Duology Enough? Rule of Wolves (King of Scars)

August 14, 2021

 


"Maybe the gift of being human is that we do not give up ― even when the hope is lost "
― Nikolai Lanstov ―

 

Who would have thought that this series already reach chapter 7!! To be honest i kind of regret for the color scheme that i choose for the cover theme now, but well... just suck and endure it guess. Anyway... WELCOME! this is Duology Enough? series where i decide if this series is perfect to be just a duology, or does it just need to be more of it, or even just can be compressed into one book instead? Without further ado, let's dive in!

 

First Book Quick Flashback

 In order to keep Ravka going, being the place where the Grisha has their save haven from Freja who hunts them down claim them as a witch, Nikolai as the king is trying to keep Ravkan safety. But of course it can't be that simple to be a king. There is a country to keep save from the public enemy: Freja, there is a big sum of debt to Kerch in order to keep innovation and military needs to Ravka to going on. There is tension in middle of war between Kerch the money lender to Novyi Zem the Pareem supplier that can help Ravka to create the antidote to Jurda Pareem for their Grisha. And there will always tension being geographically in between Suli and Freja which always in the risk of war. There is always more for Ravka.

In other hand Nikolai also struggling with the curse that Darkling once set in him, that made him become such a monster, which lately waking up again after years being silent. Keeping it in secret is a must, but also the throne also need a king with a queen who provides the son that will take the throne next since Nikolai's life is always at risk. Trying to find the solution for the curse of Darkling, Nikolai and Zoya go to the place where all of it begin, The Fold, and there they the find the Saints. The living Saints that they believed all dead, but still living there in the Fold and try to help Nikolai to destroy the monster for once and for all. 

But of course it always has the twist, turns out that ritual resurrect the only one that they don't want to bring back to life, the Darkling. 


 

 

Synopsis

After the failed attempt of Suli princess to kill king Nikolai, Nikolai forced her to marry him instead because he need that support from Suli if Freja once again try to hit Ravka. Which also made Ravka in urge to finish their military nukes (that's my term not in the book) that can help them to defeat the Freja with their technology, but of course they don't have the resources, and money. 

Nina Zenik in other hand, become the maid serving the daughter of her mortal enemy, Jarl Brum. While in Freja she discover that some of the Frejan people are now starting to believe the power of Saints not just a witch that their people once claim. Nina Zenik with the help of a Frejan Grisha that discovered her ability as a healer recently,  Hanne Brum who is the daughter of Jarl Brum, trying to save Grisha in Freja with the hope of the weak Prince Rasmus that might bring the difference in Freja if he sit in the throne with Hanna beside him. 

But the war is happening, soon and fast. Nikolai who still struggling with the monster inside him, with Darkling back to world, Zoya who is loosing lots of her friends in every war, and Nina who is inside the Freja but can't really do much to help Ravka at some point. 


 My Review

I guess i spilled much already in these two previous section of this review that you might conclude it already. YES! There are too much things going on in the same time! The Suli with their secret yet lethal army, the Darkling with his masterpiece scheming as always, the Frejan with their urge to kill all the Ravkan, the tension everywhere!

 

What's Added

 I'm glad to say that we are finally meet again with the Bastard of Barrels and the Crow crews, The Dregs! Well of course we still didn't met one of the character in action but still... it's so happy to meet them again! And of course by mentioning them here you might already guess, there will be another heist scene in this book!

We also, again, meet Alina Starkov, and her lovely hunter Mal. I can't say much about them but i'm just happy to met them, specially Mal for me. Alina was okay, but i always love Mal. Well.. maybe after Nikolai and Darkling. (Yes i kind of like dangerous villain character, but i still love the good characters too okay?) 

This book, in comparison with other two series before (shadow and bone and Six of crows) is more complex. It's not just about Grisha and their power, but also talking a lot about political issues, AND the new one is the Saints. I know it mentioned a lot in shadow and bone, but the appearance of them, the religious part of this book took quite a spotlight in this book. While in the shadow and bone i don't really want to know about the saints, in this book it made me want to know about them. 

What should have added

I was surprised by the history of Zoya's childhood, and part of the scene made me shed a tear (just a tear not much) but for someone that i used to hate, this character just took to another level for the story, who knows that she can become the actual main character at first?

I wish there was more of her and Nikolai, but well i guess there's nothing can count as enough in terms of love relationship in every character. Nikolai and Zoya is match like super efficient way, sometimes they are just not like any other couple. They sure love each other but they also serious in terms of Ravkan's safety. So yeah it's sad that the romantic side didn't really into the center of the book but well... the war is, so.. i'm not complaining  (yes i always thirst for war, happy now?) 

But above of all i really hope there is more about Nina. Which i'm pretty sure will be in the next series?? hopefully.

 

My Verdict

 For the reading enjoyment, i will say it's an Uh Yeah for me, but definitely really better than King of Scars. A bit of complain if i may, is that some part of the narrations are just too long, some people might be bored by that, but not me, i love Leigh for reasons. But in term of is it enough??? NOOOO!!! I need more! Okay maybe Leigh will release the next series in Grishaverse (i'm hoping for Kaz and Inej to be back in the scene for that) also Nina's adventure might be fun to read! So yeah, i will settle with it's enough with duology, BUT if there will be another series next!


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About Me

Hello! I'm Dee.

I'm a booknerd who loves mostly fantasy books and think that sci-fi is my jam although i haven't really read sci-fi much. I tend to read more other genre but i guess i'm kind of sucks at them. I love collecting beautiful books, and yes i do judge book by its cover. Fell free to leave a comment, let's talk! Or you can reach me out in my socials below.

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