“Maybe the gift of being human is that we do not give up- even when all hope is lost.” 

Fjerda’s armies are gathering and preparing to invade. The world teeters on the edge of war. Nikolai Lantsov, the Demon King, must use all his intelligence and charm, as well as the monster within, to save them all. But the growing enemies may be more impossible than improbable. Deep undercover behind the enemy’s borders, Nina Zenik continues to risk everything to help them win the war. She is also trying to help the people of Fjerda as she continues to fight against their deeply entrenched and harmful religious and political ideas. Zoya Nazyalensky countiunes to fight for her country and is willing to give anything to protect her people. She has lost too much already and will not bury another friend. She must embrace the powers she’s been given if she wants to save them all. A King, a General, and a Spy, they must find a way to create a future for their beloved country. 

The second book in the King of Scars duology and the final book in the Grisha Verse series is thrilling and beautiful. Seeing the three different points of views (Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina) come together was perfect. I loved seeing the characters really work through their problems. Nikolai facing his inner demons (literally) was exceptional to read about. He debates whether he is good enough and deserves what he has. Zoya’s growth was my favourite. She struggles to accept her powers and balancing being a tough general and accepting the parts of her that are gentle and kind. She also works through her ethnicity and childhood trauma. I’ve always really loved Nina as a character. She’s funny and kind, but I didn't love her in this book. She was still very well written and seeing her help the people in Fjerda was great, but a new love interest was introduced and I felt it was too close to the events that had happened in the Six of Crows duology. There are also other character point of views that were extremely well written and fun to read. There are also appearances from all the other characters in Bardugo's other Grisha Verse books. Overall, this book is an amazing read; you’ll laugh and cry and completely fall in love with it.

If you enjoyed this book and the rest of Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha Verse try Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series or Hafsah Faizal’s We Hunt the Flame.