At this point, reading a story set in the Grishaverse feels so comforting and nice that I still found myself enjoying this duology. But I completely agree that it was the weakest plotted series, had wayyy too much going on, and a lot of moments felt like fan service. And I was so mad about David! Him and Genya were so cute together. 😩
I agree with everything you said! I was actually disappointed with Nina getting a new romance… why can’t she just be on her own not everyone needs a relationship
I felt the same way about the Darkling. I cried when Zoya turned into the dragon. David's death actually shocked me, like I thought they would still somehow bring him back because there was no body. Genya really deserves better than these books. I also didn't know how I felt about the Hanne stuff. It felt weird "solving" that with magic.
The Darkling also tells Zoya 'You and I are going to change the world' (in a flashback) in KoS. And I hate it. I know that not everything he told Alina was genuine and he was manipulating her, but it would be a very cheap manipulation if he used it on everyone...
I wish I could forget that I read this duology. I loved the OG trilogy & thought it ended perfectly. I had hopes that Alina still had something of her powers. To bring back the Darkling without restoring her felt so off to me. What was the point of the trilogy?! I don’t know why she felt the need to undermine it when the Darkling didn’t even do anything in these books. It was fan service bringing back him and the Crows. Also, a lot of the focus of the OGs was that you can’t have too much power, but suddenly Zoya can be a dragon and a queen? (Why couldn’t Alina have had more? 😩) On a positive note (lol), I *really* enjoyed the parts in Shu Han and Nina’s story. I just wish she had written those as separate books. If she ever writes in the Grishaverse again, I’m not going to read it.
@@pedrohenriquemartinsthome3998 Why are you commenting comments like this under every video that remotely mentions these two? What do you dislike about this ship specifically that it makes you feel sick?
I genuinely enjoyed the duology, however my main issue comes from the simple fact that Fjerdans do not understand basic mobile armoured warfare. They are military superpower, and have been written as force to be reckoned witht. Yet they drive their tanks across and *open field with zero infantry support not artillery support*. Overall it is decent, but if she wants do more military stuff, I recommend at least skimming how war in this setting/period worked.
After finishing the books I almost feel like I would've preferred Nina's story as it's own book, because I was much more invested in that than Nikolai going to the fold. I love that Zoya became the dragon, and I really liked Isaac in the first book, but maybe Nina could have had her own book to dive deeper into fjerda. I'm happy with this Duology overall, I had fun with it, but I don't think it's one I'll read as often as Six of Crows.
i really agree with you for most points! the thing that annoyed me most about this was how the darkling was handled - it almost felt like leigh only brought him back to have a cliffhanger at the end of KoS. it also annoyed me how nikolai felt relegated to a side character, which again i think had to do with the marketing for the series. overall the duology was /fine/ but by far the weakest grisha series
I really enjoyed this book! I happen to love all the Grishaverse series mostly equally. Nikolai is my favorite GV character, and he actually inspires me. In a way, I relate slightly to a couple things with him and his confidence makes me want to be more confident. His words and way of carrying himself even when he doesn't feel top-notch - that inspires me a little. One thing I though would be great in this book and I'd still almost want a book/novella with is Jesper and Leoni meeting in the present. He could maybe go to Ravka, likely with Wylan, to understand his power, but meet this Fabrikator who's connected to his past. He find a way to make peace with his mom's death & see what her sacrifice did for another Grisha. Leoni could teach Jesper more about his power. Wylan would learn why he closed himself off from the power. I had also wanted Wylan & David to meet but oh well.
Omg I have been waiting for your opinion on this book! I had almost the same exact thoughts as you after reading the book. I loved Zoya overall and her becoming the queen. I felt so bad for Genya when David died (she deserves all the happiness). Honestly I agree, if Leigh continues to write for the Grishaverse I want new characters (aside from the crows of course).
My thing with Rule of Wolves is that I liked it. I read it very quickly. I enjoyed a lot of things that happened in it and I think I gave it like five stars but I still would have written it completely different. I didn't like that the Darkling was back, I think she could've just focused on Ravka being at war with Fjerda and tensions with Shu Han and still made a great book about both Nikolai and Zoya with that.
I totally agree, and yea, I enjoyed it too. The grishaverse books are starting to be like the shadowhunter books for me, meaning that I'm not even going for the plot anymore just for the comfort of staying in the same universe not having to use my brain a lot, and being able to meet my friends again Tho why the hell did she have to kill David
This whole book is feeling (because im stuck on the chapter from Mayu's pov) like a lot is going on but NOTHING IS HAPPENING. It feels so lazy to have the characters say and do nothing most of the book and then only read about why things upset them. I don't care!!! I just want this duology to be over. The whole thing could've just been Nikolai and Zoya trying to get the demon out of him while there's political upheaval. We dont need Nina the spy, we dont need the darkling to resurrect (it besmirched Alina's whole trilogy arc), we don't need the life story of the side characters, and from what I understand, we dont need to see the crows again.
I feel like Nina’s storyline in this duology could’ve been it’s own book, these have a similar problem to the show where they’re trying to do too much all at once
If I completely separate these 2 books from the other Grishaverse books, I’d say they were exciting and interesting and worth the read. But I did NOT like how they totally undermined the first trilogy. I also hated the loss of David. Seemed unnecessary to me. I was pretty pleased after book 1-not so after book 2. I personally won’t reread, recommend or even consider them part of the “real” Grishaverse in my head. Not a fan.
darkling was a bad turn, it ate some more valuable time... we were around the grishaverse. I really enjoyed your review. Joran was the twist I didn't see coming. Then there's Zoya. We learnt about her character a lot. the garden and the convo between nina and zoya, the dragon, it was really cute. I liked the part where Genya, Alina nd Zoya gather around to discuss kingdom problems, our Grisha Trio. The Triumvarate was much more like found family. I'm not that disappointed except Darkling returns part, overall the packet of surprises were worth reading
I guess I’m the only person who didn’t care for Nina’s story in this duology. I felt like she was just a plot device, not an actual person. David’s death broke my heart. I truly loved him. I can’t believe you didn’t realize Joran was Matthias’ assassin. I figured that out pretty much as soon as the character was revealed. I agree that this is Zoya’s duology-not Nikolai’s. But in the entire Grishaverse, my favorite male character is Kaz & my favorite female character is Zoya, so I’m glad we got to know her so much better.
I was super angry when David died, because it was so unnecessary, in my opinion. The plot would have been the same with him still alive. I completely agree with you about the Darkling - he was a good villain in the trilogy, but then he died, and that should have been the end of his story. But overall, I liked the books, because there were many really cool scenes in them. It was nice to read about the familiar characters again, and there were some good twists.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rule of Wolves, it's got a lot going on but that is what I like and the way the chapters are organised made it easier to follow the stories. I think this book was a lot more dynamic than Kings of Scars and I liked that she brought back the characters from previous adventures. It looks like a prep for a grand finale. Zoya really grew on me after reading this book as her story is in some aspects even more powerful than Alina's. I do wonder about the Darkling though as I think this was kind of his time to die so if he will ever come back it will need to have a strong storyline. Part of me fears that now that Zoya is a queen without a 'proper' king this might be where we'll see him next, trying to usurp power by trapping her in some sort of evil arrangement. Plus, based on what you said about characters who usually die I think the poor Nikolai's days could be numbered.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who enjoyed this book! And I actually liked how there was so much going on because it’s so expansive and I was impressed how she managed to mend it all together. I just love Zoya and Nikolai and actually think their character interactions/romance is way better than Alina and Mal’s imo. And I loved the crows coming in like yes it wasn’t necessary but anytime with Kaz on the page is always gold! And I love Kaz and Nikolai together because they are the two most cunning characters!
I liked Nina’s story the best of this duo. The rest was kind of meh. It definitely was not Nikolai’s story which is what I went into the first book expecting.
Great discussion. :-) I loved both books (King of Scars and Rule of Wolves). Loved the focus on Zoya. She is awesome. I was late to the Grishaverse so all the books were out when I started them so I read all the way through from the beginning. The Crows are my favorite. :-). I love Nina but I felt like she got over Matthias rather quickly. Having David die... I liked him and Genya deserves happiness. :-( Also, I am a total fool for redemption arcs and I want the Darkling to somehow be redeemed. I know, he's a bad guy but...
i finally got around to reading this and pretty much agreed with everything you said. though i would like to see the crows in a duology again, i'd rather it not tie into this at all, i just don't think it's necessary. some brand new characters in the grishaverse would be cool too. or maybe i'll just have to read ninth house now. as of the time i'm writing this the second book has been announced for jan (i think) 2023.
While I absolutely agree with everything said, I was absolutely living for Leah Bardugo when she made the darkling suffer in the world between worlds for all eternity in pain and anguish. I loved how she finally put her foot down on the dumb Darkling Stans and said, "I'm going to canonically make your dumb stan suffer for the rest of his immortal life." WE STAN A QUEEN IN THAT REGARD.
I'm not homophobic but honestly Nina x Hanne seems so wrong and just.....so bad. Like??? Hello I know moving on is good but really? She just had to look like Rasmus? Nina had to stay in Fjerda? Like I'm gonna hurl myself over a bridge. Also uhm did Darkling have to die? No die isnt even a right word, stay in eternal suffering? But hell what about Yuri? What did he do? Also im so mad about Zoya being queen and Nikolai stepping down like seriously the whole grishaverse is about avoiding power and this happens. Zoya becomes queen with no Nikolai, and an jmmortal queen i tell you. The worst book in grisha verse i *ever* read. Six of crows was way better and honestly even the triology. King of Scars was good and had sooo much potential but Rule of Wolves? I wish to delete it from my memory.
At this point, reading a story set in the Grishaverse feels so comforting and nice that I still found myself enjoying this duology. But I completely agree that it was the weakest plotted series, had wayyy too much going on, and a lot of moments felt like fan service. And I was so mad about David! Him and Genya were so cute together. 😩
I agree with everything you said! I was actually disappointed with Nina getting a new romance… why can’t she just be on her own not everyone needs a relationship
Nina and hanne 🤢
I felt the same way about the Darkling. I cried when Zoya turned into the dragon. David's death actually shocked me, like I thought they would still somehow bring him back because there was no body. Genya really deserves better than these books. I also didn't know how I felt about the Hanne stuff. It felt weird "solving" that with magic.
The Darkling also tells Zoya 'You and I are going to change the world' (in a flashback) in KoS. And I hate it. I know that not everything he told Alina was genuine and he was manipulating her, but it would be a very cheap manipulation if he used it on everyone...
This is actually a dumb new thing leigh wrote for this series, honestly. Why would he say that to a squaller? Like, wtf???
I wish I could forget that I read this duology. I loved the OG trilogy & thought it ended perfectly. I had hopes that Alina still had something of her powers. To bring back the Darkling without restoring her felt so off to me. What was the point of the trilogy?! I don’t know why she felt the need to undermine it when the Darkling didn’t even do anything in these books. It was fan service bringing back him and the Crows.
Also, a lot of the focus of the OGs was that you can’t have too much power, but suddenly Zoya can be a dragon and a queen? (Why couldn’t Alina have had more? 😩)
On a positive note (lol), I *really* enjoyed the parts in Shu Han and Nina’s story. I just wish she had written those as separate books.
If she ever writes in the Grishaverse again, I’m not going to read it.
Nina hanne 🤢
@@pedrohenriquemartinsthome3998 Why are you commenting comments like this under every video that remotely mentions these two? What do you dislike about this ship specifically that it makes you feel sick?
I genuinely enjoyed the duology, however my main issue comes from the simple fact that Fjerdans do not understand basic mobile armoured warfare. They are military superpower, and have been written as force to be reckoned witht. Yet they drive their tanks across and *open field with zero infantry support not artillery support*. Overall it is decent, but if she wants do more military stuff, I recommend at least skimming how war in this setting/period worked.
After finishing the books I almost feel like I would've preferred Nina's story as it's own book, because I was much more invested in that than Nikolai going to the fold. I love that Zoya became the dragon, and I really liked Isaac in the first book, but maybe Nina could have had her own book to dive deeper into fjerda. I'm happy with this Duology overall, I had fun with it, but I don't think it's one I'll read as often as Six of Crows.
i really agree with you for most points! the thing that annoyed me most about this was how the darkling was handled - it almost felt like leigh only brought him back to have a cliffhanger at the end of KoS. it also annoyed me how nikolai felt relegated to a side character, which again i think had to do with the marketing for the series. overall the duology was /fine/ but by far the weakest grisha series
Guess I'm the only one who loved Darkling's pov
I really enjoyed this book! I happen to love all the Grishaverse series mostly equally. Nikolai is my favorite GV character, and he actually inspires me. In a way, I relate slightly to a couple things with him and his confidence makes me want to be more confident. His words and way of carrying himself even when he doesn't feel top-notch - that inspires me a little.
One thing I though would be great in this book and I'd still almost want a book/novella with is Jesper and Leoni meeting in the present. He could maybe go to Ravka, likely with Wylan, to understand his power, but meet this Fabrikator who's connected to his past. He find a way to make peace with his mom's death & see what her sacrifice did for another Grisha. Leoni could teach Jesper more about his power. Wylan would learn why he closed himself off from the power. I had also wanted Wylan & David to meet but oh well.
Omg I have been waiting for your opinion on this book! I had almost the same exact thoughts as you after reading the book. I loved Zoya overall and her becoming the queen. I felt so bad for Genya when David died (she deserves all the happiness).
Honestly I agree, if Leigh continues to write for the Grishaverse I want new characters (aside from the crows of course).
My thing with Rule of Wolves is that I liked it. I read it very quickly. I enjoyed a lot of things that happened in it and I think I gave it like five stars but I still would have written it completely different. I didn't like that the Darkling was back, I think she could've just focused on Ravka being at war with Fjerda and tensions with Shu Han and still made a great book about both Nikolai and Zoya with that.
I totally agree, and yea, I enjoyed it too. The grishaverse books are starting to be like the shadowhunter books for me, meaning that I'm not even going for the plot anymore just for the comfort of staying in the same universe not having to use my brain a lot, and being able to meet my friends again
Tho why the hell did she have to kill David
This whole book is feeling (because im stuck on the chapter from Mayu's pov) like a lot is going on but NOTHING IS HAPPENING. It feels so lazy to have the characters say and do nothing most of the book and then only read about why things upset them. I don't care!!! I just want this duology to be over. The whole thing could've just been Nikolai and Zoya trying to get the demon out of him while there's political upheaval. We dont need Nina the spy, we dont need the darkling to resurrect (it besmirched Alina's whole trilogy arc), we don't need the life story of the side characters, and from what I understand, we dont need to see the crows again.
I feel like Nina’s storyline in this duology could’ve been it’s own book, these have a similar problem to the show where they’re trying to do too much all at once
If I completely separate these 2 books from the other Grishaverse books, I’d say they were exciting and interesting and worth the read. But I did NOT like how they totally undermined the first trilogy. I also hated the loss of David. Seemed unnecessary to me. I was pretty pleased after book 1-not so after book 2. I personally won’t reread, recommend or even consider them part of the “real” Grishaverse in my head. Not a fan.
darkling was a bad turn, it ate some more valuable time... we were around the grishaverse. I really enjoyed your review. Joran was the twist I didn't see coming. Then there's Zoya. We learnt about her character a lot. the garden and the convo between nina and zoya, the dragon, it was really cute. I liked the part where Genya, Alina nd Zoya gather around to discuss kingdom problems, our Grisha Trio. The Triumvarate was much more like found family. I'm not that disappointed except Darkling returns part, overall the packet of surprises were worth reading
I guess I’m the only person who didn’t care for Nina’s story in this duology. I felt like she was just a plot device, not an actual person.
David’s death broke my heart. I truly loved him.
I can’t believe you didn’t realize Joran was Matthias’ assassin. I figured that out pretty much as soon as the character was revealed.
I agree that this is Zoya’s duology-not Nikolai’s. But in the entire Grishaverse, my favorite male character is Kaz & my favorite female character is Zoya, so I’m glad we got to know her so much better.
I didn't care for Nina's story either. It could've been a very small arc or its own book. Like you said, it was a plot device.
I was super angry when David died, because it was so unnecessary, in my opinion. The plot would have been the same with him still alive.
I completely agree with you about the Darkling - he was a good villain in the trilogy, but then he died, and that should have been the end of his story.
But overall, I liked the books, because there were many really cool scenes in them. It was nice to read about the familiar characters again, and there were some good twists.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rule of Wolves, it's got a lot going on but that is what I like and the way the chapters are organised made it easier to follow the stories. I think this book was a lot more dynamic than Kings of Scars and I liked that she brought back the characters from previous adventures. It looks like a prep for a grand finale. Zoya really grew on me after reading this book as her story is in some aspects even more powerful than Alina's. I do wonder about the Darkling though as I think this was kind of his time to die so if he will ever come back it will need to have a strong storyline. Part of me fears that now that Zoya is a queen without a 'proper' king this might be where we'll see him next, trying to usurp power by trapping her in some sort of evil arrangement. Plus, based on what you said about characters who usually die I think the poor Nikolai's days could be numbered.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who enjoyed this book! And I actually liked how there was so much going on because it’s so expansive and I was impressed how she managed to mend it all together. I just love Zoya and Nikolai and actually think their character interactions/romance is way better than Alina and Mal’s imo. And I loved the crows coming in like yes it wasn’t necessary but anytime with Kaz on the page is always gold! And I love Kaz and Nikolai together because they are the two most cunning characters!
I wished that she hadn't included Kaz and co. earlier in the book and that final tease be the only mention of them.
I liked Nina’s story the best of this duo. The rest was kind of meh. It definitely was not Nikolai’s story which is what I went into the first book expecting.
Great discussion. :-) I loved both books (King of Scars and Rule of Wolves). Loved the focus on Zoya. She is awesome. I was late to the Grishaverse so all the books were out when I started them so I read all the way through from the beginning. The Crows are my favorite. :-). I love Nina but I felt like she got over Matthias rather quickly. Having David die... I liked him and Genya deserves happiness. :-( Also, I am a total fool for redemption arcs and I want the Darkling to somehow be redeemed. I know, he's a bad guy but...
Dude you so chill and funny
i finally got around to reading this and pretty much agreed with everything you said. though i would like to see the crows in a duology again, i'd rather it not tie into this at all, i just don't think it's necessary. some brand new characters in the grishaverse would be cool too. or maybe i'll just have to read ninth house now. as of the time i'm writing this the second book has been announced for jan (i think) 2023.
Yes totally agree
10:58 there's a way for authors to do this better... violent flashback to Lies of Locke Lamora
I did enjoy rule of wolves but not as much as king of scars or the grisha trilogy
*sees thumbnail* Hold on, hold on. I need to make some popcorn for this.
While I absolutely agree with everything said, I was absolutely living for Leah Bardugo when she made the darkling suffer in the world between worlds for all eternity in pain and anguish. I loved how she finally put her foot down on the dumb Darkling Stans and said, "I'm going to canonically make your dumb stan suffer for the rest of his immortal life." WE STAN A QUEEN IN THAT REGARD.
Absolutely but then she backed down at the end as if they are going to save him by letting him die and I'm like girl NOOOOO
I'm not homophobic but honestly Nina x Hanne seems so wrong and just.....so bad. Like??? Hello I know moving on is good but really? She just had to look like Rasmus? Nina had to stay in Fjerda? Like I'm gonna hurl myself over a bridge.
Also uhm did Darkling have to die? No die isnt even a right word, stay in eternal suffering? But hell what about Yuri? What did he do?
Also im so mad about Zoya being queen and Nikolai stepping down like seriously the whole grishaverse is about avoiding power and this happens. Zoya becomes queen with no Nikolai, and an jmmortal queen i tell you.
The worst book in grisha verse i *ever* read. Six of crows was way better and honestly even the triology. King of Scars was good and had sooo much potential but Rule of Wolves? I wish to delete it from my memory.
Not an author either, but the obvious solution to the predictability problem is to no longer have any straight white male characters in books 😏