ย ๐ย Hi guys, I hope you’re having an INCREDIBLE day, full of magnificent readings. Today I decided that I really want to have a relaxed talk with you about my re-reading of the extraordinary and fantastic Grisha trilogy.
My idea is to tell you a little in general lines and without spoilers, how I felt reunited with this universe after 3 years of having read it for the first time. Many things have changed about my initial thoughts on these books so I thought it would be fun to talk a little about them, I still love them with all my heart, that hasn’t changed, but I have other opinions referred to some characters and other things like the world building and the plot.
I hope that you’ll enjoy the post and then it would be fun to talk about how you feel about this trilogy if you have already read it, and if not, you can also comment on whether you’re interested in giving it a chance or not and why. I also want you to know that if you haven’t read the trilogy, don’t worry about, all this post is spoilers free, so feel free to read with confidence.
So without further ado, LET’S START!ย ๐ย
When you re-read a favorite book it always feels like going back to a place you miss a lot, like going home after a long time out or something like that. It’s an experience that I enjoy a lot. I’ve heard different opinions about re-reading books and I think it’s okay if you think it’s a waste of time because the TBR pile never stops growing, but for me it’s much more than that, it’s to feel all those emotions that make you feel so happy and complete, it’s going to rediscover your favorite characters, maybe you realize things you didn’t notice in your first reading, and it’s mostly a good time, because that’s what reading is all about!. So I make this little introduction to tell you that if you want to re-read that special book and you feel bad because you have other books to read or what people can say about it, none of that really matters. DO IT! The most important thing is that you spend an incredible time with your book and nothing can compare with the feeling of reliving a story you love ย ๐ย
ย ๐กย Shadow and Boneย ๐กย
โThis was his soul made flesh, the truth of him laid bare in the blazing sun, shorn of mystery and shadow. This was the truth behind the handsome face and the miraculous powers, the truth that was the dead and empty space between the stars, a wasteland peopled by frightened monsters.โ
ย ๐ย This first book, WOW, I didn’t remember THAT much of it, to be honest, and I LOVE IT, I don’t think it’s the best, in fact, I think it’s a fantastic introduction to the story, but it doesn’t do justice to what will be an EPIC plot in the next two books. In general, I feel that in fantasy trilogies you should always give one more chance to the following books because the first ones are usually quite simple or have a lot of world construction, so sometimes you lose a bit of that intensity that the plot actually has. But even though I think it’s the weakest book of the trilogy, I loved it, I can’t help but enjoy that reunion with my characters, which I love so much, and also read again about the world in general, because I honestly think, that the Grisha universe is one of the most complete, complex and best-developed worlds I’ve read.
ย ๐ย This second time reading this book made me realize how much the author has grown, especially with her writing style, which is good but I think she only gets better and better as you move forward to her most current works. I think it goes from being entertaining and light to being more dark, complex and unpredictable.
ย ๐ย The first half of this book feels like a dream to me, everything is perfect and everything is built perfectly in my head and then PUM, everything falls apart and I think it’s a very good balance, but I suffered a lot the second half of it. Especially since you already know how much I love the relationship between Alina and The Darkling. And although it’s the second time I read the story and I know what will happen, I can’t help but think that everything will be as I want, but NO, the author has other plans for them and that’s fine even if it makes me suffer. The scenes of Alina and The Darkling are absolutely perfect and nothing and nobody will make me change my mind. They’re my OTP
ย ๐ย I entered this book completely determined to give Mal a second chance, it was something that I honestly needed to do since my relationship with him is not good at all. I try to put myself much more under his skin and in his place to be able to understand his actions in a better way, and until this book, I think that I’ll achieve my goal. I don’t think he’s a bad character, not a nasty guy, but I have reservations about how his mind works. I’m glad to say that I could connect a little more this time with him. The same thing happened with Genya, with whom I had some problems in the past, but this time I really liked her character and I admire her for her intensity and for what she must do to survive.
ย ๐กย Siege and Stormย ๐กย
โSo many men had tried to make her a queen. Now she understood that she was meant for something more. The Darkling had told her he was destined to rule. He had claimed his throne, and a part of her too. He was welcome to it. For the living and the dead, she would make herself a reckoning. She would rise.โ
ย ๐ย This book was a great revelation for me, and it’s with this that I have more different opinions than when I first read it. The first time I felt that it was fine but it wasn’t anything special, but this time I was like WOW, I LOVE IT!. I love it shows much more of the universe and we know other characters with different races and beliefs. I also believe that Alina grows a lot in this book, and I really appreciate seeing her growing up to become the woman I love and admire.
๐ย Nikolai is finally in this book and OMG, he’s so great, always has something ingenious and smart to say and always manages to make me smile. In addition, his character greatly influences how this book develops. His relationship with Alina is extraordinary, I’ve never seen them as a romance, but rather with a connection of loyalty and friendship
๐ย Do you remember when I said that everything was ok with Mal?, well not anymore, this book reminded me why I can’t stand it. I think that now that Alina has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders he starts being very capricious and unbearable to draw attention doing absurd things like fighting or making dramatic outs and saying things like “You’re not the same, Alina” OMG MAL, WHY!!!. Honestly, I don’t know what he wants in this book, it’s just there, complaining about everything as if Alina didn’t have enough problems already lol. So, yeah, here we finished what we had.
๐ย The Darkling appears very little in this book but the intensity of his powers and his connection with Alina make his scenes the best one, he’s the most epic man in the world and every time he’s the protagonist of a scene it’s like everything I ever want it. The sexual tension in this book is real you guys. Nobody can deny me that lol
๐ย THAT ENDING!, the best part. I love when the endings manage to be incredible, powerful and tragic at the same time and this one really is. The intensity is real
ย ๐กย Ruin and Risingย ๐กย
โI will strip away all that you know, all that you love until you have no shelter but mine.โ
ย ๐ย This book is my undisputed favorite !! It doesn’t matter if it manages to break my heart like 1000 times and make me cry like a baby with that ending, I still love it SO MUCH. I’m always eager to find myself with endings like this one, they’re kind of open but they close a chapter in an extraordinary way. They leave you thinking about what it will be of the characters and also makes it a very special and sad moment that you couldn’t forget so easily. Set each of the characters in a place that will allow them to continue with countless stories and that is exciting.
ย ๐ย I may not agree 100% with that ending, but even so, I think it’s Epic and it feels absolutely real and heartbreaking. When an ending makes you feel so many things, whether you like it or not, it’s because it’s very well done. The final battle and the revelations are only the beginning of what I believe are the most moving chapters of the entire saga.
ย ๐ย I love the secondary characters in this book, and I can appreciate them much more than in the previous ones, and when I speak of secondary characters I speak of Bagrah, Nikolai, Tamar, Tolya, Genya, David & Zoya, which are some of those that I remember right now. All completely different characters but all form part of something unique and without them next to Alina nothing in this story would be the same
ย ๐ย I know it sounds super weird but as a fan of the Darkling, I think the end of this book is PERFECT. Maybe you don’t understand, and many less who have already read the book, but I feel it’s a very beautiful, heartbreaking, dark and moving ending and I feel that the way in which Alina gives a closure to their realization is absolutely magnificent, I can say that once existed an understanding and a deep connection between them despite all that darkness, you know? An epic ending for an epic man.
ย ๐ย I love to see all this story from Alina’s point of view, really, but I would have loved a Darkling’s pov, it would have been SO interesting to have been inside his mind just a little, right?.
ย ๐ย The way in which the author writes and builds her plots is great but I think her strong point is the construction of the characters, throughout all the story they feel so real, is magnificent. All with their failures, show their most human side but also with their powers and their magic show how far a person can reach to fulfill his objective and save their loved ones. A very smart book, well thought out and executed
I want to reread read this trilogy soon so I can continue with the other books ๐
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That’s great!, in fact, I re-read it exactly because I want to continue with the rest of the books of this incredible world, and I can’t wait ๐
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Ruin and Rising is my favorite too! I’ve been wanting to reread this trilogy for a while, especially after reading KoS. I just love Ravka so much and would rather spend most of my time there. Baghra is one of my favorite character and I wish we could get to know more of her. I agree with your points, Shadow and Bone might not be the best fantasy books out there, but I think it’s one of the best series opener. It conveys information and world building without bogging down the story, it has the perfect pace and we get to know the character enough to get attached to them. Reading this review makes me want to reread this series ASAP! ๐
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I’m glad that we share a favorite!. I hope that when you re-read them you love them as much as the first time, the world is absolutely fantastic.๐
Baghra’s an incredible character, I admire her so much, honestly.
Yes!, the first book is a great start for everything that comes after, Leigh Bardugo has a great talent ๐
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Great post Sofii!
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Thank you SO much honey! ๐
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You’re welcome!
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I love this post! Iโve been considering re-reading the Grisha Trilogy but now youโve definitely made me want to re-read it.
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Oh, that makes me definitely very happy!!!
And I’m glad you enjoyed the post, I hope that once you do your re-reading it’s FANTASTIC ๐
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I’m so happy for you that you had such an amazing experience rereading this trilogy! I read Shadow and Bone a few years ago and unfortunately I just couldn’t get into it. I finished it but decided to not continue with the series ๐ฆ
I don’t reread books often, and when I do it’s usually a sign they’re a favourite of mine because they mean so much to me I want to reread them!
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Oh, thank you SO much, beautiful!
I’m sorry you didn’t like i that much, I still understand it perfectly, it’s not for everybody
YES, I also definitely re-read just my favorites, it always feels so good ๐
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Oh yes, I’m so happy that you enjoyed your re-read. It really is a wonderful feeling to revisit a world and characters you fell in love with a long time ago. Even though it can be scary to discover a few more faults with it on a second rereading. But if you love a book, then you love a book โค I feel exactly the same. The first book was well constructed, though slow, and I had a better time of understanding some characters, especially Mal. And it's so amazing to see how much Bardugo has grown since the beginning of this trilogy! Her writing now is so deliciously dark, complex, and detailed.
The ending of the second book was AMAZING. A complete bang of a cliffhanger. And YAS, Nikolai is perfect and his relationship with Alina is wonderfully balanced. I actually began to see why Mal was so frustrated in the second book, though! I wasn't as mad at him this second time around. And the last book was very well done. I agree that it was a perfect ending for The Darkling; it just made so much sense. And the secondary characters really shined in the last book too!
Lovely post! โค ๐
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Yes, it’s a bit scary when you feel you’ll not like it that much than the first time, but luckily it wasn’t the case and I loved it even more! ๐
I love your thoughts about the second book, Nikolai is really amazing and I understand what you mean about Mal’s frustration, I hadn’t seen it that way until you mentioned it ๐
Oh my Darkling, such an amazing character
And, yes! the secondary characters are great ๐
I’m so happy that you liked the post, it means a lot to me ๐
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Sofii!! I am bookmarking this to come back to once I have finished the trilogy, but I’m sure it’s a great post. Thank you for making me read these books!! x
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Oh honey, thanks to you for wanting to read them, I’m so excited to know your thoughts, I would love that once you read them, if you get to write a review, let me know, because I would love to read that โค๏ธ
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I definitely will x
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I recently read this trilogy for the first time and I loved it. My favorite is actually the second book and the first one was my least favorite book but I did think it was a great start to the trilogy. I personally loved Mal and hated the Darkling. Everybody Iโve heard talking about this trilogy has loved the Darkling. When I went into this I was hoping that I would finally end up loving a villain but nope I love the heroโs.
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Honestly, it makes me so happy that you’ve enjoyed the trilogy, and I can understand that the second one is your favorite because it’s fantastic ๐. And I think it’s great that you love heroes, my boyfriend is the same, he’s always defending heroes, lol, personally I’ve always been a villain lover ๐
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The only villain that I kind of like is Aidan from the Illuminae Files. Heโs not a favorite character but I understood why he did what he did.
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I have to read The Illuminae Files, I’ve only heard the best things ๐
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I absolutely loved that trilogy.
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Great review! This is one of my favorite series too! That last book had left me emotionally devastated!
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OMG, YES!, is one of the most emotional endings that I’ve read, I mean, nothing compares to Clockwork Princess in terms of emotional endings, but still ๐
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[โฆ] | Anna | Richa | Elaine | Sofii | Tiana | Stephanie | Ashley | Alicia |ย Alex [โฆ]
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Definitely agree about how much the author has grown. Glad you enjoyed your reread ๐ Great review!
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Thanks! It really was such an entertaining experience and totally!, Leigh Bardugo’s growth is exceptional โค๏ธ
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Yeah for sure!! ๐
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[…] Sofii @A Book A Thought– Sofii is such a friendly blogger and her bright personality shines through her blog! She has a fabulous blend of reviews, lists and tags, which are always worth a read! […]
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Although Iโve not read this series, I do think you find you make new discoveries when you re-read books. I found all sorts when I re-read the Harry Potter books.
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I know, right?. I think re-reading favorites is a unique experience! ๐
I must also re-read Harry Potter!, maybe soon ๐
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[โฆ] interested in knowing more about my re-reading and my new thoughts about it, Iโll leave HERE the link to that [โฆ]
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Ohhhhh, my heart. Your words about re-reading are so true! I love re-reading so much. It feels like coming home in ways that are not really expressible. I havenโt read this trilogy, but now I really want to!
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Oh Hannah, that’s exactly what I meant, I’m so glad you feel the same about re-reading favorites, it’s the best feeling! ๐
And I hope you like this trilogy if you decide to read it ๐
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[โฆ] @ A Book, A Thought sharedย her thoughts on The Grisha Trilogy after completing her [โฆ]
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[…] Re-Reading Review HEREย […]
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[…] say Tessa Gray but I think it’s cliche, so I would probably go with Alina (Shadow and Bone) or with Jude (The Cruel Prince), I know that they both live in super dangerous worlds but I like […]
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[…] ย ๐ย ย Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo || Do you know what I feel right now? It’s something like having to decide between burning one of your children lol. I couldn’t burn this one in a million nightmares, it would be like burning a house and that my love The Darkling lives inside, no, that won’t happen. Maybe I would rewrite the ending a bit, I think it’s tragically beautiful, but it could be even more epic, especially that death happening over there, I would take that off and maybe Alina’s ending as well, the book would be perfect if I change that. […]
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[…] have more to highlight, but right now the two that clearly come to my head are The Darkling from Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo & Madoc from The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, I know that the latter is a morally gray […]
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[โฆ] Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo | I loved the plot when we follow a young woman who begins very from the bottom having a common or precarious life and then discovers her powers or her potential and becomes the last hope of humanity or to rule above others. I think it would be something like the chosen-one trop, and although I think it is a fairly cliche plotline because itโs very used, I enjoy it a lot [โฆ]
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[…] | Book Review | Book […]
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