King of Scars (Nikolai Duology #1) by Leigh Bardugo — Restarting January 2nd 2025

[Dee Dee]

Maddison wrote: "Tayla wrote: "Dee Dee wrote: "Chapter 12 was the best one so far with [spoilers removed].

Sidenote: I just realized that I would ship Nikolai with literally anyone, he's just so dang charismatic...."

Oh yes, I definitely ship them too.

[Maddie]

Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[I just want to say that Zoya is totally killing this! Most powerful person by far! How did she get so powerful?

And this Liliyana thing's bugging me. I still don't remember who she is, wish I could remember what part of the book she was introduced in so I could read back. Or maybe I've just heard the name, and don't actually know who she is..

EDIT: WAIT WHAT!? THESE GROTESQUE THINGS ARE THE SAINTS??? (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

I believe they explained who she was already or they are about to.

[Eesh]

Ashy Khaira wrote: "Chapter to 9 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah, and it's only started to happen recently so obviously something is going on. And yeah, I hate the apparat too. When the book started, I couldn't believe he was still in power. Someone should have killed him... (hide spoiler)]

[Eesh]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[A part of me likes Yuri. He doesn't seem like a bad guy. But how stupid do you have to be to see a monster like the Darkling as a saint. It makes me so happy every time Zoya snaps at him. I love Zoya. (hide spoiler)]

[Eesh]

Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[Wait, what just happened? Did they just get teleported or something? What? (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Quirks wrote: "Chapter 14
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Nope Zoya made that sand storm, and the castle on the black stone was invisible. Her sand just stuck to it and outlined it. And then all those monsters came out. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'm just reading Chapter 24 so I can see what the plot twist was!

[Maddie]

Courtney wrote: "Chapter 24 [spoilers removed]"

Right!? If only I could remember properly who he was XD

[Maddie]

Chapter 25 (view spoiler)[Finally we learn about Liliyana! (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Maddison wrote: "Courtney wrote: "Chapter 24 [spoilers removed]"

Right!? If only I could remember properly who he was XD"

He was Matthias mentor.

[Maddie]

Ah right thank you! (view spoiler)[What was so bad about what he did? (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Chapter 28 (view spoiler)[Yeeessss something's going to happen with Hanne and Nina pleeease <3 (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Maddison wrote: "Ah right thank you! [spoilers removed]"

If I remember correctly from SoC series they (view spoiler)[ enslaved and killed alot of Grisha. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Okay cool I did remember enough then

[Maddie]

Chapter 32 (view spoiler)[Oh my gosh, that was a turn! Juris is gone and Elizaveta is bad, and was plotting with Yuri, and the Darkling's body's there. And another mention of them burning a fake Alina's body, not the real one. Wonder if she'll be back?? (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Courtney wrote: "Chapter 34 [spoilers removed]"

Yeah that felt all so quick!

[Maddie]

Tayla wrote: "Chapter 28: [spoilers removed]"

I've always loved them <3

[Maddie]

I finished guys! FINALLY!

[Maddie]

I honestly don't know where to start... This book was a drag. I was super disappointed with it! At least with the first half anyway. I feel like a lot happened in the second half, but it was so far-fetched I was a little taken aback. It just popped up out of nowhere, and felt like a different story. Almost like it was forced.
This book definitely didn't deliver what I wanted it to. I was anticipating this so much, more of my Nikolai, and it left me wanting more. I feel like this book was just written to try to appease the fans who want more Nikolai, but it fell flat for quite a few people. There are some questions I have though.

[Eesh]

Maddison wrote: "Chapter 25 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah, I was so confused about her! I kept think if it was an important character I'd forgotten about or something. (hide spoiler)]

[Eesh]

Maddison wrote: "Chapter 32 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I don't think so. The Ruin and Rising epilogue tied up her story pretty well and stated that she'd be having a quiet life. Also, she had no abilities or anything so... (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting September 20th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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[Maddie]

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Date changed. Restarting November 10th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting February 10th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

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Date changed. Restarting March 12th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Sarah A]

So I started this one today, I hope you all don't mind I started it a day early.

[Sarah A]

Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[ I really Nina finds what she is looking for after losing Matthias. I also like see how far the characters have developed since Shadow & Bones. I have a feeling we may see some characters we haven't seen in awhile in this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

I'm starting now, too. My hopes for this book are high.

[Sarah A]

@Julie did you like Six of Crow and Crooked Kingdom?

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Sarah wrote: "@Julie did you like Six of Crow and Crooked Kingdom?"

I didn't really care for Kaz but I found them way better than Shadow and Bone. It took me a while to get into them, but then I liked them.

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Sarah wrote: "Chapter 3: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes, I hope to see some other characters again, even if it's just for a brief moment. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[I don't know why exactly, but I don't like it when someone talks to a dead person in their head all the time. I don't mind it if the dead person is a ghost.

I don't like it in movies, I don't like it in TV-Shows and apparently, I don't like it in Books. So, can Nina please stop having conversations with Matthias? It bothers me so much. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

@Julie
(view spoiler)[ I wonder if that will stop once she has buried him. I found it weird. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[callie]

Chapter 10 - (view spoiler)[ So I decided to skip Ruin and Rising before reading this. I was going to read it, but then I didn't want to… so I didn't. Thankfully, they seem to be giving enough information so it's not super confusing for the people (aka me) who haven't read R&R. I'm sure I'm missing some stuff and references but it's fine. It's fine. I'm really enjoying it though! I'm really liking Nikolai's character in this one (I didn't think he was too bad in Siege and Storm but I like him better in KoS).

Also, Nikolai and Zoya's relationship. I can't quite get a read on their relationship… Is it just their personalities or do they like each other? I can't tell. I'm looking for a ship somewhere, anywhere, and I'm not finding one so I'm on hyper alert for a new ship. I'm literally dying for a new Grishaverse ship that can consume my whole life. Also kinda checking out Nina and Hanne… kinda low key shipping it but would also be happy if they were just friends.

Matthias' funeral scene almost had me crying. I teared up… (I've only REALLY cried at one book in my entire life, I don't even tear up often). I really miss Matthias. (hide spoiler)]

[callie]

Julie wrote: "Chapter 5: I don't know why exactly, but I don't like it when someone talks to a dead person in their head all the time. I don't mind it if the dead person is a ghost.

I don't like it in movies, I..."

(view spoiler)[I get that!! I wasn't a big fan of her conversations with Matthais either, though I will admit they made me kinda sad. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

@Callie
(view spoiler)[ I miss Matthias too. Don't worry you really didn't miss a whole lot in R&R, but I will say that it was the best book out of the series. It still wasn't great but any means. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Sarah wrote: "@Callie
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Have to agree with Sarah on this one. All the important infos from R&R are repeated in this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[I'm a little disappointed. I wanted action and adventure, but right now I feel it's all very slow and boring. At least now finally something happened. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Callie wrote: "Chapter 10 - So I decided to skip Ruin and Rising before reading this. I was going to read it, but then I didn't want to… so I didn't. Thankfully, they seem to be giving enough information so it's..."

(view spoiler)[I read somewhere, that Nikolai and Nina will have a love interest in this one, so far I haven't really had the feeling for one. Maybe Nikolai and Zoya with all their banter? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Julie wrote: "Callie wrote: [spoiler removed]..."

(view spoiler)[I really hope that it not Nikolai and Nina as a love interest. I hope Nina just finds happiness in herself instead of with someone else. I can totally see Nikolai and Zoya together. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Chapter 26: (view spoiler)[And still nothing really happens... I want to be done with this book. Nothing really happens and the parts with Nina don't connect to the story at all. (hide spoiler)]

[callie]

Julie wrote: "Callie wrote: "Chapter 10 - So I decided to skip Ruin and Rising before reading this. I was going to read it, but then I didn't want to… so I didn't. Thankfully, they seem to be giving enough infor..."

(view spoiler)[I read that somewhere too, but I'm pretty sure it was confirmed by Leigh Bardugo that they won't be. I could be wrong though. I don't think they would make a good couple (hide spoiler)]

[callie]

Julie wrote: "Chapter 26: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[It does seem pretty long for how much is happening. The two plot lines don't seem connect, but We do know Nikolai sent Nina and the other there... I'm curious too how they connect in the next book though! (hide spoiler)]

[callie]

Chapter 14 (end of Part 1, The Drowning Man) (view spoiler)[ I'm really liking the plot. I'm intrigued by the monster in Nikolai. I totally predict it's the Darkling or a remnant of him, and the story seems to be going that way, yay me!! As soon as the Yuri mentioned people are saying the Darkling didn't really die I just went: "Oh boy. The Darkling is possessing Nikolai (or something similar) isn't he. Great." So yeah, I totally think that is where it's going. If it's not, not gonna lie I'm going to be a bit disappointed.
I really like Zoya's character. I didn't really care for anyone in the original trilogy but I’m actually really enjoying all the characters in this one!
I do think some things would be clearer if I had read Ruin and Rising but it's fine. I understand enough. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Callie wrote: "Julie wrote: "Chapter 26: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I was just thinking this. I don't like how the book is going in two different directions. I am actually having trouble reading it. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Julie wrote: "Chapter 26: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I am only on chapter 16 and I want to be done. Now she is adding a new character Isaak POV and Im liking really! It may take me a little longer to get through this book then I thought. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Chapter 15: (view spoiler)[ I really like Zoya as a character. I think she has so much strengh shown in this book then any of the other ones. I wonder what it is that Nikolai and Zoya found on the fold.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Sarah wrote: "Chapter 15: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Have to agree, Zoya was really one of the best characters in this book and she had great character development. (hide spoiler)]

[callie]

Finished! (view spoiler)[ Okay I officially love Nikolai. I mean: "'I'm fairly sure you're trying to frighten me,' said Nikolai, reaching out a finger to touch the tip of the thorn. 'I'm not sure why, but may I suggest a spider wearing a suit?'
'Why a suit?' asked Zoya, frowning. 'Why not just a spider?'
'Where did he get the suit? How did he fasten the buttons? Why does he feel the need to dress up for the occasion?'"
I CANNOT
Also, when Nikolai started to train the demon in him, I could not stop laughing at the "Remember, he told himself, remember who you are." because, well…..

Yeahhhhhh

Isaak is super relatable! "…at least if I drowed, I won't have to sit through dinner." Same, Isaak, same. I kinda cringed when he "fell" for the Shu princess… like come on seriously? Other than that I loved him! When he first acted like Nikolai, Genya's reaction was the BEST!
Speaking of the Shu princess, that plot twist was really good. It wasn't completely unpredictable, like it didn't come out of nowhere, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it!

Over to Nina's plotline, I wanna know who the heck is impregnating these girls. Like their situation is terrible, but if y'all hate Grisha so much where you imprison them and force them to bear children I just wanna know who has got the guts to impregnate these Grisha that are addicted to the "new" parem stuff, that you know, makes them extra powerful. That might be weird of me, but I honestly want to know. That being said, I'm really glad they were rescued and I'm super curious about the "new" parem or changed parem or whatever. I can't wait to find out more about it and to continue on this plot line.
I'm just dying for the 2nd book… I'm pretty sure there isn't even an estimated release date yet. Yay! It's alright… I'll wait patiently…. maybe just semi-patiently… okay, okay, maybe not so patiently…
Anways, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I really enjoyed the characters and the plot. I give it a solid 4 stars!

Mentions of the Dregs characters counter (excluding Nina and Matthais):
Kaz: 6
Inej: 3
Jesper: 2
(You bet I kept count of how many times my babies have been mentioned.) (hide spoiler)]