Ruin and Rising (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy #3)

Ruin and Rising (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy #3) – Leigh Bardugo

Ruin and Rising is the final book in Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy, bringing to a close the story of Alina Starkov, the Sun Summoner, and her battle against the Darkling for the future of Ravka.

After the devastating events at the end of Siege and Storm, the Darkling has seized control of Ravka and rules from its capital, while Alina is weakened and hidden underground, under the protection of the Apparat, a powerful priest who is building a cult around her as a saint. Her powers are fading, her allies are scattered, and many of her friends have been lost. To have any hope of defeating the Darkling, Alina must regain her strength and find the third of the legendary amplifiers: the elusive firebird.

Alina escapes with Mal and a small band of Grisha and loyal companions, and they set out across Ravka in search of the firebird and of Nikolai, the charismatic prince who has gone missing. Along the way, they face terrible dangers, uncover secrets about the origins of the amplifiers and the Grisha, and learn surprising truths about Mal.

As the final confrontation approaches, Alina must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for her country, her friends and herself, and confront the true cost of power.

Emotional, epic and full of twists, Ruin and Rising offers a powerful conclusion to the trilogy and sets the stage for further stories in the Grishaverse. It will appeal to young adult and adult fantasy readers and should be read after Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm. It contains violence and death.