Ruin and Rising
Ruin and Rising delivers an emotional and thrilling finale, with unforgettable characters, surprising twists, and bittersweet closure.
Note: This is a Spoiler Review!
Short & non-spoiler review on my Goodreads & Fable page :)
The ending of Shadow and Bone Trilogy. Wrapping up Ruin and Rising felt like closing a chapter of a satisfying and emotional ride. Alina's growth throughout the trilogy blew me away. I loved seeing her go from a hesitant girl to someone strong and self-assured, even if it meant making heartbreaking choices. Mal surprised me too. For once, he felt like a fully fleshed-out character rather than just the love interest. And then there’s Nikolai, what a star! His charm and resilience added so much life to the story, even in its darkest moments.
The twists in this book were jaw-dropping, especially the revelation about Mal. I had a hunch he was more than he seemed, but Bardugo managed to keep me on my toes. And let’s not forget the Darkling. He’s such a complicated villain and I couldn’t help but feel for him, even as he caused so much destruction. The way he was humanized with glimpses of his vulnerabilities really stuck with me, making his downfall both tragic and inevitable.
The pacing was a bit uneven at times, especially in the first half but once the story picked up, I was hooked. The final battle had me holding my breath, even if parts of it felt a little rushed. Alina losing her powers was bittersweet but I appreciated how it tied into her journey. It showed that being a hero doesn’t come without sacrifice. The epilogue, with her and Mal finding peace in simplicity, was the perfect way to end things; quiet, heartfelt and full of hope.
Smash Hit Score: 4/5
Looking back, I think this was my favourite book of the trilogy. Sure, it had a few bumps but it gave me everything I wanted: action, emotion and unforgettable characters. It’s a story that lingered with me long after I finished it and I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the Grishaverse. If you haven’t picked up this series yet, I’d say it’s absolutely worth the journey.
