This book was our very first #BookTalkWithWifey pick! Come and watch us discuss this new additon to the GrishaVerse https://www.instagram.com/tv/BusssUinm05/


Any review to give this book (or the GrishaVerse in general) justice needs to itself to be the length of a novel. That's why I won't even start to pretend that I can put into words what Leigh Bardugo has created and brought to life: the GrishaVerse and everything that comes with it.

King Of Scars was one of my most anticipated releases of 2019, and I had to start it as soon as I got it in my hands. Nikolai was one of my favorite characters in the Grisha Trilogy, his cameo during the Six of Crows duology filled me with joy, and after what Bardugo already has accomplished to create with the Shadow And Bone and Six Of Crows books, I knew this would set another perspective to the world.

Magic, politics, religion, culture - all things Bardugo has proven to be a master when creating the GrishaVerse. And while we had a glimpse of this or that when reading the previous series, this book combined all aspects in one. So naturally, it felt good to be home again. After so many stories, characters, heartbreaks, we mgiht think we are ready, we might think we know it all. But we don't. I truly enjoyed this books so much and believe it's a great start for a series though I can't imagine how everything should be wrapped up in one more book. This needs more than just two books.

I loved the new take it had on Grisha magic and history; how it has opened a new door, so that after we thought we knew it all we can only be again the novices trying to understand this ficitional world with its complicated history of saints.

What suprised me most was that not Nikolai, but Zoya was the screen-stealer for me. This being Nikolai's book and me already being a huge fan of his, I never expected to enjoy someone else's chapters almost more. And never would I guessed those chapters would belong to Zoya. I couldn't care less for her in the Grisha trilogy, but she grew on me in this book, and if you ever hear someone screaming Zoya slaaaaays. Zoya is Queeeeeen, bet it is me. Generally, seeing all the characters again was great, it made coming home easier than I thought; though I had a moment or two where I felt it's either them or me who is awkward. Like when you have already moved out from home several years ago, and then you show up at a family part. Everything is so familiar, but then little things feel so forced. That's how I sometimes felt about David, Genya, and the twins.

The biggest disappointment was Nina's storyline, and the very reason why this book is not a full five star read. I was excited to see one of the dregs as a lead in this book; I was excited when I knew it's going to be Nina Zenik. The Nina Zenik. But we didn't got that. Not at all. Her storyline was seperated from the rest. On a different mission, we follow Nina and watch her mourn

Spoiler

Matthias

. While the first part of her story was rather emotional, and at the same time dragging; it was the second part that ruined it all. Nina felt so off character, I rarely recognized her as the waffles-loving-girl full of self-confidence from Ketterdam. And while I can accept many excusions, like "you know what she lost", "you know what happened to her", "you know what she's been through", etc.; I can not accept her behavior at all.

Spoiler

This needs to be explained. What bothered me the most was that Nina wasn't able to say her good-bye to Matthias, but as soon as she did after being basically forced to, her focus shifted to her new love interest. I really wanted a new romance for Nina, but not done like this. I keep shipping her and Trassel.

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While we got to see a lot of old characters, we also meet new ones; and I clearly gave my heart for one in particular. I can't say much, but that cinnamon-roll character was one I like to remember, while I keep forgetting or ranting about the other ones that got introduced.

So, reaching the end of the review means I will also talk about the end of the book. Clearly, I won't say a thing. But I knew it, or at least I hoped for that ending. It made sense after the build-up throughout the story, and now I can't wait to see how this will continue in the sequel. But honestly, I've got no idea how Leigh Bardugo will wrap up this in just one. more. book.

Spoiler

GUYS WHO DIED AS WELL WHEN THE DARKLING CAME BACK!!!! He surely was THE favorite character of mine in the Grisha trilogy, and while I am SO happy to see him back, I can't understand how this will go one. Because the only counterpart I see for him is Alina, so will this mean that she'll return as well? And how will this all change Nikolai's struggle with the monster inside him?

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I had a Book Talk with my Wifey about this book on our Bookstagram! My instagram handle is @drawingandreading, and you can check out our live chat, which we'll upload on IGTV there. And we had lots to say, because with this book and Bardugo's GrishaVerse, there is always a lot to say.