King of Scars

The war with the Darkling may be over but Ravka is far from safe. Nikolai has his work cut out for him, trying to keep the countries surrounding Ravka from tearing it apart. But keeping the peace isn't the only thing Nikolai has to worry about. Scars left over from the Darkling riddle Nikolai's body and mind, filling him with dark magic. His nights are plagued by nightmares and the magic is beginning to take control of his mind. While Zoya and the others are doing all they can to keep Nikolai safe, he must find a cure as the darkness inside him digs its claws deeper.

Nina has been struggling to find a purpose in her life. Across the sea, she is working in secret to save Grisha and return them to Ravka. She is drawn to a munitions factory in Gafvalle, where the dead are calling to her. What she will find, will bring a whole new horror to the Grisha and she will have to come face to face with her worst enemy.

I will admit this book started off a bit slow. I was worried that after devouring the previous novels this one would let me down. I shouldn't have worried, because once again Leigh Bardugo created a story that takes hold of you and makes you continue reading. Of course, I was excited to read this one because of Nikolai. A whole book dedicated to Nikolai? Hell yes! Throughout the Grishaverse he has stolen quite a few hearts, mine included. His first few scenes show a man who is losing hope. A man who has been battling for so long time and just wants it to be over. I was disheartened and thought the man I fell in love with was gone. But then as he begins to plot and scheme, the old Nikolai begins to shine through.

Now there's Zoya, a character I have absolutely hated since she first appeared. The minute I saw she had chapters I was appalled. Her cold attitude, her cockiness, everything about her grated on my nerves. But then something amazing happened. Leigh Bardugo painted Zoya in an entirely new light and gave her a storyline where I actually began attaching myself to her and enjoying her chapters. Now that takes talent.

On top of the talent Bardugo has with character development, she never hesitates to throw her characters into tight situations. You'll be on the edge of your seat knowing all hell is breaking loose and guessing how the characters are going to save themselves. Once the story gets rolling, there is never a dull moment. She also doesn't hesitate to throw the floor out from underneath of you with her ending. Seriously, get ready for a hell of a next novel because she just upended everything!