Below is the complete list of Leigh Bardugo’s King Of Scars books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of King Of Scars Books
About King Of Scars
The King of Scars series is a completed young adult fantasy duology by American author Leigh Bardugo, consisting of King of Scars (2019) and Rule of Wolves (2021). Set in the Grishaverse, the fictional world introduced in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the series follows King Nikolai Lantsov as he struggles to protect Ravka from political instability, foreign threats, and a dangerous supernatural legacy. It also continues the stories of Zoya Nazyalensky and Nina Zenik, two important characters from Bardugo’s earlier novels.
The story begins with King of Scars, which takes place after the events of the Shadow and Bone trilogy and the Six of Crows duology. Nikolai has inherited a kingdom weakened by years of warfare, economic hardship, and internal divisions. Although he is intelligent, resourceful, and skilled at presenting a confident public image, his position remains precarious.
Nikolai must navigate rival nations, political conspiracies, and the expectations of Ravka’s nobility while concealing a disturbing secret. During the earlier conflict with the Darkling, he was transformed into a monstrous creature, and traces of that transformation continue to threaten his control over himself.
Determined to free himself from this supernatural affliction, Nikolai searches for a solution that could preserve both his life and his ability to rule. His efforts bring him into contact with powerful forces connected to Ravka’s religious traditions and the history of the Grisha.
Zoya Nazyalensky, a formidable Grisha commander, plays a central role in protecting Nikolai and maintaining the strength of Ravka’s Second Army. Known for her discipline, sharp judgment, and exceptional abilities, Zoya must confront personal losses and responsibilities that challenge her understanding of power.
Her relationship with Nikolai develops through shared political burdens and mutual respect. Their contrasting personalities create tension, but both recognize the importance of safeguarding a kingdom whose survival remains uncertain.
A parallel storyline follows Nina Zenik, who travels to Fjerda while carrying the emotional consequences of events in the Six of Crows duology. Her mission involves protecting vulnerable Grisha and investigating the persecution they face in a country deeply hostile to their abilities.
Through Nina’s experiences, Bardugo explores prejudice, political indoctrination, and the difficulties of resisting injustice from within an oppressive society. Her storyline also introduces new relationships and challenges that become increasingly important as the duology progresses.
Rule of Wolves continues these interconnected narratives as Ravka faces the possibility of another devastating war. Nikolai must employ diplomacy, deception, and military strategy to defend his country, while Zoya confronts the growing significance of her powers.
Meanwhile, Nina’s activities in Fjerda become closely connected to the political conflict threatening Ravka. The separate storylines gradually converge, bringing together characters and consequences from across the wider Grishaverse.
One of the duology’s defining themes is the burden of leadership. Nikolai possesses considerable charm and political intelligence, but his responsibilities require difficult decisions that cannot always satisfy his personal convictions. Bardugo portrays kingship as a continuous negotiation between duty, survival, and moral compromise.
Zoya’s development offers another perspective on authority. Her experiences reveal the emotional costs of strength and the importance of recognizing vulnerability without surrendering determination.
Nina’s storyline places greater emphasis on resistance and identity. Her work in Fjerda forces her to navigate a society that condemns Grisha while confronting her own grief and changing sense of purpose.
The series also expands the supernatural mythology of the Grishaverse, particularly the relationship between Grisha abilities, ancient saints, and the extraordinary powers associated with Ravka’s history. These developments deepen the magical foundations established in the original trilogy.
Although King of Scars features its own central conflict, it is not an ideal starting point for readers unfamiliar with Bardugo’s earlier books. Major characters, political circumstances, and emotional developments depend upon events from both the Shadow and Bone trilogy and Six of Crows duology.
The recommended reading sequence begins with Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising, followed by Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. Readers can then continue with King of Scars and Rule of Wolves.
Within the duology itself, King of Scars must be read before Rule of Wolves, as the second novel directly resolves storylines established in the first.
Through its combination of political intrigue, supernatural conflict, and character-driven storytelling, the King of Scars duology brings together several major threads from Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse. It expands the roles of established characters while examining the sacrifices demanded by leadership, loyalty, and the struggle to build a more secure future.