Hi everyone, happy Monday! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend, and your Monday is starting off well! Today I’m going to be posting my review of Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha trilogy.
Shadow and Bone by: Leigh Bardugo: Alina and her best friend Mal are on a mission, but get attacked along the way. That is when Alina reveals a power she didn’t know she had, and she must now train with the Grisha, a group of magical elite. Their leader, a peculiar Darkling thinks that this could be the answer to destroying the Fold, dangerous monsters who eat human flesh. This novel was definitely fast-paced and full of action; the plot was highly engaging, although the ending wavered a little, it still ended on a high note that left the reader ready for the next novel. The world building was done well; the high fantasy of it all was enjoyable to read and navigate through. The characters were okay; they were developed and somewhat dynamic, but they can only get better in the books to come. The writing was what really made the novel. It was so good, so captivating, yet so simple. Bardugo has a way with words that make it easy to read.
Siege and Storm by: Leigh Bardugo: Running from her past, Alina is trying to start a new life in a new land, with Mal, all while trying to hide her identity as the Sun Summoner. Only her past won’t leave her alone, and her destiny as the Sun Summoner won’t either. Determined to battle in the fight ahead of her, Alina has some serious choices to make. The novel was very action driven to start, but as the reader continued on Alina’s journey there was a lot of romance between her and Mal. It was well written and cute, that is until it got tiresome. It felt like the last half of the novel was Alina pinning after Mal. Although by the end of the novel Bardugo made up for it all in her final scenes because that was quite an ending. It was well done and surprising to the reader. Bardugo has a beautiful way with words. Her characters were being set up for what looks and sounds like a great final battle. All the characters were very personable and just written so that they were relatable and just fun to read. For a second novel, this was a good read.
Ruin and Rising by: Leigh Bardugo: In the final book to the trilogy Alina has new plans, plans that take her on a hunt to find an outlawed prince. She and Mal are on the hunt making new friends and enemies along the way, as secrets about the Darkling are revealed. Things get complicated when those secrets get in the way of the future Alina wants. This novel was definitely actioned packed from start to finish. No matter what was happening it felt like the characters were on some great adventure. That is what made the plot so fast paced, but it may have been a little too fast paced. Plots flew by without the reader really comprehending what was going on; it all happened in such a flash, and that was disappointing because it would have been nice to digest the plot more. The characters were well done, they were witty and strongly built. It felt like this trilogy ended in a rush, which is too bad because it started off so well.
Just finished this series this year. I agree completely with what you said, although I enjoyed the fast pace of the final book more than I didn’t. Great review 😊
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Thank you, I usually like fast-paced novels, but this just didn’t do it for me.
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I’ll be reading the third book soon, and I’m slightly nervous. I wasn’t really found of where Alina and Mal ended up in book two (both romantically and emotionally). I have a feeling that I’m going to struggle with the final book.
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I hope you like it better than I did. I hear that a lot of people don’t care for where Alina and Mal ended off, so you’re not alone.
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Ugh! I’ll hate that! I hope I’m not let down. Especially because I loved Six of Crows.
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I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it!
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Great review for this series Meghan. 😀 I am a massive fan of all of Leigh Bardugo’s books but when it comes to The Grisha trilogy, especially the second book, I just couldn’t get behind the romance between Alina and Mal. I really hated how Mal acted in the second book and though he improved in the third the damage was already done in my mind.
I feel like I should re-read these books, it’s been such a long time since I last picked them up. 🙂
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Thank you Beth! 🙂 Yeah I can understand that, and I agree, by the last book I just wasn’t happy with the plots.
I hope when you do re-read them it brings you joy! 🙂
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That’s all right, it’s a shame in a way because I remember the first book being amazing. Thanks Meghan, I hope so too! 😀
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I have to agree the first book was done really well! You’re welcome! 🙂
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I just purchased Shadow and Bone and am really looking forward to starting this series soon. I fell in love with Bardugo’s writing when I read Six of Crows, so I’m hoping the Grisha Trilogy won’t disappoint. That does sound like a bummer about the third book though. Great reviews!
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I hope you enjoy the trilogy! I think if you’ve read Six of Crows then you’ll enjoy this trilogy more. Or well that’s what I keep hearing; I have yet to read Six of Crows. But I do have to agree I do enjoy and very much like her writing!
Thank you! 🙂
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