Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo Book Review

Hey everyone!

Time for my first "active reads" book review of the year and I'm pretty excited. I just finished like 10 min ago.

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Amazon Description: 
The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction―and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she's fighting for.

So this is book three of Leigh Bardugo's Grisha Trilogy. My general overview thoughts are very "meh." I felt like there needed to be something more epic to finish the story. This book gets a 3.5/5 stars for me, and the whole series gets 3/5 stars. More detailed review below.

"I will strip away all that you know, all that you love, until you have no shelter but me" - The Darkling

Characters: Overall, I didn't have any particular feelings for any of the characters. The only two people in this series I actually enjoyed reading were Nikolai and Baghra. Even still, I didn't really care enough, you know?

• Alina - I really wanted to care about her. I did, I wanted to, but I just couldn't. I couldn't really relate to her or anything she was going through. Some of the choices she made, I would never had chosen for myself, so it made it very hard for me to understand what she was going through.
• Mal - Okay, I lied, I did really like Mal in this book. I liked that he finally grew up because Alina wouldn't. One of my fave quotes of his, he is trying to make sure she knows that she isn't alone in the fight.  He says "You move forward, and when you falter, you get up. And when you can't, you let us carry you. You let me carry you." *Swoon* That's a lie. I didn't swoon, more like casual eye roll. But it's a damn good quote and I want someone to say that to me and mean it someday.
• Nikolai - His comedy is what made this book. He says things like "Please tell me you're going to dress like a volcra and jump out a cake" and "When I was ten, my parents hired a clown." as a joke both in really serious situations and I died. Also, he basically told his dad to eff off or else he'd charge him with rape. Not gonna lie, I was proud of my fictional character.
• The Darkling - I have nothing new or insightful to say about him except he was a genocidal piece of crap and he deserved what he got.
• Baghra - I FREAKING LOVE THIS WOMAN! Like, so so much. She was your perfect crotchety old grandma type lady, but she was also a bad-effing-ass. Favorite quote of the whole book is this one: "We say like calls to like, girl. But if the science is small enough then we are all like things. The light lives in the spaces between. It is there in the soil of the mountain, in the rock and in the snow. The Cut is already made." So, it's this scene, where she is giving Alina lessons and she basically asks Alina to break of the top of a freaking mountain. And oh, by the way, do it in front of the entire army and your friends. Just, perfect. I have another favorite but I'll save that for the spoiler-y section.

Plot:

So this book's plot was not what I was hoping for. This book is a good YA book, but I wanted epic Grisha battles, not love squares and whiny women. The end was okay, but I would have liked a better more thought out climax to the story. The plot leading up to the final climax though was very, very good and held my interest pretty tight.

So here comes my spoiler-y section. I tried something new with the click-y stuff and it didn't work so if you have't read Ruin and Rising please skip the section in-between the two ****s!

****SPOILER SECTION****

Alright, so I really loved that Mal was the third amplifier. I can say I definitely didn't see that coming. I did not like that he had to die in order to obtain the power, and I really didn't like that he came back. I'm of the opinion that when a character's death is that important to the story line, they should stay dead. It happened with Garth Nix in Abhorsen and other such books. To me, if it's important for them to die, then the characters have to deal with that subsequent loss. It's too easy to be like "oh yeah, I'll just bring them back later..."

Side note: His tattoo "I am become a blade" makes no grammatical sense and I couldn't even, so I'm going to pretend like it says "I become the blade" or something awesome like that.

Also, can we please talk about Baghra? She is incredible. She was going up against her own son, someone who she protected for decades even though he was an evil, genocidal maniac. And before she starts she says "Know that I love you, know that it wasn't enough." That time I swooned. That is what you call a sacrifice. Bam. Love her.
****END SPOILER SECTION****
Like I said before, just "meh" from me.

Hope you guys have a great week ahead! 

Let me know what you thought of the book and what you're currently reading.

Currently Reading: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard and The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld

Hobey ho!

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2016 Bookish Resolutions

Hey guys,

It has been a while since I've updated. I know that. I didn't find that I was getting any value out of what I was posting before. But after a year of watching booktube videos and reading countless book reviews around Goodreads and other bookish blogs, I think I'm finally ready to discuss books again.  My thoughts opinions and general feelings about books that I read.

2015 was a difficult year for me. I moved. Twice. Celebrated the life of one of my best friends I lost around Christmas of 2014. My mom moved four hours away. Several family members got sick. And I struggled financially, a lot.

It was also an excellent year. I made lots of new friends. Moved in to a new apartment, thus dubbed The Castle. Got promoted. Had the privilege of being the maid of honor in my best friend's wedding. Fell in like (yes, like, not love) with an alright guy. Subsequently made peace with the departure of said alright guy.

I read 49 books in 2015. All fiction, mostly fantasy with a few sci-fi/historical/contemporary sprinkled in there. Most of the books I read in the months of September - December. This makes me very hopeful for achieving my goals for 2016.

Disclaimer: I don't want to constrain myself to a specific list of books, or even a general "read x number of books of this genre" list of books to read. I find that I get bored with the list and then super sad that I'm missing other books that have come out. So I'm not going to do that.

Here are my 2016 goals:

1. Read 60 books - So, I don't think this is a lofty goal. I think this goal is extremely achievable. But I also know myself, and I know that reading slumps happen (weekends mostly because debauchery). So I'm hoping to blow this goal out of the water, but know that 60 in itself is still a challenge.

2. Review at least 30 books - I'd like to post reviews on at least half of the books I read this year. My reviews are going to be a bit different from before. In fact, I almost would like to get rid of my past reviews, they were awful and not insightful in any way. This goal entails me actually taking notes while reading. Not just saying things like "remember that thing that happened? When he/she/alien said something close to....?" No. I want to actively read. I want to notice more and setting this goal will help me achieve that. Yes, most of my reviews will have spoilers and yes, I will warn you.

3. Finish the freaking Wheel of Time series - It's about god damn time. Get it? Get it? It's a pun.

4. Be okay with DNF - For someone with extreme anxiety problems, this will be hard for me. But considering I have a TBR of over 200 books, #aintnobodygottimeforthat.

5. Read better - In the most esteemed words of Indigo Montoya "Okay, okay, let me explain. No no, there is too much, let me sum up." There are obviously books that are all over the internet. Books that everyone is talking about. Books that you simply *have* to read. A lot of these books are worth the hype, I totally understand that (thank you, Throne of Glass). However, I know what I like. I know why I read. If something doesn't interest me, again, I don't want to waste time on something, that I will probably not hate, but won't love as much as something else. Again #aintnobodygottimeforthat. I want to read better. I want to read what I want to read and not let anyone else tell me I *have* to read something else.

So those are my 5 goals for 2016. I've already finished two books for this year and they are The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson (5/5 stars) and The Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor (3/5 stars). Didn't follow Goal #2, so no review for that one.

Currently reading: Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Let me know what some of your goals are!

Hobey-ho!

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The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan and The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

I hope you all have had a good couple of weeks!  Two again.

The Dragon Reborn  by Robert Jordan

It's official, I love this series.  This one was far more interesting because Rand isn't in it as much.  I like the interaction between the stories.  Jordan does an excellent job of making the stories intertwine.  I'm a big fan.  I don't know how I feel about Moriane or the rest of the Aes Sedai, but I think I'm happy not knowing.  Can't wait for more!

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

This is the first military novel I've ever read other than Ender's Game and I don't technically count that book.  After working with the US Marine Corps for about a year, it was an interesting read.  They didn't explain a lot of "things military," but I was able to follow most of it.

I enjoyed this book very much.  The premise is that it's a Vietnam War story but instead of across the Pacific, the soldiers go across the universe.  It helped me understand how the soldiers felt when they got home.  The country had changed, it was hard to re-assimilate into civilian life.  

Goes in my recommend pile, but only if you understand military life.  It doesn't explain all things military so it can be confusing.

Next up is Margaret Attwood's newest book.

Hobey ho!

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The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan and The Rose and the Thorn by Michael Sullivan

Hola all,

This should just become a regular thing, reviewing two books at once.  Once again, I've got two for you.

The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

I am falling pretty head over heels for this series.  This book was kind of slow for a little while but the end was very good.  The plot line for this one is pretty apparent in the title.  They go on an adventure to find the Horn of Valerie.  When this horn is blown, it announces the return of the Dragon.  I enjoyed the dilemma that Rand and the other boys go through in this book.  You can really feel how they're trying to decide who they are, but are consistently getting pulled back into fate.  The collars for the women who can touch the One Power are probably the most terrifying things I've ever read about.  I feel like escaping that particular problem was entirely too easy though.  Jordan could have done lots with that plot twist.

Can't wait to read more.

The Rose and the Thorn  by Michael Sullivan

I am so incredibly sad that for right now my adventures with Hadrian and Royce are on hold.  I love this story very much.  At the beginning of the first of this series, Mr. Sullivan says that you can read his first series, or this second series in either order.  I disagree.  It's much more fun to learn about them after I already am in love with them.  Recommend reading in published order.

In this story, we learn more about Hilfred and how he becomes Arista's personal guard.  I enjoyed learning the full story behind those two a lot.  Hadrian and Royce are learning to become a team, but Hadrian really isn't okay with the way Royce used to live his life. He seems to have accepted it a little bit, but he still hasn't fully incorporated himself into the team. 

Again, cannot recommend this author enough.  That's all from him for now, but know for sure that I will be reading the next one.

Next up is book three from Robert Jordan!!

Hobey Ho!

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Eye of the World by Robert Jordan and The Crown Tower by Michael Sullivan

What an interesting summer I've had.  Lots of good times with friends, one big trip, and lots of reading.  This post covers two books again, my apologies.

Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

This story like many other fantasy stories follows the Tolkien theme pretty closely.  An orphan who gets into trouble, goes on an adventure with a scraggly man, gets attacked by hideous beasts, finds out there's magic that controls the world, etc.  That story is found in several fantasy stories throughout the genre (e.g., The Sword of Shannara).  However, with that being said, I loved this book.  I liked the twists he took on the standard fantasy novel and I cannot wait to read more.  The fact that this book is the beginning of an epic tale means there may be some deviation from Tolkien and I cannot wait to read it.

I like the interactions between characters.  They each have their secrets; some you know, some you don't.  I think that makes for a better story sometimes.  I'm impressed. 

I highly recommend this book.

The Crown Tower by Michael Sullivan

I am so excited to read more about Hadrian and Royce.  This is the first book in a prequel story, that I can only assume is going to have several books based on the introduction, about how Riyria first met.

The story is exactly how I imagined it as they told bits and pieces in the first series, with a couple holes filled in.  Mr. Sullivan has developed these characters brilliantly for me.  I can relate to both characters almost simultaneously.

This book also talks about a supporting character from the first series, Gwen DeLancy.  It gives a little background into a character that almost defines The Heir of Novron.  

It seems as though these books were written to be either read before or after the first series, however, my suggestion is to read them after.  There are a couple bits in this book that make you chuckle as you remember the first three.

Can't wait to read more.

Next up The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

Hobey Ho!

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Heir of Novron by Michael Sullivan

Hi!

I made it to Brazil and back.  The World Cup was amazing.  There are no words to describe how great the trip was.  I met so many new friends from around the globe and bonus, I didn't kill my roommate.  

Heir of Novron by Michael Sullivan

This is the last book in the Ryria Revelations and I think it was fantastic.  This is the story of two thieves.  Really really good ones.  In the world they live in, there are elves (who are treated like the scum of the earth), dwarfs (who were forced from their homes underground and put in concentration camps), wizards, humans and goblins.  Very, scary, goblins.  The elves apparently tried to take over the world of the humans before a man named Novron came around and saved them all.  Fast forward about 3,000 years and you get to this series.  

In order to obtain power, a man named Saldur has accidentally named a farm girl, Thrace, as the heir of Novron.  The heir is supposed to unite the kingdoms and save the humans from whatever dangers they face again.  Thrace, or Modina as they call her now, was traumatized by the loss of her father in the previous book.  This is where I think Sullivan does an excellent job.  I have a psychology degree and the way he wrote how agonizingly depressed she was was amazing.  You could feel her pain.  You wished you could help her.  You felt amazing when as Amelia nursed her back into mental health.  Man, did she make a comeback though?!  That was actually awesome.  Not even gonna lie, I read that part twice.

Later on in the story, the elves start taking over the human world again. Their only hope is to find this horn.  They're not sure why but it is.  So Arista takes the "real" heir of Novron, Hadrian, Royce, Alric, Mauvin, Magnus and a few others on this journey to find it.  So much happens on that trip.  It's probably about a 250 page trip, but you cannot put it down.  I was so enthralled in this book, I found myself reading through lunches.  Spending too much time in my hotel room, while in Brazil, reading.  It was written so so well.

I am a big fan of the two main characters.  Hadrian and Royce have such a unique bond that is so hard to write but Sullivan did an excellent job.  I fell in love with Hadrian.  I know it was in the last book, but Hadrian finds Arista in the street after a huge battle.  He falls to his knees to hug her and lifts her off the ground.  That part was written so well, I think about it all the time.  Royce is such a bad ass.  I want someone like him watching out for me all the time.

I loved the end.  I truly did.  It was awesome.  I don't want to spoil it like I did with my last post.  But the end was very good.  That's all I have to say about that.

This series is really good for people looking for something different.  It's on my "recommended" shelf.

Next up is the Wheel of Time series, The Eye of the World

Hobey Ho!

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City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare **SPOILERS**

Alrighty.  In the next couple days, I'm off to see the World Cup in Brazil.  It's going to be an amazing trip full of travelling.  You know what that means?!  Lots and lots of reading time... I can't wait I'm so freaking excited.

PS.  Don't read the review unless you've read the book.  Super spoilers (sorry!).

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

So, I'm not sure I had started this blog when I began this series last summer.  Let's do a quick opinion re-cap.  I had some trouble with the first four of these books.  They seemed rather predictable and to be frank, made me squirm a little bit.  If that was the emotion that Ms. Clare was trying to get across she nailed it.  If not, then I was squirmy.  Book five, however, was on point.  The characters came alive for me (finally) in that book and I was happy with the whole story.  Very captivating and unputdownable.  

This story was just as good.  I enjoyed this book better than the rest.  The way Simon had to give up his memories of the Shadow World was incredible.  It's one thing to kill off a character, anyone can do that.  It's another thing entirely to have them alive, but can't see or communicate with them. That part of the story made my heart hurt.  It would have been fine to keep him without the memories I think.  Or to end it with his band name "The Mortal Instruments".  That would have left a nice bit of wonder in my mind.  The way she ended it was good though too.  Seems like she may come up with a story for dear Emma as well.  Looking forward to more from the Shadow World.

Also, the prayer that Magnus said to summon his father made me shudder.  Very, very creepy.

All in all, the series gets a "meh" from me.  This book, along with the previous one, however is good.  

Off to Brazil in a few days!!! Can't take the e-reader with me, that's gonna get stolen if I do.  Going to have to read the old fashioned way.

Up next, the conclusion to Michael Sullivan's Ryria Series.

Hobey Ho!

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