This is the "Penguins of Madagascar" of the the Grishaverse. Where they took the best characters of the main series and somehow made them uninteresting.
I feel like Leigh shot herself in the foot a bit by marketing this as the Nikolai duology because, yes, we all expected more Nikolai in it. I loved Zoya's perspective. I was bored by Nina. If Nina could give her sections to Nikolai, I'd be happy haha.
I loved the book, gave it 4 stars (which is a lot for me). I found it way more amusing than the shadow and bone series which I rated 2-3 stars, but not as good as Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom which I rated 5 stars. Overall, I think it was a really good book. I loved Ninas part, it had me at the edge of my seat. I loved Zoya way more than Alina, and Nikolai is forever charming. If you liked the books, give it a go!
I love that you're so honest with your reviews. Even though you adore the Grishaverse, it's nice that you didn't let that love or hype keep you from giving us your real feelings about it.
I’m currently in the middle of it but so far it’s slightly underwhelming. I’m sad, I really wanted to love this. Once I finish it I’ll go watch your spoiler discussion and complain in the comments 😂
EEEEEE I'm so excited to read this! First of all, Nikolai. Second, I'm delighted to hear that the world is expanding. I just read the trilogy last month so it's all very fresh. I haven't yet read the six of Crows bc the wait list at the library is ridiculous. But I know I'm gonna love it. The quality of the story telling ramped up dramatically in the trilogy.
I just got my copy from Amazon yesterday, but I have been hearing/ reading bad reviews since it first came out. Scared, but the hardcover is Beautiful.
I'm only about a fifth of the way through so maybe my opinion will change, but I totally agree that for this being the "Nikolai duology" there isn't enough focus on him. I really would have preferred it if the only POV character had been Nikolai. I also don't know how I feel about the romance but I've sort of come to expect to _not_ be satisfied with Leigh's romance, considering how Ruin and Rising ended lol
@@camilasummers they really did but I think of them more as an exception to the rule. Nina and Mattias, and Wylan and Jesper I shipped while reading but didn't much remember them later. Maybe that's something the TV show can flesh out. That and make Alina end up with anyone but spoiler alert!
@@SuperHappyNotMerry I agree. Now that you mention it I think the only relationship I really loved that was written by Leigh is Kaz and Inej. I guess she just did such an outstanding job with them that I kind of forget that they are her only well developed romantic relationship. I also really loved the Darkling (I thought he was a very interesting character and one of my all time favorite villains). However, I honestly feel that he was the only well developed character in the Grisha Trilogy. Not a big fan of Alina and Mal either 😒
It is so crazy in an astonishing way because that kind of shows how important subjectivity is. A lot of people seem to not care about Nina's parts but for me the entire 1st half of the book was carried by Nina then from the 2nd half I loved all three perspectives.
I’m reading it now, and while I love Nina I’m not liking her chapters as they seem meandering and pointless. Also the new budding romance seems too soon after Matthias for me. I love Zoya though she’s epic.
I appreciate the book for what it is but it could have been so much more. Nikolai is one of my favorite characters and he did not get nearly enough page time in my opinion. Hoping the second one is more of a Nikolai story than a Zoya and Nina story. She could have just released a couple novellas to cover at least Nina's story. That would have worked a little better.
I’m kinda on the fence about this one cuz I didn’t like the grisha trilogy but I absolutely loved six of crows so now I’m not sure if reading this would be worth it?
Haajar Khalil it feels a lot like “the fourth book in the grisha trilogy” if that makes sense. If you didn’t like that you probably won’t enjoy KoS as much as Six of Crows.
Aitana Elices yeah I get what you’re saying but the thing is i’m kinda doubting myself because I read the series a while ago and I forgot most of it tbh but I know I love Nikolai lol so thats why I wanted to read this to begin with but noww after hearing the reviews i’m not so sure anymore
I remember Leigh saying that the book would be divided between Nikolai, Nina, and Zoya’s POV so I wasn’t surprised by the lack of a focus on Nikolai. I actually did enjoy Nina’s storyline and the hinted romance (PLEASE happen). Wasn’t sold on the other at first but I liked it by the end. I do agree about the antagonist with Nikolai’s and Zoya’s storyline. Definitely “meh.” Overall I sped through it faster than my average book and loved the ending - super ready for book 2!
I’m currently reading this and I’m so bored :( I find the plot dragging, it’s not developed whatsoever, and I feel like I’m pulling my teeth just to pick it up. Which hurts my heart because I love the grisha world so much
I know your channel has nothing to do with this, but would you ever consider doing a hair tutorial? I have hair just like yours, but it's very hard finding ways to style it and the way you style yours looks really nice!
I'm about 70pages from the end and I'm having to complete agree with you. The reveal about the factory did not have enough weight for the circumstances. There wasnt enough emotions there for me to really care about the girls. Theres a lot that bugs me about the book but I'll still read them because of the original trilogy and Six of crows. And the dialogue is always fun and snarky.
This is the only Leigh Bardugo book from the "Grisha World" that I didn't like and finish. I was disappointed af. I kind of expected Nikolai's book to be better than the Grisha trilogy and the Six of Crows duology because, duh, we're talking about Nikolai here (lol) but so far, basing on what I've read, the books isn't actually meeting any of my expectations. The prologue and earlier chapters were amazing but it just kept spiraling downwards. It's like the cursed child from the harry potter series for me. In other words, it's kind of destroying my whole reading experience on grishaverse and six of crows. I dunno, it just kind of does. Or maybe my expectations were just too high. But anyway, please read the second book when it's released and judge if it's worthy of reading. Until then, I won't be continuing King of Scars because I just can't hahaha. Btw, I just discovered your channels a few moments ago and I agree on most of your reactions on the books that you've read that I also have read. I was, like, nodding all the time and shouting, "Right!?"
Tbh I was thinking the same thing. This was/is a Zoya book/Duology lol not Nikolais' I just felt like we got a better character arch from her and how much she was fleshed out here really made me appreciate her character more as for Ninas parts I... understand what her chapters were meant to be glimpses of the world and the effects of panem and about Fajerda but hmmm idk I still dnt have a verdict with this story.
I ordered The Crooked Kingdom and King of Scars at the same time and I still don’t have Crooked Kingdom so KOS is just sitting on my shelf like ‘read meeehhhh’ but I can’t yet and this hurts meeeeee. Freaking loved Zoya in the original trilogy though, I’m excited to read from her POV!!
It would have been interesting to read this story from first person past tense POV like the original trilogy to focus on Nikolai more. He's one of my favorite characters and I want to read a story in his voice. He's hilarious but intelligent and that would have made for an awesome story.
I really got bored in b/w had so much expectations, Nina's part was very uninteresting and I was waiting for her chapters to end x) But I loved the zoya POV's, she's my fav now
I had so many conflicting thoughts as well (and didn't particularly enjoy Nina's plotline either which BROKE ME because she's my favourite among the Dregs), but I rounded my rating to a 4 because I saw a couple of things differently... First of all, I felt like Zoya didn't have that much of a build-up because she was already an incredibly powerful character to begin with, and also because of that whole amplifier thing. I don't know, her development is objectively a bit rushed but it didn't feel /wrong/. Second thing, I interpreted the whole Saints plotline in more of a... nihilistic way? something like "Oh, that's what all the fuss and the superstition is about". The way they were introduced, instead, was trippy and confusing as hell! About the Darkling, I feel like I need more time and possibly a re-read of the Grisha Trilogy before I can have a solid judgement :/
Theory for King of Scars 2: Because people were angry with The Darkling and Alina not falling in love, and because The Darkling is back, I think Leigh will make Alina return in the sequel.
this should be totally about Nikolai. But she had to bring some character from Six of Crows to it. But i hate that gave so much screen time Nina. Nina's chapters were unbearable. I don't give a fuck about Nina and i didn't even finish six of crows. Get iot just sucks to be me because most people like that shit.... Anyway, it was supposed to be about Nikolai and it wasn't and i hated it.
I read this and found it terrible. I had to hate-read it to finish it. Maybe if you've read all the author's other books, it's ok, but I hadn't. It was sold to me as BOOK1 in a fantasy series. It's not. To me it was a complete rehash of past characters, past events, characters who are now dead, prior love interests who are no longer there, ppl coming back to life, seriously WTF? The first chapter is the only part that was any good bc it's the only INTRO of a character and setting. Unfortunately it was just a hook to bring in characters which were much less developed (at least here). I didn't care about the characters, didn't understand their motivations, and didn't feel any antagonists or 'tension'
![Salty Saturday: I’m still salty about King of Scars, a RANT. [CC]](/img/n.gif)
This is the "Penguins of Madagascar" of the the Grishaverse. Where they took the best characters of the main series and somehow made them uninteresting.
OMFG
LOL I liked the penguins.
How dare you. Penguins of Madagascar is amazing
I must say I disagree. With both statements. I loved King of Scars, I loved the three characters and their journeys. Also, I loved the penguins.
I was so surprised that we didn't have Nikolai's pov till chapter 4 and I got bored during Nina's parts which is so sad because I love her so much.
I haven't read King of Scars yet, so I can't say anything about the plot, but the cover is so pretty 😍
I could just keep staring at it forever ❤😂😂
I feel like Leigh shot herself in the foot a bit by marketing this as the Nikolai duology because, yes, we all expected more Nikolai in it. I loved Zoya's perspective. I was bored by Nina. If Nina could give her sections to Nikolai, I'd be happy haha.
I LOVED Ninas part! I thought that one was the most interesting.
I loved the book, gave it 4 stars (which is a lot for me). I found it way more amusing than the shadow and bone series which I rated 2-3 stars, but not as good as Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom which I rated 5 stars. Overall, I think it was a really good book. I loved Ninas part, it had me at the edge of my seat. I loved Zoya way more than Alina, and Nikolai is forever charming. If you liked the books, give it a go!
I love that you're so honest with your reviews. Even though you adore the Grishaverse, it's nice that you didn't let that love or hype keep you from giving us your real feelings about it.
I’m currently in the middle of it but so far it’s slightly underwhelming. I’m sad, I really wanted to love this. Once I finish it I’ll go watch your spoiler discussion and complain in the comments 😂
EEEEEE I'm so excited to read this! First of all, Nikolai. Second, I'm delighted to hear that the world is expanding. I just read the trilogy last month so it's all very fresh. I haven't yet read the six of Crows bc the wait list at the library is ridiculous. But I know I'm gonna love it. The quality of the story telling ramped up dramatically in the trilogy.
I just got my copy from Amazon yesterday, but I have been hearing/ reading bad reviews since it first came out. Scared, but the hardcover is Beautiful.
I'm only about a fifth of the way through so maybe my opinion will change, but I totally agree that for this being the "Nikolai duology" there isn't enough focus on him. I really would have preferred it if the only POV character had been Nikolai. I also don't know how I feel about the romance but I've sort of come to expect to _not_ be satisfied with Leigh's romance, considering how Ruin and Rising ended lol
Kazz and Inej though 🖤 I think she nailed it with that one
@@camilasummers they really did but I think of them more as an exception to the rule. Nina and Mattias, and Wylan and Jesper I shipped while reading but didn't much remember them later. Maybe that's something the TV show can flesh out. That and make Alina end up with anyone but spoiler alert!
@@SuperHappyNotMerry I agree. Now that you mention it I think the only relationship I really loved that was written by Leigh is Kaz and Inej. I guess she just did such an outstanding job with them that I kind of forget that they are her only well developed romantic relationship. I also really loved the Darkling (I thought he was a very interesting character and one of my all time favorite villains). However, I honestly feel that he was the only well developed character in the Grisha Trilogy. Not a big fan of Alina and Mal either 😒
It is so crazy in an astonishing way because that kind of shows how important subjectivity is. A lot of people seem to not care about Nina's parts but for me the entire 1st half of the book was carried by Nina then from the 2nd half I loved all three perspectives.
I’m reading it now, and while I love Nina I’m not liking her chapters as they seem meandering and pointless. Also the new budding romance seems too soon after Matthias for me. I love Zoya though she’s epic.
I appreciate the book for what it is but it could have been so much more. Nikolai is one of my favorite characters and he did not get nearly enough page time in my opinion. Hoping the second one is more of a Nikolai story than a Zoya and Nina story. She could have just released a couple novellas to cover at least Nina's story. That would have worked a little better.
I’m kinda on the fence about this one cuz I didn’t like the grisha trilogy but I absolutely loved six of crows so now I’m not sure if reading this would be worth it?
Haajar Khalil it feels a lot like “the fourth book in the grisha trilogy” if that makes sense. If you didn’t like that you probably won’t enjoy KoS as much as Six of Crows.
Aitana Elices yeah I get what you’re saying but the thing is i’m kinda doubting myself because I read the series a while ago and I forgot most of it tbh but I know I love Nikolai lol so thats why I wanted to read this to begin with but noww after hearing the reviews i’m not so sure anymore
Me too gurl
Nikolai is my favorite character from the original trilogy. I'm kinda bummed that the book is getting such mixed reviews. I can't wait to read it. (m)
I remember Leigh saying that the book would be divided between Nikolai, Nina, and Zoya’s POV so I wasn’t surprised by the lack of a focus on Nikolai. I actually did enjoy Nina’s storyline and the hinted romance (PLEASE happen). Wasn’t sold on the other at first but I liked it by the end. I do agree about the antagonist with Nikolai’s and Zoya’s storyline. Definitely “meh.” Overall I sped through it faster than my average book and loved the ending - super ready for book 2!
Leigh has already said Nina's next romance will be with a woman so it's gonna happen
You summed up my feelings so well in this book. I can’t wait to watch your discussion video.
I’m currently reading this and I’m so bored :( I find the plot dragging, it’s not developed whatsoever, and I feel like I’m pulling my teeth just to pick it up. Which hurts my heart because I love the grisha world so much
Hi I still need to read this series! Thank u always for ur book reviews!!
I know your channel has nothing to do with this, but would you ever consider doing a hair tutorial? I have hair just like yours, but it's very hard finding ways to style it and the way you style yours looks really nice!
I'm about 70pages from the end and I'm having to complete agree with you. The reveal about the factory did not have enough weight for the circumstances. There wasnt enough emotions there for me to really care about the girls.
Theres a lot that bugs me about the book but I'll still read them because of the original trilogy and Six of crows. And the dialogue is always fun and snarky.
yes dialogue is always on point in her series. you are totally right about the factory. don't care!
Im on page 374 and i am agree, nina story line is so boring i was really wandering whats going to happen, but its kinda dissapointing-_-
This is the only Leigh Bardugo book from the "Grisha World" that I didn't like and finish. I was disappointed af. I kind of expected Nikolai's book to be better than the Grisha trilogy and the Six of Crows duology because, duh, we're talking about Nikolai here (lol) but so far, basing on what I've read, the books isn't actually meeting any of my expectations. The prologue and earlier chapters were amazing but it just kept spiraling downwards. It's like the cursed child from the harry potter series for me. In other words, it's kind of destroying my whole reading experience on grishaverse and six of crows. I dunno, it just kind of does. Or maybe my expectations were just too high. But anyway, please read the second book when it's released and judge if it's worthy of reading. Until then, I won't be continuing King of Scars because I just can't hahaha.
Btw, I just discovered your channels a few moments ago and I agree on most of your reactions on the books that you've read that I also have read. I was, like, nodding all the time and shouting, "Right!?"
Agree, im on page 374, nina story line is so boring and im very dissapointed, i was really wandering whats going to happen to her-_-
Tbh I was thinking the same thing. This was/is a Zoya book/Duology lol not Nikolais' I just felt like we got a better character arch from her and how much she was fleshed out here really made me appreciate her character more as for Ninas parts I... understand what her chapters were meant to be glimpses of the world and the effects of panem and about Fajerda but hmmm idk I still dnt have a verdict with this story.
I ordered The Crooked Kingdom and King of Scars at the same time and I still don’t have Crooked Kingdom so KOS is just sitting on my shelf like ‘read meeehhhh’ but I can’t yet and this hurts meeeeee. Freaking loved Zoya in the original trilogy though, I’m excited to read from her POV!!
It would have been interesting to read this story from first person past tense POV like the original trilogy to focus on Nikolai more. He's one of my favorite characters and I want to read a story in his voice. He's hilarious but intelligent and that would have made for an awesome story.
I have been so excited to read this but every review has said it isn't the best and im sad :(. I really hope I end up liking it
I really got bored in b/w had so much expectations, Nina's part was very uninteresting and I was waiting for her chapters to end x)
But I loved the zoya POV's, she's my fav now
I had so many conflicting thoughts as well (and didn't particularly enjoy Nina's plotline either which BROKE ME because she's my favourite among the Dregs), but I rounded my rating to a 4 because I saw a couple of things differently... First of all, I felt like Zoya didn't have that much of a build-up because she was already an incredibly powerful character to begin with, and also because of that whole amplifier thing. I don't know, her development is objectively a bit rushed but it didn't feel /wrong/. Second thing, I interpreted the whole Saints plotline in more of a... nihilistic way? something like "Oh, that's what all the fuss and the superstition is about". The way they were introduced, instead, was trippy and confusing as hell! About the Darkling, I feel like I need more time and possibly a re-read of the Grisha Trilogy before I can have a solid judgement :/
I was at least hoping for more Nikolai and Zoya stuff happening bc they’re genuinely my favourite characters out of the whole Grishaverse :/
Theory for King of Scars 2: Because people were angry with The Darkling and Alina not falling in love, and because The Darkling is back, I think Leigh will make Alina return in the sequel.
Why nina and Zoya? is there a love triangle in it?
Malika Smart no
All these mixed reviews are making me glad I’m not a super critical person when it comes to books and tv
this should be totally about Nikolai. But she had to bring some character from Six of Crows to it. But i hate that gave so much screen time Nina. Nina's chapters were unbearable. I don't give a fuck about Nina and i didn't even finish six of crows. Get iot just sucks to be me because most people like that shit.... Anyway, it was supposed to be about Nikolai and it wasn't and i hated it.
I read this and found it terrible. I had to hate-read it to finish it. Maybe if you've read all the author's other books, it's ok, but I hadn't. It was sold to me as BOOK1 in a fantasy series. It's not. To me it was a complete rehash of past characters, past events, characters who are now dead, prior love interests who are no longer there, ppl coming back to life, seriously WTF? The first chapter is the only part that was any good bc it's the only INTRO of a character and setting. Unfortunately it was just a hook to bring in characters which were much less developed (at least here). I didn't care about the characters, didn't understand their motivations, and didn't feel any antagonists or 'tension'
The whole book was a let down