I LOVE THIS BOOK! I LOVE THIS WHOLE ENTIRE SERIES, I LOVE LEIGH BARDUGO FOR WRITING THESE BOOKS! 
 It was a bittersweet experience reading Ruin and Rising because it was the last book in the trilogy, and that always makes me sad when finishing a good series, and also made me super ecstatic and happy and overjoyed with the way that Leigh wrote Alina and Mal (view spoiler)[and hell yes, THEY END UP TOGETHER! (hide spoiler)]. 
 Needless to say, I was content with this ending. The story was wrapped up nicely with no cliffhangers or things left unanswered. Leigh did a good job of writing a book that kept me intrigued with all the action sequences that happened and I was left speechless at certain times (view spoiler)[especially when I totally saw Mal being the last amplifier coming but I didn't expect his and Alina's reaction to it at all (hide spoiler)] and I totally loved the romance aspect of it. Alina still has feelings for Mal (and vice versa) but Mal has it in his mind that he will do the noble thing and give up on her because Alina deserves to be a Queen and he could never offer her that. Apart from the frustrating parts whenever the Darkling showed up, and when Mal tried to do the noble things, it was one of my favorite parts whenever Alina and Mal talked and kissed, or just showed their feelings for each other. 
 One of the things that other readers made a big deal of was the love triangle and the romance in this last installment, but I digress, the romance/love triangle wasn't a huge aspect in the last book, but the whole story as a whole, it was nice to see how they defeated the Darkling and finally got rid of the Fold and what happened after Alina finally had all 3 of the amplifiers in her possession (that part almost killed me!) and that After chapter, I have to say I loved this book. 
 Now, as I wrote on a post on Tumblr: I didn't like all the negative reviews or comments made by other people just because they were "upset" by this book- mainly because their ship didn't become canon. 
 (view spoiler)[Okay, people need to calm down. 
 I know for a fact that if Darklin/Arkling would have happened, you shippers would have been gloating and throwing it in the Malina shippers' face. Don't try to deny it, cuz that's basically what happened with Malina in Ruin and Rising. 
 Do NOT take your anger out on Leigh just because you "didn't like the ending" based on the sole fact that your ship didn't come true. The whole Grisha trilogy was an excellent series-written wonderfully, it didn't matter that there was romance in it and that apparently there was a reverse harem centered around Alina. (There was bound to be Malina/Darklina/Nikolai (idk the ship name), etc. shippers who were all rooting for their ship in Ruin and Rising.) 
 Yes, there was all of that involved, but it shouldn't be the most important thing that you take out of the series. What about the story as a whole? The plot, the action, the character development, the whole unique world Leigh Bardugo wrote, to share her love of writing and her characters/story? Did all of that not matter? Was everyone so engrossed in the stupid love triangle, that they missed the important parts of the story?? 
 Coming from a reader who hates love triangles, I honestly was not looking forward to this last book. But it was excellently written and everything was wrapped up nicely. THAT'S what people should be focusing on: the story as a whole. I really hate it when I read comments about R&R saying that they "felt victimized" "they were let down" "insulted" "everything went wrong" "Leigh ruined it" "it was a waste of time" because take note: 
 this is Leigh's story, she decides what happens in her world. If deep in her heart she thought that Mal was the perfect choice for Alina, then she was NOT in the wrong for writing it. Do not insult her for her beliefs and thoughts, she is NOT a crappy writer, you are just a sore loser who doesn't appreciate a good story. 
 Sorry if that was harsh but you guys need a reality check, don't be mean or rude, you are not entitled to anything, and there's no need in you being a bitch/asshole. 
 It's okay to say "YES IT HAPPENED! I'M GLAD FOR MALINA" but do not take it over the top and shove it in people's face either. Celebrate for a while and move on before any more drama ensues. (hide spoiler)] 
 In the end, it was a story well told, and had a satisfying ending. Of course, everyone was sad to see the series end and would have liked to read more of Alina's future but maybe in Leigh's next series The Dregs, will there be a mention of it. This book, no, this whole series has been my favorite and I love it so much that I will defend it no matter what, people just have to get over themselves and the love triangle and enjoy the story by itself. 
 Standing ovation to Leigh Bardugo on such a great and epic journey you have taken us. Thank you and I know great things will come from you in the future.