King of Scars, Leigh Bardugo
This is the first in a duology about Nikolai.
I've been impressed with all of Bardugo's books, but in King of Scars the narrative voices are more distinct and nuanced, the romance is richer and the dialogue is almost perfect;
- The story is told from multiple perspectives, but each is engrossing and unique.
- Queer and bicurious voices are integrated in a way I think significantly contributes to the movement.
- I wanted more from the romance in some of the earlier books (okay, mostly Six of Crows), but here I found romance that didn't drive the narrative but that made the story better. It's an art.
- Although there is apparent attraction, there are no sensual scenes.
- The world-build is exquisite.
- Of everything that is strong, the strongest for me has to be the dialogue. I wanted to read sections aloud all the time because I wanted to replay and share how good it was. It is so so good, and many of you know, good dialogue is important to me.
- The only downside I found, is that I have read these as they've come out, and so a lot of time has passed since I read the first books. Sometimes I make time to reread leading up to a new release, but this new year that hasn't been feasible. The expositional catch-up and review portions are pretty solid, but I knew I didn't have the depth of appreciation and connection with the characters I could have had if the earlier books had been a recent undertaking. So if you're coming to this late, you're in for a treat to be able to read them all back-to-back and come into Nikolai's portions with that heightened love for all the players. (Because there are a lot of players you know and love here!)
- This book may be about a king, but the women pack all the narrative punch. I mean, for sure, Nikolai's story and battle is an underpinning, interwoven thread, but the women are the powerhouses here. So many great ladies! Ah!
Review copy received from Hachette.
