The Drowning King's Curse

Nikolai Lantsov, the young king of Ravka, is a war hero and a reformer, but he is also cursed. Since the end of the civil war, a monster lurks within him—a legacy of the Darkling's merzost (forbidden magic). At night, the monster takes over, transforming Nikolai into a winged beast that hungers for blood. Only his loyal general, Zoya Nazyalensky, and a handful of trusted Grisha know the truth. As Nikolai struggles to rule a fractured nation, he must also battle the darkness inside, desperate to find a cure before he loses himself—and his kingdom—forever.

Shadows in the Barn

The story opens with a chilling scene: a young boy, Dima, encounters a terrifying, winged creature in his family's barn. The beast is captured by Zoya, who reveals it is none other than King Nikolai, transformed by his curse. This incident sets the tone for the novel's central conflict: the king's monstrous affliction is growing stronger, threatening to expose his secret and destabilize Ravka. Zoya's fierce loyalty and resourcefulness are on display as she manages the king's transformations and the political fallout.

Monsters and Masks

To protect Ravka, Nikolai and Zoya concoct elaborate ruses: sedating the king, chaining him at night, and fabricating stories to cover his absences. Meanwhile, Nikolai must play the role of a charming, unflappable monarch, negotiating with foreign powers and seeking a politically advantageous marriage. The threat of exposure looms, as does the risk of assassination or coup if his enemies discover his vulnerability. The king's inner battle is mirrored by the external pressures of ruling a nation on the brink.

The Queenmaker's Dilemma

Zoya, ever the pragmatist, urges Nikolai to marry for the good of Ravka. Suitors from Kerch, Shu Han, and beyond are considered, each alliance fraught with peril and opportunity. The king's reluctance is both personal and political: how can he wed while hiding his monstrous secret? Zoya's own feelings are complicated, her loyalty to Nikolai blurring the line between duty and affection. The search for a queen becomes a campaign, with Zoya as its general.

Saints, Spies, and Schemers

A new cult arises, worshipping the Darkling as the "Starless Saint." Pilgrims gather at Ravka's borders, demanding recognition of their heretical faith. The Apparat, the king's treacherous spiritual advisor, manipulates the unrest for his own gain. Nikolai must navigate the dangerous waters of religious fervor, political intrigue, and espionage, all while keeping his curse hidden. The cult's leader, Yuri, becomes an unlikely companion on the king's quest for a cure.

The Bone Bridge Miracle

Across Ravka, inexplicable phenomena occur: a bridge of bone appears to save a town, statues weep blood, earthquakes release silver birds. Are these the work of Saints, Grisha on jurda parem, or something darker? Nikolai and Zoya investigate, suspecting a connection to the king's curse and the growing instability of Grisha power. The miracles draw pilgrims and spies alike, further complicating Ravka's fragile peace.

Wolves and Widows

Far to the north, Nina Zenik, a Heartrender and spy, works undercover in Fjerda to rescue persecuted Grisha. Haunted by the death of her beloved Matthias, Nina buries her grief in her mission, smuggling Grisha to safety and infiltrating Fjerdan society. Disguised as a widow, she navigates a world of suspicion, brutality, and corruption, aided by her companions Adrik and Leoni. Nina's journey is one of loss, resilience, and the search for justice.

The Poisoned North

Nina's investigation leads her to a remote factory in Fjerda, where Grisha women are enslaved, dosed with a new form of parem, and forced to bear children for the Fjerdan war machine. The river runs foul with poison, and girls go missing from nearby towns. Nina's power, twisted by her own exposure to parem, allows her to hear the voices of the dead, who demand justice. With the help of Hanne Brum, a Grisha hiding her true nature, Nina orchestrates a daring rescue and exposes the atrocities committed in the name of Fjerdan purity.

The Witch in the Wood

Desperate for a cure, Nikolai, Zoya, and Yuri journey to the site of the Fold, guided by tales of the obisbaya—a ritual of purification performed by the first Priestguard. There, they are drawn into a shadow world ruled by three ancient Grisha Saints: Juris the dragon, Elizaveta the bee queen, and Grigori the Bodymaker. The Saints offer a bargain: they will help Nikolai purge the monster if he survives their trial. But their motives are not as pure as they seem.

The Demon's Bargain

The Saints prepare Nikolai for the obisbaya, a ritual that will force him to confront the monster within. Zoya trains with Juris, learning to break the boundaries of Grisha power. As the ritual begins, Elizaveta's true plan is revealed: she seeks to resurrect the Darkling, using Nikolai as a vessel. Betrayed, wounded, and trapped, Nikolai and Zoya must fight not only for their own lives, but for the fate of Ravka itself.

The Thorn Wood Trial

In a harrowing confrontation, Nikolai faces the monster inside him, wrestling with his own doubts, guilt, and the seductive promise of rest. Zoya, forced to kill her mentor Juris, claims his dragon scales as a new amplifier, unlocking unprecedented power. Together, they defeat Elizaveta and prevent the Darkling's resurrection—at least for now. The cost is high: the Saints are dead, the Fold is forever changed, and the future is uncertain.

The False King's Fall

While Nikolai is missing, Genya and the Triumvirate install Isaak, a palace guard, as a double to impersonate the king. As foreign dignitaries arrive for the royal marriage contest, Isaak navigates court intrigue, assassination attempts, and the affections of Princess Ehri. But the Shu have their own plot: the real Ehri is replaced by an assassin, who kills Isaak and herself, nearly plunging Ravka into war. The deception is uncovered just in time, but not without loss.

The Dragon's Heart

Zoya's journey through grief, rage, and self-doubt culminates in her acceptance of Juris' legacy. By claiming the dragon's scales as her amplifier, she transcends the limits of her order, becoming a Grisha unlike any before her. Her power is now tied to the making at the heart of the world, and she emerges as a leader not just of the Grisha, but of Ravka itself. Her bond with Nikolai deepens, forged in shared sacrifice and trust.

The Saint Returns

Despite their victory, Nikolai and Zoya return to the palace to find a new horror: the Darkling has returned, his spirit inhabiting the body of the monk Yuri. The Starless Saint is reborn, his power and ambition undiminished. The Triumvirate and the king's closest allies are left reeling, knowing that the greatest threat to Ravka has risen again, and the war for the nation's soul is far from over.

Miracles and Machinations

Across Ravka and Fjerda, miracles and signs are used to manipulate the masses, sway public opinion, and justify atrocities. Nina, Adrik, and Leoni stage a "miracle" to save Grisha and turn the tide of local sentiment. Nikolai uses the appearance of miracles to buy time and outmaneuver his enemies. The line between faith and deception blurs, as both Saints and mortals wield belief as a tool of power.

The Price of Power

Every victory comes at a cost: Isaak's death, Zoya's grief, Nina's moral compromises, Nikolai's scars. The characters are forced to confront the limits of their strength, the weight of their choices, and the pain of survival. Power is never given freely; it must be earned, and its price is often paid in blood, love, and hope.

The New World Burns

As the book ends, Ravka stands on the brink of war with Fjerda and Shu Han. The Darkling's return threatens to plunge the world into chaos. Nina, now deep undercover in Fjerda, plots to bring down the system from within. Zoya and Nikolai, forever changed by their ordeal, prepare to lead Ravka into an uncertain future. The old world is burning, and from its ashes, a new one will rise—if they can survive.

Characters

Nikolai Lantsov

Nikolai is the charismatic, reform-minded king of Ravka, beloved by his people but tormented by a monstrous curse. His psyche is a battleground: the public face of a witty, daring leader conceals deep wounds, guilt, and the ever-present threat of losing himself to the darkness within. His relationships—with Zoya, his advisers, and his country—are shaped by his need to protect others from his affliction and his refusal to surrender to despair. Nikolai's journey is one of self-acceptance, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of hope, even when hope seems impossible.

Zoya Nazyalensky

Zoya is Nikolai's most trusted general and a powerful Squaller, marked by ambition, pride, and a sharp tongue. Beneath her icy exterior lies a well of grief, anger, and vulnerability, shaped by loss and betrayal. Her arc is one of transformation: from a woman defined by her need for control and power to a leader who embraces her pain, claims new strength, and dares to trust. Her bond with Nikolai is complex—part loyalty, part rivalry, part unspoken love. Zoya's acceptance of Juris' legacy and her new amplifier marks her as a Grisha without equal, poised to shape the future of her people.

Nina Zenik

Nina is a Heartrender whose power has been twisted by jurda parem, allowing her to manipulate the dead. Haunted by the loss of Matthias, she channels her pain into her mission: rescuing Grisha from Fjerda's oppression. Disguised as a widow, she navigates a world of danger, prejudice, and moral ambiguity. Nina's journey is one of healing, resilience, and the refusal to accept the world as it is. Her alliance with Hanne and her willingness to use miracles and deception to change hearts reveal her as both a revolutionary and a Saint in the making.

Hanne Brum

Hanne is the daughter of Jarl Brum, Fjerda's notorious witchhunter, and a Grisha forced to hide her true nature. Torn between loyalty to her family and the truth of who she is, Hanne is both fierce and vulnerable. Her alliance with Nina awakens her power and her sense of purpose, leading her to defy her father and join the fight for justice. Hanne's struggle is emblematic of the cost of repression and the courage required to claim one's identity.

Genya Safin

Genya is a master Tailor, marked by the Darkling's cruelty and her own resilience. As a member of the Triumvirate, she is both a political leader and a survivor of trauma. Her relationship with David is a source of strength, and her loyalty to Nikolai and Zoya is unwavering. Genya's arc is one of healing, forgiveness, and the quiet power of endurance.

Yuri Vedenen / The Darkling

Yuri is a monk obsessed with the Darkling, whose faith makes him both a liability and a pawn. His body becomes the vessel for the Darkling's return, merging zealotry with ancient power. The Darkling, reborn, is as charismatic and dangerous as ever—a symbol of the seductive allure of strength and the perils of unchecked ambition.

Juris

Juris is one of the three Saints who rule the shadow world within the Fold. As Zoya's teacher, he challenges her to break the boundaries of Grisha power and confront her deepest fears. His sacrifice and legacy become the foundation of Zoya's transformation, and his presence lingers as a voice of wisdom and warning.

Elizaveta

Elizaveta is a Saint whose power over life and death masks a hunger for worship and dominion. Her betrayal of Nikolai and Zoya reveals the dangers of unchecked power and the corrosive effects of immortality. She is both a cautionary tale and a formidable adversary.

Adrik Zhabin

Adrik is a Squaller and Nina's companion in Fjerda, marked by loss and a dry sense of humor. His pragmatism and sense of duty ground Nina's more reckless impulses. Adrik's arc is one of reluctant heroism and the quiet courage of those who persist in the face of despair.

Leoni Hilli

Leoni is a Zemeni Fabrikator whose sunny disposition and scientific brilliance make her indispensable to Nina's mission. Her past brush with death shapes her empathy and determination. Leoni's ability to find hope in darkness and her willingness to risk everything for others embody the novel's central themes of sacrifice and renewal.

Plot Devices

Dual Narratives and Interwoven Fates

The novel alternates between Nikolai's struggle to save his kingdom and soul, and Nina's covert war in Fjerda. Their stories mirror and inform each other: both are haunted by loss, both must navigate treachery and impossible choices, and both seek to change the world through courage and cunning. The dual narrative structure heightens tension, allows for thematic resonance, and expands the scope of the Grishaverse.

The Monster Within

Nikolai's transformation into a monster is both a literal danger and a symbol of trauma, guilt, and the burden of leadership. The curse externalizes his internal struggles, forcing him to confront the parts of himself he fears and despises. The battle with the monster is a battle for self-acceptance, agency, and the right to hope.

Miracles, Faith, and Manipulation

Miracles—real, faked, or misunderstood—are used throughout the novel to sway public opinion, justify violence, and inspire change. The rise of the Starless Saint cult, the staging of miracles by Nina and her allies, and the manipulation of faith by Saints and mortals alike underscore the power of belief to shape reality. The line between faith and fanaticism is blurred, and the characters must decide what, and whom, to believe.

Political Intrigue and Impersonation

The use of Isaak as a double for Nikolai, the replacement of Princess Ehri, and the constant threat of spies and assassins create a web of intrigue. Identity is fluid, and the truth is always in question. These devices heighten suspense and explore the costs of living behind a mask.

Amplifiers and the Evolution of Power

The novel challenges the established limits of Grisha power, as Zoya learns to transcend her order and claim the legacy of the dragon. The use and abuse of amplifiers, the dangers of merzost and parem, and the evolution of Grisha abilities are central to the plot and its themes. Power is shown to be both a gift and a curse, and its true measure lies in how it is used.

Foreshadowing and Cycles of History

The resurrection of the Darkling, the echoes of old wars, and the repetition of betrayals and sacrifices all point to the cyclical nature of history. The characters are haunted by the past, but their choices determine whether the cycle will be broken or repeated. Foreshadowing is used to build dread and anticipation, culminating in the novel's climactic revelations.

Analysis

King of Scars is a sweeping, character-driven fantasy that explores the cost of leadership, the burden of trauma, and the transformative power of hope. Through the intertwined journeys of Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina, Leigh Bardugo examines the ways in which power corrupts and redeems, how faith can be both a weapon and a refuge, and how the scars of the past shape the future. The novel interrogates the nature of identity—personal, political, and spiritual—through its use of masks, doubles, and shifting allegiances. It challenges the boundaries of magic and morality, asking what it means to be strong, to be good, and to survive. Ultimately, King of Scars is a story about the refusal to surrender: to despair, to fate, to the monsters within and without. It is a call to action for a broken world, a testament to the resilience of those who dare to hope, and a warning that the price of power is always paid in blood.

Last updated: August 10, 2025