[simpleazon-image align=”left” asin=”080509461X” locale=”us” height=”500″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517mu4vaPrL.jpg” width=”331″][simpleazon-link asin=”080509461X” locale=”us”]Ruin and Rising (Grisha Trilogy (Shadow and Bone))[/simpleazon-link] by Leigh Bardugo

My review: 4 of 5 stars

Action-packed with interesting character who continued to grow and mature from the first two novels. Suspenseful and full of surprises this story of good versus evil, light versus dark, takes place in a fascinating world with topography that is awe-inspiring in its imaginings. The violence is graphic and not for the feint of heart. Occasionally, certain contrivances seemed more for convenience than believability, but the story was still compulsively readable and enjoyable. A pleasing wrap-up to a very good trilogy. Recommended for fans of fantasy and paranormal young adult fiction. Probably better for older teens due to mature content.

Quotes:

“Whatever fragile, lovely thing had existed between us belonged to two other people – people who weren’t bound by duty and responsibility – and I wasn’t sure what remained” (p. 168).

“Suffering is cheap as clay and twice as common. What matters is what each man makes of it” (p. 171).

“Maybe love was superstition, a prayer we said to keep the truth of loneliness at bay” (p. 233-234).

Reviews of Books One and Two of the Grisha Trilogy:

http://www.theloopylibrarian.com/book-review-shadow-bone-leigh-bardugo/

http://www.theloopylibrarian.com/book-review-siege-storm-leigh-bardugo/