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camifestari's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Wooow, it was really good! I was skeptical of fantasy series cause I wasn't feeling them lately, but no! It was great!
Love Nikolai and Zoya a lot ♡
I'm actually quite hyped to read Rule of Wolves~
Love Nikolai and Zoya a lot ♡
I'm actually quite hyped to read Rule of Wolves~
bakerindale's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Not a single mention of Zoya’s ribbon
neva_e's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lovefromliz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Most of us can hide our greatest hurts and longings. It’s how we survive each day. We pretend the pain isn’t there, that we are made of scars instead of wounds."
- Leigh Bardugo (King of Scars)
This next book in the Grishaverse takes place after the events of Shadow & Bone and Six of Crows. We follow Nikolai (the Ravkan King), Zoya (the king's commander and powerful Grisha) and Nina (another powerful Grisha on a mission for the king). We follow these characters (and many more from past books) and view Ravka's progress after the war and the shadowfold. After three years of peace, another war is brewing and the king's still under the darkling's curse, long after his demise. Will they be able to save their king and country, or fall apart while trying?
I absolutely loved to be back to the Grishaverse. While it took me weeks to finish this book, the story was so gripping. I loved reading about all the familiar characters from the previous books and from different perspectives.
The story, prose, characters and plot were all amazingly written and I simply can't wait to start reading the second book in this duology.
Love, Melissa
- Leigh Bardugo (King of Scars)
This next book in the Grishaverse takes place after the events of Shadow & Bone and Six of Crows. We follow Nikolai (the Ravkan King), Zoya (the king's commander and powerful Grisha) and Nina (another powerful Grisha on a mission for the king). We follow these characters (and many more from past books) and view Ravka's progress after the war and the shadowfold. After three years of peace, another war is brewing and the king's still under the darkling's curse, long after his demise. Will they be able to save their king and country, or fall apart while trying?
I absolutely loved to be back to the Grishaverse. While it took me weeks to finish this book, the story was so gripping. I loved reading about all the familiar characters from the previous books and from different perspectives.
The story, prose, characters and plot were all amazingly written and I simply can't wait to start reading the second book in this duology.
Love, Melissa
spugh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kjhovlid89's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lyakimov's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
It has been a very long time since finishing the Grisha trilogy and the Six of Crows duology, so this was a trip in remembering all the stuff that happened. It almost kind of feels like a cross-over fanfiction because Nina is in the book and maybe I am wrong about this but her timeline just feels off. I guess I was under the impression that Six of Crows occurred way longer after the Grisha trilogy, but by this timeline, it would mean that this book takes place only a couple months after Six of Crows. I don't know, it feels weird and I could have sworn there was more time in between the first two series, but whatever.
With Nina's story, her background is not really explained unless the reader has previously read Six of Crows. If a new reader, never read a Leigh Bardugo book before, starts reading this book, I would imagine they would be confused as hell because there is little explanation on a lot of stuff in her backstory. Maybe I should chill because it might be explained in the second book, but the whole thing was like "you should already know this from Six of Crows, so I don't have to explain it to you." I have not read Six of Crows since it came out YEARS ago, I need a reminder of what's gone on in her life.
This book was fine, it was entertaining and a lot of stuff happened, but I was not super invested in Nikolai's story (and the annoying witty banter) and I am so done with The Darkling as a villain. I am so sick of him!!! Choose someone else please, can we move on?
I found myself highly enjoying Nina's chapters, even though it was more of the subplot and not the main plot but what she was doing felt so much more interesting and high stakes that I was eagerly anticipating her chapters and had a strong urge to skim Nikolai and Zoya's chapters. Even though technically the whole country of Ravka is at stake in the main plot, I did not really feel the stakes, I don't know, I just didn't feel the danger.
I am interested enough in Nina's story that I am planning on reading the second book in the duology because I just need to know what is going on with her. The Darkling? Not so much, he can choke. How many damn times can he die / his body is burned / he is reincarnated before we just say, that's enough, we are stretching The Darkling's story too far. Get him off the damn page. Elizaveta could have been the villain of the main plot, not the damn Darkling. Missed opportunity right there.
Anyway, this should have just been a Nina spinoff because she is the only one with an entertaining, high stakes plot.
It has been a very long time since finishing the Grisha trilogy and the Six of Crows duology, so this was a trip in remembering all the stuff that happened. It almost kind of feels like a cross-over fanfiction because Nina is in the book and maybe I am wrong about this but her timeline just feels off. I guess I was under the impression that Six of Crows occurred way longer after the Grisha trilogy, but by this timeline, it would mean that this book takes place only a couple months after Six of Crows. I don't know, it feels weird and I could have sworn there was more time in between the first two series, but whatever.
With Nina's story, her background is not really explained unless the reader has previously read Six of Crows. If a new reader, never read a Leigh Bardugo book before, starts reading this book, I would imagine they would be confused as hell because there is little explanation on a lot of stuff in her backstory. Maybe I should chill because it might be explained in the second book, but the whole thing was like "you should already know this from Six of Crows, so I don't have to explain it to you." I have not read Six of Crows since it came out YEARS ago, I need a reminder of what's gone on in her life.
This book was fine, it was entertaining and a lot of stuff happened, but I was not super invested in Nikolai's story (and the annoying witty banter) and I am so done with The Darkling as a villain. I am so sick of him!!! Choose someone else please, can we move on?
I found myself highly enjoying Nina's chapters, even though it was more of the subplot and not the main plot but what she was doing felt so much more interesting and high stakes that I was eagerly anticipating her chapters and had a strong urge to skim Nikolai and Zoya's chapters. Even though technically the whole country of Ravka is at stake in the main plot, I did not really feel the stakes, I don't know, I just didn't feel the danger.
I am interested enough in Nina's story that I am planning on reading the second book in the duology because I just need to know what is going on with her. The Darkling? Not so much, he can choke. How many damn times can he die / his body is burned / he is reincarnated before we just say, that's enough, we are stretching The Darkling's story too far. Get him off the damn page. Elizaveta could have been the villain of the main plot, not the damn Darkling. Missed opportunity right there.
Anyway, this should have just been a Nina spinoff because she is the only one with an entertaining, high stakes plot.
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
King of Scars is the newest addition to the Grishaverse. And if you don't know what the Grishaverse is, then I suggest moving away from this book and going to Shadow and Bone, which is the first book in the first series set in this universe. Because while I'm not sure what the official description says—maybe this book is supposed to work as a standalone as well—but I can say that I don't think it'll make much sense, or have as much of an impact, if you haven't read the previous five books, especially the first three. If you have read them, then you're good to go.
This book tells the story of Nikolai and Zoya, both of whom you probably already know from the previous series', They're a bit older now, and are joined by some other old characters. This book is in third person and four characters get a POV, though in one's case, it's because more because of the story than the characters himself. The other three are Nikolai, Zoya and Nina.
By this point, you must be more or less familiar with the different nations and their stances on Grisha. Most importantly, with Fierda's stance on Grisha, which is kill-'em-all. And the purpose of this series has always been to change that—for Grisha to have an equal place in the world. This time though, things are more political. Nikolai is the king, after all, and he's desperately trying to keep Ravka afloat through all the financial crises, tragedies, enemies and debts. So when the monster, the one that the Darkling turned him into, starts making an appearance at nighttime with a thirst for blood, it's a big problem.
Nikolai needs to find a cure for his problem-with-wings-and-claws and quick, before anyone outside the trusted circle finds out. And that's the general plot. There's other stuff going on but most of it is interrelated so you don't feel like you're trying to balance too many plots. And both Nikolai and Zoya are familiar and likable characters. Zoya, especially, I love. She has a dry, lethal sense of humour and she kicks so much ass. She also doesn't mince her words so any interaction with her is bound to be fun.
Nikolai, the poor guy, isn't as fun as he used to be. Some of his charm has faded and, reading from his perspective, it's easy to understand why. You finally get to see how current and past events effect him and just how much pressure he's in to make sure Ravka doesn't fall apart. He's still great though.
Then we have Nina. I didn't enjoy her plot-line as much. You know how I said most of the plots were interrelated. Well, Nina's seems like it isn't. It's still important and I really like Nina, but not only is she in a different country (Fjerda), her story is separate from all the others so whenever we get to one of her chapters, it's a little strange and I was honestly waiting to go back to the main story. And her perspective is so sad too... But maybe that's just me and you'll feel differently.
Another little issue I had is that the novel feels like a set-up book. And yeah, that's how series usually work, but each installment is also supposed to have a plot that gets resolved in that book alone. And this novel didn't have that. Nothing really got solved. But it did establish the characters really well. And if that was the purpose, then it did a great job.
Last but not least, I'm conflicted about the ending (like, the last two pages). I'm pretty sure most people will love it and it definitely brings a twist, but it felt like a predictable move, considering I was hoping it's something the author wouldn't do. But you can't really judge the direction the author will take it from two pages and I'm hopeful about the next book. There are a lot of things up in the air and I have no clue what's gonna happen. But I'm excited about it.
And that's why I would definitely recommend checking this book out. It's well-written, as can be expected from Leigh Bardugo, it has great characters and it's interesting despite being somewhat long. Plus it's only a two-book series so the resolution isn't far off. Duologies are so great, aren't they?
This book tells the story of Nikolai and Zoya, both of whom you probably already know from the previous series', They're a bit older now, and are joined by some other old characters. This book is in third person and four characters get a POV, though in one's case, it's because more because of the story than the characters himself. The other three are Nikolai, Zoya and Nina.
By this point, you must be more or less familiar with the different nations and their stances on Grisha. Most importantly, with Fierda's stance on Grisha, which is kill-'em-all. And the purpose of this series has always been to change that—for Grisha to have an equal place in the world. This time though, things are more political. Nikolai is the king, after all, and he's desperately trying to keep Ravka afloat through all the financial crises, tragedies, enemies and debts. So when the monster, the one that the Darkling turned him into, starts making an appearance at nighttime with a thirst for blood, it's a big problem.
Nikolai needs to find a cure for his problem-with-wings-and-claws and quick, before anyone outside the trusted circle finds out. And that's the general plot. There's other stuff going on but most of it is interrelated so you don't feel like you're trying to balance too many plots. And both Nikolai and Zoya are familiar and likable characters. Zoya, especially, I love. She has a dry, lethal sense of humour and she kicks so much ass. She also doesn't mince her words so any interaction with her is bound to be fun.
Nikolai, the poor guy, isn't as fun as he used to be. Some of his charm has faded and, reading from his perspective, it's easy to understand why. You finally get to see how current and past events effect him and just how much pressure he's in to make sure Ravka doesn't fall apart. He's still great though.
Then we have Nina. I didn't enjoy her plot-line as much. You know how I said most of the plots were interrelated. Well, Nina's seems like it isn't. It's still important and I really like Nina, but not only is she in a different country (Fjerda), her story is separate from all the others so whenever we get to one of her chapters, it's a little strange and I was honestly waiting to go back to the main story. And her perspective is so sad too... But maybe that's just me and you'll feel differently.
Another little issue I had is that the novel feels like a set-up book. And yeah, that's how series usually work, but each installment is also supposed to have a plot that gets resolved in that book alone. And this novel didn't have that. Nothing really got solved. But it did establish the characters really well. And if that was the purpose, then it did a great job.
Last but not least, I'm conflicted about the ending (like, the last two pages). I'm pretty sure most people will love it and it definitely brings a twist, but it felt like a predictable move, considering I was hoping it's something the author wouldn't do. But you can't really judge the direction the author will take it from two pages and I'm hopeful about the next book. There are a lot of things up in the air and I have no clue what's gonna happen. But I'm excited about it.
And that's why I would definitely recommend checking this book out. It's well-written, as can be expected from Leigh Bardugo, it has great characters and it's interesting despite being somewhat long. Plus it's only a two-book series so the resolution isn't far off. Duologies are so great, aren't they?
gingerjones's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0