Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo is the second and final book in The King of Scars series. This book is part of a duology, but the eighth book that is part of the Grishaverse. I know there aren’t any current plans for more books, but with an ending like that, I sure hope Leigh Bardugo will write more. Like always, I will not have any spoilers for Rule of Wolves.
SPACE
Plot
Nikolai Lantsov uses his inventiveness, charm, and the shadow monster within to try and win the upcoming battle as Fjerda’s army prepares to invade Ravka. However, despite having a gift for the impossible, the young king cannot defeat the dreadful threat that looms.
Zoya Nazyalensky is suffering from losing too much to war. She witnesses her mentor die, enemy rise from the dead, and refuses to lose any more friends. However, being duty bound, Zoya must embrace her title of Stormwitch and be the weapon Ravka requires despite the cost.
Nina Zenik, deep behind enemy lines in Fjerda, rages war and risks her very life if discovered. However, Nina may cost Ravka its chance at freedom and to heal her mourning heart with her need for revenge.
Monster King. General Witch. Grieving Spy. To create a future in the darkness, these three must work together. Or risk their nation falling.
Review
In Rule of Wolves, the gang is coming together to get to the end of this war. Even though they have to work together, everyone who’s working hard to win this war are, more often than not, apart from one another. Normally this would frustrate me, since my favorite characters can’t always interact with each other, but in this case I’m not mad about it. This dynamic leads to the different points of views of the characters. Not only do we get to see the view points of Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina, but we get to see the view points of different characters outside of Ravka.
Now I don’t want to spoil who the other new points of views are, but in order, my favorite points of views are: Nikolai and Zoya, Nina, and then the other new points of views. Nikolai has always been my favorite character in King of Scars and Rule of Wolves. Now Zoya is tied for that spot and then Nina has definitely redeemed herself in Rule of Wolves. The growth from each of these characters is so satisfying. In short Nikolai learns to embrace who he is and finds what he and Ravka truly needs. Zoya comes into herself, power, and feelings. Nina slowly lets go of her anger and puts Ravka and her heart before her revenge.
With all the character growth, the story is able to be complex, action packed, and emotional. The strategies that these characters think up and implement keep the twists and turns coming. I really enjoyed seeing the perspectives from the different countries and learning how those countries interact with Ravka. Rule of Wolves has brilliant characters, action scenes, and impeccable sass and humor. If you read Kings of Scars, you will love Rule of Wolves.
Favorite Quotes
““Is it the shadow inside you that makes you brave?” “I should hope not. I was making bad decisions long before that thing showed up.””
“All Saints, say it again.”
“Let the hounds give chase. I do not fear death, because I command it.”
“But maybe that was the trick of it: to survive, to dare to stay alive, to forge your own hope when all hope had run out.”
“I’ll tell you a thousand stories, my love. We’ll write the new endings, one by one.”
Star Rating: 
/5
Add it to Your List: Add to your Goodreads
Snag a Copy: I will always suggest getting the hard cover, but buy in any format on Amazon
Interested in other books that I’ve read? Check out my other book reviews here!
