Mundie Moms

Saturday, June 14, 2014

RUIN & RISING by Leigh Bardugo; Blog Tour: Author Interview & Giveaway




Hello & Welcome to the next stop in the international RUIN & RISING blog tour
I'm so thrilled to have author Leigh Bardugo on the blog today to talk about the men of her series!! It took a lot of restraint on my part not to bombard her with questions about a certain someone from the series *coughs*
Before I share my interview & tell you how you can enter to win the ENTIRE Grisha Series, here's a little bit about Ruin & Rising, which is out TUESDAY!! 


By: Leigh Bardugo
Published by: Henry Holt
To Be Released on: June 17th, 2014
Purchase it from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to: Goodreads

The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.
Now the nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova’s amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling’s secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

Learn more about Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm




Hi Leigh! I'm so thrilled to have you on Mundie Moms. Congratulations to your release of Ruin & Rising. Let's talk about your fabulously, delicious, I mean your awesome, well written guys. Let's cut right to the chase. What secret of The Darkling's can you tell us? I promise I won't tell anyone else. haha
Hey! So glad to be here and thank you for having me. As for the Darkling, hmmm, he has a sweet tooth?
As you know, I absolutely LOVE your writing.You created such richly developed characters with each of the guys. Did you ever find yourself fighting with any of them over a scene in terms of what you wanted them to do vs what they wanted to do?
Aw, thank you. The only person I ever fight with is Nikolai because that boy just wants to talk and talk. But really I'm just warring with my desire to write banter all day long. I guess I also sometimes have trouble with Mal. When he speaks his heart, he does so reluctantly and that can be challenging. Just spit it out, dude! Give in to the feels!



The Darkling to me is your series's more fascinating character. He continues to surprise me. I feel there's so much to him we've yet to discover. What is one redeeming quality you admire in The Darkling? 
People always want to talk about redemption where the Darkling is concerned. Is he kind to animals? Yes. Does he have a viable plan for Ravka as a world power? Yes. Is he a man willing to sacrifice for his goals? Yes. But whether or not those qualities are redemptive is for the reader to decide. I just tell the story.

Mal is someone you've made me go back and forth with feeling wise. There were times I loved him, and other times I was a little torn about him. Through out the series, what have you been the most surprised with in terms of Mal's character?
"Torn," huh? I think you're being a little diplomatic. A lot of readers were very angry with Mal after Siege and Storm. I think I've always been surprised that people seem to hold both Alina and Mal to a much higher moral standard than the Darkling. But it's been important to me to keep Mal as real as possible. He's very much a guy, a teenage boy without the benefit of the Darkling's long life or Nikolai's education and resources. He's got his own journey to go on in this story and he's made some big mistakes along the way.

Haha Yes I was being diplomatic. I'm hoping to give Mal the benefit of the doubt *coughs* So, Sturmhond..... He definitely knows how to liven things up in this series. What's your favorite characteristic of his?
His confidence! So many of my characters are beset by doubt, worried about doing the right thing, afraid they won't measure up. Not my cocky privateer. He has infinite faith in himself and his ability to find the solution to a problem. I love that optimism and I wouldn't mind bottling a little of it for myself.
What's one of your favorite moments or lines (or you know kiss scene) between Alina and either The Darkling or Mal? 
Hmmm, I think they all happen in Ruin and Rising! *waggles brows* But okay, if I have to pick from the first two books...
1. "I don't care if you danced naked on the roof of the Little Palace. I love you, Alina. Even the part of you that loved him." It's not that I think the line is so great, but when I wrote it I didn't realize how important it would be for some readers who cared about seeing a love interest who embraced a heroine regardless of her past or any idea of "purity."
2. "I'll make sure you hear it when I make her scream." Okay, so I'm going to get in trouble for mentioning this one, but I love how readers are always like, "I'm so dirty! You won't believe where my mind went when I read this." Damn right! You think the Darkling wasn't messing with Mal? All my entendres be double.
Great, if you're favorite moments are in Ruin & Rising I have a feeling you're going to kill me. Or make me swoon the entire time. Either one will be fine by me if the Darkling is involved.

The guys of your trilogy are seriously awesome. Really. You've created such memorable characters that were so easy to fall in love with. If you could tell fans something about them, that we don't get to see from the series, but you did, what would that be? 
Dang it, woman, I already told you the Darkling has a sweet tooth! I wrote the trilogy from Alina's POV for a reason and it's important to me that the readers see the other characters through her eyes. But because of that, there are also a lot of stories that didn't get told: Mal's time away from Alina at Keramzin, Sturmhond's adventures with the rogues aboard the Volkvolny, and the Darkling's many, many lives. Maybe one day I'll get to tell them all.
Just because inquiring minds want to know, what kind of chocolate would The Darkling, Mal and Sturmhond be? My guess is The Darkling would be a smooth dark chocolate. *snickers* 
Hmmm, well, I think the Darkling might be an acquired taste. Like some people might find him a little bitter and hard to take. I think Mal would be some type of almond bark or something with lots of nuts and fruit and maybe a pine bough or something. Rugged chocolate. Sturmhond would be an outrageously rich and decadent truffle—something imported of course. Thanks a lot. Now I'm hungry.
Next time I won't ask the chocolate question. Now I'm hungry!
Thank you Leigh for stopping by today!



About Leigh
Leigh Bardugo is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Shadow and Boneand Siege and Storm. She was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and most recently, makeup and special effects. These days, she’s lives and writes in Hollywood where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band.

Find Leigh: Visit Leigh Bardugo’s website, like Shadow and Bone on Facebook, follow her on Twitter, and follow her on Tumblr

The Giveaway
Thank you to Fierce Reads / Henry Holt, I have the entire Grisha Trilogy to giveaway to 1 lucky reader!! To enter to win, please fill out the form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!
Check out tomorrow's stop on Winged Reviews

100 comments:

  1. My favorite has to be The Darkling. I love characters with a dark side.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Definitely the Darkling! I don't care if he's the bad guy lol.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Darkling and Mal. I don't know who I like better though. =/

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have only read the first book, but it's got to be Mal. He gave up everything just to find Alina, and he didn't even know why she ran away.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Darkling. So can't wait to read this. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mal is my favorite. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I just finished Siege and Storm yesterday, and I cannot wait for Ruin and Rising! Sturmhond is definitely my favorite. His dialogue cracks me up!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mal for sure. Yes, he's done some stupid things, but deep down his heart is always in the right place. I mean, if "You're my flag. You're my nation." doesn't make you swoon, then I don't know what to tell you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mal.
    but Nikolai.... n o no I'll stick with Mal.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Christina R. in the rafflecopter

    Definitely The Darkling!!

    Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I need some more Darkling im my life.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Replies
    1. Darkling now. Darkling past. Darkling future. Darkling forever.
      That is the full motto.

      -Alison H.

      Delete
  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Almond bark > dark chocolate.

    ALWAYS.

    Seriously pumped for Ruin & Rising.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am getting ready to start reading the series soon, so I will be finding out.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ohhh and Sturmhond is my favorite, OBVIOUSLY.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is tough it's in between The Darkling or Mal.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Darling Darling forever and always!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. the darkling has to be my favourite! i cant wait to read ruin and rising, and the prequel story is going to be my favourite thing ever!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Haven't actually read any in the series yet. But, reading all this, can't wait to start!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for the giveaway! The Darkling for sure. <3

    ReplyDelete
  22. The Darkling hands down! And maybe 2nd place to Nikolai

    ReplyDelete
  23. Am I still the only one who haven't picked up on the series yet? Boo me!! I need to read the series soon.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've always had a sweet spot for Mal.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm new to the series, but I can't wait to find out! *Grin*

    ReplyDelete
  26. I don't know! I originally liked the Darkling, then at the end of Shadow and Bone I started to like Mal. So I'm a fan of both. ;)

    **Rachelle**

    ReplyDelete
  27. THE DARKLING. He is the essence of the entire Grisha trilogy.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh God, it's such a hard choice! I've only read the first book, but I really loved The Darkling! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm going to have to go with...The Darkling!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I haven't read this series yet, but I hope to soon :D

    ReplyDelete
  31. My favorite is and always will be the Darkling ;-) I love him so much! I don't care if he's evil, I know he can still be redeemed.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I really like Sturmhond. I'm always into a guy with a sense of humor and I also like that he has a sense of justice....well, in his own way. He tries to do what's right, but he definitely bends rules to do so. I dig that.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sturmhond! So much love for the witty, clever, never-too-serious guy. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  34. The Darkling of course ;) and then Sturmhond!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'm torn between the Darkling and Nikolai but if I must, I choose Nikolai. He's such a huge flirt that never shuts his yap so I'll appreciate our conversations since I'm the same too.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I don't know, I haven't read them but I'm hoping to soon!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. The Darkling will always be my favourite.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I've been waiting to read the series til this book came out, but I'm going to guess Mal. Hooray for the good guys!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Nikolai is definitely my fav and I ship him and Alina so hard (sorry Mal)! I need to know what happens to him in the last book!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I haven't read the series yet but from the descriptions in the interview I think Nikolai sounds like the most accessible. I'll make him my choice for now.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Love this series. Can't wait to see what she does with the conclusion! And I'm torn between the Darkling and Nikolai (I have a weakness for charming rogues).

    ReplyDelete
  42. Mine like many others is The Darkling. What's not to love? :)

    - Beckie

    ReplyDelete
  43. I've heard nothing but great things about this series and I can't wait to dive into it! I love to marathon series :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Don't have a fav yet b/c I haven't read this series yet :) Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I love Mal, but without the Darkling, the story would fall apart. Plus he's so dangerous, and wicked! I love it!!! But of course I want to see Alina rise and him fall! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  46. I haven't read this yet* hides head in shame* which is why i desperately want to win this series! how perfect would a marathon be! Thank To all those who made this giveaway awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  47. I really like Mal, he's difficult and a little surly but has a good heart!

    ReplyDelete
  48. The Darkling is my favorite, of course. He got his claws in me during the first book and never let go. :) I was, however, almost won over by the ridiculously charming Sturmhond.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Sadly I haven't started the series yet.I have been waiting for all the books to come out.Thanks for this amazing giveaway and good luck to everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I haven't read the saga yet, Hope start soon

    ReplyDelete
  51. I actually haven't read the series, but I've been dying to :D

    ReplyDelete
  52. I haven't read the series yet, but I really want to! I am hoping to win the series so I can read it!

    ReplyDelete
  53. The Darkling is my favorite, for sure. Can't resist a good 'villain'... especially one with a sweet tooth. ;D lmao

    ReplyDelete
  54. Aw, I love this interview :D Thank you both for sharing. <3 Sigh. Mal, my love.

    ReplyDelete
  55. As blaspheme as it might sound, I haven't had the chance to read these books so far, but I'm dying to. I'm definitely starting this series this summer and taking my long list of book boyfriends I think I'm going to love all the male in this series for what I'm reading the comments :P

    ReplyDelete
  56. Fallon Vaughn ~ joefallon1@yahoo.com

    The Darkling

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love the Darkling as a character, but I don't know if I want him to be with Alina.

    ReplyDelete
  58. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Just started reading the trilogy recently, so I don't really have a favorite so far. I do like Mal though because he reminds me a bit of Peeta and I just adore Peeta. Haha

    ReplyDelete
  60. Sturmhund is definitely my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  61. I love the Darkling! Though I do think Aliena should be with the prince! :D
    Mary G Loki

    ReplyDelete
  62. I am ten different kinds of torn between Nikolai and Mal. Just. Yes. I love them both.

    ReplyDelete
  63. The Darkling, definitely the Darkling. He's the quote on quote bad guy you can't help falling for.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Still love Mal.... but... but.... Sometimes, in a blue moon, the Darkling

    ReplyDelete
  65. Oh my gosh, what a better way to start a giveaway! All the books. I hear Darkling calling my name! *waves*

    ReplyDelete
  66. I haven't read the series yet but I sure would love to. I've heard tons and tons of great things about many of the male characters

    ReplyDelete
  67. The Darkling !!!!! lol Thanks for ze giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  68. Sturmhond is definitely my favourite character! And the chocolate interview question was amazing (and left me craving chocolate).

    ReplyDelete
  69. I haven't read the series yet, but The Darkling sounds really cool.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I haven't read the series yet, but I have a feeling I'll like Mal most:)

    ReplyDelete
  71. I love this series sooooo much! Can't wait till I get Ruin and Rising!! <3 the Darkling

    ReplyDelete
  72. My favorite is the Darkling <333

    ReplyDelete
  73. Darkling!!!! of course!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Sturmhond = my champion. I find the Darling fascinating but it's just impossible for me to sail that ship...

    ReplyDelete
  75. Sturmhond = my champion. I find the Darling fascinating but it's just impossible for me to sail that ship...

    ReplyDelete
  76. Definitely Sturmhond! Thanks for the giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  77. I'm new to the series but from what I've heard it's going to be VERY hard to pick just one guy! I'm already drawn in by the talk around Sturmhond, so we shall see!

    ReplyDelete
  78. I may be straight, but I don't have to be when Sturmhond is in the room. Just sayin'. What happens on the open seas, stays there. Am I right? ;)

    ReplyDelete

Labels