King of Scars explained

King of Scars
Author:Leigh Bardugo
Cover Artist:Billelis[1]
Language:English
Genre:Fantasy
Publisher:Imprint
Pub Date:January 29, 2019
Media Type:Print
Isbn:978-1250142283
Followed By:Rule of Wolves
Series:King of Scars duology

King of Scars is a fantasy novel by the Israeli–American author Leigh Bardugo published by Imprint in 2019. It is the first in a duology, followed by Rule of Wolves,[2] and a continuation of Bardugo's Grishaverse. The story is primarily told in third person by three point of views: Nikolai Lantsov and Zoya Nazyalensky from the original trilogy in Ravka, and Nina Zenik from Six of Crows in Ketterdam.

Plot

King of Ravka Nikolai Lantsov attempts to rebuild his country after the Ravkan Civil War and get it in order to fend off threats from neighboring nations Shu Han and Fjerda while dealing with the demons the Darkling infested him with. Zoya Nazyalensky, his friend, a powerful Squaller, and general of Ravka's Second Army, is desperate to help him.

They also run into the Cult of the Starless Saint, who worship and claim loyalty to the Darkling. Yuri, the leader of this cult, travels with Zoya and Nikolai while they are searching for a way to control the monster inside of Nikolai. They are trapped in a remnant of the Shadow Fold that holds some of Ravka's Saints, including Sankta Elisaveta, Sankt Juris, and Sankt Grigori. Sankta Elisaveta helps Nikolai prepare for a dangerous ritual to rid himself of the monster, while Sankt Juris works with Zoya to hone her Grisha powers. Elisaveta ends up betraying Zoya and Nikolai with Yuri's help. Juris is murdered by Elisaveta and is joined with Zoya as an amplifier. By the end of the ritual, the Darkling's spirit has entered Yuri's body.

Meanwhile, Nina Zenik is disguised as a woman named Mila Jandersdat as she, Leoni, and Adrik help Grisha flee Fjerda, where Grisha are oppressed and even hunted. Shortly after burying her lover, Matthias, Nina meets Hanne, a Grisha living in secret in Fjerda. Hanne is revealed to be the child of Jarl Brum and Ylva, a Hedjut woman. Together, Nina and her allies manage to rescue young Grisha women and children who are being drugged with parem and forced to conceive children born already addicted to the drug. In the second half of the novel, Isaak, a member of Ravka's royal guard, is introduced. He is recruited by the Grisha at the palace to impersonate Nikolai, who has gone missing while on a mission to rid himself of the monster. Isaak struggles to hold his facade as the King of Ravka while attempting to find Nikolai a politically advantageous bride, finding interest in Princess Ehri of Shu Han. However, Princess Ehri is revealed to actually be a member of the Shu Han secret guard and fatally stabs Isaak and then herself, planning to frame Fjerda for the murders. The real Princess Ehri was disguised as a member of the secret guard. Despite witnessing this, Nikolai chooses the real Princess Ehri to be his bride.[3] [4] [5]

Characters

See main article: article and Characters of the Grishaverse.

Reception

King of Scars was an instant #1 New York Times Best Seller.[10]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryResultRef
2019Goodreads Choice AwardsBest Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction[11]
2020Locus AwardBest Young Adult Book[12]

Notes and References

  1. Leigh Bardugo reveals cover for her hot new fantasy, King of Scars. Entertainment Weekly. David. Canfield. 30 April 2018. 24 August 2020.
  2. All the details on Leigh Bardugo's next book, the King of Scars sequel. Entertainment Weekly. Seija. Rankin. 22 August 2020. 24 August 2020.
  3. The Ending Of 'King Of Scars' Is A Major Bomb — And Leigh Bardugo Likes It That Way. Bustle. Cristina. Arreola. 30 January 2019. 24 August 2020.
  4. Web site: 'King Of Scars' Muses On The Monstrous. NPR. Jason. Sheehan. 1 February 2019. 24 August 2020.
  5. Book review: YA queen Leigh Bardugo's 'King of Scars' a wild, magical ride. Deseret News. Ginny. Romney. 29 January 2019. 24 August 2020.
  6. Web site: Sheehan . Jason . 'King Of Scars' Muses On The Monstrous . . 11 October 2021 . 1 February 2019.
  7. Web site: Missen . Alana . 'King of Scars' and Its Impact On The Grishaverse . The Nerd Daily . 11 October 2021 . 8 September 2019.
  8. Book: Bardugo, Leigh. King of scars. 2019. 978-1-250-14228-3. 1st. New York. 1082865160.
  9. Web site: Knight . Rosie . WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SHADOW AND BONE . . 11 October 2021 . 11 January 2021.
  10. Web site: King of Scars. Macmillan. 24 August 2020.
  11. Web site: Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction . Goodreads . 8 October 2021.
  12. Web site: 2020 Locus Awards Winners . . 27 June 2020 . 8 October 2021.