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A review by starkov
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
(Review 2022-08-08)
Not me rereading this in one day and crying almost the entire time??? I love these characters so much and there were so many good quotes that I don’t think I appreciated enough during my first read.
”You might make me a better man.”
“You might make me a monster.”
I think Alina corruption arc would’ve been a really cool ending and although I am glad it didn’t happen, I do also mourn what could’ve been. It would’ve made such an interesting read and I do think she had it in her to become the villain along with the Darkling once she had the amplifiers and started feeling the hunger for more power. ”I might not be a threat, but I could become one.” Imagine what could’ve been if he had just told her the truth from the start instead of lying and manipulating her!!! Also I hate to admit that I still feel a little bad for the Darkling in the end :/
I liked Alina x Mal a lot more during my reread, the angst is just sooo good. But my heart still belongs to Nikolai. What happened to him is so incredibly horrible and it breaks me every time. His last marriage offer to Alina is so sad, I was literally bawling.
”You could stay with me, I still need a queen.”
“I’m not the Sun Summoner now, Nikolai. I’m not even Alina Starkov. I don’t want to return to court.”
“But you understand this… thing.”
SCREAMING, CRYING, THROWING UP, CRYING SOME MORE. My poor poor boy :((( I’m really glad that he’s still respectful of her rejection though. He may be persistent but a no is a no.
Now I really want to reread King of Scars, I just can’t get enough.
(Review 2021-04-04)
This will not be a well-written review but I just have to get my thoughts out there ok. ok. Massive spoilers ahead!!!
* MAL!!!! I'VE BEEN SAYING SINCE SIEGE AND STORM THAT THERE'S NO WAY THIS BOY IS A REGULAR OTKAZAT'SYA!!!! I KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP!!! I still didn't see THAT coming (I really didn't) but as soon as they said it I was like OH. The way he could track anything definitely wasn't normal. Wow. Mal isn't at all my favourite character but my heart broke a little for him and Alina.
* I said this before but Alina's thirst for power was SO intriguing, I'm obsessed. Literally obsessed. She really flew too close to the sun though and although I was conflicted at first, I think I like the way it played out in the end. Even if Morozova's plan had gone as intended, does one single person deserve three amplifiers? What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.
* The whole Sankta Alina thing was so interesting as well. Also I love how Alina's hair turned white after her merzost attempt against the Darkling. The contrast between light and darkness is just amazing. I love it.
* I loved SO many of the other characters as well and that scene where Alina showed the other grisha girls the wardrobe Nikolai got her warmed my heart so much. I love my girls!!!!!!
* Speaking of Nikolai. My heart broke. So many times over. The scene with monster Nikolai and Alina and the Lantsov ring actually killed me. Nikolai baby I would die for you.
* WHEN GENYA STOOD UP TO THE KING SKJGDFHKfDLKAJHFKSANFKDHGJJDBDGKFGFSDKJFHKASKJFH YESSSSSSSS GO OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* ""Aleksander," I whispered. A boy's name, given up. Almost forgotten." Why am I crying
”You might make me a better man.”
“You might make me a monster.”
I think Alina corruption arc would’ve been a really cool ending and although I am glad it didn’t happen, I do also mourn what could’ve been. It would’ve made such an interesting read and I do think she had it in her to become the villain along with the Darkling once she had the amplifiers and started feeling the hunger for more power. ”I might not be a threat, but I could become one.” Imagine what could’ve been if he had just told her the truth from the start instead of lying and manipulating her!!! Also I hate to admit that I still feel a little bad for the Darkling in the end :/
I liked Alina x Mal a lot more during my reread, the angst is just sooo good. But my heart still belongs to Nikolai. What happened to him is so incredibly horrible and it breaks me every time. His last marriage offer to Alina is so sad, I was literally bawling.
”You could stay with me, I still need a queen.”
“I’m not the Sun Summoner now, Nikolai. I’m not even Alina Starkov. I don’t want to return to court.”
“But you understand this… thing.”
SCREAMING, CRYING, THROWING UP, CRYING SOME MORE. My poor poor boy :((( I’m really glad that he’s still respectful of her rejection though. He may be persistent but a no is a no.
Now I really want to reread King of Scars, I just can’t get enough.
(Review 2021-04-04)
* MAL!!!! I'VE BEEN SAYING SINCE SIEGE AND STORM THAT THERE'S NO WAY THIS BOY IS A REGULAR OTKAZAT'SYA!!!! I KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP!!! I still didn't see THAT coming (I really didn't) but as soon as they said it I was like OH. The way he could track anything definitely wasn't normal. Wow. Mal isn't at all my favourite character but my heart broke a little for him and Alina.
* I said this before but Alina's thirst for power was SO intriguing, I'm obsessed. Literally obsessed. She really flew too close to the sun though and although I was conflicted at first, I think I like the way it played out in the end. Even if Morozova's plan had gone as intended, does one single person deserve three amplifiers? What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.
* The whole Sankta Alina thing was so interesting as well. Also I love how Alina's hair turned white after her merzost attempt against the Darkling. The contrast between light and darkness is just amazing. I love it.
* I loved SO many of the other characters as well and that scene where Alina showed the other grisha girls the wardrobe Nikolai got her warmed my heart so much. I love my girls!!!!!!
* Speaking of Nikolai. My heart broke. So many times over. The scene with monster Nikolai and Alina and the Lantsov ring actually killed me. Nikolai baby I would die for you.
* WHEN GENYA STOOD UP TO THE KING SKJGDFHKfDLKAJHFKSANFKDHGJJDBDGKFGFSDKJFHKASKJFH YESSSSSSSS GO OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* ""Aleksander," I whispered. A boy's name, given up. Almost forgotten." Why am I crying