Ruin and Rising

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo, 417 pages

This is the final chapter in Bardugo's Grisha Trilogy, telling the story of Alina Starkov, an orphan who discovers that she has the ability to summon sunlight, a unique talent in a world where magical manipulation of elements is commonplace. Over the course of the trilogy, Alina falls in with, and then fights against the manipulative Darkling, a shadow summoner who is determined to rule their homeland of Ravka. Ruin and Rising wraps up the story neatly, though not necessarily in the way one would expect.

This is not the best YA trilogy I've ever read, nor is it the worst. If you're looking to get in a Russian frame of mind (as, ahem, some UCPL readers may be), this series may be a good, quick read in your preparations. It's certainly filled with plenty of Russian names, words, and styles. And yes, it's worth your time.