Title: Ruin and Rising

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Square Fish

Format: Paperback  

Pages: 480

Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis (Goodreads):

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.

Review:

I’ve finally finished this series. I actually enjoyed this book a lot. I’ve found this series had a lot of ups and downs, but overall I really enjoyed it and I thought the plot and the character development in the series was strong.

Alina must find the strength to destroy the darkling once and for all. But she wonders if she has the strength to do so. I really like how she grew as a character, and I found myself rooting for her as the book went on.

I loved Mal. I feel like I’m in the unpopular opinion section for this, but I would much prefer Mal for Alina than someone like the Darkling. I hate the Darkling! I understand how some people love him, but he’s just so awful. Yeah you feel bad for him sometimes because he’s so lonely, but that doesn’t excuse the terrible things he’s done!

If you enjoy young adult fantasy, than this is definitely a series you should pick up!

Happy reading!