King of Scars
The dashing young king, 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, Nikolai 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 general, 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.
Rule of Wolves
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.
My Take
If you haven’t read it yet, I would recommend reading the Shadow and Bone (The Grisha) trilogy and the Six of Crows duology before this one. You won’t be lost if you don’t but there are a number of references to people and events in the other books which might turn out to be spoilers. (I read them in order so it’s hard for me to say.) Plus I think these are the least of the Grishaverse works but still worth reading, if only to spend more time with the characters. I liked The Rule of Wolves better than King of Scars, perhaps because I find Zoya an interesting character. Nina’s continued development is also good. We see a bit more of life in countries beyond Ravka. I’d like to see yet more.
Still like the Grishaverse and hope for more from that world. I think the Darkling’s history should be interesting.