Review - The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic

The Language of Thorns

Title: The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic

Series: Grishaverse (Goodreads)
Publisher: Orion 
Genre: Fantasy, Retelling's
Author: Leigh Bardugo   
Age Group: YA
Source: Amazon (purchased)

Review

If you are a fan of Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy as well as her Six of Crows duology then this collection of short stories is a must read. The Language of Thorns contains six short stories that characters in the Grishaverse themselves would have grown up with. These are dark and twisted tales that leave the reader wanting more. Though there are some happy endings, not a single one is a ‘happily ever after’. Bardugo leaves readers unnerved and satisfied equally, with her version of a twisted ‘happy’ ending. Each of the short stories is also influenced by other classic fairy tales and books, some more familiar than others. Though there are elements of retelling's of these classic fairy tales The Language of Thorns remains exciting and refreshing. You need not have read Bardugo’s other books set in the Grishaverse world as these short stories can be read as a standalone too. What really bring all these stories to life is the artwork included on each page which changes and grows at the same pace as the written stories. The artwork brings the stories to life and makes the collection immersive and beautiful, alongside the talented words of Leigh Bardugo.

Sara Kipin, illustrations

Ayama and the thorn wood

I really enjoyed the first book in this collection. Part of the fun for this story, as well as for all the others too, was figuring out which classic fairy tales and books had influenced each retelling. I wont share all of the influences but the most obvious one was Beauty and the Beast. In Ayama and the thorn wood a young wolfish prince is born and as he grows older is hidden away only to escape and terrorise the kingdom. But a young courageous yet physically unattractive young woman is sent to negotiate with the beast. Will she be devoured or free the kingdom?

‘Coyotes surrounded the palace, howling and clawing at the walls, and tore the insides from a guard who had been sent to chase them away. Their frenzied baying hid the screams of the queen as she looked upon the creature that had slipped squalling from her womb. This little prince was shaped a bit like a boy but more like a wolf, his body covered in slick black fur from crown to clawed foot. His eyes were red as blood, and the nubs of two budding horns protruded from his head.’

There is one character other than Ayama that stood out for me in this story and that was the underestimated grandmother Ma Zil. I love this quote that at first might seem harsh and uncaring actually becomes the wisest and important by the end of the story:

‘Ayama’s brows still creased with worry, so her grandmother said, “Come now, Ayama. You know how the stories go. Interesting things only happen to pretty girls; you will be home by sunset.”

Do only interesting things happen to the prettiest girls, or the ones who get their feet a little muddy?

The too-clever fox

I also enjoyed this story too but did find the ending rather predictable. The obvious influence for this story was Little Red Riding Hood, the animals in The too-clever fox are hunted down and begin to disappear mysteriously one at a time. As with many of the stories in this collection do not underestimate a single woman! The too-clever fox in this story is named Koja and even though he is wily and cunning this is what leads to his downfall.

‘A lesser creature might have let his grief get the better of him. He might have taken to the hills and high places, thinking it wise to outrun death rather than try to outsmart it.’

Does being clever mean outsmarting a hunter, or falling prey to their smarter charms?

The witch of Duva

‘There was a time when the woods near Duva ate girls.’

I neither liked nor disliked this story in the collection but for me it just didn’t stand out from some of the stronger ones. The witch of Duva is influenced by Hansel and Gretel and unlike some of the others sticks quite closely to the fairy tale of which it is influenced by. However, don’t be deceived just as all the stories in this collection the character and endings are never what they seem.

‘She lifted her spoon, but still she hesitated. She knew from stories that you must not eat at a witch’s table. But in the end, she could not resist.’

Who can resist the call of sugar in the deep dark woods?

Little Knife

This was one of the weaker stories in the collection for me, it wasn’t terrible, it just didn’t give me the same enjoyment as some of the others did. It was also the trickiest one to figure out the retelling influence for and had me confused for quite some time. I eventually had to look it up on the Grishaverse website because I could not figure it out with a little help.

Like many stories in this collection there is a beautiful girl and in Little Knife there are hundreds of desperate suitors to win her hand in marriage. There are three tasks given to all of the suitors when the girls father deems one man unsuitable for her daughters hand in marriage but who keeps passing the tests.

‘…remember that to use a thing is not to own it. And should you ever take a bride, listen closely to her questions.’

Would you rather a prince or a pauper, or the freedom from any man?

The soldier prince

I wasn’t too sure what to make of this story, I can’t say that I really enjoyed it but I certainly didn’t dislike it. I was definitely conflicted about my feelings after reading this short story. The soldier prince is most obviously influenced by The Nutcracker with the main character of this short story being the actual nutcracker himself. There is plenty of magic in this story and I certainly enjoyed reading from the perspective of the nutcracker and as a standalone short story I think I would have enjoyed it more. However, as a story in this twisted collection it just didn’t stand out and was one of the weaker ones for me.

“...Wanting is why people get up in the morning. It gives them something to dream of at night. The more I wanted, the more I became like them, the more real I became.” “I am perfectly real,” protested the nutcracker. The Rat King looked at him sadly.’

Do you show kindness to your toys by the magical chance they just might be watching and waiting to whisk you away? 

When water sang fire

This is by far the longest story in the whole collection and the one that hides an incredible easter egg for the readers of Shadow and Bone. This story is influenced by The Little Mermaid and for me the most connected to the Grishaverse world. I enjoyed this story and the friendship between Ulla and Signy showing that with the power they possessed they became their own individual and joint threat. The youngest prince of the sildroher, the term used instead of mermaid, thinks to use the power of the girls for his own selfish gain, which leads to the beginning of a dangerous and alluring visit to the human world.

Would the power to sing free you or curse you?

‘In those days, the sildroher did not cower beneath the waves, afraid of sailors who might spy their smooth limbs and silver tails. […] Now their laws are different. They know the land is a place of danger. Yet they still long for the taste of mortal life. That is the problem with making a thing forbidden. It does nothing but build an ache in the heart.’

Sara Kipin, illustrations

Synopsis (From Goodreads)

Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.

This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.

Key Quotes

‘…she came to the banks of a stream, its surface so bright with starlight it was as if someone had peeled the rind from the moon like a piece of fruit and laid it in a gleaming ribbon upon the forest floor.’

‘Ayama did not want to take the knife, but she did. It was light as a dry seedpod. It seemed wrong that death should feel like nothing in her hands.’

“I can bear ugliness…I find the one thing I cannot live with is death.”

“…The trap is loneliness, and none of us escapes it. Not even me.”

‘She knew the idea of fire. She’d been taught about it, sung the word. But seeing it – so close and so alive… It was like having a little sun to keep all for herself.’

Similar reads

Serpent & Dove, A Court of Thorns and Roses, To Kill a Kingdom

Afterthoughts

What was your favourite story in this collection?

What other books would you recommend that are influenced by retelling's?

What do you value most in other people? In this collection the idea of beauty is challenged constantly and asks us as readers to question whether we value this more highly than anything else. More importantly, it suggests that beauty if abused can lead to corruption and the oppression of women.

If you've read the others books in the Grishaverse world, did you enjoy this collection, experiencing the stories that the characters themselves would have grown up with?

Review - Crooked Kingdom

Crooked Kingdom

Title: Crooked Kingdom

Series: Grishaverse (Goodreads)

Publisher: Orion

Genre: Fantasy 

Author: Leigh Bardugo   

Age Group: YA

Source: Amazon (purchased)

Review

I instantly grabbed Crooked Kingdom off my bookshelf straight after I finished Six of Crows because I had to desperately know what would happen to the characters in this incredible series. I was hooked and invested already by the first book in this duology and was left wanting even more by the end of it too! I have already said in my Six of Crows review that Bardugo has become a much stronger author but I honestly cannot overstate how much I mean this, and if you read Crooked Kingdom you will hopefully feel the same as me. Crooked kingdom begins straight away from the cliff-hanger of the previous book and it is definitely one that leaves you needing to know the answer to. A great cliff-hanger always ensures that a reader will return and showcases an authors ability to leave their readers devastated but enthralled (which reader doesn’t want to be left reeling and desperate for more?). If you’ve read both the original trilogy and Six of Crows then you might agree with me when I say that this duology gives us much stronger and complex friendships and relationships then seen in the trilogy and for me that made the duology more exciting and intense.

I still very much love Kaz and Nina but in Crooked Kingdom there were some different stand out individuals and relationships for me. All the relationships, friendships and individuals are given continued equal development but some themes and issues stood out more for others than in Six of Crows. The stand out individuals that had the most recognisable developments in Crooked Kingdom for me were Jesper, Matthias and Wylan. Matthias in particular faced the difficulties of challenging and untangling his prejudices as a druskelle, a group of people who fear and hunt down Grisha, which is a process that began in the previous book when he met and developed a relationship with Nina (a Grisha he’d previously helped capture). Do all romances begin with a Kidnapping and potential threat of trial and succeed? Well, this is certainly the case for Nina and Matthias who both equally challenge and hold each other to account for their individual prejudices. In Matthias’ case the druskelle has taught him to fear a group of people who possess a power they cannot understand (importantly the druskelle are not the only groups of people who fear Grisha, other cultures in Crooked Kingdom also express fear and prejudices too). However, in the previous book and continued in Crooked Kingdom is Matthias’ struggle to challenge internalised prejudices, this is never an easy task and does not happen overnight, in fact for many people, just as it is for Matthias, it can be a lifelong struggle. As a druskelle Matthias had lived with a purpose and had security in his life but is now willing to see and challenge the negative aspects of his past, with the right people to help, and Nina is the most vocal in this task but also the most loving in allowing Matthias the time he needs without expecting an overnight change. This is one of the few interactions between Matthias and Nina which I think showcases their joint journey to challenging their individual, as well as cultural prejudices, giving hope that change can happen. But both are aware that this cannot happen if someone is forcibly pressured into changing instead accepting that there are difficulties to overcome from both individuals prejudices and it is not a one sided struggle:

“Do you remember what you said to me, Nina? You wished King Nikolai would march north and raze everything in his path.” “I was angry—” “You had a right to your anger. We all do. That’s the problem. Brum won’t stop. The drüskelle won’t stop. They consider it their holy mission to destroy your kind.” It had been his mission too, and he could still feel the distrust, the pull toward hatred. He cursed himself for it. “Then we’ll find a way to change their minds. All of them.”

I couldn’t stop reading this book and I honestly found myself reduced to fits of laughter at some points along the way and couldn’t contain my excitement at some of the romantic relationships that evolved throughout. If you are looking for a new book or series with positive LGBTQ+ representation than this duology and Crooked Kingdom in particular is perfect for that very reason. During a scene Wylan is having his features adjusted by a Grisha, I wont say who but readers of Shadow and Bone will be thrilled! During this scene Jesper comments on and makes suggestions to help the Grisha restore Wylan’s features, which is one of the cute and beautiful moments between Jesper and Wylan:

“His brow should be narrower,” Jesper said, peering over [...] “Just a little bit. And his lashes were longer.” “I didn’t know you were paying attention,” murmured Wylan. Jesper grinned. “I was paying attention.”

I think this is one of the magical abilities of fantasy, especially ya fantasy, which is the genres ability to help and safely explore the themes and issues of acceptance. I have already indicated those of challenging prejudices and sexualities but there is also the exploration of learning difficulties, in particular dyslexia, and the struggles and difficulties faced by those individuals too and finding a path towards support and acceptance too. So for me Crooked Kingdom is not only fantastic because it’s a fantasy and develops Bardugo’s Grishaverse world but because she engages with and explores important themes and issues relevant to real life.

“It’s easier when you’re younger, but so is everything. Children learn languages more easily. They learn mathematics more easily.” “And they’re unafraid,” said Wylan quietly. “It’s other people who teach them their limits.”

Crooked Kingdom 

Synopsis (From Goodreads) 

Welcome to the world of the Grisha.

Kaz Brekker and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives.

Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties.

A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets - a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

Key Quotes

'Kuwei cleared his throat. “I would prefer to go to Ravka.” “I’d prefer a pair of sable-lined swimming trunks,” said Jesper. “But we can’t always get what we want.” […] “I would prefer to go to Ravka,” he repeated more firmly. Kaz’s flat black gaze fastened on Kuwei and held. Kuwei squirmed nervously. “Why is he looking at me this way?” “Kaz is wondering if he should keep you alive,” said Jesper. “Terrible for the nerves. I recommend deep breathing. Maybe a tonic.” “Jesper, stop,” said Wylan. “Both of you need to relax.” Jesper patted Kuwei’s hand. “We’re not going to let him put you in the ground.” Kaz raised a brow. “Let’s not make any promises just yet.” 

'I may not have Kaz’s devious mind, but I am a dangerous girl.’ - Inej Ghafa

“All Saints,” he shouted as pain tore through his shoulder. He really hated being shot. […] Just a scratch, but it hurt like hell, and he was bleeding all over his new tweed jacket. “This is why it doesn’t pay to try to look respectable,” he muttered.'

“Young man—” Jesper pointed his gun at the scholar’s chest. “Move.” “Jesper!” his father said. “Don’t worry, Da. People point guns at each other all the time in Ketterdam. It’s basically a handshake.” “Is that true?” his father asked as the scholar grudgingly moved aside…’

“A lock is like a woman,” he’d said blearily. “You have to seduce it into giving up its secrets.” [...] Sure, a lock was like a woman. It was also like a man and anyone or anything else—if you wanted to understand it, you had to take it apart and see how it worked. If you wanted to master it, you had to learn it so well you could put it back together.’ 

“Matthias—” “I don’t have it.” She yanked herself free, shame crawling over her skin like fire over a forest floor. “Then who does?” she hissed. “Kaz.” She stilled. “Are you going to creep into his bed?” Nina released a huff of disbelief. “He’d slit my throat.” She wanted to scream her helplessness. There would be no bargaining with Kaz.’

Similar reads

Shadow and Bone, The Raven Boys,  A Darker Shade of Magic

Afterthoughts

Are you excited for the tv show?

Have you read Crooked Kingdom? Let me know your thoughts!

How do you try to challenge some of your own prejudices? We all have them, it's what we do with them that matters.

Leigh Bardugo has said that she might write a third book in the very distant future for what is currently a duology, would you be interested in reading it (if it happens, of course)?

Review - Six of Crows

Six of Crows

Title: Six of Crows

Series: Grishaverse (Goodreads)
Publisher: Orion
Genre: Fantasy 
Author: Leigh Bardugo   
Age Group: YA
Source: Amazon (purchased)

Review 

If you have read Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy first than the Six of Crows duology is fantastic and a must read for those fans because it delves even further into the Grishaverse world. We get to meet some exciting new characters who allow Bardugo to cleverly develop the world further. The first book or series is always the hardest to write for an author and even though I loved the Shadow and Bone trilogy I definitely think that Six of Crows is a much stronger book and showcases how Bardugo has become a stronger writer. For me, Six of Crows is Bardugo’s strongest work so far because the characters as individuals are for more complex and complicated as well as their relationships too. Even though I personally read this book after the original trilogy readers can still read the Six of Crows duology without having read it. This is because the world of Grishaverse is still explained and explored in depth to those new readers too. However, I personally found reading Six of Crows a richer experience because although the characters are new the themes and issues surrounding the Grisha themselves is developed further for those that are already familiar with the issues from the previous trilogy. Also, I loved seeing how Bardugo as an author has developed, which for me was only possible through reading her work in the order of when the books were written and published.

Six of Crows is much darker in terms of its violence and in some cases its themes too. In particular there is a scene of torture that for some readers could be quite explicit and uncomfortable. But importantly in the context of the book it makes sense why it is included and necessary to the development of the individuals involved and the relationships it impacts. This is a book written between six different perspectives and each chapter dedicated to one of these characters is spectacularly incredible because each one maintains their own individual voice and personality, not once do you feel like you are reading from the same continual voice throughout. To be able to create and maintain six individual voices is an incredibly difficult task for any author but Bardugo does this splendidly and for that reason allows readers to learn and interact with each individual without the fear that all the voices will jumble into one.

Although each individual in Six of Crows is complex and faces their own individual struggles for me the stand out character had to be Kaz Brekker. His background is no more torturous than some of the other characters but his personality is what drew me to him more than some of the others. If you love a deflective sarcastic young man then look no further than Kaz. As already mentioned there is a particular scene involving a rather detailed description of torture and Kaz is that very torturer (but don’t feel too sorry for the victim because he is no better and some readers may argue he had his punishment coming). Kaz is a young seventeen year old thief and crook and the fact that he can go from being capable of violent torture to nonchalant disinterest in a heartbeat is terrifying for one so young but also so compelling for the readers. After the torture I love this little scene between Kaz, Jesper and Wylan because it shows just how easily Kaz is capable of switching between one seeking vengeance to having a slightly sarcastic and light interaction with a couple of friends:

‘Kaz turned to Jesper. “Fit Helvar with some shackles to keep him honest,” he said as he headed below. “And get me clean clothes and fresh water.” “Since when am I your valet?” “Man with a knife, remember?” he said over his shoulder. “Man with a gun!” Jesper called after him.’

Another character that stood out was Nina Zenik. This is because she is a young woman confident in her own body and enjoyment of food. In literature, including ya, I find that readers very rarely read about characters, especially female ones, that openly enjoy eating and share that enjoyment without guilt as well as being shame free for being a bigger woman. Early on Nina is described as ‘tall and built like the figurehead of a ship carved by a generous hand’, she is certainly not a stick thin or averagely built woman and she is much stronger and likeable because of this. There is nothing wrong with someone being thin or average but rather the problem is that most commonly these are the only kinds of female characters found in books. Although Nina is a refreshing character because of her ‘tall [and] generous’ body shape she remains a minority of the realistic women depicted in literature. Nina is a young woman who indulges on sweet treats unashamedly and I love her for that very reason. I can only think of one other character who equally indulges in food and remains unashamed and that is Celaena Sardothien in Throne of Glass. I leave you with the following quote and scene where Nina offers Matthais a toffee and he shares his admiration for her love of food:

“You don’t smell like roses anymore,” he said, then wanted to kick himself. He shouldn’t be noticing her scent. […] No, she smelled sweet, perfect like … “Toffee?” Her eyes slid away guiltily. “Kaz said to pack what we needed for the journey. A girl has to eat.” She reached into her pocket and drew out a bag of toffees. “Want one?” Yes. “No.” She shrugged and popped one in her mouth. Her eyes rolled back, and she sighed happily. “So good.” It was a humiliating epiphany, but he knew he could have watched her eat all day. This was one of the things he’d liked best about Nina—she savoured everything, whether it was a toffee or cold water from a stream or dried reindeer meat.’

Six of Crows

Synopsis (From Goodreads) 

This is a collector's edition with an exclusive letter from the author and six stunning full-colour character portraits.

Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker is offered a chance at a deadly heist: break into the Ice Court - a military stronghold that has never been breached - and retrieve a hostage whose knowledge could change Grisha magic forever. To succeed would mean rich beyond his wildest dreams - but he can't pull it off alone . . .

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Together they might just be unstoppable - if they don't kill each other first.

Key Quotes

“I trade in information, Geels, the things men do when they think no one is looking. Shame holds more value than coin ever can.”

‘Kaz was dizzy, and his limbs felt creaky from being trapped in the chair, but everything seemed sunnier with a weapon in his hand.’

“Really, Jesper?” she’d said, pulling up her hood. “If I want to watch men dig holes to fall into, I’ll find myself a cemetery.”

“A man doesn’t need a bed to get ideas, Nina.” Nina fluttered her lashes. “What would you know about it, Kaz? Take those gloves off, and we’ll see what ideas come to mind.”

“What’s the easiest way to steal a man’s wallet?” “Knife to the throat?” asked Inej. “Gun to the back?” said Jesper. “Poison in his cup?” suggested Nina. “You’re all horrible,” said Matthias. Kaz rolled his eyes.'

“Do you never doubt yourself?” “All the time,” she’d said as she slid into sleep. “I just don’t show it.”

Similar reads

Court of Miracles, The Raven Boys, Throne of Glass.

Afterthoughts

Although I enjoyed the heist plot what really kept me intrigued and compelled to read the book was the characters because of their complexities, struggles, relationships and interactions with each other.

Nina is also very comfortable with her sexuality as well as her enjoyment of food and self acceptance of her body, she's a fantastic role model.

Bardugo captures six individual protagonists that are all equally complex and developed, not a single individual is one-dimensional. 

The issues faced by the Grisha is explored and developed in further detail. Also if you've read the original trilogy there are some fantastic easter eggs hidden in Six of Crows.

Have you read Six of Crows, what did you think? What books would you recommend to readers that loved this book?

Review - Ruin and Rising

Ruin and Rising

Title: Ruin and Rising 
Series: Shadow and Bone (Goodreads)
Publisher: Orion  
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Author: Leigh Bardugo  

Age Group: YA

Source: Amazon UK (Purchased)

Review

Bardugo is a fantastic writer and the final book in the GrishaVerse trilogy left me in absolute awe of the story and characters that she created. Having read the previous two books in this series I was definitely psyched to see how Ruin and Rising would end, I can undoubtedly say that I was not disappointed. In contrast to the first two books I did feel that Ruin and Rising started out a little slower, the pacing before the main action began did take me a little longer to get into the excitement of this book and finale, but once I got over the initial slowness I raced through this book mainly because of the fantastic depth of the world building and the interactions between the cast of characters. I personally feel that the beginning slowness was a result of this book being the final in the trilogy and had to purposefully build up to the main climatic action of the battle between Alina and the Darkling. Because if there had been too much before this then it would have maybe been written as a longer series rather than a trilogy and if there had been too much stuffed into the final book it would not have resulted in a satisfying resolutory finale that we got.

For me, you cannot write a fantasy series without the addition of fantasy creatures and Bardugo certainly included her fair share of them within this trilogy. If you own the more recent book covers with the picture of the fantasy creatures (the stag, sea whip, and firebird) on them then you were probably one of the readers, like myself, who was excited to see how Bardugo included them in the series. As I read all three books I found that the story wasn’t just about the final battle between Alina and the Darkling but it felt to me that the other main driving plot was the hunt for the fantastical creatures. Therefore, I felt that throughout my reading of the first two books and Ruin and Rising in particular there was a huge build up and expectation drawn out for the reader to finally meet these creatures. I won’t give away too much but I think the depiction may divide some readers over whether they were satisfied with the overall time and depth spent on the climatic potential meetings of these creatures (not just in Ruin and Rising but the other two books as well).

Although the main driving plot of this book is the build up to the battle between Alina and the Darkling what I loved most was the interactions and personal journeys of the characters before the climatic battle. In the previous book Alina and a few select Grisha were forced to flee the Darkling and so Ruin and Rising gave these few Grisha a chance to develop as individuals and redeem themselves with the readers. Personally, I loved the interactions between Alina and the other Grisha as this gave her and the readers a chance to see Alina interact and develop a relationship with others like herself (in the previous books she had felt isolated from them) and allowed her to come to terms with who she was and how it was partially up to herself whether she allowed herself to connect with others like herself. For example, there is a scene that I think was rather key to helping the Grisha as a group connect and develop their relationships with one another (not just for Alina with each Grisha) when they discuss their individual struggles and lessons with Baghra: 

‘Harshaw snorted. “I set fire to her hut in class.” […] “Accidentally! She refused to ever teach me again. Wouldn’t even speak to me. I saw her on the grounds once, and she walked right by. Didn’t say a word, just whacked me on the knee with her stick. I still have a lump.” He yanked up his trouser leg, and sure enough, there was a knob of bone visible beneath the skin. “That’s nothing,” Nadia said, her cheeks pinking as we all turned our attention to her. “I had some kind of block where I couldn’t summon for a while. She put me in a room and released a hive of bees in it.” “What?” I squeaked. It wasn’t just the bees that had shocked me. I’d struggled to summon for months at the Little Palace, and Baghra had never mentioned that other Grisha got blocks.’

I do feel that Alina as the main protagonist definitely developed as an individual. But it is the supporting Grisha, Zoya, that I felt had developed significantly as an individual in this series and Ruin and Rising itself. Zoya and Alina were not always agreeable with one another and though they are not able to resolve all their differences I think that in Ruin and Rising they begin that process and there is the potential to see a better relationship between the characters. Also who doesn’t love some of the quips from Zoya:

“Perfect,” said Zoya. “From a tunnel to a tomb. What’s next, an outing to a slaughterhouse?”

Synopsis (From Goodreads)

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.

Key Quotes 

‘The monsters name was Izumrud, the great worm, and there were those who claimed he had made the tunnels that ran beneath Ravka […] it was easy to believe that Izumrud still lived somewhere, waiting to be woken by the call of heroes, dreaming of the fine meal he would have if only some hapless child would walk into his mouth. A beast like rests; it does not die.’ 

‘The Saint rattled the bars of her underground cage. This was her war, and she demanded freedom to fight it.' 

“War is the price of change.” “And its ordinary people who pay it, peasants like me. Never men like you.”

“Yes, yes,” said Zoya. “The Sun Summoner can summon. And all it took was a few deaths and a minor explosion.” “You blew something up?” said Harshaw plaintively. “Without me?”

'The rest of us waited for the gangway to be lowered, then shuffled off the barge. “Impressive,” Mal said. I shook my head in wonder. “How does he do it?” “Want to know my secret?” Nikolai asked from behind us. We both jumped. He leaned in, looked from left to right, and whispered loudly, “I have a lot of money.” I rolled my eyes. “No, really,” he protested. “A lot of money.”

'Nikolai tapped the ring. “Console yourself knowing that, should you ever punch me while wearing it, you’ll probably take my eye out. And I’d very much like you to. Wear it, that is. Not punch me.” 

Similar reads

Sorcery of Thorns, A Curse So Dark and Lonely, The Shadows Between Us, Serpent & Dove

Afterthoughts

I absolutely loved the sass between Alina and Nikolai. And I really enjoyed the scenes with David and Harshaw too as some of the ragtag Grisha clan.

What did you think of the fantastical creatures?

Who was your favourite character from this book or from the whole trilogy?

Do you think the Darkling was truly a villain with no redemption or was he potentially another victim of the society he was born to?

Were you satisfied with the conclusion of this trilogy? 

Have you read the other works set in the Grisha world? 

Are you looking forward to the tv adaptation?