Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Story 3 of 5 stars

Heat 3 of 5 stars

Series – The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, Grisaverse

Main characters – Alina Starkov, Malyen Orestsev, Darkling, Nikolai Lantsov

Listened to audio narrated by Lauren Fortgang.

Alina Starkov is the Sun Summoner, incredibly weakened after her face off with the Darkling. She and her followers are under the ‘care’ of the White Church and it’s leader. The priest wishes to use her for his own ambitions but it won’t stop her and her companions from devising a way to escape and face off with the Darkling once and for all.

Their mission is to escape, seek the prince, find the Phoenix and face off once and for all with the Darkling. But as they progress things don’t go as expected and revelations point to a direction they don’t want to travel.

This is the last installment and I am left feeling bleh. It felt like several mini story ideas were forced together, hints from the previous book fizzled, then came a very rushed feeling ending and an epilogue showing their happily ever after. At this point I’m glad it’s over and I can put this series behind me.

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Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo, narrated by Lauren Fortgang

Story 3 of 5 stars

Heat 2 of 5 stars

Series – The Grisha Trilogy

Main characters – Alina Starkov, Malyen Orestsev, Darkling, Prince Nikolai Lantsov

Listened to audio narrated well by Lauren Fortgang.

Alina Starkov is the Sun Summoner. Raised an orphan with her best friend Mal, she never knew the extent of her power but now she has more than she knows what to do with, yet she seeks even more.

Malyen Orestsev is a tracker, with a talent for finding things no one else can. He’s devoted to Alina but worries that the darkness may overtake her as they find more amplifiers.

The Darkling believes his cause is righteous and will use every ounce of his and others’ power to force the world into his own vision.

Prince Nikolai Lantsov is many things and brighter light amongst all the darkness between the other three, but he has his own agenda too.

Alina and Malyen tried to escape the Darkling through the fold but hiding the fact that Alina is the Sun Summoner is no easy task. Danger abounds and a new ‘hero’ arrives to save at least one or two days… Prince Nikolai, but he has his own motives for helping Alina. In the end they must return and face off with the Darkling, try to destroy the Fold and save the world.

They thought they had rid themselves of the Darkling, consigning him to the fold but he survived and has a new devastating power.

How can so much be happening and yet leave a reader feeling like nothing was done?
I really wanted to like this story but by the end I was left feeling meh.

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Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (aka The Gathering Dark)

Story 5 of 5 stars

Heat 3 of 5 stars

Series – The Grisha Trilogy

Main Characters – Alina Starkov, Malyen Orestsev, Darkling

Alina Starkov and Malyen Orestsev were orphans that grew up together. When it’s discovered that Alina is actually a Sun Summoner their lives change forever and they are separated for the first time in their lives.

Malyen grows up to be a tracker in the army and he will need all his skills to help Alina.

The Darkling is the most powerful Grisha in their world and when he discovers Alina he whisks her away for her protection and to be trained to the ‘Small Palace.’

This is Alina’s journey as she learns to control her power and try to manage the plots and intrigues of palace life but not all is as it seems.

Intriguing story that will keep you guessing as it twists and turns and intertwines Alina, Mal and the Darkling’s lives. Loved it!”

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The Witch of Duva by Leigh Bardugo

Story 5 of 5 stars

Heat 1 of 5 stars

Series – Grishaverse

Main Characters – Nadya Grushov

This is a creepy, engaging little novella in the Grisha world. It’s a time when everyone is struggling to get by and it seems the woods are eating village girls.

This tale is told from Nadya Grushov’s perspective, as her family goes from prosperity to ruin and loss and where witches are considered both evil and the solution.

I loved every creepy part of this story, the twists on fairytales and the twists and turns this tale took me on. I look forward to more from this author.

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The Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo

Story – 5 of 5 stars

Heat – n/a

Series – The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, Grishaverse

Main Characters – Eryk, Annika, ‘The Black Witch’

Eryk and his mother come to a Grisha village to shelter and hide. Not only from outsiders but they must hide who they are from the villagers too, because Eryk is special.

This is a brief window into Eryk and his mother’s life as they struggle to survive in a cut-throat world where even the children can’t be trusted, and a child’s desire for a safe place to rest.

A compelling read, throwing you right into the deep end of Eryk’s swirling emotions. As he navigates being a newcomer, being bullied and ultimately having to defend himself.

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