Rule of Wolves (King of Scars #2) by Leigh Bardugo -- Restarting October 7th 2025

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

The wolves are circling and a young king will face his greatest challenge in the explosive finale of the instant #1 New York Times-bestselling King of Scars Duology.

The Demon King. As Fjerda's massive army prepares to invade, Nikolai Lantsov will summon every bit of his ingenuity and charm—and even the monster within—to win this fight. But a dark threat looms that cannot be defeated by a young king's gift for the impossible.

The Stormwitch. Zoya Nazyalensky has lost too much to war. She saw her mentor die and her worst enemy resurrected, and she refuses to bury another friend. Now duty demands she embrace her powers to become the weapon her country needs. No matter the cost.

The Queen of Mourning. Deep undercover, Nina Zenik risks discovery and death as she wages war on Fjerda from inside its capital. But her desire for revenge may cost her country its chance at freedom and Nina the chance to heal her grieving heart.

King. General. Spy. Together they must find a way to forge a future in the darkness. Or watch a nation fall.

[Jenn]

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[ I feel bad for this Princess Ehri. Her own sister wants her dead and she has no idea. Also I am glad to say that I am enjoying Nina more in this book so far. I'm also hoping we get some surprise appearances from characters (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[it's so nice to see Alina again and even Mal. I feel their story ended so abruptly. But at the same time theyre obviously falling trap to darkling and giving him exactly what he wants (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[ 😭😭😭 Poor Genya. To lose David on their wedding day. Not gonna lie, Zoya's speech had me in tears. I was hoping none of the mains were hurt but knew that was a foolish notion (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 27: (view spoiler)[ okay while I expected Alina to come back, I did not expect Kaz! Loving the cameos in this book. But also worried how everything is going to turn out (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ omg Zoya's reaction when Nikolai asked her to be queen. Loved it! And the whole Hanne switching with the Prince! So many good moments in this book. And an interesting set up to the next SoC book (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

I’m not ready for this one aaah😭

[Jenn]

I don't think anyone is!

[Aly]

Chapter 1-12 (view spoiler)[ I just want Zoya and Nikolai together! Can that happen please?
Also, I wouldn't mind Nina and Hanne. Nina deserves to love again (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 8: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, poor girl. And I love Nina! She's my favorite character in this

[Aly]

Chapter 13-16 (view spoiler)[ Zoya should have heard his message! What if he's killed and knew something important! Ugh you frustrating woman.
I am happy to see Alina and Mal. Now I want to see the Crows! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I was happy to see them too. It's crazy that they'd go along with the Darkling after what he did before! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Chapter 17-21 (view spoiler)[ Is Alexander the Darkling's real name? It's odd seeing him and Yuri in one body.
Poor poor David :( (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 20: [spoilers removed]"

I know! So horrible

[Aly]

Chapter 22-28 (view spoiler)[ The crows are back baby! I love them so much (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 27: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I was ecstatic to see the crows again! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Chapter 29-30 (view spoiler)[ Wow Rasmuss is a mofo and I'm glad Nina isn't going to leave Hanne with him. I also don't want her to kill Joran, I know he killed Mattias but it won't bring him back (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Finished (view spoiler)[ The last couple hours were so good! The fighting, Zoya's dragon, seeing the two couples get together, wow. I thought the middle got slow but then the ending ramped everything up.

I hope we get another book eventually with the Crows and them trying to find the heart. That would make me incredibly happy (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

I hope so!! I cannot wait

[Danique]

Can I still join this one?😳

[Danique]

Rule of wolves
5%
Uhm okay what just happend..? (view spoiler)[ Can’t say I really care for that Makhi queen, I’m kinda hoping she won’t be a big part of the story because I don’t care 😂 I remember that I loved the ending last time, but found the rest of the story a bit slow so I’m hoping this one will be better.. I did love the Nina chapters so can’t wait for that.
I completely forgot everything about what’s happening though, I forgot that she left with Brum and Hanne😂 I do like Hanne and Nina, I’m just struggling with all the info and I just want action😂😂 I did like the Nina chapter again!
Can’t wait for Nikolai though, I missed his sarcasm. I also forgot that there’s an ‘imposter’ coming for his throne, he better not be hurt in the process.
I really should’ve reread King of Scars, can’t remember anything 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

@Danique I agree with you, I found that the first book dragged a bit. And I had to reread the first one over because I had forgotten so much hahaha. Can't wait to see what you think!

[Aly]

I liked this one more than the first one

[Danique]

Aly wrote: "I liked this one more than the first one"

Ahh that's good to know! :)

[Danique]

7%
I’m going so slow aaah!
(view spoiler)[ I laughed so hard when I realized that Nikolai his horse is called Punchline, I can’t 😂😂 I remember really starting to like Zoya in the last one, but I’m back to not really caring about her at the moment.. Aaaaaah
I am however loving the Nina chapters again!! I just feel like there is less ‘bla bla’ and more action in them😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

19%
(view spoiler)[ Ahh damn that was brutal! Ehri obviously isn’t the smartest girl alive lol, but that was too bad.. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

35%
(view spoiler)[ Aaaaah what just happend?? I’m very happy to see Alina! Don’t really like Mal still, but I’m so happy to see them! Their story was over quite soon, so I’m glad to see them for a little while again. It did feel a bit stupid to give the Darkling what he wanted, I wonder what’ll happen next! The changing POV’s really keep me on my toes; it ends in a cliffhanger nearly every time, which makes it hard to read from someone else’s perspective while you just want to know how the story will proceed 😂 I still love Nina’s POV to bits, and I’m guessing Hanne will be/is trans, so that’ll be interesting too!
Also, Nikolai has the blue ribbon that Zoya keeps wearing in her hair, in his pocket on his wedding day??? That’s the cutest ever oh my🥺 (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]"

Ahh yes!! I felt the exact same haha!

[Danique]

40%
(view spoiler)[ Why on earth did Nina not let Magnus speak??? It was obvious that he wanted to tell her something important, so why didn’t she just let him finish? It would’ve literally taken a second aaaah, that’s so annoying! I really, really don’t like Rasmus argh, he’s going to be trouble & Hanne should definitely stop healing him
The wedding was cute, I’m glad Nikolai didn’t marry Ehri, but the wedding was instead for Ghenya and David! (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

50%
(view spoiler)[ I feel so bad for Genya, she has been through so much and now this, on her wedding day?! I feel so ba arghhh
But on a happier note; they are going to ketterdam, which must mean we get to see the Crows!!! Can’t wait ieeh (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

64%
(view spoiler)[ I’m not going to lie, I actually screamed a little bit when Kaz came in!! And then Jesper and Wylan, I’m so bloody happy! I also loved how they mentioned Inej and Kaz is still so love struck hehe, I love them :D (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

81%
(view spoiler)[ I really don’t know why but I feel like screaming from excitement all of the time😂😂 So much is happening and we’re finally in the action! Can’t believe Nina has been taking by that prick of an Apparat, hope he dies. Can’t wait to see what the Darkling has in store either aaah (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

90%
(view spoiler)[ Why do I feel like Hanne isn’t dead at all? I’m thinking she took the face of the prince; she wanted to be a guy anyway and this would be a great way to become one lol. I’m guessing she’s now Rasmus and Rasmus is actually dead with her face. Okay this theory might be insane but I don’t know.
I loved Zoya becoming het dragon, can’t wait to see how everything will go now (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Aly wrote: "Chapter 17-21 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yess, in Ruin and Rising he says it to Alina right before he dies! (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ Damn, what a rollercoaster! I think I liked the ending, but I'm not too sure what I feel about Nikolai and Zoya reversing roles? Hmm..
I loved how Inej was there for a little while, I hope the ending was a step up to the next crow book ieh!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Dee Dee]

Jumping in on this one

[Dee Dee]

Danique wrote: "7%
.."
That part was hilarious to me too. And by a mile, (view spoiler)[Nina's (hide spoiler)] chapters are my favourite too, just like the first one.

[Dee Dee]

Danique wrote: "19%
[spoilers removed]"

I feel bad more for (view spoiler)[Nikolai having to deal with the repercussions of her stupidity than I do for her having been burned. Oops. Lol (hide spoiler)]

[Dee Dee]

Aly wrote: "Chapter 1-12 "

Yes to both of these things. I would give my right kidney for both of those ships to find some form of happiness.

[Dee Dee]

Ch 28 - Seeing (view spoiler)[Kaz, Jesper and Wylan interact again gave me so much serotonin I could cry! (hide spoiler)]

[Dee Dee]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 20: [spoilers removed]"

This broke meeeee

[Dee Dee]

I definitely am liking this one so much more than the first. Again, Nina's POV top all the others but now that (view spoiler)[they're in Ketterdam, that's going to take over as my favourite sections (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

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

I feel bad more for [spoilers removed]"

Same hahaha!

[Danique]

Dee Dee wrote: "Ch 28 - Seeing [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yes holy shit I was so excited!! I missed them so much aaah! Have you watched Shadow and Bone on Netflix yet? :) (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Dee Dee wrote: "I definitely am liking this one so much more than the first. Again, Nina's POV top all the others but now that [spoilers removed]"

I agree! The Nina chapters are so great, (view spoiler)[ and them being in Ketterdam is just amazing ah! I wish Nina was there too (hide spoiler)]

[Dee Dee]

@Danique if (view spoiler)[Nina had been there too then this book would have been perfect in my eyes haha. I've gotten to episode six and trying to savour the last two. I don't want it to be over<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Dee Dee]

I couldnt put this book down long enough to update during the last few chapters as so much was happening and I was way too into it. (view spoiler)[This one was everything that i had wanted King of Scars to be. The character arcs and plot finally made sense, the favourites in the group got a moment to shine and all that they were working towards finally came to a head. I really wanted Genya to get her happy ending but at least Zoya and Nikolai and Nina and Hanne got theirs. Can't wait to see where this goes.<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

38% (view spoiler)[I knew him getting to see Alina would be bad. These chapter shifts are killing me! Just keep trying to remind myself she’s happy and grows old in the Grisha epilogue so I just have to think positive lol (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

47% (view spoiler)[Omg nooooo not David. And on their wedding day too 😭😭😭 (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

80% (view spoiler)[Ok score 1 for Nikolai but what else do these Fjerdan’s have up their sleeves? Also did not see Nina and Hanna becoming romantic, I really thought Nina would be moping Matthias forever, I’m happy for them and hope they can have a future. (hide spoiler)]