In this second book in the King of Scars duology (King of Scars, rev. 7/19, part of Bardugo's sprawling Grishaverse), King Nikolai is fighting to brace his small Ravkan kingdom against impending invasion by the Fjerdans, a superstitious people who fear the Grisha for their magical powers and either execute or enslave them as dangerous automatons in their army. Meanwhile, Nikolai's spy and friend Nina is working undercover in the household of a powerful Fjerdan witchhunter -- and falling in love with the witchhunter's daughter. Nikolai, with his seemingly unrequited feelings for his ultra-competent general Zoya, is a thoroughly likable protagonist, the more so when he engineers a climactic solution that will surprise and delight readers in its novelty and rightness. Plotting on a sweeping geo-magical-political canvas, Bardugo manages to hold each element's tension while constantly switching between story lines: new technology and old magic; tricksters, imposters, and ruses that pay off; romance; and desperate bids to save beloved family members -- all of which keep the action moving and reader interest high. Anita L. Burkam

Following King of Scars (2019), the world's a powder keg of political hostilities and existential threats.In a juggling act between viewpoint characters, readers follow far-ranging intrigues inside countries, between countries, and between individuals. King Nikolai faces imminent threats from Fjerda, rumors of his bastardy that threaten to dethrone him, complicated trade relations with both Zemeni and Kerch, and an engagement to Princess Ehri of Shu Han-despite her sister, Queen Makhi, having schemed to kill both of them. Zoya, Nikolai's loyal general, is handed a series of nigh-impossible assignments, including some having to do with the Darkling. Meanwhile, deeply embedded Nina spies on Fjerda, working to undermine the rumors surrounding Nikolai's parentage, uncover Fjerda's military plans, manipulate their royals toward a more peaceful path, and secretly sway the population's view of Grisha. And all over the world, a mysterious blight suddenly appears, destroying everything in its path. Sprinklings of recaps and lots of action help to prevent the massively intricate world from becoming overwhelming. Battles in particular shine, not just for their action, but for the questions they pose about the direction of warfare in an arms race. The multiethnic cast that includes queer characters and relationships showcases a White-passing biracial character grappling with identity and another character's trans-coded journey. A big finish manages to tidy up almost all ends but still leaves space for more to come.A wild ride both fantastical and grounded in nuance. (Orders of Grisha guide, map) (Fantasy. 14-adult)

Gr 8 Up-Dive back into the immersive Grisha world through the eyes of the spy, the demon, and the dragon. Undercover in Fjerda, Nina struggles to show mercy to a country whose systematic racism has obliterated Grisha lives. South in Ravka, Nikolai precariously balances diplomacy with humanity as he weighs what's best for his nation. And with war on the horizon, Zoya must push past her burden of loss to become Ravka's greatest weapon in their time of need. Together, Nina, Nikolai, and Zoya must succeed or watch the country they love fall to pieces. Bardugo continues her warpath to destroy readers' emotions in this brilliantly plotted ending to the King of Scars duology. At times, this book manages to crush readers' spirits, only to turn around and deliver hopeand if not that, then vengeance. Centered around wartime, Nina, Nikolai, and Zoya each grapple with how much of a monster they are willing to become to ensure a peaceful future. Zoya's character journey shines in this novel as she learns to embrace her emotions, and thus, opens herself up for the first time in years to true human connection. Throughout, Bardugo creates moments between characters and countries to skillfully address discrimination that stems from race, gender, and power. Across the board, this is a highly inclusive read with LGBTQIA+ characters in addition to the vast Grishaverse represented. VERDICT An intense pleasure to read. Get this on your bookshelves.Emily Walker, Lisle Lib. Dist., IL