2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Ruin and Rising, the third book in the Shadow and Bone Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo.

Pages: 350 pages

Length: 1 months (March)

Participants: SarahKat, Caterina, Rebecca, Kendra, Desiré

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

I know some of you are still finishing the second one.
This is once again the only ebook I have for the month so I'll be starting soon but reading slowly.

I plan to start this one later today.

Just finished chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ I feel like Mal is more important to this story than we have been lead to believe. The way he tracks is too precise for a normal person. Also, the way Alina reacted when he grabbed her wrist those 2 times in the last book makes me feel like he is intertwined with the firebird story somehow. (hide spoiler)]

One of my other book holds came through on ebook so I will probably be starting next week.

Starting today! Did you already finish Desiré?

SarahKat wrote: "Starting today! Did you already finish Desiré?"

I did! I read it so fast that I didn't get my thoughts together lol. Was planning to just comment as others read it.

I read this trilogy last year. I could see the similarities between Alina Starkov and Alex Stern of Ninth House -- note that they even have the same initials. In that respect, I regard Alex as the improved version of Alina.

I know that Alina is very young and that this trilogy is for the YA market. I never felt that Alina had grown that much in character. She did of course change -- she eventually became a bit more ruthless because being nice was just not going to cut it.


My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Desiré wrote: "Just finished chapter 3 [spoilers removed]"

Just finished chapter 3 and I agree! (view spoiler)[I have thought there's something supernatural about Mal's tracking since the last book. I'm wondering if it's some kind of Grisha skill.

Glad they are already getting away from the Apparat. What a horrible human being.

Alina is already showing more strength than she has in previous books, actively seeking out the Darkling by astral projection. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[I prefer Alina with Nikolai still but I'm not sure she's "meant" to be with someone at all.
I had the same thought she did about Baghra's sister when she was telling the story; that she survived and Alina is a descendent. I like that we got some backstory on Morozova as sad as it was... (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[ When I said I wasn't sure Alina was meant to be with someone I didn't mean I wanted Nikolai to turn into a shadow-bat creature and for Mal to be the third amplifier!
How stressful!
I assume Nikolai will somehow be healed because he's in later books. Kind of concerned about Mal though. It was a twist that he was the descendent of Baghra's sister. I knew his tracking abilities weren't normal. (hide spoiler)]

SarahKat wrote: "Through Chapter 14: When I said I wasn't sure Alina was meant to be with someone I didn't mean I wanted Nikolai to turn into a shadow-bat creature and for Mal to be the third amplifier!
How stress..."

(view spoiler)[ We were right about Mal being more involved though! Did you think the firebird part was underwhelming? With the stories they had heard I did figure it wouldn't be killed, I did think it would do something special for the story line at least. I have more I want to say but will wait until you are finished. (hide spoiler)]

Desiré wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes I was pretty disappointed with all the build-up to the firebird to have it on the page for like 2 sentences. I actually zoned out for a second and had to go back and read it again to make sure that's really what happened. (hide spoiler)]

Finished! Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

SarahKat wrote: "Finished! Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

(view spoiler)[ I 100 % agree with your paragraph about everything happening so fast when Mal died. That was what I wanted to talk about, you worded it perfectly. So much happened in what felt like 1 page, after reading an entire trilogy to get to that moment I was a bit annoyed. I also wasn't too invested into Mal and Alina living or dying but did enjoy how their lives turned out. I will continue to read the rest of the Grishaverse. (hide spoiler)]

Desiré wrote: "SarahKat wrote: "Finished! Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

[spoilers removed]"

Do you want to buddy-read Six of Crows? I could probably squeeze it in next month or May if you wanted.

Sounds good to me, May would work better.

I just started this today but will have it done before the end of the month. I feel like this month has gotten away from me.

Enjoy Kendra!

Desiré do you want me to add Crooked Kingdom for June and then King of Scars duology after May's Six of Crows too?

SarahKat wrote: "Enjoy Kendra!

Desiré do you want me to add Crooked Kingdom for June and then King of Scars duology after May's Six of Crows too?"

Might as well complete the whole thing, I'm in!

Ok I'm adding them now!