ruin and rising: the final shadow and bone installment
- paigenherbooks
- Feb 17, 2022
- 5 min read
Rating: 4/5
Ah, the ending of the series is always a little hard for me. I become so engrossed and invested in these fictional worlds with these fictional characters that I seemingly forget that when I'm done, I do have to snap back to reality...unfortunately. This series, while not perfect, was honestly a comfort read for me. I blew threw these so fast as well, I just wanted to know what was going on and what was happening. Bardguo genuinely did a good job of crafting a storyline that kept readers engaged, and I know that I will be visiting Sankta Alina, Mal, the Darkling, and the rest of the crew soon again :)
Ruin and Rising came and gave me more of what I had been wanting from the series all along. Plot holes answered, characters getting some slight character development, and ending that made me uncomfortable, in the best way.
First, the plot. Ruin and Rising gave me a lot more than Siege and Storm gave us as readers. There was action, small betrayals, power, and of course a little love as well. I felt like the book progressed well enough, but I hate traveling in books. I think that is so boring. I understand why it's there for character building, and for the logistics of moving from one place to another. But you can't tell me it's not boring. As a big Lord of the Rings fan, I still hate traveling plot lines. They are just pointless. But other than that, I would say enough happened in the story to make me stay engaged. Actually quite a lot happened, that I honestly did NOT see coming. Which I of course loved.
Now the characters. Are all of them troupe and cookie cutter. Yeah for the most part. But honestly, who cares anymore! I liked them! Alina grew as a character for sure, probably the most out of everyone. She went from this small girl to a literal living saint. This aspect of the story as well was something I loved. Having Alina turned into this saint that we even hear about "Saint Alina" in the Six of Crows duology. I loved the power and the religion behind this. I haven't read a book where the main character has this kind of religious following that they have to live up to. L O V E D IT! BUT I will say I wanted to see more. She spoke often of being cruel and this all powerfulness, but we only see bits and pieces of this all consuming power. I also understand this is probably done to keep Alina likeable. But just imagine if she was going crazy, power hungry, and boom Mal came and saved her with a kiss or something. I'm just saying that is soooo something I could see happening in the story. I wanted as a reader to feel her being consumed. I wanted more conflict of interest and conscience. I wanted her to really grow and overcome the power that was tempting her. But she got this huge power surge and then it was just over. Though, I will say Alina grew on me. I actually liked her slightly witty remarks and her nobility to the cause. I also liked how she did stay loyal to her one main love interest. She had some flirts here and there, but ultimately it was Mal that kept her heart beating.
Then Mal. You guys know I have this love and hate relationship with this stinking tracker. He's annoying. At best. BUT I will say...he grew on me *internal screaming*. Mal was still kinda annoying, don't get me wrong, but he did mature a lot. He went from being sulky and blaming Alina for everything to becoming a weapon for her. I loved that. I love a man that worships a woman. I eat it up! I enjoyed that he also devoted himself to the cause. His tattoo and his willingness to sacrifice himself, redeemed him for me. THAT was attractive. One thing though I couldn't shake was him and Zoya. Zoya admits to Alina that "it" happened. I despise this troupe in media, especially in books. Mal confesses that Alina was his one and only forever but literally was physically with another girl when Alina was RIGHT THERE. I just don't understand this. I wouldn't get over it if it was me. Then Mal died...I enjoyed it. I wanted him to stay dead. I think Alina would make a very pretty "widow" if that's what you would consider her. But of course, he came back. We got around 2-4 pages free of Mal and then he was terrorizing the pages again, ugh! (jk I am secretly happy he's back but kinda liked the dramatic flare his death had).
Then the plot twist of Mal being technically related to the Darkling. That was epic. I was starting to worry that Bardugo wasn't going to finish the plot hole of the weird shocking connection that Alina and Mal were experiencing but alas she did! The reason is because Mal is some weird version of a Grisha. I actually found this quite interesting. I felt like it wasn't too far of a reach and that the readers were already to start to speculate some kind of reasoning like this. It also made a lot of things click. Like how Mal was such a great tracker and the feelings him and Alina had shared. I thought this was done really well and as much as I wish he would've stayed dead...in the end I am a little happy Alina got the ending she kinda wanted.
Then we had the whole Nikolai turning into some weird winged monster, supposed henchmen for the Darkling. That was shocking. I had no idea that kind of thing was even possible nor did I think it was going to happen. It was saddening to see such a light and cheerful character turned into this kind of monster. Nikolai's character was one of my favorites. Sometimes I wish Alina would have married him. He was just so cute! Watching his demeanor change after the whole demon bird experience, made me sad. Just genuinely sad. But I will say I am very grateful he was turned back into a human. I was very worried.
The ending. I finished and just sat and thought about what I just read. MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD... Alina loses her power, the Darkling is murdered by Alina (by a knife non the less) Alina "dies" and becomes basically a canonized saint. Her and Mal go and life happily ever after. Everything just ends. These people I have been getting to know and it's just done. I will say the ending was bittersweet. I wasn't expecting it to end the way it did, but I did genuinely like it. I think it only makes sense that everyone had to make their sacrifices to truly move on from the horridness of the Darkling. I think Bardugo did a great job of wrapping up any loose ends but leaving it open enough that she can dive back into the world, which she does!
That's it!! That's a wrap on Shadow and Bone and the Grisha for a while. Though I know I will be venturing back with the introduction of the King of Scars duology :')
A solid 4/5 overall rating for the series and an even better new group of fictional friends :)
as always, happy happy reading!
xoxo
paige :)
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