TheBookSum

Ruin and Rising Book Summary

by Leigh Bardugo

Ruin and Rising

Leigh Bardugo

TL;DR

Alina Starkov and the Grisha must face the Darkling and his Shadow Fold in a final, epic battle to save Ravka and the entire Grishaverse.

Table of contents

Open Table of contents

Writing Background

Ruin and Rising is the third and final book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy. It was published in 2014 and was a New York Times bestseller. The trilogy has been adapted into a Netflix series, which premiered in 2021.

Author’s Introduction

Leigh Bardugo is an Israeli-American fantasy author best known for the Grishaverse series, which includes the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, and the King of Scars duology. She has also written the Ninth House series, a dark academia fantasy series set at Yale University.

Key Insights

  • Alina Starkov is the Sun Summoner, a Grisha who can control light. She is the only one who can defeat the Darkling and his Shadow Fold.
  • The Darkling is a powerful Grisha who wants to conquer Ravka and the world. He is the leader of the Shadow Fold, a swath of darkness that separates Ravka in two.
  • The Grisha are a group of people who have magical powers. They are divided into three orders: the Order of the Sun, the Order of the Inferni, and the Order of the Tidemakers.
  • The story is set in a fictional world called Ravka, which is based on Imperial Russia.
  • The book is a complex and nuanced story about love, loss, and the power of hope.

Chapter Summary

  • Chapter 1: The Gathering Storm Alina and the Grisha are preparing for the final battle against the Darkling. They are joined by Mal, Nikolai, and Zoya.
  • Chapter 2: The Shadow Fold The Grisha enter the Shadow Fold and face the Darkling’s forces. Alina uses her powers to fight the Darkling, but she is overwhelmed.
  • Chapter 3: The Ravkan Army The Ravkan army arrives to help the Grisha. The battle is fierce, and many lives are lost.
  • Chapter 4: The Darkling’s Defeat Alina finally defeats the Darkling and destroys the Shadow Fold. Ravka is saved.
  • Chapter 5: The Aftermath Alina and the Grisha celebrate their victory. They mourn the losses they have suffered, but they also look to the future with hope.

Conclusion

Ruin and Rising is a powerful and moving conclusion to the Shadow and Bone trilogy. It is a story about the power of hope and the importance of fighting for what you believe in.

Others

  • The Shadow and Bone trilogy has been praised for its strong characters, its complex world-building, and its exploration of themes such as love, loss, and redemption.
  • The trilogy has been compared to the works of other popular fantasy authors, such as J.K. Rowling and George R.R. Martin.
  • The Netflix adaptation of the trilogy has been a huge success, and it has helped to introduce the Grishaverse to a new audience.

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