‘You might make me a better man.’ ‘And you might make me a monster.’ 

While the Darkling rules Ravka from a shadowed throne, a tracker, a prince, and a saint search for the last of Morozova’s great amplifiers. The fate of Ravka and the world rests on the shoulders of the broken Sun Summoner, Alina Starkov, and the future is left to a shattered magical army and a power hungry zealot. Deep in the forgotten caverns of the faithful, under the watchful eyes of the apparat, hope dwindles as the Sun Summoner struggles to recover. Old rivalries must be put aside and new alliances made to save the shattered kingdom. Alina continues to unravel the bond between her and the Darkling, and the dark secrets of the past that could cost Alina everything. 
 

The final book in Leigh Bardugo’s magical Shadow and Bone trilogy is a beautiful ending for the series. The shocking twist will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. A story of love and sacrifices, the character development of Alina and Mal is amazing. One thing I particularly liked about this book is that it started in the underground caverns which is a very bleak setting for a fantasy book which usually takes place in vibrant, magical worlds but the grim setting in the beginning helps portray the hopelessness of the war and focuses truly on the characters development. As they travel afterwards and try to find ways to destroy the Darkling, Alina must also decide her own future and choose between love or power. Although the ending is somewhat cliche, it’s still a perfect, bittersweet, and beautiful ending to the Shadow and Bone series.
 

If you enjoy this book and enjoy fantasy books try the accompanying series by Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows duology and King of Scars duology.