Ruin and Rising started out strong with the best prologue of the trilogy. It continued a compelling performance where Alina grew into not just her (meta)physical power, but also her political sway and the deep resonate of the SYMBOL she had become. I particularly loved how she and her allies finally got out from the thumb of the priest; this also resolved what could have been a secondary Big Baddie which just was NOT needed. The book’s start showed her growth, but also her dip away from righteous toward where the Darkling drew some of his might, which was totally needed to make Alina seem like she had a fighting chance. 

This was the book where a lot of character felt real, to the point where it made the first book seem…flat. Genya is probably my favorite character and I loved the poetic resolution of her struggles - especially Nikolai’s handling of the devastating situation. Speaking of Nikolai, though, I was sad for how the story left him because he was also a really strong character in my opinion. Finally, I’m glad to had a new addition to my favorite type of character “The Mean Girl Who Become Friends With the MC But Still Remains a Mean Girl” in Zoya. 

However, then there’s Mal. I’m glad we finally cracked into Mal’s “Best Tracker in Ravka” status, but the big reveal being centered on him made a lot of the physical struggle the group face feel like it wasn’t worth the amount of time spent on it. I did sniff out there were extra ordinary reasons behind Mal’s disposition, but am still begrudgingly rooting for him and Alina simply because it was obvious she wouldn’t be temped by anyone else. (Even though Nikolai has way better chemistry with her imo). 

Ruing and Rising was a whirlwind end to the trilogy that felt deserved after Bardugo built up this world and this magical struggle. The major point of dissatisfaction for me was in Alina’s own ending. Yes, the Saint had to be martyred and Alina only ever wanted a quiet life. But keeping her starlight hair and while still losing her powers? It felt like it erased all her development in favor of a Happily Ever After with Mal in the countryside. I almost wish we were left with just the myth of Sankta Alina, leaving the reader to wonder what actually became of the girl we followed across Ravka and back.