Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Body horror, War, Violence, Addiction, Torture, Drug use, Death, Grief, Imprisonment, Suicidal ideation
King of Scars
by Leigh Bardugo
Book 1 in King of Scars
Bardugo hands Nikolai Lantsov the POV he earned across two trilogies, then curses him with a monster that feeds on everything he is.
goodreads 4.15/5 233,455 ratings
storykind_community 3.57/5 7 ratings
Quick fit
Is this story right for you?
A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Length527 pages
Series statusOngoing series
Spice1/5 · Tension
PacingMedium
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Slow burn
- Male/female pairing (M/F)
- Delayed romance
- Low
- Tension
- Book hangover incoming
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- Cursed
- Banter
- Longing glances
- Addictive read
- Rogue/scoundrel
- Reluctant allies to lovers
- Eye contact intensity
- Adrenaline rush
- Secretly soft
- Push and pull
- Playful banter
- Feral brain activated
- King / ruling monarch
- Mutual pining
Fantasy promise
- Ya fantasy
- Royal court / palace
- High fantasy
- Demons
- Found family
- War front / rebellion
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- Witches/wizards/warlocks
- Forced alliance
- Castle / fortress
- Spirits
- Cursed love interest
- Dragons
Reading experience
- Multi-POV
- Medium
- Dark
- Atmospheric
- Heavy
- High
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- Warrior/fighter
- Queer
- Immersive
- General badass
- BIPOC MC
- Epic
- Dramatic
- Snarky/sarcastic
- Intense
- Sharp
- Ambitious schemer
- Mysterious
- Cinematic
- Brooding
- Witty
- Dangerous
- Mythic
- Tense
- Political intrigue
- Cursed bloodline
- Reluctant royalty
- Page turner
- Cliffhanger warning
- Battle of wills
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Similar in ways that matter
Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.
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Rule of Wolves
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Similar because
Cursed · Ambitious schemer · King / ruling monarch
Different because
Fast pacing rather than Medium.
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Rebel of the Sands
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Similar because
Delayed romance · Rogue/scoundrel · Reluctant royalty
Different because
A shorter read (314 vs 527 pages).
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Sage of Hope and Ruin
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Similar because
Rogue/scoundrel · Banter · Playful banter
Different because
Fast pacing rather than Medium. A shorter read (374 vs 527 pages).
Book details
- Length
- 527 pages
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book