King of Scars (King of Scars #1) by Leigh Bardugo

 The Grishaverse consists of The Shadow and Bone trilogy (Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising), The Six of Crows duology (Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom) and a few short side stories (The Witch of Duva, The Language of Thorns, The Lives of Saints) and The King of Scars duology (this one, King of Scars, and Rule of Wolves which comes in Much 2021).

Unlike with the other book I read in the Grishaverse, I didn't feel the can't put it down pull with this one until last 1/4 or so of the book. I still loved it, but it was a slower burn. The ramp up to the dramatic cliffhanger took its time and there is some set up for what I think will be a HUGE battle for this world and those we love in it. I didn't see the last chapter's big reveal coming in quite the way it happened. 

Nina was a favorite of mine in the Six of Crows Duology and she shows she isn't done yet and I am excited to see what happens to her and Hanne. Her part of this story is one that could have far reaching consequences for everyone. 

Zoya is even better this time, she has depth and strength and broken places we get to see this time that we haven't before. 

David is a lovable and oblivious as ever. 

The Saints get some story time and holy shit is is more than I thought...but the reveal is so close to the end and so different than I thought, so that was good, a twist I didn't see coming always makes me happy. 

And Nikolai is, well...he is a much of a roguish charmer as ever...almost...what is he hiding? What is going on inside him? And what will he do or become? Those are the questions that are the backbone of this part of the series of series and it feels like it is winding up for a true ending...

And that is something I am not sure I am ready for. 

This one picks up after the other two series so while you can choose to start with the Six of Crows branch or the Shadow and Bone part of the story this one must come after those. I started with Shadow and Bone and that is how I recommend you do it too. It helps set the stage for the Six of Crows part of the tale but it is really ok to do it in reverse. 

(Finished January 18, 2021)