A review by izzyjunghans
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 I am about to bawl my eyes out omg. ITS SO SAD. I thought the ending to be bittersweet, but not my preferred one. I don’t know I was expecting something different, yet it seems to be the only one that fits. I actually liked Mal in this book a lot and I LOVED Zoya and generally the banter of the characters. 

I wasn’t planning on giving this five stars and I might still change my mind, because WHY IS THE DARKLING DEAD ;( I know he was the villain but I loved him so much and it’s so gut-wrenching (his mothers death too). Like he was just a boy alone (but yes he did do horrible things). I kind of hate the ending, with Alina losing her power. I don’t think she’s weak now, but it’s still sad to know that part of her is gone. I don’t know what ending I was wishing for, her to somehow get with the darkling?