matthiashelvarsbword 's review for:

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

5.0

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Unpopular opinion: I actually loved the ending. I wasn’t a fan of ‘Malina’ at the beginning but the way it rapped up in the end honestly felt so perfect. People love to forget that Alina was in love with Mal from the very beginning. Id say she was more infatuated/fallen for the Darkling’s charismatic nature than “in love” with him. Yes they had an extremely powerful connection because of their powers and because they were both destined to live for so long (and the obvious ying yang to it) and I do sympathize with the Darkling at the end. I love how Alina learned his real name (especially when you read the Darkling’s backstory and understand the significance of it) However, the Fold would never be able to be destroyed with the Darkling alive. I feel like it was a fitting death for him, and almost a tragic parting for him and Alina— but not a romantic one. The way he had someone to mourn his death, someone to speak his name. Also when Alina lost her powers when the Fold was destroyed I feel like foiled the death of the Darkling in a wonderful way. That part of her life was officially over. The way she mourned the loss of both the Darkling and her powers is an example of this too. I love the Darkling and Alina but I feel like their connection transcended romance and so it was very fitting for Alina to end up with Mal— just like it was at the beginning: an otkazat’sya in love with her childhood best friend.