Ruin and Rising

Ruin and Rising is the last book of Leigh Bardugo's The Grisha trilogy.

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.

The Breakdown:
1. The first two books of The Grisha trilogy set high standards for Bardugo to deliver in the final book, and boy does she live up to the first two books, and then some.  She does an amazing job of bring the story of Alina and the Darkling and Ravka to an end. There is plenty of action, love, and some really great twist thrown in to the story.

2. Bardugo reveals some pretty amazing secrets in this book. She gives the us the origins of Morozova, surprises about the third amplifier, and even the Darkling's real name. She does such a wonderful job of bringing each of her secrets to life and really drawing the reader in to the story. It is definitely a hard book to put down.

3.  I simply adore Alina in this book. She has such a big burden on her shoulders with being a living saint, and the guilt she has over those she has lost. She is a strong character, and so caring when it would be easier to not to be, easier to hide or give into the Darkling's demands.  Plus, the love she has for Mal is a beautiful thing.

4. This was an amazing ending to a fabulous trilogy. Bardugo answered all the questions I had, and she did not leave me feeling like there was something missing at the end.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Currently Reading:
Sinner
by Maggie Stiefvater