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

[Sarah A]

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

(view spoiler)[ I have to agree, I don't understand her part in this story. Its like it needed its own book not mixed into this one. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Callie wrote: "Finished! 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 s..."

I loved how you counted how many times Six of Crows characters were mentioned. I still think that series is my favorite.

[Sarah A]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ So this book took me way to long to finish. I feel like I didn't connect with the characters in this one the way I did with Six of Crow. The first half was so slow and the second half was really rushed. There are some question felt unanswered, but I am not sure I will pick up the next book. (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

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Date changed. Restarting May 5th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Tiffany]

Made it to chapter 4 last night: (view spoiler)[ I really liking being back in the grisha world! I did not see the Nikolai and Zoya being together. Like i dont think they are fully together like i read it as if they were like joking around but i wish they were together. I also like seeing Matthias in Ninas chapters! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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

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[Johanna]

Haha, would love to join (but late)

[Elena]

I've started a bit earlier.
About 50% into the book and I'm really happy with this one. I was afraid it's going to be like The Six of Crows series (which I didn't enjoy much). But here the winter slavic atmosphere is back, even bits of royal thing I loved are back.
(view spoiler)[
And I might be a bit biased here because Nikolai and Zoya were one of my favourites in the Trilogy and here they are the MCs and for now their story is very interesting with a hint of romance. I just wonder how it's going to end.
I also enjoy learning more about the monster Nikolai became and the hints of Darkling-might-be-back. Also the appearance of the saints was a surprise. Maybe Alina's going to be back to fight Darkling once again? Would be a nice twist.
Overall the story is still not as good as The Grisha Trilogy.
(hide spoiler)]

[Elena]

Finished reading like a week ago and had no time to update :) It was a page-turner for me. If I had less work I probably read this book in one sitting.
(view spoiler)[
1. What? Darkling is back? I'm both happy and not happy because I was so into the Darkling-Alina relations and without Alina it's not as good as it could be.
2. I love the sparks between Nikolai and Zoya. If I'm right, we're going to have a new queen in the next book. She is the best candidate for a queen.
3. I didn't like the line with saints. It was good at the beginning but turned out too pathetic.
(hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

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Date changed. Restarting January 20th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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[Danique]

I'm kinda scared to keep reading, because I think it'll be a while before the next book is out.. So it better not end on a cliffhanger thanks xD

[Danique]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ I love Nikolai so much.
"But -"
"Don't argue, David. Makes me want to blow something up to assert my authority."
Marry me pls (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Oh also, (view spoiler)[ loved the sneaky throwback to Kaz,
"Nikolai set to opening the Schuyler combination locks he'd learned about from a certain master thief in Ketterdam" teeeeheee
Nina is also turning really dark, hope she's okay.. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

I need to finish ruin and rising *sobbing* whyyyy
not even 10% into it, and i'm already bored

[Danique]

Such a mood ahaha, you can do it!!

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "Such a mood ahaha, you can do it!!"

I have made the decision to get through 10% today, and then do whatever I want.

[Danique]

I just finished my exam, so I'm finally forcing myself to read more of this today.. Wish me luck.

[Danique]

19%
(view spoiler)[ I'm not completely sure, but wasn't "Dunyasha Lazareva" who was just mentioned to be dead, the girl who was fighting Inej and who fell to her death? (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

22%
Another one of Nikolai his quotes:
(view spoiler)[ “I barely slept, and I woke with a crick in my back that feels like Tolya played lawn tennis with my spine." why do I find this so funny lol.
I am having a lot of trouble with the world, I'm not going to lie. I really just don't understand how much time has passed: they talk about Alina like it's been 300000 years or something, but the Apparat is still here? I'm so confused. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

27%
(view spoiler)[ Ah! Nina was a student at the school when the Darkling took them hostage! I still don't understand the timeline though. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

30%
(view spoiler)[ I love David finally stepping up! I also somehow missed that they're married?
“What was your name?”
“Yuri Vedenen, moi soverenyi.”
“Yuri Vedenen, if you upset my wife again, I will kill you where you stand.”
The monk swallowed. “Yes, moi soverenyi.”
“Oh, David,” Genya said, taking his hand. “You’ve never threatened to murder anyone for me before.”
“Haven’t I?” he murmured distractedly, placed a kiss on her knuckles, and continued reading. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Okay so, I'm making a list of Nikolai sayings, so I don't have to put in a new comment everytime looool
(view spoiler)[
“I hate to admit my ignorance,” said Nikolai. “It’s so much more fun for people to discover it on their own."

“Yuri is a true believer. Either that or he’s the greatest actor who ever lived, which I know isn’t possible.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I managed to smile through that choir concert, so clearly I am the greatest actor who ever lived.”

“That squash is as wide as I am tall,” Nikolai said beneath his breath as he smiled and waved.
“And twice as handsome.”
“Half as handsome,” he protested.
“Ah,” said Zoya, “but the squash doesn’t talk.”

“But we are all alike in the dark,” said the pilgrim. “Rich man, poor man.”
“A rich man can afford to keep the lights on,” Nikolai said mildly.

Nikolai’s brows rose. “So naturally I must die. This is all very civilized, but if you wanted to murder me, why not get on with it during the battle?”
Juris snorted again, steam billowing from his huge nostrils. “That was hardly a battle.”
“Then during that delightful cocktail party where you chased us down and tried to set fire to my hair.”

“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 for the occasion?”

“I like to bet on myself whenever I can. But usually with other people’s money.” (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "I just finished my exam, so I'm finally forcing myself to read more of this today.. Wish me luck."

Best of luck!
I might read this tomorrow, but I'm more likely to just start this in Feb

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "Okay so, I'm making a list of Nikolai sayings, so I don't have to put in a new comment everytime looool

“I hate to admit my ignorance,” said Nikolai. “It’s so much more fun for people to discover..."

Great idea!

[Danique]

Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "I just finished my exam, so I'm finally forcing myself to read more of this today.. Wish me luck."

Best of luck!
I might read this tomorrow, but I'm more likely to just start this ..."

I get that, it's kind of letting me down.. There is just SO much talk, and I can totally see the potential, since a lot of things are kind of being introduced which could be great, but I'm just not that invested :(

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "I just finished my exam, so I'm finally forcing myself to read more of this today.. Wish me luck."

Best of luck!
I might read this tomorrow, but I'm more likely to j..."

Oh no, I really hope this won't become too bad! I had such hopes for this!

[Danique]

Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "I just finished my exam, so I'm finally forcing myself to read more of this today.. Wish me luck."

Best of luck!
I might read this tomorrow, but I'm ..."

Same, maybe I'm just in a fantasy book reading slump idk :(

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "I just finished my exam, so I'm finally forcing myself to read more of this today.. Wish me luck."

Best of luck!
I might read this tom..."

it's possible...i feel somewhat the same, I'm actually going to start the next month with a romance, switch up the genres a bit, it might improve this mood i'm in mostly because of ruin and rising

[Danique]

Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "I just finished my exam, so I'm finally forcing myself to read more of this today.. Wish me luck."

Best of luck!
I mig..."

Yeah exactly :( Romance really helped me out of it, although I apparently don't enjoy fantasy as much anymore :( Hopefully it'll be back to normal soon!

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "I just finished my exam, so I'm finally forcing myself to read more of this today.. Wish me luck."

Best..."

Hope so too!

[Danique]

40%
I really love Zoya, (view spoiler)[ “Hand me that brandy,” said Zoya. “I can’t tolerate this degree of stupidity on a clear head.” (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

44%
(view spoiler)[ I really liked the little backstory of Nikolai. Poor thing, I really love him. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

51%
(view spoiler)[ “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.”
“I’m sorry I can’t deliver better wordplay right now. I seem to be paralyzed with fear.”

I just love their interactions so much! (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Okay I enjoyed this WAY more than I thought!!! I seriously can't wait to hear your thoughts on this ending, TRISHA START ASAP I MEAN IT IT'S WORTH IT AND I WANT TO FREAK OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE

[Danique]

But seriously though. I said it couldn’t end on a cliffhanger since the book won’t be out for a while. Guess who was screwed over??? Yeah, me. (view spoiler)[ HE. IS. BACK??!??????????????? Oh my my I freaked out. There were so many plottwists at the end and I flipped, I JUST FLIPPED. I can’t wait for the next book. I seriously can’t. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "Okay I enjoyed this WAY more than I thought!!! I seriously can't wait to hear your thoughts on this ending, TRISHA START ASAP I MEAN IT IT'S WORTH IT AND I WANT TO FREAK OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE"


I AM STARTING TODAY DO NOT WORRY

maybe I should worry

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "But seriously though. I said it couldn’t end on a cliffhanger since the book won’t be out for a while. Guess who was screwed over??? Yeah, me. [spoilers removed]"

Shit, that's scary

[Danique]

I’m sorry for scaring you, but you’ll get it 😭 Can’t wait to see what you think aaah

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "I’m sorry for scaring you, but you’ll get it 😭 Can’t wait to see what you think aaah"

Me too! I'll start it after lunch though (hour or two)

[Danique]

Okay! Enjoy :)

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "Chapter 5
"
OH MY GOD JUST SAME

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "Oh also, ."



I THOUGHT THE EXACT SAME THING WHEN I READ THAT!!!!

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Same, though, I'm worried about Nina, her chapter make me cry

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "19%
[spoilers removed]"

I think she was? Wait, I'll do a search

Yep, you're right! What happened to her though?

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "22%
.."
Okay, so you missed the hint, (view spoiler)[There was a quote a while back where it was said that it had been three years since the civil war, which is what the thing with Alina was, right?
Wait, I'll look for it
I used it in my status updates

"The talons had retracted, but his hands were still scarred with the faint black lines he had borne since the end of the civil war three years ago."

(hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Trisha wrote: "Same, though, I'm worried about Nina, her chapter make me cry"

Right :( I do really like that we have chapters from her POV!

[Danique]

Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "19%
[spoilers removed]"

I think she was? Wait, I'll do a search

Yep, you're right! What happened to her though?"

Ah! She fought Inej on a rooftop, and she blinded Inej with some sort of powder thingy. Theeeen Inej learned how to fight by sounds and got the best of her, and she stood on a loose plank or something and the girl went over the edge and fell to her death. Something like that at least lol

[Danique]

Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "22%
.."
Okay, so you missed the hint, [spoilers removed]"

Okay wait I saw that, but I didn't know the civil war was the thing with Alina! I thought it might've been something else, but it actually kind of makes sense now lol.

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "19%
[spoilers removed]"

I think she was? Wait, I'll do a search

Yep, you're right! What happened to her though?"

Ah! She fought Inej on a rooftop, and she blinded ..."

Oh yes, I remember now!

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Danique wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Danique wrote: "22%
.."
Okay, so you missed the hint, [spoilers removed]"

Okay wait I saw that, but I didn't know the civil war was the thing with Alina! I thought it might've been ..."

I'm not completely sure, but throughout the book, at least where I'm up to, they talk of the civil war as the the time since when Nikolai has the scars