Pelican, Kingfisher and  Hummingbird. (it sort of remind me of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang a bit!) were brilliant. His character was the most well developed out of the secondary characters. His was a rollcoaster of emotions but for me he was quite the charmer and he loved to think he was funny, which I certainly enjoyed as a reader. 

“Thanks for the rescue.”
“Everyone needs a hobby.”
“I thought yours was preening.”
“Two hobbies.” 

As the series progresses, how did you feel about the development of the ‘mythology’ throughout the novels?
The ‘mythology’ we are referring too is Alina as a Saint. Her power, the Sun Summoner, she is painted as this light at the end of the tunnel, or savior to look up too. It’s a beautiful depiction of her as we see throughout the novel, however for me during the last book it was getting slightly repetitive. It doesn’t mean it degrades the book any less. 

What is your favourite scene within the series?

Gosh, without revealing too much this could be hard…hmmmm. I think when Nikolai swoops in on his craft the Pelican, and saves Alina…. That is all your getting without spoiling it! I’m sure you know what I mean ladies. 
If Leigh wrote another character in alternate POV, who would you like to see?

The Darkling. I felt for me the relationship between Darkling and Alina could be magnificent if only we saw two sides to the storytelling. Their relationship oddly reminds me of Harry and Voldemort, their connection, seeing through each others eyes, shows weakness but also reveals that they are more a like than we originally predicted. 
What Grisha would you be? and Why?

Image – Courtesy of Leigh Bardugo’s website.

Durast. The Order of the Fabrikators. They may not be very important, but their creations are wonderful, from army/Grisha steel, to gowns and glass. If I could change, I would like to be appreciated for their creation, like David. 

What are your thoughts about the ending of the book? 

The ending of the book was sublime. There is no words but if I were to say something, it what every series should end like, not necessarily in plotline, but how was it tied neatly up in a bow. But their could be still room for a spin-off, if Leigh chooses to.
Which book is your favorite in the series? 

Shadow and Bone! It will always mark the beginning of a remarkable journey to escape into.
Rating – 5 *MASSIVE STARS* for the whole series too!
Thank you to the lovely ladies, Glass and Tanja for joining me on this amazing read-along journey… What a series! You can find their review here.
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10 responses to “REVIEW – RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo”

  1. Keertana

    I'm glad to see you enjoyed this, Emma! Siege & Storm is my favorite of the trilogy but I really liked the manner in which this series ended, especially for the characters and the Darkling. Fantastic review, dear! 🙂

    • admin

      Siege and Storm was probably my least favourite but it was a brilliant sequel to the series. But I loved the way it ended. One of the best so far. Thanks Keertana! 🙂

  2. Tanja - Tanychy

    Amazing review, Em! I totally agree about the ending being sublime! I couldn't think of better word myself. I'm so glad you loved this one. Great review 🙂

  3. Pili

    Amazing review! I adored this final book and made me want to re-read the whole series, something I will do as soon as I get all my hardbacks!

    • admin

      I hope you get to re-read them soon. I loved reading Shadow and Bone again and that one is my favourite of the series.

  4. Rashika

    I am glad you guys all ended up loving the series! I actually like how you said that the relationship between Alina and The Darkling is kind of like the relationship b/w Voldemort and Harry. It definitely puts an interesting spin on things 😀 (considering the whole pseudo love triangle).

    I am definitely looking forward to diving into the sequels now!

    Lovely review, Emma!! 🙂

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

    • admin

      Oh I can't wait for you to dive into them. They are so good and yes the relationship certainly draws similarities so you can see where Leigh got her inspiration. The love triangle didn't really bother me, I'm happy to say. 🙂 Thank you Rashika!

  5. Renu

    Woo, glad you all love this trilogy! I agree with what you said about the ending, I like my endings tied up. Sturmhond is also one of my fave characters, his lines lol they made me smile! Great review. 😀

    • admin

      Me too! The ending for me is always key to be tied up in a little bow. Stormhond was amazing to read. He lightened up the whole series. Thank you, Renu! 🙂