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jackacj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery
Minor: Vomit
stuffhanreads's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4 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 forever out of reach.”
The third instalment of the Grisha Trilogy was extremely good, a fitting end I would say to the series. We see Alina’s sainthood come back around to martyrdom, in the eyes of Ravka. It made a lot of sense for her character arc, she was subjected to so much faith and prayer from followers of the Apparat, she managed to finally get the quiet life she wanted and deserved with Mal. After so much death and fighting it felt right for her to have her happy ending, even if part of her feels lost without her Grisha powers. Just like Mal, who lost his tracking ability after his sacrifice.
I enjoyed the dynamics a lot more in Ruin and Rising, Nikolai and Alina’s friendship developing was fun to read. As well as finally seeing Zoya for something more than she is on the surface. In the first book, Shadow and Bone, I didn’t like her much, she was snooty, stuck-up and didn’t seem like she cared about anyone but herself. As the series progressed, she finally shows who she is under the surface, someone who cares, who feels the need to show her power.
I even enjoyed seeing the Darkling more, his character seemed to become more fleshed out, more human, as much as he hated it to be known. I also understand Alina’s reaction to killing him and his death, she felt pity for him, a lonely man who had no equal in the world, who’s ambition and thirst for power turned him to the wrong side.
The ending of the book was great, Alina and Mal finally marrying after Mal said he would all those years ago. Surrounded by Oncat and Misha, a child who they eventually adopt. It felt fitting that Alina would adopt him, a child who looked after Baghra, who lost everyone he loved. It felt very fitting.
”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 forever out of reach.”
The third instalment of the Grisha Trilogy was extremely good, a fitting end I would say to the series. We see Alina’s sainthood come back around to martyrdom, in the eyes of Ravka. It made a lot of sense for her character arc, she was subjected to so much faith and prayer from followers of the Apparat, she managed to finally get the quiet life she wanted and deserved with Mal. After so much death and fighting it felt right for her to have her happy ending, even if part of her feels lost without her Grisha powers. Just like Mal, who lost his tracking ability after his sacrifice.
I enjoyed the dynamics a lot more in Ruin and Rising, Nikolai and Alina’s friendship developing was fun to read. As well as finally seeing Zoya for something more than she is on the surface. In the first book, Shadow and Bone, I didn’t like her much, she was snooty, stuck-up and didn’t seem like she cared about anyone but herself. As the series progressed, she finally shows who she is under the surface, someone who cares, who feels the need to show her power.
I even enjoyed seeing the Darkling more, his character seemed to become more fleshed out, more human, as much as he hated it to be known. I also understand Alina’s reaction to killing him and his death, she felt pity for him, a lonely man who had no equal in the world, who’s ambition and thirst for power turned him to the wrong side.
The ending of the book was great, Alina and Mal finally marrying after Mal said he would all those years ago. Surrounded by Oncat and Misha, a child who they eventually adopt. It felt fitting that Alina would adopt him, a child who looked after Baghra, who lost everyone he loved. It felt very fitting.
smthoriginal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ann_smash's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
joanna1905's review against another edition
3.0
Wow yeah so I persevered with this book in hopes it would eventually get good - but I can't say it ever did.
By the end of this book, I still didn't care about any of the characters or the plot. I felt like I sped through these books just because I wanted to move on to another series.
My favourite scene was probably the Darklings death - which is ironic because he was one of the only characters I actually liked. He was very well written and his motivations were always intriguing. Despite being a very bad dude, It was still a very sad scene that really made me wish he'd had a redemption arc.
I still think Alina and Mal's relationship is one of the mosy luke warm - why are they even together - relationships I've ever read. Which is pretty unusual for me because usually I'm a sucker for most love stories and can at least get somewhat invested, but not with this one.
If you want to read a book from Leigh, then Six of Crows is a far better series.
By the end of this book, I still didn't care about any of the characters or the plot. I felt like I sped through these books just because I wanted to move on to another series.
My favourite scene was probably the Darklings death - which is ironic because he was one of the only characters I actually liked. He was very well written and his motivations were always intriguing. Despite being a very bad dude, It was still a very sad scene that really made me wish he'd had a redemption arc.
I still think Alina and Mal's relationship is one of the mosy luke warm - why are they even together - relationships I've ever read. Which is pretty unusual for me because usually I'm a sucker for most love stories and can at least get somewhat invested, but not with this one.
If you want to read a book from Leigh, then Six of Crows is a far better series.
stephen_arvidson's review against another edition
5.0
There's plenty at stake as the Grisha Trilogy draws to a stunning close. The forces of darkness and light square off in a battle unto death for the future of Ravka. Following her near-fatal encounter with the Darkling, a weakened Alina finds herself imprisoned in the fanatical Apparat’s subterranean lair under the guise of protection. Leigh Bardugo never lets us linger in one place for long and after a daring escape, Alina, the ever-faithful Mal, and the few surviving remnants of the Grisha rebellion seek to reunite with tsarevich Nikolai and procure the final amplifier needed to combat the Darkling and undue the Shadow Fold. As Alina’s yearning for power grows so too does her fear of being corrupted by this forbidden magic. With every threat stacked against them, Alina and Mal must make tough decisions that carry devastating consequences. The road to victory is paved with deceit and death, and readers will be gasping for the finish to see if these beloved characters can find solace in each other and, ultimately, salvation.
From reticent map-maker, to Sun Summoner, to sainted linchpin in an epic battle between good and evil, Alina Starkov’s evolution is of a stronger kind, rounding out her character so she can embrace her role as a Saint and realize her inner strength. Her internally driven struggle against her growing power engenders conflict with those around her and even contends with her love for Mal, thus bringing into question the destructive nature of power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, so sayeth Lord Acton, and Alina is reluctant to mislay her core identity even if it spells doom for Ravka. Despite his boorish behavior in the previous book, Mal redeems himself in dividends. His desire to protect Alina has never been stronger. Much like Alina, Mal is confronted by a fateful destiny, one that ineluctably places him on a trajectory that’s sure to leave readers teary-ended.
As engaging as our heroine is, it's Bardugo's cast of supporting characters and their genuine interactions with Alina that make this series a literary standout. Bardugo hews these auxiliary players so cunningly it's astounding. Alina’s motley of misfit Grisha are touchingly genuine in their squabbling repartee, flawed to be sure and all the better for it. The supremely charismatic Nikolai makes an expected return and his hidden depths prove vital to the storyline. Genya's unapologetic but sincere nature is top-notch characterization. As a result of her dealings with the Darkling, Genya is stripped of the loveliness that so largely defined her and she must accept not only her inner beauty but the consequences for her past actions and, perhaps, find redemption. Baghra, the Darkling's obstreperous mother, is a treasure to behold. Interestingly, even this ornery battle-axe isn't immune to Nikolai's charms, and it's moments like these that imbue her with a fleeting humanity—just enough to make her final sacrifice a tragically honest twist. Then there's Zoya, that raven-haired seductress who's compelling as she is fetching. Despite her animosity toward Alina, Zoya remains loyal to the Sun Summoner and her catty remarks become the needed levity to shore up Alina. And lastly, who could forget newcomer Harshaw, the redheaded pyromaniac with his trusty tabby, Oncat (that’s Kaelish for cat)?
Leigh Bardugo, who’s fast becoming a name reverently whispered among fantasy readers, delivers a show-stopping finale. Gallows humor and quippy one-liners combine to ease the tension of the plot. Even in the direst of straits, Alina maintains her characteristic snark to lighten the book's admittedly dark mood. Bardugo’s world-building skills are phenomenal, and each character is finely crafted. Her confidence and skill as both a writer and storyteller continue to mature and this beautifully realized world that she’s populated with rich, complex characters is increasingly vivid and ever more substantial in our mind's eye. Even more surprisingly, Bardugo manages to pull off a love quadrangle that feels organic and doesn’t needlessly complicate the narrative—a further testament to her writing prowess.
Upon reading Shadow and Bone, the first book in the trilogy, readers will find a number of conventional fantasy elements that may leave them questioning the worthwhileness of these books; however this impression diminishes as readers journey further into the series. The story of a lonely orphan becoming an all-powerful prophesied hero through a painstaking process of self-realization and learning is overworn by today’s literary standards. Yet, Bardugo succeeds in breathing new life into an assortment of tired, oft-used fantasy tropes. Alina's world becomes more enthralling and innovative with each chapter, revealing unexpected vistas and plot twists.
A slow burn of a novel that amasses tremendous force and intensity through heartrending observation and internal revelation, Ruin and Rising is a fitting end to a beautiful series. Leigh Bardugo masterfully weaves the threads of the previous novels into a dramatic and breathtaking tapestry. Prepare to be spellbound.
From reticent map-maker, to Sun Summoner, to sainted linchpin in an epic battle between good and evil, Alina Starkov’s evolution is of a stronger kind, rounding out her character so she can embrace her role as a Saint and realize her inner strength. Her internally driven struggle against her growing power engenders conflict with those around her and even contends with her love for Mal, thus bringing into question the destructive nature of power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, so sayeth Lord Acton, and Alina is reluctant to mislay her core identity even if it spells doom for Ravka. Despite his boorish behavior in the previous book, Mal redeems himself in dividends. His desire to protect Alina has never been stronger. Much like Alina, Mal is confronted by a fateful destiny, one that ineluctably places him on a trajectory that’s sure to leave readers teary-ended.
As engaging as our heroine is, it's Bardugo's cast of supporting characters and their genuine interactions with Alina that make this series a literary standout. Bardugo hews these auxiliary players so cunningly it's astounding. Alina’s motley of misfit Grisha are touchingly genuine in their squabbling repartee, flawed to be sure and all the better for it. The supremely charismatic Nikolai makes an expected return and his hidden depths prove vital to the storyline. Genya's unapologetic but sincere nature is top-notch characterization. As a result of her dealings with the Darkling, Genya is stripped of the loveliness that so largely defined her and she must accept not only her inner beauty but the consequences for her past actions and, perhaps, find redemption. Baghra, the Darkling's obstreperous mother, is a treasure to behold. Interestingly, even this ornery battle-axe isn't immune to Nikolai's charms, and it's moments like these that imbue her with a fleeting humanity—just enough to make her final sacrifice a tragically honest twist. Then there's Zoya, that raven-haired seductress who's compelling as she is fetching. Despite her animosity toward Alina, Zoya remains loyal to the Sun Summoner and her catty remarks become the needed levity to shore up Alina. And lastly, who could forget newcomer Harshaw, the redheaded pyromaniac with his trusty tabby, Oncat (that’s Kaelish for cat)?
Leigh Bardugo, who’s fast becoming a name reverently whispered among fantasy readers, delivers a show-stopping finale. Gallows humor and quippy one-liners combine to ease the tension of the plot. Even in the direst of straits, Alina maintains her characteristic snark to lighten the book's admittedly dark mood. Bardugo’s world-building skills are phenomenal, and each character is finely crafted. Her confidence and skill as both a writer and storyteller continue to mature and this beautifully realized world that she’s populated with rich, complex characters is increasingly vivid and ever more substantial in our mind's eye. Even more surprisingly, Bardugo manages to pull off a love quadrangle that feels organic and doesn’t needlessly complicate the narrative—a further testament to her writing prowess.
Upon reading Shadow and Bone, the first book in the trilogy, readers will find a number of conventional fantasy elements that may leave them questioning the worthwhileness of these books; however this impression diminishes as readers journey further into the series. The story of a lonely orphan becoming an all-powerful prophesied hero through a painstaking process of self-realization and learning is overworn by today’s literary standards. Yet, Bardugo succeeds in breathing new life into an assortment of tired, oft-used fantasy tropes. Alina's world becomes more enthralling and innovative with each chapter, revealing unexpected vistas and plot twists.
A slow burn of a novel that amasses tremendous force and intensity through heartrending observation and internal revelation, Ruin and Rising is a fitting end to a beautiful series. Leigh Bardugo masterfully weaves the threads of the previous novels into a dramatic and breathtaking tapestry. Prepare to be spellbound.
tashanixon_'s review against another edition
5.0
By far the best of all 3 books.... And most emotional. An easy 5 star for me.
SPOILERS AHEAD
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Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 4/5
I don't know where to begin. Despite the slow start, I was hooked from halfway through. This was an incredible conclusion to an amazing series, and I have very few critiques.
The writing I felt was even more thoughtful than the previous 2 books, and I definitely found myself laughing, awing and gasping at all the right times. There was definitely a lot of travelling in this plot, so the map so generously provided was extremely helpful, but it also gave a great excuse for more world-building, especially comparing the North and South Ravkan Borders. There was a gripping amount of plot-twists (some of which I was unhappy about *ahem Botkin, and Baghra and Nikolai at the Spinning Wheel), and the ending was by far my favourite of all three books. The background about Morozova had me fairly umm astonished? shocked? but I liked the additional information about the Darkling's lineage, and I was right there with Alina trying to guess the origins of the Sun Summoner too!
I really liked seeing Alina battle her angels and devils throughout because it was so... realistic?
About the ending... as I've stated before, I never really shipped Malina, however throughout this I became more "accepting" toward their romance, but even still I find Mal quite annoying. I understand that a relationship with the Darkling would be toxic - but I still love him, even if he is evil, manipulative... I'll stop. And also Nikolai, the too-clever fox, I couldn't stop crying whenever he was mentioned in the latter half of the book. It was absolute trauma to see once a cocky, sarcastic man reduced to the Darkling's curse, so for that point alone I can't forgive the Darkling.
The ending battle I felt was quite fast paced but it didn't bother me too much. What did, was that I did not feel affected one bit by Mal's death (nor subsequent resurection), but I SOBBED at Aleksander's death. And his last words really pulled on my heartstrings - terrible, I know. Additionally, his final wish "don't let me be alone" seemed so human to me in comparison I guess to how unbeatable he has always been. This final moment of weakness and finality pushed me over the edge, and there were tear everywhere. The fact that the last dialogue uttered is Alina saying "Aleksander" was I think really important for her character, I guess she still feels a connection and a duty to fulfill his wishes.
It felt great for Nikolai to be restored, but the disturbance he's left with gives me the need to add King of Scars to my TBR.
And if that wasn't enough, the After section was really nice and closing. The biggest critique I have is that Alina losing her powers, and becoming the same girl she was at the beginning of the series felt very underwhelming. And that's one thing I'll not be able to get over, the emptiness she's left with. The side characters became a favourite as well, especially the witty Zoya, and Genya became an absolute badass, and obviously I can't forget Tamar and Tolya, David, Harshaw (still not over that either) and the rest of the band.
So overall, I wasn't a fan of the Apparat malarkey, but I thoroughly enjoyed this finale, and it has therefore cemented the Grishaverse as a favourite for me.
SPOILERS AHEAD
<><><><><><><><><><><>
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 4/5
I don't know where to begin. Despite the slow start, I was hooked from halfway through. This was an incredible conclusion to an amazing series, and I have very few critiques.
The writing I felt was even more thoughtful than the previous 2 books, and I definitely found myself laughing, awing and gasping at all the right times. There was definitely a lot of travelling in this plot, so the map so generously provided was extremely helpful, but it also gave a great excuse for more world-building, especially comparing the North and South Ravkan Borders. There was a gripping amount of plot-twists (some of which I was unhappy about *ahem Botkin, and Baghra and Nikolai at the Spinning Wheel), and the ending was by far my favourite of all three books. The background about Morozova had me fairly umm astonished? shocked? but I liked the additional information about the Darkling's lineage, and I was right there with Alina trying to guess the origins of the Sun Summoner too!
I really liked seeing Alina battle her angels and devils throughout because it was so... realistic?
About the ending... as I've stated before, I never really shipped Malina, however throughout this I became more "accepting" toward their romance, but even still I find Mal quite annoying. I understand that a relationship with the Darkling would be toxic - but I still love him, even if he is evil, manipulative... I'll stop. And also Nikolai, the too-clever fox, I couldn't stop crying whenever he was mentioned in the latter half of the book. It was absolute trauma to see once a cocky, sarcastic man reduced to the Darkling's curse, so for that point alone I can't forgive the Darkling.
The ending battle I felt was quite fast paced but it didn't bother me too much. What did, was that I did not feel affected one bit by Mal's death (nor subsequent resurection), but I SOBBED at Aleksander's death. And his last words really pulled on my heartstrings - terrible, I know. Additionally, his final wish "don't let me be alone" seemed so human to me in comparison I guess to how unbeatable he has always been. This final moment of weakness and finality pushed me over the edge, and there were tear everywhere. The fact that the last dialogue uttered is Alina saying "Aleksander" was I think really important for her character, I guess she still feels a connection and a duty to fulfill his wishes.
It felt great for Nikolai to be restored, but the disturbance he's left with gives me the need to add King of Scars to my TBR.
And if that wasn't enough, the After section was really nice and closing. The biggest critique I have is that Alina losing her powers, and becoming the same girl she was at the beginning of the series felt very underwhelming. And that's one thing I'll not be able to get over, the emptiness she's left with. The side characters became a favourite as well, especially the witty Zoya, and Genya became an absolute badass, and obviously I can't forget Tamar and Tolya, David, Harshaw (still not over that either) and the rest of the band.
So overall, I wasn't a fan of the Apparat malarkey, but I thoroughly enjoyed this finale, and it has therefore cemented the Grishaverse as a favourite for me.
sofia_d's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0