Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo Series: The Grisha Trilogy #3
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company (2014)
Hardcover (422 pages)
Via: Library
Rating:
Also by this author: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Six of Crows
Also in this series: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm
Reading Challenges: 2015 Finishing the Series, Read 2015
Synopsis
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.
Find the book: Goodreads
My Review
This is the third and final book in the Grisha Trilogy and takes place immediately following Siege and Storm. Alina is being kept safe by the Apparat in an underground cathedral unable to use her power to summon the sun. While the Apparat makes the appearance of helping Alina, it is clear that he wants to control her. His plan is to isolate her from all potential allies and make her completely dependant upon himself. Thankfully, her friends have other plans.
When Alina, Mal, and her Grisha finally make their way to the surface of war-torn Ravka, Alina seeks out Prince Nikolai. He still has his amazing flying contraptions and big plans for how to overthrow the Darkling and take back Ravka. Unfortunately, the Darkling has other plans for Nikolai, Alina, and Mal.
The search for the firebird continues but things do not turn out the way Alina (or I) expected them to. The ending of the series did shock and surprise me at the same time it feels like it completely fits. Alina has been changing throughout the series and this book is no different.
Catholic Connections
*Spoiler Alert*
In order to analyze the text and make these connections, there may be some spoilers.
Please do not continue reading unless you have already read the book
or you don’t mind if you read some spoilers.
*Spoiler Alert*
This book still has the struggle between the light and the dark that is a large part of the previous books. Near the end of the book, Alina and Mal have to make the ultimate sacrifice. Mal is totally and completely willing to die if it will help Alina. He would do anything for the one he loves, Alina. This reminds me of the sacrifice that Christ made on Calvary. Jesus was willing to do whatever it took for those He loved, all of humanity. He gave Himself up as the ultimate sacrifice. Mal does the same. Mal then. like Jesus, came back from the dead. The specifics of Mal’s resurrection are not fully explained but it seems similar, at least to me.
I know that none of these comparisons are perfect and I doubt the author intended such connections. This is simply my own opinions and views on the matter.
Which Reading Challenges?
- You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
- Finishing the Series Challenge
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