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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo Book Review Worshipping

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
Hardcover, 417 pages
Published by Henry Holt & Company
Published on: June 17, 2014
BUY IT: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository 
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.


This book was absolute perfection. Amazing. Incredible. It's been a month since I first read it and I still get chills just thinking about this book. I worried how this book would end, especially after being disappointed with the end of my other favorite trilogy Divergent, I was so concerned that I would suffer a similar disappointment. I can't believe that I doubted Leigh Bardugo, I should have known better. From book one the plot intensified and continued to get better and better. Bardugo did not slump for a single moment. Absolutely fantastic book, it was thrilling, sexy, hilarious, and sweet. I just can't believe it's over.

I'm unable to breakdown this book into Strengths/Likes and Weaknesses/Dislikes for you guys. First of all, because I don't feel as if there were any weaknesses in this book, and I loved every. moment. of. it. I could read this book over a hundred times with the same enthusiasm and speed that I did the very first time I read it. So, instead I'm just going to tell you guys my general feelings about the book.

I know a lot of people are upset that Alina did not end up with the Darkling or Nikolai but in our world now that rains in love triangles, I think it's touching how Alina and Mal never stopped loving each other. Love triangles always confuse and upset me because the idea that a person can love someone so deeply, and then out of nowhere falls in love with another and questions his/her feelings for their first love? To me, that's not real love. Alina could have had it all, power, money, etc. But what did she choose? She chose her precious otkazat'sya.

Mal's and Alina's relationship grew and developed so magnificently. Bardugo really made you feel like you could feel every part of their relationship from when they were children to the end of the series. They had just a spark between them that even in scenes when they were not directly talking to each other, I could feel it through the pages.

I loved all of the other characters in the book. Prince Nikolai is one of my favorite characters of all time. With his snarky wit and charm, I swoon every time he has a scene. Besides him, all of the other characters were great too.

My next favorite would have to be Genya. In spite of everything she has gone through, she still manages to hold her head up high and make a new life for herself. She's truly the epitome of beauty within.

What really surprised me is how much I liked Zoya in this novel, she is still her annoying and bitchy self but somehow I was charmed by her as well. Once again I have to bow down to Bardugo, she made me care about almost every single character in her books. I loved them all and I'm not ready to say goodbye.


Guys, do yourselves a favor, and get this book!

8 comments:

  1. *sigh* I read Ruin & Rising INSTANTLY when it came out. Sadly, I ended up crying for two days, not talking to anyone and being in a reading slump after that.

    Not because the book did not have it`s funny, witty, beautiful moments. But for me, it just felt as if someone had smacked Alina with a frying pan on the head and she was going in a COMPLETELY different direction.

    Also, you don`t love the Darkling? AT ALL? Not even a bit of feeling towards him? Because he`s something like my book husband (yeah, reason №1 why I cried for 2 days afterwards......) and I am ready to defend him in front of anyone who thinks he is past redemption. Haha. I love him. I used to have a list of book boyfirends, now it`s just THE DARKLING. I can`t even swoon anymore. :P :P I can`t wait for Six of Crows, so at least my heart gets Kaz Brekker! <3 <3 Love love love him from just the excerpt!

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    1. I understand why people like the Darkling but I never saw him fit with Alina. I know a lot of people feel differently *returns to bunker before I'm killed by the Darkling fans.* I think that he's a really interesting character but I never fell in love with him.

      I can't say that I felt that Alina went into a completely different direction. I think that for three books she was struggling between what she wanted and what she needed to do. For me, it was clear that she wanted Mal but needed to be more for the Grisha and the people of Ravka.

      Kaz is one of my recent book boyfriends<3

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    2. I understand and don`t blame you for not falling in love with the Darkling. Everyone have their own taste (plus, I get jealous :D :D just kidding) But after I read Ruin & Rising, Goodreads became this fighting ground and all the Mal fans were bickering about the ending of the book, going all: YEAH, WE WON, SUCKERS, which was just plain stupid. And did not help at all with my heartbreak. Haha.

      I don`t ship the Darkling and Alina. I feel like she just wasn`t strong enough for him. By this I mean emotionally strong. He is a very closed up boy, and he needs someone who can understand his secrets without him saying them out loud. Or someone who can read his mind. Hahaha. I`m still waiting for Daenerys Targaerien to show up in the Grisha and just be: DARKLING, I LOVE YOU, BAE! They are my dream couple, lol!

      I thought Alina was going into a completely different direction, because in Siege and Storm she became a leader, led the war and all that jazz. She also had that quote: "All that power, all that light, I WANT IT ALL" and I was so excited back then. Because that sounded like the Darkling. <3 <3 Also, all Mal did in this book was complain that she did not have enough time for him. Which is true, bud damn, she was saving the freaking world! :D :D I don`t like Mal. He is by far my least favourite character ever.

      Sorry for the rant!

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    3. Yeah, I try my best to stay away from all the Darkling and Mal brawls. We like who we like and we shouldn't fight over it.

      I'm not sure Daenerys would be a good match for the Darkling. She most likely have her dragons eat him to put him back in his place while she ruled the world haha. I do love Daenerys though.

      Mal did do a lot of whining in Siege and Storm but Alina was stringing him a long a bit. I actually like that they struggled through their relationship because that is what makes it grow and develop.

      It's okay that Mal is your least favorite character. I don't mind keeping him ;P

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  2. When Six of Crows comes out I will be all KAZ AND INEJ forever (I ship them by the way, but I`ve only read the excerpts so far, so I`ll see then... :D :P ) That will finally mend my heart after the Darkling. Haha.

    Daenerys rocks. But so does Tyrion. And some other folks that I pray for them not to die with every episode. :P :P

    *sigh* I1ll just love Nikolai until the end of the world. Haha. :P

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    1. Kaz and Inej are adorable. I also ship Matthias and Nina. I'm sure you love Six of Crows.

      I love Daenerys and Tyrion. I always pray for them not to die haha. Among others.

      You and me both (in regards to Nikolai) ;P

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    2. Here we agree on everything! :P

      Also, YAY, my ship is confirmed! <3 <3 :D

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