Ruin and Rising

Ruin and Rising By Leigh Bardugo (Shadow and Bone series – Book 3)

The aftermath of the battle has left the Sun Summoner broken and her army all but shattered. The Darkling sits on a throne in Ravka and Alina is deep in a network of tunnels underground, recovering her strength while submitting to the will of the Apparat. When she and her small team of allies’ rally to find the last of Morozova’s amplifiers, she uncovers secrets that will change the future she is fighting to achieve. Alina’s powers might be enough to overcome the darkness that plagues the land, but the sacrifices she faces might prove to be too much.

The last book in the Shadow and Bone series takes our beloved characters on the last leg of their journey and it is still full of action, twists and unexpected mysteries. I finished the last book in 1 day and the entire series in less than a week. The books were intoxicating and I couldn’t put them down. I was stirring dinner with a book in my hand, pushing the kids on the swings with a book in my hand, walking down the hall to bed with a book in my hand, and staying up way too late to finish one last chapter. 

I felt like the plot of Ruin and Rising was a bit dull compared to the previous two, but only because it was more traveling and searching and less action. I felt like there wasn’t enough of the Darkling in this book and I wanted more confrontation or at least dialogue from him. I found some things a bit predictable along the way, but the most important things still managed to surprise me. The ending wasn’t what I would have predicted, maybe even not what I wanted, but it was satisfying and beautiful all the same.

Overall, this series is beautiful and I loved living in the world with these characters. I especially enjoyed the details surrounding the history and mythology of the world and the Grisha. I am always hunting for books that pull me in like a drug and these ones did it. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes young adult fantasy and magic with a little bit of old world politics thrown in. The worldbuilding in the Grishaverse is unparalleled and wonderful. I am so thrilled that there are more stories to live in that exist in this world left for me to devour.  

I rate Ruin and Rising 4.5 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Format & Source: Paperback from Main Street Books

Publishing Info: Macmillan Publishing Group 2014