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

[AHHHHHH]

King of Scars:

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.
———

We’re starting on February 2nd, 2019!

[✨ A ✨]

I'm so excited for this!! 😱😍

[AHHHHHH]

My copy was delivered in the mailbox yesterday, but there’s this weird system in which there’s a group mailbox for larg-ish packages (like books), and they didn’t give me the key for it. Now I can’t get the book until I find a way to get the key, ahhh.

[Tiera]

I'm going to jump in on this if thats ok!? I was trying to finish the first 3 Grishaverse books first. Should finish book 2 today.

[AHHHHHH]

I finally got my book, yay. I’m starting now :)

[✨ A ✨]

I'm just finishing up truthwitch today and then I'll start with this!

[AHHHHHH]

It feels so nostalgic (in a good way) to see these characters again. I missed them all so much!! I really love everything so far, and I can’t wait to see where Leigh Bardugo takes this <3

(view spoiler)[ I missed seeing Nikolai so much!! It must be so hard for him & Zoya though! And Nina is literally amazing. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to cope with Matthias’ death, though.
Also, I hope Alina makes a cameo! I’d love to see how Nikolai & Zoya meet with her/ keep in touch. I hope Nina gets to see her too. (Can you imagine her telling Inej that she met the Sun Summoner herself?!).
I can’t wait to get Nikolai’s perspective in the next few chapters!! (hide spoiler)]

[✨ A ✨]

I'm starting this now!

[✨ A ✨]

35%- finished chapter 10 - (view spoiler)[Reminders of Matthias's death are killing me. When Nina finally buried him I was crying like a baby. I think bardugo has written Nina's grief really well.

I missed Ravka so much! And I'm so happy this book has more than one POV. I love reading Zoya's especially 😏

I don't want Nikolai to just pick a random wife! I sense vibes between him and Zoya. So I'm shipping them for now.

It took me a while to remember that Adrik is Nadia's brother. Because I remember him as being more cheerful.

I can't wait to see what happens next 😆 (hide spoiler)]

Is this going to be a duology or a trilogy?

[✨ A ✨]

64% / finished chapter 20 - (view spoiler)[ I am just so glad for the confirmation that Zoya at least has feelings for Nikolai.

‘....to know if someone like him, full of hope and light and optimistic endeavor, could love someone like her.’

^^ I had a huge goofy smile on my face when I read that part.

I dislike that priest guy.
And wtf is up with the saints kidnapping them? I don't trust them at all. But I do hope they can help Nikolai and also help Zoya become even more kickass!

I love Isaak! He is adorable and I'm excited to read more about him ♥

Leoni is the girl that Jesper's mom saved and died for!!! Things are connecting 😏

I wonder what the fjerdans are doing to those girls. Are they creating a little Grisha army? (hide spoiler)]

[✨ A ✨]

88% /end of chapter 30 - (view spoiler)[ugh I love Isaak but I hope he doesn't do anything stupid to jeopardise Ravka : /

I cant believe Jarl Brum is Hanne's dad 😱 I hope their plan is successful.

Zoya's back story had me crying! I can't believe she went through all of that 😢 no wonder she is the way she is.

so I ended on such a cliff hanger. I totally knew that the saints couldn't be trusted! And that freakin' Yuri needs to perish.
But I have a feeling juris is not a part of this plan? Hopefully (hide spoiler)]

[✨ A ✨]

I'm done! (view spoiler)[okay wow I cried so many times during these last 10 chapters. Poor Juris! And Zoya has his power now which is incredible! The ending with the darling for real returning made me so fucking mad at Yuri the ignorant fool.

Ugh I knew Isaak was falling too fast for the princess and that he'd do something stupid like actually trust her! I did not however expect her to be a stunt double as well! So kudos for that twist!

I loved Nina's plan! She totally has a bit of Kaz Brekker in her. (hide spoiler)]

I highly recommend the audiobook. It was really well read.

[AHHHHHH]

I’ve barely had any time to read this week, but it’s finally the weekend!

Chapters 4-6

(view spoiler)[
I love how Nikolai is still developing new things for Ravka, because I liked that in Seige & Storm/Ruin & Rising, so I’m glad it’s still a big part of this story!

Seeing Nina cope with Matthias’ death is so sad, but she’s really found a way to turn all that anger and sadness into helping so many people.
(Also, I’m pretty sure we’ll see those girls in the unfirms again (or at least that one girl who talked with Nina), so that’ll be interesting!) (hide spoiler)]

[AHHHHHH]

Chapters 7-9

(view spoiler)[ That scene with Matthias being buried was so sad, ahhh. And it’s awful that the demon thing in Nikolai is getting stronger.
(Also all these mentions of people from SoC and the Grisha trilogy make me happy, but also a bit sad at the same time). (hide spoiler)]

[AHHHHHH]

I read up to to chapter 15 yesterday, and woww.

Chapters 10-15 (50%)

(view spoiler)[
AHHH WHAT JUST HAPPENED. There’s a cult for the darkling?!? What iS THIS.
Also, I can’t believe Zoya’s amplifier got broken?? I hope it can be fixed.

Ps- I’m loving all the references, they make this book 500% better. (hide spoiler)]

[AHHHHHH]

Chapter 16

(view spoiler)[
I loved this chapter so much. Isaak’s Nikolai impression was hilarious 😂. Honestly if you lined up a bunch of quotes from Nikolai and then sneaked in what Isaak said, they’d be nearly indistinguishable. (hide spoiler)]

[AHHHHHH]

Chapter 17-22

(view spoiler)[ So much happened, ahh. I don’t know how Nikolai manages to keep it together so well. Honestly though, Juris kind of grated on my nerves. I mean, I suppose his behavior is reasonable considering he’s been trapped in the Fold for who knows how long, but still. Every time the Saints — or whatever they are — insult Nikolai or Zoya or Alina, it’s so irritating.
But on another note, I love how Nina still says “no mourners,” and how she thinks of the Dregs every time she does anything risky. Kaz would probably smile if he knew of her scheme.
And I wonder how Isaak is holding up — it was a really close call when he stepped aside with the guards. Also with that whole assassination attempt against him. I wonder who did that. (hide spoiler)]

[AHHHHHH]

Chapter 23
(view spoiler)[Isaak seems to be doing pretty well as Nikolai so far, except for that whole nearly drowning thing. His chapters are really enjoyable so far. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[I can’t believe Hanne’s father is Jarl Brum. Of all people, it had to be him. It’s so weird that he actually speaks nicely to his daughter. But I mean he’d probably still kill her if he found out she was a Grisha. I really hope he doesn’t see through Nina’s disguise and find out that Hanne helped her. (hide spoiler)]

[AHHHHHH]

Chapter 30

Haha I’m not ok

(view spoiler)[ WHAT JUST HAPPENED. I CANNOT PROCESS THIS. I FEEL SO BETRAYED (AND I’D ACTUALLY BEGUN LIKING YURI). AND THE DARKLING ISN’T ACTUALLY ALIVE, RIGHT???.???? I was sad when the Darkling died, but I didn’t want him to like... come back and wreak more destruction than he already did. But I also don’t want Nikolai to become one with the monster, or something. NIKOLAI IS TOO PRECIOUS FOR THAT. (hide spoiler)]

[isra]

I just started this! nikolai is one of my favourite characters and why is he already suffering i-

[AHHHHHH]

Chapter 36

(view spoiler)[ A lot happened and just... what. I’m just reeling right now because I did not expect any of that. And the Darkling was still semi-alive??(On an unrelated note, there was a small typo on page 486, lol).

And now Ehri is probably some sort of assassin, which is even worse because I like Isaak and just want someone in this book to actually be happy. Is that too much to ask for?? At least Nikolai is around to spectacularly save the day (or send the nation into chaos, depending on how this goes). (hide spoiler)]

[AHHHHHH]

Chapter 37
(view spoiler)[ WHAT JUST HAPPENED. I can’t believe she stabbed him and then herself. Why do these things always happen to characters I’m starting to like?? Why do people keep betraying each other?? I need some waffles to cope with this. (hide spoiler)]

[AHHHHHH]

I finally finished, and can I just say: W H A T I N T H E W O R L D J U S T H A P P E N E D

[[deleted user]]

I bought my copy today, cant wait to start it tomorrow.

[[deleted user]]

So I just got sick today. So not sure how much I can read today but will try.

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 5 (view spoiler)[ Woah, Nikolai turns into an actual monster?? OKay wasn't expecting that at all, but I'm definitely intrigued. And Zoya is a fucking queen, I love her already. Nina is breaking my heart with her grief. Low key hoping Nina an Zoya will become a thing too. (hide spoiler)]

Ch.15 (view spoiler)[ I do not trust Yuri or the other priests for a hot second. I feel like they all have their own games and are about to betray Nikolai for their own good the second they can. I am loving Nina's chapters. Her grief feels so realistic, but it's overwhelmingly depressing (hide spoiler)]

Ch 28 (view spoiler)[ Well this stuff with the fold has made everything like 100x more interesting!! THis is probably my favorite of the grisha world. I'm enjoying seeing Zoya and Nikolai grow closer, but they still feel like friends more than lovers. But I am totally invested in Zoya as queen. Can Nina really trust Hanne? I love their lessons together, but I'm not sure if Hanne is too brainwashed by Fjerdan society. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ HOLY SHIT THAT ENDING WITH NINA AT THE FACTORY WAS AMAZING!! SHES TAKING DOWN BRUM FROM THE INSIDE AND I CANNOT WAIT. Also, wasn't expecting Yuri to become the Darkling reincarnated. not sure how I feel about Nikolai marrying princess Eirie after everything her guard and Isaak went through and poor Isaak! Why did he have to die!? (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

“Ahhhhhh” wrote: "I finally finished, and can I just say: W H A T I N T H E W O R L D J U S T H A P P E N E D"

This sounds like my reaction lmao. So many things happened and idk where to even start

[Dr. Andy]

Azrah wrote: "I'm done! okay wow I cried so many times during these last 10 chapters. .."

Nina did learn from the master himself at swindling lol

[[deleted user]]

Read the first chapter. Really captivated me from first second

[[deleted user]]

Read four chapters enjoying the new characters and the plot so far.

[[deleted user]]

Soo..
Crikets...
Everybody too bizzy to update?
I am reading but slowly I read it in bed and some nights am too tired to read.
I`m still pretty early in the book but really liking it.

[Lara]

Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[I did kind of suspect that it might be a trap but nooooooooo!!!! And poor Nikolai has been through so much :( I'm pretty sure he's gonna end up with Zoya in this book or the next... But I need to keep reading on!! (hide spoiler)]

[Lara]

Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[ This has picked up so much now, it was a bit slow at first but now I'm super into it!! And all the references to Six of Crows & The original Grisha trilogy make the whole reading experience so much more fun!! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 36: (view spoiler)[ Wow. Wowowowowowowow. Nikolai is so sweet and pure and does not deserve any of the bad things that have happened to him in this book. My goodness I am still reeling, so much happened in that chapter I can't even put it into words!!! (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ So good!!!! I'm tossing up between four and five stars, because the beginning did take me a little while to get into, but right now I'm thinking it deserves the full five because WOW SO MANY EMOTIONS!!!! And the ending... AHHHHHHHHHH I need the sequel now!!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

I finished it today.
I agree at first it was good, it took some time for it to be great, but when it got WOW.
I loved the different pov, espesially Isak.
I agree Lara the references were very fun.

[Lara]

Oda Renate wrote: "I finished it today.
I agree at first it was good, it took some time for it to be great, but when it got WOW.
I loved the different pov, espesially Isak.
I agree Lara the references were very fun."

Yayyyy, so glad you enjoyed it!!!

[[deleted user]]

Kind of curios what happened, were we around 5 who talked about br this in march? It ended up just being you and me.
Maybe the others forgot?
No worries it happens.

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 1-7

(view spoiler)[

It's great to be back in this world, even if I haven't finished the Grisha trilogy, and only read the first book, 40% of the second and the Six of Crows duology.

I think I am at a slight disadvantage, because I don't know Nikolai's history with the Darkling. I don't know what happened between them in the Grisha trilogy, but guys, I tried really hard to read those books. I just didn't like them. I'm sorry :(

That being said, I'm loving this book so far. Nina's chapters are making my heart hurt as I'm reminded on Mathias' death. It still cuts as deep as it did in Crooked Kingdom.

The arc about Nikolai turning into a ravenous monster at night is interesting though. Again, there's mentions of the Darkling so I've gathered that his affliction is related to that, but I'm interested in finding out if they can curb it, if they can use it in any way or cure Nikolai of it.

(hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'll be starting tomorrow! 10 pages from the end of crooked kingdom finally!

[Tayla]

I’m about 12% of this

[Ari ☾]

Starting this right now!

[Maddie]

I'm starting in around an hour!

[Maddie]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[I want the old Nikolai back :( The one who admitted he was actually falling in love with Alina!
And it's frustrating that I'm still annoyed with Nina's storyline, as she's tying in Six of Crows and for some reason that just frustrates me. But I am glad I finished Crooked Kingdom. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

This is going pretty slow so far :/

[Ari ☾]

Chapters 1-5
(view spoiler)[I am enjoying this book mucho. I feel so much for Nina. My heart is broken with her. But the Nikolai part (Minus the first chapter) are a little boring so far. I understand there's some needed world building and Nikolai's humor is making it a little better. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Yeah Nikolai's making this book for me. Nina's dragging it down :/

[Ari ☾]

Oh, haha. I’m opposite. I really enjoy the Nina parts.

[Maddie]

I didn't like Six of Crows, and it's trying to bring that duology into this one :/

[Eesh]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[Well, that wasn't a happy start. Like I didn't already hate the Darkling enough...
Also, I love how the romance started with Zoya trying to set him up with someone else. Love Zoya, by the way. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 8-17

(view spoiler)[I'm really enjoying this so far. But I am preferring Nikolai and Zoyas story a lot more than Ninas. I feel like more is happening in their side.

Zoya is becoming my fave character in this book. I love how badass she is, and she's deadpan and snarky, and there was a hint that maybe she's in love with Nikolai or used to be, but she knows it will never happen and it fuck so many things up so she's more than happy to be his general and look out for him, and ahh my heart.

(hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'm not liking it too much where I'm at. And I'm so disappointed. I really wanted it to be just nikolai not nina 🙄