As I read the final installment of The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, I realized that this series kept me guessing throughout my reading. I didn't really know where it was going to take me. Sure, I kind of had an idea of what a possible ending might be, but I kept wondering about the series of events that would take place. Specifically, I wondered about the decisions its characters would end up making. I found that I enjoyed guessing and, to some extent, I liked being surprised by what would actually occur even if they were contrary to what I guessed.
A lot has happened to Alina Starkov, and the events at the end of Siege and Storm has left her weakened. She and her allies, including Mal Oretsev and the remaining Grisha who chose not to follow the Darkling, are under the protection of the Apparat in a network of tunnels under Ravka. The holy man, however much he professes to serve the "Sankta Alina", attempts to keep her underground in her weakened state and merely use her as a figurehead for his future plans. But Alina has to find a way out. She knows that the delicate peace, if it can even be called that, in Ravka won't hold for long... especially with the Darkling sitting on the throne and planning to expand the Shadow Fold, which would surely lead to the death of thousands.
The Grisha Trilogy might not be on the epic scale that spans a dozen volumes, but it makes the most of its shorter book series run. Excepting the initial world building and character establishment in the first half of Shadow and Bone, the trilogy chugged along on a great pace, punctuating it with a few momentous standoffs between Alina and the Darkling. Sure, there are parts in the story where the characters stay put and all Alina can do is wait, but they make up for the lack of action scenes with a chance for Alina to reflect on what has changed in her life and in her relationships. And every volume offers something new for readers to learn about their world, the nations that inhabit it, and the mythology that is ingrained in their culture.
Ruin and Rising focuses on Alina's decision to fight back against the Darkling and the subsequent actions she takes, a stark contrast to her instinct to run away with Mal at the end of Shadow and Bone. More than the feeling that there is no other choice, Alina has come a long way in terms of growth, which figures heavily in her decision to fight instead of turning to flight when she has the chance. There are moments when she could choose to merely be a figurehead and let somebody else figure out how to fight the Darkling, but she chooses to lead and Alina shines best when she embraces her power as Sun Summoner.
While finding strength and bravery in oneself is an obviously positive thing, there is also a downside to making momentous discovery and decisions. It opens one up to doubts and regrets, especially if every decision you make for the good of a nation and in recognizing your power as a Grisha comes with the realization that your loved one might have no place in the world you are trying to save by your side. Depending on who you're shipping, Mal can be the only one for Alina or a relic of the past that she must learn to let go of. And with the seductive specter of the Darkling and the impressive figure cut by Nikolai Lantsov (aka Sturmhond during his time abroad), it's hard not to wonder if Alina is indeed limiting her potential and her future with her feelings for Mal.
But, as surprisingly fun as it was to make bets as to who she ends up with, The Grisha Trilogy isn't just defined by its romance elements (though it does dominate a lot of the online conversations about it). It managed to maintain its intriguing world building, magic system and mythology all throughout the series, and the reveal of the final amplifier that Alina was meant to possess came with a twist that I didn't see coming. There's always a sense of impending heartbreak in the series and it dished that out several times over in Ruin and Rising. Mistakes were made and prices were paid, and with the culmination of the war against the Darkling and his plans coming to a head, you can expect that it would all lead to a sacrifice on someone or many someones part.
The Grisha Trilogy isn't perfect. Alina is a good character, though she doesn't quite command the page as much as Kelsea does in The Queen of the Tearling trilogy. And when faced with choices about her future, a lot seems to depend on who she ends up choosing among the men in her life, which can negate the appearance of a woman who has come far from the teenager nursing a childhood crush. It's use of Russian culture doesn't quite add to the story as much as the deftly crafted Uprooted by Naomi Novik that is enriched by its Polish influences.
But the series makes up for all those with its strengths, with a strong adventure story at its core, punctuated with intriguing twists and great battles. It features an antagonist so compelling, I would totally be on board with a prequel novel focused on his exploits (however misguided they may be). Each volume is better than the last (and based on how people are loving the Six of Crows duology), emphasizing author Leigh Bardugo's growth as a writer. And she crafted an ending that wasn't entirely the happiest in nature, but one that I found I could live with.
In the end, The Grisha trilogy offered a story that excited and moved, which is always a good thing for any book or book series. And when readers are passionate enough to discuss or debate Alina's choices at its end long after they have read the end of Ruin and Rising... then you know Leigh Bardugo has definitely made her mark in their reading list.
Happy reading!!Labels: Action, Adventure, Book Series, Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Leigh Bardugo, Reading List, Romance, Siege and Storm, The Grisha Trilogy
