Hello Lovelies!
Today I am reviewing the final book in the Grishaverse trilogy, Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo! I really enjoyed reading this series in 2019, I think it is the first full series I’ve read this year! This is the conclusion of Alina Mal, and the Darkling’s story so let’s dive in.
This post will contain spoilers for the third book!
We last left off with Alina, Mal, and their friends taking shelter with the Apparat and his disciples. They are convinced that Alina is a sort of saint but she has lost the use of her powers. The only thing driving Alina at this point in her search for Morozova’s third amplifier, the Firebird.
When the gang finally escapes the Apparat, they set off in search for the third amplifier. This is where we get one of the most shocking plot twists, I literally did not see this coming but: MAL IS THE THIRD AMPLIFIER! I am still not quite sure how this is possible, I might need to reread this section again to get a better understanding but this was utterly shocking to me. Mal became 90% less annoying in this book and I was devastated to learn Alina had to kill him now.
One thing I really liked was when all three amplifiers were brought together, Alina’s power was distributed to the people of Ravka, this entire series she has struggled with her power hunger and in the end, the sacrifice was losing it, and finally getting to be normal.
A really hard part for me to read was the Darkling’s death. He is such a strong character, even Alina felt conflicted after she stabbed him with the Grish steel. Like it or not, some part of Alina identified with the Darkling and his death was hard for her. Even though she got Mal back, the same way Morozova resurrected his daughter, a part of her mourned her enemy.
The ending was truly a Happily Ever After. We came full circle with Mal and Alina taking over the orphanage they once called home. It satisfied the romantic in me knowing that Mal and Alina live out the rest of their lives in peace.
I give this book:
I would have given it 5 stars but there were a lot of slow parts in the bok that made it at times hard to read. What were your thoughts on the final book of the series? Six of Crows just got delivered to my door and I am so excited to read it and learn about a different part oft he Grisha World!
XOX Shelby Grace
