Book Review – Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Ruin and Rising
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha Trilogy
Published: June 17, 2014


SYNOPSIS:

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.


MY REVIEW:

This book was a perfect ending to the Grisha story. Perfect. A lot of times, you can guess the ending of a book or series, but not this one. There were surprises, both heartbreaking and wonderful, throughout the entire story and I enjoyed every minute of the nerve wracking ride. I often questioned Alina's motives and choices, her greed for power and her ability to turn away from true love, but she was the perfect imperfect heroine who made decisions not for herself, but for others. And in the end, the self-sacrifice she made ultimately led to her own happiness. I absolutely loved Nikolai's sense of humor, Mal's loyalty, and the vastly different personalities of all of the Grisha — David, Genya, Tolya, Tamar, Zoya, Adrik, Harshaw, and Nadia. The story and characters were so complex and rich. It is a fantastic addition to the fantasy genre.


SUM IT UP:

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Book Review – Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Siege and Storm
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha Trilogy
Released: June 4, 2013


SYNOPSIS:

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.


MY REVIEW:

A fantastic addition to the fantasy genre, The Grisha Trilogy introduces us to a cast of unforgettable characters. They're not perfect, which makes them so easy to love. The story of Alina and Mal swept me up in a continual battle of hope and heartache. And I can't help but love Nikolai and his humor and hope he somehow gets all that he deserves...in the best way. I also hope that all the lost get their redemption in the last book....Genya, Zoya, David, and even Alina and Mal. The Darkling? I'm not sure how I feel about him...


SUM IT UP:

"Innocence once lost, can never be regained. Darkness, once gazed upon, can never be lost." – John Milton


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Book Review – Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Shadow and Bone
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha Trilogy
Published: June 5, 2012


SYNOPSIS:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.


MY REVIEW:

Another fabulous fantasy series. If you liked Graceling by Kristin Cashore or Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, this series is for you. The characters were interesting, the setting was exotic, and the storyline was something completely new and interesting. Grisha, the wielders of magic, are little more than servants to the people of Ravka and are hunted and killed in other countries in Bardugo's world. Secrets are plentiful, trust is in short supply, and unexpected twists trump all. One thing is for sure, the choice between darkness and light is not always a clear one.


SUM IT UP:

"There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast." – Charles Dickens


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New Book on the Shelf – The End of a Trilogy!

What's new on Tine's shelf? Grishas, a Darkling, a Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and an outlaw prince.

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

I'd seen the first book in the Grisha trilogy in the bookstore many times and was sort of curious about it because the jacket copy was compelling, but I was never able to bring myself to buy it because I didn't like the cover. (Never judge a book by its cover! I should know better. I know, I know.) I finally decided to pick up the first book, Shadow and Bone, after reading about it on the Broke Book Girls blog. I'm so glad I did. I fell in love with the series and the characters. Ruin and Rising is the last book in the trilogy and I was at the bookstore today (release day) to get my hands on it.

Synopsis:

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.

Giveaway:

Broke Book Girls Blog is hosting a giveaway to celebrate the release of Ruin and Rising.  Check out their fantastic blog at Broke Book Girls to see what the giveaway includes (pssst...you could win some awesome, one-of-a-kind cookies inspired by the book covers and characters).

Follow me on Goodreads to see all of my reviews.
Visit my website for information on my books, giveaways, and other fun news.

www.christinemanzari.com