A good closing to the story with third book, but still not great. I struggled through much of Siege and Storm with its problematic and erratic pacing, and it never felt like Bardugo knew what she wanted from Alina. But Ruin and Rising, Alina was figured out. It was like Bardugo figured out what she wanted Alina to be, and got her there. She wasn't 100% one way or another, or even another... but she felt like a character I could understand and support, not just wish here trials and tribulations were over so I could move on. There were some things I wish were touched upon more in this book, like Nikolai's plight, but overall the book does a good job of bringing the series to an end and made me feel like pushing through the 2nd book was worth it. Overall I give this book a 3.5 out of 5.

I don't know how much I can say that would truly do this fantastic book justice. Adeyemi pulls many parallels in from present day in to her world that showcases prejudice and oppression, often violent. The message easily weaves into a wonderful fantasy story, that threw plenty of emotions at me and at one point I was yelling "oh shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit" towards the end of the book. What a debut novel!

a lot darker than I expected, whichbwas interest. Sadly I just wasn't a fan of the art.

So the first 200 pages of Obsidio are kind of a slow burn, and I thought maybe my light reading slump hadn't fully disappeared.... then it kind of clicks back in and.... OMFG YAS YAS YAS YAS YAS YAS!!!

GOOSEBUMPS TWICE, TEARS SHED AT LEAST TWICE.... ONCE A COMPLETELY SOBBING MESS... ANGER AND WANTING TO KILL SOME IN THE CAST MYSELF WITH MY BARE HANDS....

Then I realized it was over.... T_T

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Why must this end... WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!

I'm off to go cry in a corner hugging all three books in a corner. T_T

also I AM AIDAN

This was a cute and fun read. Kiran is a top tier middle grade protagonist in my opinion. The story while sometimes lack fluidity, was definitely entertaining. It portrayed some good lessons. It also also treats the reader to some terrible but wonderful puns. I always love a good bad pun. Outside of the story sometimes feeling a jagged at times, my only other complaint was some of the middle grade style slang used. Some moments it felt a bit forced, and kind of took away from the scene. Overall I think this was a good start to Kiran's story, and I look forward to more in the series. I will definitely continue along with her adventures.

I bought this book at the promise of supernatural/horror mystery, but sadly it isn't really that at all in the end. There's genuine creepiness when the story is focused on the supernatural, yet it just fails to capitalize. It could have been a disturbing look into the history of the island and the first family, but it is only grazed upon. Mei's relationship with Ella as her tutor was the one true highlight, and any time it shifted away I just felt it wanting to go back to her working with Ella.

I came in with high hopes, but was disappointed. It's not a terrible book and was a decent read, but beware the description of this book. It barely touches on what it promises, which is sad because it started with such potential. 2.75 out of 5