Well this was one epic book. Epic, epic all around and why wouldn’t it be as the Grishaverse approches the Age of Saints and end of the Grishaverse for now, according to Bardugo. As for the Age of Saints thing, it turns out Yuri got it right after all. Get ready because this is going to be a long review.

Although the ending of King of Scars may have implied the Darkling is a returning threat, he is actually a minor player compared to all the other wolves at Ravka’s door. There’s the Shu who had attempted to murder Nikolai so now they’re stuck with a failed assassin, Myu and Princess Ehi trapped in a corner. So yeah, that marriage alliance is definately not going through.

Fjerda is also nipping at Ravka’s borders as Nina sends more information that she gained staying in General Brum’s home. Information implying that Fjerda is ready to make a full frontal invasion with the true Lantsov heir as their puppet king. Worse still is the wealthy Merchant Council of Kerch will provide no help as to remain neutral in the upcoming war. . . and to be petty because Nikolai’s submersibals weren’t the coup they expected it to be as Nikolai allys himself with the Zemi.

Politics are hard but war is worse and no one wants to face the potential for all out battle especially as Nikolai had promised he’d bring Ravka an era of peace. He also knows that Ravka doesn’t have the money or the man-power to do so but to let the Fjerda’s win would give over Ravka’s Grisha citizens to certain doom. So now, the King and his Triumvante are forced to contemplate new weaponry, long-aim missles and other new technological warfare remiscent of WWI signalling a new age in trench battles and capability of violence. They might be trying to save Ravka but Nikolai is all too aware that their actions today could have long-reaching consequences tomorrow. They might be becoming the bad guys.

As for the characters, Nikolai is at peace with his demon since his trial with the Thornwood but perhaps that demon is releasing something else? While he may have faced his insecurities in the fold, there’s something else growing inside. Admist all these pressures, there’s growing wish for freedom, a break from the secrets, the constantly toeing the line. He had always been driven but he’s starting to have doubts on his chosen path with the constant stress of devotion to a country that eats its own, that fails the people it loves. He begins to wonder if he will ever see his dream of helpin Ravka come true and struggles with the bigger question with whether he is the right person for the job. I loved this deep introspection from him as it provides even more layers to the charming Lantsov bastard prince we’ve seen him portray in the original duology.

He has such strength and ingenuity but seeing him face the realities of politicking and ruling is amazing. I truly applaud Bardugo for how she created such an intense, nuanced depiction of the troubles in being King. Really, seeing all Nikolai has to go through I can’t imagine why anyone would want to do it. Yes, there’s Nikolai’s father and brother who used their position to do what they wanted and didn’t put effort like Nikolai to imrpove the lives of citizens but it still sounds tough. Constant being on your guard because almos everyone wants to kill you for your throne and all your citizens blaming you if things go wrong. So yeah, that pressure is taking its toll on him,

Meanwhile, Zoya continues her development in opening herself to love. She has kept herself so guarded in order to prevent the pain that comes in their line of life, but as the death toll mounts, Zoya is coming to learn that pushing others away doesn’t make the pain hurt any less. She’ll only become the darkling if she’s forever alone. It’s a really great conclusion to Zoya’s arc and realistic too in showing the backslides Zoya experiences and her utter conviction that she’s right (as usual) that prevents her from trying. Plus there’s this one magnificent scene where Nikolai finds out where Zoya goes at night. . . It’s spoilery so I won’t say but it is also super moving. They’re just two lonely hearts in the middle of war, both so insecure but so wanting each other’s light and unwavering strength.

And there is just so much action and uncertainty going on as they fight a war on three fonts, and two layers, one outward, one in secret that I was getting anxious for them. Seriously. For the first time in possibly 15 years, I don’t even remember, I paused halfway through to skimm last page to see if they were alive. I was that worried someone was going to die. I mean someone did but Nikolai and Zoya made it through, that was what I was most concerned about. So when I say Bardugo amps up the suspense, I mean it.

Meanwhile, Nina has found herself in the inner circle of the Brum househld thanks to her friendship/burgeoning feelings for Hanne but it is a lot harder to find information in Brum’s study than you think. He seems to keep his work life pretty separate since it’s not for ladies. But when Hanne volunteers to help Nina by participating in Fjerda’s debutante-like ball, Nina ends up right up front with the sickly Prince Rasmus.

There, she initates her own courtly conspiracies, beleiving she can find an ally with Prince Rasmus and if she helps him get to the throne, perhaps bring a safer age for Grisha and a new ally for Ravka. Yeah, things don’t go as plan in that respect as spoilery things happen and she ends up finding out Mattias’ killer! Not only that, but she has been helping her fellow spies bring the common Fjerdan citizens on their side by aiding the idea that grisha are living saints in order to diminish the rabid Grisha hatred Fjerda is known for.

I mentioned before that I was a bit uncertain to Nina’s new relationship with Hanne. Here, I have adjusted to it. It helps that Bardugo brings back some of Nina’s grief of Mattias so he doesn’t feel entirely set aside. Plus it is clear that Hanne has her own secrets and depths that create a different but just as dynamic relationship that boosts Nina up without the slightly icky Nazi-Jew metaphor.

So woo, that’s quite a lot but the book also introduces two additional POVs besides Nikolai, Nina and Zoya’s. The Monk aka Aleksander and Myu. Spoilers under the cut.

Aleksander has returned as we found in King of Scar‘s climax and Rule of Wolves continues this as his POV hints at Aleksander’s plans to regain power in Ravka using his cult. But I felt his part was disconnected. I mean, he does have a very important to play in the end and his sections allow Bardugo to explore more of his ambiguous morality and nature, whether he’s capable of humanity and redemption etc. etc.

But it felt disconnected in that his sections were more laying the foundation for future stories than a necessarily connected to the rest of the book if that makes sense.
Myu, on the other hand, was very much part of the overarching narrative. As Nina is a spy in Fjerda, Myu is a reluctantly ally in Shu territory under the watchful eye of Tamar as well as her own conflicting feelings thanks to her tragic love for Izak. She’s disillusioned with her country but Nikolai, and Tamar’s assurance that they will help her find her twin if she helps them unseat Empress Makhi binds her to them for the time being. It’s another tricky balance of political intrigue as they have the hard job of finding the labs and countering the manipulative empress ontop of trying to convince Princess Ehi that yes, her sister truly did try to kill her.

Honestly, while this section fit more in line with the wider story, it also felt like it was setting the stage for future books. Not soon since Bardugo implied this would be the last for now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the next book in the Grishaverse will focus on Myu, her twin Reyem, Ehi, and maybe even Tamar and Toyla considering the emphasis placed on Kebben, as they use the un-governmentally acknowledged khergud program to help grisha.

Now, what did I think of the final with Zoya becoming queen as Nikolai steps down after his demon reveal?

I loved it! Zoya as queen and Nikoali reigning as prince cosort as it allows for Nikolai to do what he really wishes. Yes, he wanted the crown but that was a means to the end of trying to help the country he devoted his life to. He is still as present as ever in diplomatic meetings, and the like as before. Plus Nikolai had a wonderful speech expounding why Zoya is right for the job that is hard to argue with. She may not be nice but that’s just what a kingdom needs in her unwavering ferociousness, her devotion to the people, she is one of the people: Grisha, Suli, a dragon protecting everyone. I was so happy with its conclusion.

I also enjoyed the end of Nina’s mission, and start of another new reign which may lead to Hanne having a book of her own. Maybe? I mean Hanne pretending to be Prince Rasmus and leading some controversial, peaceful, pro-Grisha decisions is sure to have a solid plot for a book I think.

So yes, a pretty long review here and I hadn’t even gotten to the cameos by Alina, Mal and the Crows! Just goes to show the epic scale Bardugo worked with and her determination to set the new Age of Saints and Grishaverse that will sure to please and pull at the emotions of fans.