king of scars by Leigh Bardugo

29th book of 2021

First book in King of Scars series

Reading period: Mar 29th 2021 – Mar 31st 2021

Summary

Face your demons… or feed them.

The dashing young king, 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, Nikolai 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 general, 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.

Rating

Review

Sadly, I can’t give five stars to this book. I know that I gave a four, which is good, but still, I am sad.

This story is a mix between the previous series in the Grishaverse, as you follow Nikolaï, Zoya and Nina. I think it’s a good thing to read both of the former series before starting this one. You have a ton of references and easter eggs, as it directly follows the Six of Crows duology. This book (and duology) bonds the Grishaverse.

Even if the dark magic in Nikolaï is one of the main plots in the book, you have a great deal of political intrigue. I was diving in them; they were so intriguing I absolutely wanted them to be unravelled and know the end. In the construction of the story, I had the feeling to be back to the Six of Crows duology as you know what is happening, but at the same time, no, it’s like magic tricks.

I was happy to be back with this set of characters; even if Nina wasn’t my favourite in the Dregs, I learn to like her.

Nikolaï is the same charming old fox, but he has found a great partner in Zoya. I remember I wasn’t fond of this character when I read Shadow & Bone; however, she’s now one of my favourite female characters (with Inej.) When she appeared in the story, I connect with her right away. I think I know why that happened now and not when I was reading the first trilogy. Here you have a multiple POV story, so you have her feelings; you understand how she works. Contrary to the first trilogy, where you see her through the eyes of Alina as you only have her POV.
I love the chemistry between those two; I laugh a lot when they interact. I can’t wait to see how this relationship will evolve because I want them to be a couple and nothing else.

Now Nina… I am sad to tell you that I’m back to the situation of the beginning of Six of Crows. I am utterly indifferent to her and her actions. The problem is that this book is divided into two different settings: the first one is on the Ravka side with Nikolaï and Zoya, and the second is on the Fjerda side with Nina. Also, Nina’s chapters are less present, so they are longer. Even if this part of the story is interesting, I wasn’t as invested as the other parts sets in Ravka. That’s why I gave four stars and not five.

The ending was so surprising, I couldn’t imagine that, but I am so happy with it. I was clearly dancing in my room when I finished the book.

This review is one of my longest, but it’s hard to do it as I don’t want to spoil anyone. If it’s the same for the sequel, I will probably do two reviews, one with spoilers and one without spoilers.

Liz.