lvllynpink 's review for:

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
4.0
4.5 stars because this was great. Mal was SO much better and much more like he was in the first book, and the characters and their relationships were good--although the author could have leaned in a little more to the other characters and their relationships with each other because many of them were so likeable, and I was satisfied with the ending and with what happened to Nikolai etc. I really want to read the other books about him--love that guy--and I love that he and Alina and Mal stay friends. Also I've read so many series that have had the childhood best friend in the love triangle and I am always sad when love is unrequited and they don't end up together, so I'm glad that in at least one story they do :). Especially because once Mal and Alina sorted out their issues they had a much healthier relationship than in the last book. I liked Mal's character development and the leader he became. Also, for that one second where Alina thought the Darkling might be her cousin I was so grossed out and I am so glad the story didn't go down that path because honestly why do people keep writing that into their books?? I know the Darkling needed to die at the end and so I expected that and I think it made sense for the story, but I still get sad when characters with tragic backstories don't get redemption. Although, he did some really horrible things and I was like umm okay maybe I don't like you at all anymore. (He did horrible things in the last book, too, for sure. And the first one, lol. But they got more twisted and individualized in this one, a lot less of the - sacrifices for the greater good - type of thing and more of the - torturer and abuser - vibe. Do not love that at all. Hate that actually. When he was like 'I'm going to destroy everything you ever loved so I'm all you have left' and then kissed her head I felt physically nauseous. Also when she lost her power and he was like 'you're nothing now' I understand he felt the loss of connection to someone who was the only person who he thought might understand him but I was like, wow okay you're the worst)

Anyway I'm excited to read the other books!