King of Scars (Nikolai Duology #1)

King of Scars (Nikolai Duology #1)
Author(s)
Publisher
Genre(s)
Age Range
13+
Release Date
January 29, 2019
ISBN
1250142288
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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.

Editor review

1 review
A great edition for fans of the Grishaverse
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
What I Liked: I enjoy King Nikolai Lantsov’s wit and determination to provide for his struggling kingdom. He faces enemies all around his borders and has little money to help his people recover from the civil war. Now the darkness that infected him before has started making appearances against his will. His general, Zoya Nazyalensky, helps him keep his secret by chaining him up at night. This has led to scandalous rumors about their relationship. For the majority of the book, there is no hint of a relationship beyond the professional, but there is enough of a spark there that I was surprised with the ending.
Nina Zenik is undercover in Fjerda trying to rescue Grisha before they can be captured and experimented on by the government. She also has to work up the courage to finally bury her beloved Matthias. The dead whisper to her for justice. This leads her to learn of a horrible experiment taking place in a small village where Grisha girls are being impregnated and injected with Juda Parem during their pregnancy. She gains the trust of a Grisha in hiding, Hanne, to help save the girls. During the showdown, she learns Hanne is the daughter of Jarl Brum, the leader of the Druskelle. She sets in motion an event that may start a revolution in Fjerda where the Grisha are no longer considered witches but graced by the god Djel to help the people.
What Left Me Wanting More: This story took a turn to the really fantastical side when Nikolai and Zoya end up inside the fold to meet 3 legendary Saints that teach them to harness their power. It was a really important component of the story because Zoya learns to expand her gifts beyond what she was taught and for Nikolai to try and rid himself of the darkness. However, it was a bit far-fetched even for the Grishaverse. Now a long-dead foe has been resurrected for them to contend with in the next book which is not a trope I often enjoy.
Final Verdict: This is a large book, but it does move at a good pace. Nikolai is very charming and I look forward to his relationship with Zoya developing into something more. Nina’s character brings the flair from the Six of Crows duology into this book to firmly set a reading order for events. Overall, the book was very entertaining and a good read for those who love the Grishaverse.

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