About the Book
This is not a full audiobook. It is a single free chapter, a promotional excerpt from Ruin and Rising, the third and final book in Leigh Bardugo's Grisha Trilogy. It was released in 2014 by Henry Holt ahead of the full book's publication, intended to give readers a preview of where the story picks up.
The excerpt drops into the close of the trilogy, with Alina Starkov, the Sun Summoner, in a weakened state after the fall of Ravka's capital. The Darkling has seized control of the country, and Alina finds herself sheltered, or more accurately, held, in an underground network of tunnels under the watch of the Apparat, a religious figure who has built a zealot following around Alina's saint-like status. It is a low-point opening, setting up the tension for the rest of the book.
If you have not read or listened to the first two books, Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm, this chapter will not make much sense. The excerpt assumes familiarity with the world, the characters, and the events leading to this point. It is best treated as a sampler for committed fans of the series, not an entry point for new listeners.
Narration & Audio Performance
Lauren Fortgang narrates the full Grisha Trilogy audiobooks, and this excerpt is consistent with that work. Her voice for Alina is grounded and restrained, she does not overplay the drama, which suits a chapter that is more atmospheric than action-driven. The tone here is subdued, appropriate to Alina's depleted state at the start of the book.
Fortgang handles the series well in general. She differentiates characters clearly enough that you can follow dialogue without losing track, and her pacing through Bardugo's prose is steady. The Grisha Trilogy audiobooks have been generally well-received for narration, and nothing in this single chapter suggests otherwise. If you are on the fence about the audio format for this series, this excerpt is a reasonable way to audition Fortgang's performance before committing to the full book.
The Audible Verdict
This listing is a single promotional chapter, not a complete audiobook. Spending a credit on it would be a mistake, use that credit on the full Ruin and Rising audiobook instead. If you want to preview the series' narration style, this excerpt is free on Audible and serves that purpose well.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
As a standalone product, this does not really function as an audiobook experience, it is a marketing excerpt. Listened to as a preview of what the full audiobook sounds like, it does its job. The chapter is narrative and character-focused, which translates cleanly to audio.
The full Ruin and Rising audiobook is a reasonable audio format choice. The Grisha Trilogy follows a fairly linear third-person narrative with a consistent main character, and Bardugo's prose is descriptive without being overloaded with proper nouns that trip up listeners. Fantasy world-building can sometimes suffer in audio form when maps or glossaries are important reference points, but the Grishaverse is accessible enough that most listeners can follow along without needing to flip back to reference material.
Popular Listener Questions
Is this the full Ruin and Rising audiobook?
No. This is only the first chapter, a promotional excerpt released ahead of the full book's publication in 2014. You will need to find the full Ruin and Rising audiobook separately.
Is this a good starting point for the Grisha Trilogy?
No. Ruin and Rising is the third book in the series. You should start with Shadow and Bone, followed by Siege and Storm, before this one.
Who narrates the Grisha Trilogy audiobooks?
Lauren Fortgang narrates all three books in the Grisha Trilogy, including the full Ruin and Rising audiobook.
Is the Grishaverse adapted for screen?
Yes. Netflix produced a Shadow and Bone series that draws from both the Grisha Trilogy and the Six of Crows duology, also set in the same world.
Similar Audiobooks
The first book in the Grisha Trilogy, the correct place to start before reaching Ruin and Rising.
The second book in the Grisha Trilogy, also narrated by Lauren Fortgang, and a necessary precursor to this one.
Bardugo's duology set in the Grishaverse, with a different cast of characters and a heist-driven plot, often recommended to readers who want more from this setting.
A YA fantasy with a similarly dark political backdrop and a female protagonist navigating power and survival.
Red Queen
YA fantasy with a power-based magic system and a protagonist caught between factions, a common recommendation for Grisha Trilogy readers.
Audiobook Details
| Title | Ruin and Rising: Chapter 1 |
|---|---|
| Author | Leigh Bardugo |
| Narrator | Lauren Fortgang |
| Genre | Young Adult Fantasy |
| Year | 2014 |
| Publisher | Henry Holt and Company (BYR) |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
Ready to listen?
The full Ruin and Rising audiobook is available on Audible and is a reasonable use of a free trial credit if you are already invested in the series. This excerpt alone is not worth a credit.
Open on Audible