Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Title: Rule of Wolves
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Genre: YA Fantasy / Fiction
Author Info: She/ Her
Setting: Ravka, Shu Han, Fjerda, Ketterdam (fictional)
Month Read: April 2021
Book Type: Hardcover
Publication: 2021
Pages: 592
Trigger Warning:
Death, Abuse, Murder, Genocide, Sexual themes
"There was no answer from the dragon, only the crackle of flames and the cold silence of the stars, lovely, bright, and uncaring."
No Spoiler Summary:
Rule of Wolves starts right on the heels of King of Scars, throwing you directly into the action through the POVs of several different characters. We follow different storylines through the characters all spread out over the Grishaverse. From the dirty dregs of Ketterdam, to the icy tundra of Fjerda, to the palace walls of Ravka and more, we are taken on a journey with beloved characters that feel more like friends before the book is done.
Ravka and Fjerda are on the brink of war, and it's up to a rag tag team of generals, spies, princesses, thieves, kings, humans, Grisha, and more to keep Nikolai on the throne, and keep Ravka a free country and a safe place for Grisha. Zoya is desperately trying to find a way to never grieve a friend again, while coming into her powers as The Stormwitch. Nikolai will do anything it takes to guarantee Ravka it's freedom- even if that thing is the demon living inside of him. Nina is deep in the heart of Fjerda, and wondering if revenge is worth the cost of her freedom and her heart.
Who will survive? Who will fall? How will Nikolai's story end, and where do we go from here?
Review:
I LOVED RULE OF WOLVES! The writing was perfect, sometimes even beautiful. The character development was top notch. The surprises came one after another after another, and all of them were absolutely DELIGHTFUL.
Leigh has this masterful way of writing comedy into dire situations that never feels forced, and I would be lying to you all if I didn't gush about how much I adore Nikolai Lantsov- and how he is probably one of my favorite characters EVER in literature. I frequently laughed out loud at this book, but also at times I found myself fighting away sleep to finish a chapter. I cried at one particular moment (in Fjerda), and again at a moment in Ravka.
I usually say that a book could be shorter, and this book was the perfect length. I never felt like I knew where this book was going the entire 592 pages, and the ending was so beautifully done and leaves you wanting SO much more. This is supposedly the end of the Grishaverse, but hopefully we'll be able to visit again soon.
Recommendation:
If you're into books with fierce battles and strong characters:
Red Queen Series by Victoria Aveyard
Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
Mirage by Somaiya Daud
If you're into fantastical places filled with magic:
Caraval Series by Stephanie Garber
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Enchentee´ by Gita Trelease
"In the stories, love healed your wounds, fixed what was broken, allowed you to go on. But love wasn't a spell, some kind of benediction to be whispered, a balm or a cure-all, It was a single, fragile thread, which grew stronger through connection, through shared hardship and honored trust."