*Ruin and Rising*, authored by Leigh Bardugo, serves as the concluding installment of the *Grisha Trilogy*. The narrative centers on Alina Starkov, who grapples with the challenge of mastering her powers to confront the formidable Darkling. Following the harrowing events of *Siege and Storm*, Alina finds herself in a vulnerable state, trapped underground alongside the Apparat and his devoted followers, who regard her as a saint.
Determined to regain her freedom, Alina, together with her allies—including Mal, Zoya, and the loyal forces of Nikolai—embarks on a quest to discover the third amplifier known as the Firebird. This amplifier is believed to be crucial for unlocking Alina’s full potential. As they traverse the ravaged landscape of Ravka, they encounter the ever-expanding army of the Darkling and face a transformed Nikolai, who has been subjected to a curse that has altered him into a monstrous being.
The journey to find the Firebird uncovers a startling truth regarding Mal and his intricate connection to the amplifiers, presenting Alina with a painful dilemma that will influence her struggle against the Darkling. In a climactic confrontation in the capital, Alina makes the profound sacrifice of relinquishing her powers, thereby rendering herself ordinary. This selfless act ultimately paves the way for the liberation of Ravka from the Darkling’s oppressive rule.
With Nikolai restored to the throne, Alina chooses to feign her own death, retreating into anonymity alongside Mal. She opts for a life of tranquility rather than the pursuit of power. The novel culminates in a bittersweet yet hopeful resolution, as Ravka embarks on a journey of reconstruction and renewal under its new leadership.
In Ruin and Rising, the concluding volume of The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, Alina Starkov is in the process of recovering from her recent confrontation with the Darkling. She is concealed within the White Cathedral, held captive by the Apparat and his fervent followers. In this state of weakness and severed from her true powers, Alina is compelled to assume the role of a saint while covertly devising her escape plan. With the assistance of her closest companions, including Mal, Zoya, and Tamar, she breaks free from the Apparat’s influence and embarks on a final quest to seek the third and ultimate amplifier—the fabled Firebird—believing it to be the key to annihilating the Darkling for good.
As Alina and her allies journey forth, they encounter the remnants of Nikolai Lantsov’s forces, who have been in hiding since the Darkling’s onslaught on Os Alta. However, the Darkling remains a formidable adversary and ambushes them, employing his dark magic to curse Nikolai, thereby transforming him into a monstrous, winged creature that cannot control his own actions. Although devastated by this development, Alina and her group persist in their pursuit of the Firebird, tracking it to the outskirts of Ravka. During their journey, they uncover a startling revelation: Mal himself is the true third amplifier. This revelation forces Alina to confront a harrowing choice—accessing the Firebird’s power necessitates the sacrifice of Mal.
Faced with this agonizing decision, Alina hesitates, yet time is of the essence as the Darkling prepares for his final assault on Ravka. When the battle ensues, Alina ultimately resolves to sacrifice Mal, believing that this is the only means to save their homeland. However, upon executing the act, an unforeseen consequence unfolds—the immense power she anticipated to wield does not solely accrue to her, but rather is dispersed among countless ordinary individuals, empowering them to summon light. This pivotal moment signifies the culmination of Alina’s abilities as a Sun Summoner, rendering her devoid of her powers, yet facilitating the conclusion of the Darkling’s reign of terror.
In the final encounter, Alina, now stripped of her powers, manages to deal a mortal wound to the Darkling. In his dying moments, he displays a fleeting vulnerability, beseeching her not to allow history to forget his true name, Aleksander. Following his demise, the Fold begins to collapse, bringing an end to the darkness that has plagued Ravka. Simultaneously, Mal is miraculously revived, thanks to his bond with Alina and the amplifiers, although he no longer retains any supernatural abilities.
With the war concluded, Nikolai, liberated from the Darkling’s curse, reclaims his rightful place as king of Ravka. Alina chooses to let the world believe she perished in the battle. Preferring anonymity to power, she and Mal retreat to a secluded life, adopting new identities and settling in a small village where they begin the process of rebuilding the orphanage of their childhood. The novel concludes on a bittersweet yet hopeful note, as Alina and Mal find tranquility, and Ravka enters a new era under Nikolai’s leadership.
Ruin and Rising, written by Leigh Bardugo, serves as the final installment in The Grisha Trilogy, which includes Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm. This book is part of Bardugo’s broader vision for a fantasy world deeply influenced by Russian history and folklore, and it centers on the conclusion of Alina Starkov’s journey. Published by Henry Holt and Company, Ruin and Rising was officially released on June 17, 2014.
Upon its release, the novel swiftly gained traction, debuting on The New York Times Bestseller list for Young Adult fiction. Critics lauded the book for its emotional depth, compelling character development, and satisfying resolution. However, some readers expressed mixed feelings regarding the ending, particularly concerning Alina’s fate and the resolution of the love triangle. Despite these varied reactions to certain narrative choices, Ruin and Rising is widely regarded as a strong and appropriate conclusion to the trilogy, further solidifying Bardugo’s reputation as a prominent voice in the realm of young adult fantasy literature.