King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

The much-anticipated first book in a brand-new duology by New York Times bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo.
Face your demons . . . or feed them.
Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country's bloody civil war - and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka's coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.
Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren't meant to stay buried--and some wounds aren't meant to heal.

Review
Every story is superb, Leigh Bardugo has an honest, vibrant voice that's capable of unfolding her imaginings with true skill. Sara Kiplin's beautiful illustrations grow in complexity . . . making this a sumptuous feast for the mind and eyes * SFX Magazine on THE LANGUAGE OF THORNS * A delicious blend of masterfully executed elements... Bardugo outdoes herself in this exhilarating follow-up, and series fans will have their eyes glued to every page * Booklist on CROOKED KINGDOM * Bardugo outdoes herself with this book, creating the gorgeously built backdrop of Ketterdam and populating it with a sophisticated cast of rogues and criminals. A twisty and elegantly crafted masterpiece that thrilled me from beginning to end * Holly Black on SIX OF CROWS * Mesmerizing . . . shiver-inducing, of the delicious variety. This is what fantasy is for * Laini Taylor on the SHADOW AND BONE trilogy * Unlike anything I've ever read * Veronica Roth on the SHADOW AND BONE trilogy * It's like THE HUNGER GAMES meets POTTER meets TWILIGHT meets LORD OF THE RINGS meets GAME OF THRONES; basically epic magical fantasy but completely for grown-ups * Stylist on the SHADOW AND BONE trilogy *

About the Author
Leigh Bardugo is the number one New York Times bestselling author fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse. With over one million copies sold, her Grishaverse spans the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology and The Language of Thorns. She was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and most recently, makeup and special effects. These days, she lives and writes in Hollywood, where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band. Find her website at www.leighbardugo.com and follow her on Twitter @lbardugo.