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A review by tckcallahan
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
5.0
An excellent conclusion to a wonderful trilogy. While the book ended in a manner I was somewhat suspecting- it did not go down the path that I thought it would while reading the first two books. I particularly enjoyed some of the twists and turns Leigh Bardugo threw in towards the end. If you would like a more spoilery review please view below
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I by far found my favorite character in Nikolai, his spunky attitude as well as general sense of surety in his own skills and blatant political outreach were refreshing. His diminutive reach to be with Alina was also well handled- starting out as a political manoeuvre and then moving to true friendship and caring.
The moment that shocked me the most in this book was the Darkling's response to Nikolai's care. Of all the things I was expecting it wasn't that. I felt my heart wrench at that moment. This was also the moment I loved most throughout the book because Nikolai wasn't magically healed. He still had those scars and although he was there within the monster he didn't just come back.
The ability to still hide and feel those wounds after the battle is what I have taken away from these books. I love Leigh Bardugo's ability to keep us in check that these characters are people, and people don't just get over this when the battle is won. I am thoroughly looking forward to reading the other books she has written in the future.
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Spoiler
Overall I really enjoyed this series. At the beginning I though I would be fed up with Alina rather quickly but I found her character and darker growth enjoyable. I also felt particularly close to Mal throughout the series- though there were some moments that the "I will be high and righteous" act fell a little flat (some where intentional others... well?)I by far found my favorite character in Nikolai, his spunky attitude as well as general sense of surety in his own skills and blatant political outreach were refreshing. His diminutive reach to be with Alina was also well handled- starting out as a political manoeuvre and then moving to true friendship and caring.
The moment that shocked me the most in this book was the Darkling's response to Nikolai's care. Of all the things I was expecting it wasn't that. I felt my heart wrench at that moment. This was also the moment I loved most throughout the book because Nikolai wasn't magically healed. He still had those scars and although he was there within the monster he didn't just come back.
The ability to still hide and feel those wounds after the battle is what I have taken away from these books. I love Leigh Bardugo's ability to keep us in check that these characters are people, and people don't just get over this when the battle is won. I am thoroughly looking forward to reading the other books she has written in the future.