Saturday, July 8, 2023

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo - ESSENTIAL

Ruin and Rising (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy #3)
by Leigh Bardugo
. 432 pages.  Henry Holt and Co BYR. 2014. $17 

Language: PG-13 (14 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Mention of rape, no details. Passionate kissing) Violence: PG (Non-bloody death) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

The Apparat is supposedly caring for 18yo Alina, the Sun Summoner, while all of her allies have been accused of treason. The group escapes and goes in search of the Firebird, the third and last amplifier. Once again, Nikolai saves them and he brightens up everything with his clever wit and resilient personality. The group rages against the Darkling again and horrible things happen. Danger and an intense fight will decide their future. 

I enjoyed the humor that lightens up the characters’ desperation. Mal’s loyalty and strength and Nikolai’s resourcefulness make these characters awesome. I like the touch of Russian throughout the story. Mixed races of the Grishaverse. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

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