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heartbrekker 's review for:
King of Scars
by Leigh Bardugo
Reread 3/30/23: This reread was definitely the right choice to make because I went from heavy disappointment via my first read through in 2019 to now loving this book. The power of mood reading is INTENSE. I don’t think I was in a headspace in 2019 to fully appreciate this book. I was blinded by my own anger at the Darkling returning, and while I still agree Leigh could’ve done something different in this duology, I’m okay with this end. I missed my Grisha babies, and I do really love the Sankt/Sankta lore.
Original review:
“Most women suffer thorns for the sake of the flowers, but we who wield power adorn ourselves with flowers to hide the sting of our thorns.”
It is such a surprise that I don’t have wholly positive thoughts about this novel. I can’t lie and say I wasn’t disappointed because then that would be a lie. I think I just went in with too high expectations. Plus, the writing was slow for me, specifically in the second half, which is something most people do not agree with. The first half of usually slower for most of the reviewers on this book, and the second half was the redeemable part. I’m the opposite.
Now I am happy we got to learn more about Zoya. She’s someone I’ve always adored, and her POV was definitely the most interesting. I’ve seen many people complaining about how this story seems more for her than Nikolai. Well, all I have to say to that is: to make a royal (or in this case a king), you need others to help them thrive. You have the soldiers, the servants, the citizens, etc. Ultimately, I think this story focuses on the internal sides of court, and what it takes to be a king. People don’t give those in the background (like Zoya) enough credit for how much they help the king keep the country afloat. And boy, are there a lot of issues in Ravka.. He was the core problem to this installment (besides really Nina but even then he assigned her there), and his struggles were the focus.
I still don’t know what my thoughts are in terms of the Darklings return. To start, I wish I could smack some kind of sense into the idiot who will not be named because he angers me so much. UGH he brings all sorts of anger. Moreover on the Darkling, sometimes I feel like it was cheap to bring him back, and other times, it makes sense to me. He’s a powerful force, and I do think his end in the Grisha trilogy was a tad easy. Though on the other hand Alina did work hard with some magic to get to that point. It makes me wonder, honestly, if Alina will return because she is a “saint” (plus, did her powers return?). I’d love to see her rejoin the story, but I know I’m in the minority there.
The saints plot files under the same category as the Darklings return for me. I am wishy washy about my thoughts and opinions, which isn’t the greatest feeling.
Lastly, I’m intrigued to see where Leigh goes with the sequel. Am I surprised at the route she took in those last 100 pages? Honestly, no, but I cannot wait to see the aftermath. It’s going to be chaotic FOR SURE.
Also I’m sorry for not talking spoilers/ more in depth. I thought about being super detailed, but the amount of negativity I was getting into didn’t make me feel good.
Original review:
“Most women suffer thorns for the sake of the flowers, but we who wield power adorn ourselves with flowers to hide the sting of our thorns.”
It is such a surprise that I don’t have wholly positive thoughts about this novel. I can’t lie and say I wasn’t disappointed because then that would be a lie. I think I just went in with too high expectations. Plus, the writing was slow for me, specifically in the second half, which is something most people do not agree with. The first half of usually slower for most of the reviewers on this book, and the second half was the redeemable part. I’m the opposite.
Now I am happy we got to learn more about Zoya. She’s someone I’ve always adored, and her POV was definitely the most interesting. I’ve seen many people complaining about how this story seems more for her than Nikolai. Well, all I have to say to that is: to make a royal (or in this case a king), you need others to help them thrive. You have the soldiers, the servants, the citizens, etc. Ultimately, I think this story focuses on the internal sides of court, and what it takes to be a king. People don’t give those in the background (like Zoya) enough credit for how much they help the king keep the country afloat. And boy, are there a lot of issues in Ravka.. He was the core problem to this installment (besides really Nina but even then he assigned her there), and his struggles were the focus.
I still don’t know what my thoughts are in terms of the Darklings return. To start, I wish I could smack some kind of sense into the idiot who will not be named because he angers me so much. UGH he brings all sorts of anger. Moreover on the Darkling, sometimes I feel like it was cheap to bring him back, and other times, it makes sense to me. He’s a powerful force, and I do think his end in the Grisha trilogy was a tad easy. Though on the other hand Alina did work hard with some magic to get to that point. It makes me wonder, honestly, if Alina will return because she is a “saint” (plus, did her powers return?). I’d love to see her rejoin the story, but I know I’m in the minority there.
The saints plot files under the same category as the Darklings return for me. I am wishy washy about my thoughts and opinions, which isn’t the greatest feeling.
Lastly, I’m intrigued to see where Leigh goes with the sequel. Am I surprised at the route she took in those last 100 pages? Honestly, no, but I cannot wait to see the aftermath. It’s going to be chaotic FOR SURE.
Also I’m sorry for not talking spoilers/ more in depth. I thought about being super detailed, but the amount of negativity I was getting into didn’t make me feel good.