My Thoughts: Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Ruin and Rising
(The Grishaverse #3)
by Leigh Bardugo
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Publication Date: June 17th 2014
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Pages: 422
ISBN: 9780805094619
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: Own

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The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for. (Goodreads)

One of my main goals for 2018 was to *finally* finish all the books in the GrishaVerse trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, and now that I've finally done so, I don't know what to do with my life now! Seriously though, Ruin and Rising was a great conclusion to this fascinating series, and even though I didn't want the series to end at all, I'm pretty happy with the way things came together in the end.

Like the previous books, Ruin and Rising had a great storyline, and was filled with a lot of action, as well as twists and turns that will keep you completely captivated as you turn the pages. I really didn't know what to expect from this ending, but the adventure the characters set upon in this story was absolutely addictive, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what was going to happen next. I was so bummed when I turned the last page of the story, as I wasn't ready to let these characters go, but all good things must come to an end, they say. Sigh.

One thing that I have loved the most about this series has been the characters. There are really so many characters in this book to love, including the main character, Alina, who grew SO much over the course of the series. It was quite an inspirational thing to watch. I also loved Mal for always being Alina's rock when she needed him, (even though he did make me a bit mad at him in book two). Nikolai quickly became my most favorite character in the book, and I really wish we had been introduced to him sooner, so we could get more of his story. (If Leigh were to write a series around Nikolai, I'd totally read it.) I even had a few feelings for The Darkling by the time the story came to an end, and I was really hoping for better things for him by the end. Alas, that was not to be. Seriously, so many well written characters in this series, and I loved them all.

(Edited to add: I just discovered that Nikolai IS getting his own story! King of Scars)

Overall; Ruin and Rising was a great conclusion to this wonderful, fascinating series, and though I hated to see it come to an end, I couldn't have asked for a better ending. I don't get too attached to series very often, but when I do, it's super hard to let go, and I'm definitely having a hard time saying goodbye to this one. Lucky for me, I still have Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom to read, and even though they aren't part of this series, I do believe they are set in the same world, so maybe that will ease the pain of letting go. *grin*. If you're looking for a great series to read, do check out the GrishaVerse trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, and I hope you love it just as much as I do!