My expectations were so so for this, it’s a wonder I remembered how to breathe while I was reading.
When I finished reading Siege and Storm back in, um, like 2015 (I think!?), my first thought was: I wish Nikolai had his own series. And lo and behold, Bardugo wrote a book just for me. That is so kind. Much appreciate. And of course I loved this book! The whole Grishaverse has a very soft and stabby place in my heart (Six of Crows is my most favourite) and I even did an entire series reread before King of Scars! (Well, I’m technically still reading Crooked Kingdom but shh same thing.)
Do you need to read the previous Grisha books before King of Scars? I really think you do! I’ve heard some people say they love it without having read them though? So you do you. But be aware: reading King of Scars WILL spoil the Grisha trilogy + Six of Crows duology! And if you want the order…
And of course I’m so freaking excited it’s going to Netflix!!!!!!!
Thank you to Hachette AUS for the review-copy! King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo was out January 2019.
➸ It’s narrated by Nikolai, Nina, and Zoya!
Now I love them all so this was a pure delight. Nikolai and Zoya’s chapters follow the same storyline as they try to keep Ravka afloat when everything is folding (lol yes, still…this country is just having one long mental breakdown). Nina is off on an undercover mission in Fjerda to recuse Grishas.
✧ ZOYA: Honestly I’m in love with Zoya now officially so bye. She is so gorgeously violently cold and it’s just 😍 Zoya could stab us all and we would thank her. We also get to know her more than in the first Grisha trilogy…and she’s bitterly sharp, but also vulnerable. (Also her and Nikolai’s flirting is a thing of beauty. They have amazing chemistry + they’re totally in denial of their feelings. THey’re all “fake” cuddling and I’m just like “KISS YOU FOOLS.”)
✧ NIKOLAI: He’s always so soft and yet arrogant, so brilliant and inventive, yet also a total people pleaser. And he continues to have the best quips omg. Also his struggle with the deep darkness of the monster the Darkling left inside him was just vicious and addictive to read.
✧ NINA: while I love Nina to pieces (and omg we get to explore her new power!! CORPSE WITCH) I wasn’t that invested in her mission in Fjerda? She’s also still (literally) burying [name redacted from Crooked Kingdom] and therefore I couldn’t ship her with the new person really well? I thought there’d be more space for her to have grieved and be ready to heal? idk. But I loved Hanne and am so here for more f/f fantasy ships!!
➸ I confess, I have a total love for monsters storylines.
This story is full of saints and monsters, miracles and cults worshipping darkness. It has boy kings who turn into monsters in their beds and it has frigid girls who hold back their own power. It is a collection of things that make my heart beat faster. Nikolai fighting with the remnants of his monster, of hiding it and trying not to feel despair as it gets stronger, was addictive to read. (I did expect it to be darker than it was though? But maybe I’m just still in Six of Crows mode lmao.) But ajfdsklad I loved everything about this combination.
➸ Did it live up to all my expectations?
I think when you’ve been craving a book for YEARS and it’s finally announced, the expectations can be so so high. So it WAS a brilliant book and I’m satisfied and here to flail! But I was also hoping for (1) faster pacing, (2) more action and humour, and less politics, and (3) it to set my heart pounding with high stakes like in Six of Crows. But the second half was so so freaking brilliant that I’m left very breathless.
“Zoya, say something spiteful.”
“Why?” she asked faintly.
“Because I’m fairly certain I’m hallucinating, and in my dreams you’re much nicer.”
“You’re an idiot, Nikolai.”
“Not your best work.”
➸ the ending is just stunning and ahhhhhh!!!
Thanks for hurling me facefirst off a CLIFFHANGER. I actually guessed 90% of the plot twist and this made me so deliciously gleeful. But it was so well set up?! The entire ending was clever and vicious and I am so so ready for the sequel!
I’m just notoriously pleased to be back in the Grishaverse! So many old favourite characters have returned and the plot is both heart-wrenching and heart-pounding. Plot twists and high stakes are here to remind us that no one we love is saaaaaafe. (Thanks for that.) This book is an excellent explosion of power and vulnerability, of what it truly is to be a monster or a saint.
Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.
Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.
Goodreads | Hachette AUS | Booktopia | Book Depository
have you read any/all of the Grisha books? which is your favourite? do you get super excited for spin-off series? (and tell me all your king of scars opinions!)
I really need to finally pick up this book!
Lotte | http://www.lottelauv.blogspot.co.uk
I hope you get a chance!
I read this and I can agree with many things you said. The second half was definitely faster than the first half. But I thought all the emotions with Nina is the beginning were done so beautifully– and I was surprised how emotional it made me!!! *cries*
And I loved Zoya in this story— all her depths and her conversations with Nikolai— she was great. We love a queen!!
I did expect more humour and less politics but I thought it suited the post-war world and was developed well. I also feel that Leigh built up a lot ready for the next book which is going to be huge and features so much stuff going down— I am very excited for it!! The last line was epic!! I had to read it twice!!
Also I love David and Goya– so excited to see more of them!!
I think spin off series are great because they feature characters you love so I personally love them!! <3
Zoya is just a GIFT and seriously could walk over me and I would be ok with it ajfdklsad she is amazing. Also Nina is my fave in SoC but I wasn’t into her storyline as much here? Definitely felt her grief though!! STILL NOT OVER THE ENDING OF CK EITHER OMG.
And yes, spin-off series are like fandom rewards and it’s beautiful. 😍
This was one of my most hyped books for this year after last year spending most of spring reading the entire Grishaverse (my favorite is Six of Crows) and I was so PUMPED for this, I practically screamed when I got it! I thought it was really good but also a little boring? Like ok why didn’t Nina’s chapters tie in with everyone elses? Not only that but she has the most chapters with 13 dedicated to her (Nikolai has ten, Zoya has nine, and Isaak has six). It kind of felt like two books at once. However I have been saying Zoya and Nikolai should be a thing since I read Ruin and Rising a year ago and everyone was like “cute ship but no,” who’s crying into waffles about how wrong they are now
Yesss I just about died from hype but then the mixed reviews started coming in and I got worried.😂 I did the whole grishaverse reread too! Well actually I still need to finish CK but I was rereading out of order. Because I’m just that disorganised. I do wish Nina’s part had actually been with Nikolai’s??? I guess it’s going to be important that she can manipulate the dead later though?
I was 0% interested in Isaak’s chapters lol.
Zoya and Nikolai are perfect and you are owed ALL the waffles for your correct predictions.
In all honesty, I’ve been a bit hesitant to read this one after seeing many mixed reviews for it. I adored the Six of Crows duology with all my heart, and will cry if this book doesn’t live up to my expectations! But, your enthusiasm Cait has made me want to read it once more! I might add it to my April tbr! <3
Nooo you have to read it!! It’s still really good and I think maybe expecting it to be another SoC isn’t the right way to approach? It’s more in the original Grishaverse strain. So it means I still think SoC and CK are superior out of the whole series, but I still loved this one and being back with the old gang!
I agree about the pacing and hope for more humor, especially since Nikolai is my favorite from SAB trilogy. Somehow though I think this became Zoya’s book? I’m also hoping a certain group of miscreants show up for the sequel:)
I LOVE Zoya though, so I didn’t mind so much 😂 But yeah, I did expect more of Nikolai and Nina’s storyline did nothing for me, sadly. I love Nina in the SoC books, so I was surprised I wasn’t into her part?!
I LOOOVE KING OF SCARS SO MUCH. It’s super slow but I hardly care. All the Nikolai content is 😍. (i may be a little biased because nikolai is my man but whatever)
I think my fave Grisha books are Crooked Kingdom, Siege and Storm, and Language of Thorns. I love this universe so much and I obviously LIVE FOR NIKOLAI. I loved Zoya’s and Nina’s character arcs in KoS. THEY’RE MY QUEENS. I can’t wait for the second book because THAT cliffhanger made me scream.
(petition for an Alina appearance in the next book tho)
NIKOLAI IS A SMALL BUCKET OF PERFECT, LET’S BE REAL. I loved him in this one!! He’s like so worried and all “hey yes I might eat everyone this is awkward” but still lovely!? More lovely characters in books please. And Language of Thorns is AMAZING. Best short story collection ever.
(Alina has to appear right??? She’s going to be so annoyed at coming out of retirement 😂)
I want to read this eventually, but I think I’ll just wait until after the Netflix show comes out? I’ve read Six of Crows and I still need to read Crooked Kingdom, but honestly I have no interest in the other series and I’ve heard a lot of people say they don’t like it as much as SOC anyway. And honestly I didn’t LOVE LOVE SOC, I just liked it, so I just kinda want to wait for the show cuz you know, so many books so little time. XD D:
Oh and FYI I’m posting your interview on my new WordPress blog this Saturday the 23rd, so Sunday morning your time probably. 🙂
I’m really excited for the show! But they’re going to change it A LOT I heard, so just be aware of that. 😂 (Eeep thanks so much for the interview being up soon!)
It seemed out of place but when she called all those dead people and babies I was like woah Nelly. That was bad ass lol. But yeah it seemed force. I’m kinda hoping that was there to lead to the dregs coming in to the sequel lol.
I hope the Dregs reappear too but I doubt it.😂I know she said there’ll be another SoC book one day though!
Great review Cait! I actually didn’t really enjoyed this book, it just felt too long, especially Nina’s chapters (why can’t those be their own book??). I also wished she had more time to heal before jumping back into romance. I was conflicted about the ending because I felt it using Nikolai in the worst way, but I’m also excited to see them dragging Alina’s back and all the banter/power struggle that might ensues! Plus, I think it’s a way to redeem him? Whether we agree or not about his actions, there’s no denying he loves the Grisha, his people, and Ravka. Seeing them in more danger than ever, he definitely won’t sit tight and do nothing. I can’t wait!
Yeah I agree with a lot of this sadly. I guess Nina is exploring her power, but I really thought the stories would’ve met up. (Although I wonder if her controlling the dead is going to come into play because of You Know Who, mm?) But yeah I can’t ship her even though I WANT TO because she literally just buried her old love!! It’s way too soon.
I’ve never entered the Grishaverse. I know right! I tried reading Six of Crows but I hadn’t read her Grisha series and it just felt as though I was missing out on something special. Are the same characters from the original series, are they also in Six of crows and now this new spin off? Now that I’m already six books behind, I need to get cracking. I have an old copy of Shadow and Bone but I think they have new covers now. This could be the beginning of my great love affair with Bardugo. Brilliant review Cait, really enjoyed it.
Yeah I kind of recommend reading everything before King of Scars.😂I mean, some people say you don’t need to? But I have zero idea how anyone would enjoy it otherwise haha.
So in King of Scars the main characters are: Nikolai and Zoya (from the Shadow and Bone series) and Nina (form Six of Crows). So you really need to know both their backstories!
Wait did she actually confirm that? I’ve never actually heard her *confirm* that!?
Well not in the official sense in that it has a publishing date, has sold (that we know of) etc. But she definitely tweeted that she’s going to write a 3rd Six of Crows book so…! As long as nothing goes wrong, I guess we’ll get it eventually? I’m thinking maybe after the Nikolai duology finishes…
I read Shadow & Bone way back when and liked it, but not enough to keep reading. Six of Crows is my FAAAAAAAVE though, and I loved Crooked Kingdom and Language of Thorns too, so I dove into King of Scars without much of the backstory. I liked it a lot, and now I’m considering giving the original trilogy another try. But so many books in the world, do I really need to read a trilogy I’ve been spoiled for?
YESSS reading your spoilers I totally think we’re going to get more Alina in the future. Gosh I loved this book so much, not just because there was more Nikolai and NINA my favvv but because it was just MORE of everything you know?