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read_n_wright's review against another edition
4.0
This was my fav of the whole series and a lovely way to end the trilogy (I think- there's so many more books in this world, but this one felt like closure)
I felt connected to the characters and was delighted by the ending.
The author defo missed a trick in not exploring the Darkling more, though. The complexity of his and Alina's connection, their understanding, desire and hatred for one another. The Darklings' past lives, hus vulnerability and invulnerability, the journey that led him to who he became...all had soo much potential. Every time the Darkling came up I yearned to know more. I hear there's a novella about him, but I don't want to be disappointed, but it so I'll just leave it be.
I felt connected to the characters and was delighted by the ending.
The author defo missed a trick in not exploring the Darkling more, though. The complexity of his and Alina's connection, their understanding, desire and hatred for one another. The Darklings' past lives, hus vulnerability and invulnerability, the journey that led him to who he became...all had soo much potential. Every time the Darkling came up I yearned to know more. I hear there's a novella about him, but I don't want to be disappointed, but it so I'll just leave it be.
jessica_z's review against another edition
4.0
The verdict on this book is......Meh. I was unaware of the controversy about the ending of the series until after reading the second book. So my expectations were lowered. And as I was reading I couldn't understand what was wrong with it. Then I got to the climax and I understood perfectly. It was rushed, and too...focused. It was like how when she was going to the Darkling in visions he was the only thing that was in focus, that's what it felt like at the climax. There was this whole battle going on around Alina and the writing was too focused on her and the Darkling. It felt too small for the giant world Leigh made and we explored. Also it was rushed. I was reading it and then suddenly something happened and I was like "Wait...what just happened?" And it wasn't in the way you say it when the plot twist is revealed. If I was writing this I would have Alina given herself up because she couldn't run anymore and have innocent people get hurt and then her and the Darkling make out because I love him! Then Mal and everyone goes in to get her back and there is this epic battle and then Alina makes her final stand against the Darkling, and then it kind of follows the normal story line from there with Mal. If you've read it you know what I'm talking about. But because the climax was written the way it was, I couldn't enjoy the ending, because I didn't know how I felt about the battle and everything that happened. As a person that wants to be an author and has written my own books I know how hard it is to end a series, so everything is answered and tied in a neat little bow or everyone in tears, but it has to be approached correctly.
Let's talk about the plot twists, I totally saw part of it. When the Darkling's mom tells her backstory, and all that, I knew. I would have liked to see Alina's powers grow more. I mean all she really did was use the Cut. And we got that mountain part, but the Darkling was a total BA with his powers. Well she did learn how to bend light but still. I love the Darkling, there should have been more of him. Also I another thing I didn't like was how easy he told her his name. I mean it was kind of thrown out there. For a second I thought he was messing with her. Some where in this book I actually started liking Mal and it completely caught me off guard.
I honestly don't know how I feel about this book. I'm just putting whatever I'm thinking down and I don't know if it's making any sense. Anyway I loved all the characters, love the world, wish the ending had a little more work on it, but all in all I still love the Grisha Trilogy.
Let's talk about the plot twists, I totally saw part of it. When the Darkling's mom tells her backstory, and all that, I knew. I would have liked to see Alina's powers grow more. I mean all she really did was use the Cut. And we got that mountain part, but the Darkling was a total BA with his powers. Well she did learn how to bend light but still. I love the Darkling, there should have been more of him. Also I another thing I didn't like was how easy he told her his name. I mean it was kind of thrown out there. For a second I thought he was messing with her. Some where in this book I actually started liking Mal and it completely caught me off guard.
I honestly don't know how I feel about this book. I'm just putting whatever I'm thinking down and I don't know if it's making any sense. Anyway I loved all the characters, love the world, wish the ending had a little more work on it, but all in all I still love the Grisha Trilogy.
hmin13's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sashkia's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Long chapters for no reason, mc began go get annoying, predictable ending that wasn't as satisfying as I wanted.
sm_readsbooks's review against another edition
Ruin and Rising is the final book in the 'Shadow and Bone' trilogy. The Darkling has taken control and Alina must find the third amplifier to defeat him as fast as possible. 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 and her loved ones the very future she’s fighting for.
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I was a bit skeptical about this series after not enjoying the second book, but this third and final book in the trilogy tied up all the loose ends and brought it all together. This book kept me hooked from the first chapter, and I sped through it, unable to put it down! I highly enjoyed this series, but feel like it could have been better with more character development throughout the books with the main characters. But I definitely recommend this series to anyone who is interested in watching the Netflix show or who loves fantasy novels.
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I was a bit skeptical about this series after not enjoying the second book, but this third and final book in the trilogy tied up all the loose ends and brought it all together. This book kept me hooked from the first chapter, and I sped through it, unable to put it down! I highly enjoyed this series, but feel like it could have been better with more character development throughout the books with the main characters. But I definitely recommend this series to anyone who is interested in watching the Netflix show or who loves fantasy novels.
princessrobotiv's review against another edition
5.0
Overall series rating: 4 stars
--
Best book of the series, bar none.
Everything was tighter: the writing, the plot, the theme, the characters. I never would have thought, after [b:Siege and Storm|14061955|Siege and Storm (Grisha Verse, #2)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1362166252s/14061955.jpg|19699752], that I would come out of the third book actually shipping Alina and Mal, yet here we stand today. I mean, come on:
The rest of the characters evolved into the strongest versions of themselves in this novel, too. Which is not to say that they were strong people, because some of them didn't end up being strong. It means that they came into themselves as characters. The most obvious example is Zoya, introduced as an archetypical mean-girl rival in [b:Shadow and Bone|10194157|Shadow and Bone (Grisha Verse, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695s/10194157.jpg|15093325] and grown to this dynamic, realistic person with authentic attitude and voice (one who I ended up liking quite a bit, actually).
I also felt far more understanding of the series' thematic elements than in prior installments. Alina's struggle with darkness and her own lust for power, especially in juxtaposition with The Darkling's actions, was highlighted perfectly by the penultimate sacrifice she makes in the Fold. And even before that moment, we saw her questioning again and again the purpose and morality of her actions, even in the face of what could have been presented as a righteous war:
This is critical commentary in a genre filled with glorified war stories and aimed at an audience who are most vulnerable to being conscripted into wars by their governments or their faiths. We see it way too much in real life; it's good to see that balance reflected here.
And man, I do really appreciate what was done with The Darkling.
I'm 100% villain trash, even when they're pure irredeemable monsters. I recognized the need for The Darkling to die. It seemed impossible, or at least highly difficult, to redeem him after his actions in Siege and Storm. I didn't want Alina to succumb to her "inner darkness," not in the way that he had. It would have been truly tragic if she had, though it would have made a good - but very different - story.
Still, I mourned his death. The final battle was executed well, both gripping and melancholic. Alina and Aleksander's dialogue in this scene was really well done.
And when she thinks of who tended him before his funeral pyre? Fucking kill me, oh my God. What a punch to the heart.
It's so refreshing to see the villain . . . Be the villain.
I don't know, it's just nice after an inundation of villain love stories. It's good to see the alternate ending: Where he isn't redeemed; where his power controls him; where love doesn't save the day. Where some actions can never be undone and can never truly be forgiven, but where mercy and affection still exist alongside these truths.
This series surprised me, especially this last book, and I'm glad it did! I'm geeked to start the next Bardugo series.
--
Best book of the series, bar none.
Everything was tighter: the writing, the plot, the theme, the characters. I never would have thought, after [b:Siege and Storm|14061955|Siege and Storm (Grisha Verse, #2)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1362166252s/14061955.jpg|19699752], that I would come out of the third book actually shipping Alina and Mal, yet here we stand today. I mean, come on:
"'You are all I've ever wanted,'" he said. "'You are the whole of my heart.'"Part of what made the inevitable romance viable was the work that was done to redeem Mal after the entirely sullen fool he made of himself in books one and two. There were moments in book two that supported the one-eighty Mal did (especially before traveling to the Little Palace), but this installment really buckled down and gave the reader a reason for Alina's love. I didn't hate it.
The rest of the characters evolved into the strongest versions of themselves in this novel, too. Which is not to say that they were strong people, because some of them didn't end up being strong. It means that they came into themselves as characters. The most obvious example is Zoya, introduced as an archetypical mean-girl rival in [b:Shadow and Bone|10194157|Shadow and Bone (Grisha Verse, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695s/10194157.jpg|15093325] and grown to this dynamic, realistic person with authentic attitude and voice (one who I ended up liking quite a bit, actually).
I also felt far more understanding of the series' thematic elements than in prior installments. Alina's struggle with darkness and her own lust for power, especially in juxtaposition with The Darkling's actions, was highlighted perfectly by the penultimate sacrifice she makes in the Fold. And even before that moment, we saw her questioning again and again the purpose and morality of her actions, even in the face of what could have been presented as a righteous war:
"I remembered the Apparat's claim: There is no power greater than faith, and there will be no greater army than one driven by it. I prayed that he was right, that I wasn't just another leader taking their loyalty and repaying them with useless, honorable deaths."
This is critical commentary in a genre filled with glorified war stories and aimed at an audience who are most vulnerable to being conscripted into wars by their governments or their faiths. We see it way too much in real life; it's good to see that balance reflected here.
And man, I do really appreciate what was done with The Darkling.
I'm 100% villain trash, even when they're pure irredeemable monsters. I recognized the need for The Darkling to die. It seemed impossible, or at least highly difficult, to redeem him after his actions in Siege and Storm. I didn't want Alina to succumb to her "inner darkness," not in the way that he had. It would have been truly tragic if she had, though it would have made a good - but very different - story.
Still, I mourned his death. The final battle was executed well, both gripping and melancholic. Alina and Aleksander's dialogue in this scene was really well done.
And when she thinks of who tended him before his funeral pyre? Fucking kill me, oh my God. What a punch to the heart.
It's so refreshing to see the villain . . . Be the villain.
I don't know, it's just nice after an inundation of villain love stories. It's good to see the alternate ending: Where he isn't redeemed; where his power controls him; where love doesn't save the day. Where some actions can never be undone and can never truly be forgiven, but where mercy and affection still exist alongside these truths.
This series surprised me, especially this last book, and I'm glad it did! I'm geeked to start the next Bardugo series.
dinansb's review against another edition
4.0
4,5⭐️ definitely waaay better than the first 2 books… it was more, I love the friendships that were built.. the ending was nothing like I expected