Ruin and Rising

Book Title: Ruin and Rising

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Series: The Grisha Trilogy #3

Date Started: June 19th 2014

Date Completed: June 24th 2014

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Adventure

Rating: Five stars

Review:

Ruin and Rising was a very good conclusion to the Grisha Trilogy. The biggest problem for me was that the book itself wasn't big enough, but what was written was amazing and everything finished in a way that I wasn't expecting.

Stuck underground and struggling with her powers, Alina still has yet to face The Darkling and liberate Ravka from his rule. But with only a rough idea of where the third amplifier is, and few allies at her back, her chances of escaping the White Cathedral, finding the Fire Bird and defeating her enemy are slim. But the fate of the world lies in The Sun Summoner's hands, and she's ready to use it.

I really love Bardugo's writing style: the description and flow of the narrative especially. I can fall so easily into Alina's world and its vivid collection of magic and mystery. My only criticism would be that I wish the narrative held some sort of implication to Alina's feelings and emotions without having to say it straightforwardly.

The overall atmosphere is also amazing in these books. The build-up to climaxes or action scenes particularly - there's definitely a feel of 'calm before the storm' - but even the more subdued scenes hold a certain weight to them that really help the threat become real.

Ruin and Rising had even more twists than the first two books, and a few of them I didn't see coming at all. Each these made me pause and consider the greater impact it had on the overall story; they weren't little details, they were game-changers.

I was also impressed by the mature reactions the characters had to these situations. Namely the relationship issues: I'm used to Young Adult fiction having stroppy teenagers that overreact when they're circumstances change away from their preference. However, I felt Bardugo maturely handled what Alina and the others felt like when they were pushed towards people they didn't necessarily want to be with.

The conclusion to the book was definitely bittersweet, and not for obvious reasons. I do wish there had been more to read, and possibly more peril during the final showdown, but I still think it concluded in a way that ticked all the boxes.

Although I really enjoy reading about the main characters, the secondary ones blur into each other for me, and generally aren't very likeable characters anyway (barring Toyla, Misha and Harshaw). I kept getting confused between who was who and which person I thought was the most vain etc.

Alina was a very strong protagonist. I loved the balance Bardugo got between her vulnerable side and times when she rightly didn't know what to do, and the times when she was independent and took control and led the others. This could quite easily have fallen to one side, but instead was perfectly equal the whole way through.

Mal grew on me through the course of the book, as he did in the previous novels. I always find it hard to get on with him at the start of the stories, but then I like him more and more as it goes on.

I forgot how much I adore Nikolai, but I was really disappointed that he wasn't in it as much as I'd have liked.

Finally, The Darkling had a very good ending, in my opinion. Like Nikolai, he wasn't featured as much as I'd expected, yet his inclusions were well orchestrated. His send-off was particularly good, as I was worried Alina wouldn't react realistically. But she did.

The pacing was very good in this novel. The plot progression is steady throughout the whole book, even though I felt everything was over too quickly. I do, however, understand that if the book had been longer, the pacing may not have been quite as solid.

I think Ruin and Rising was a very good ending to the Grisha trilogy, and the series is definitely in my favourites. If you like fantasy, adventure and romance in a completely unique and intriguing world, then try this trilogy.

Image Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22535408-ruin-and-rising