Six of Crows – Book Review

Author: Leigh Bardugo
Page Count: 491
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Blurb as on Goodreads:

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. . . .

A convict with a thirst for revenge

A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager

A runaway with a privileged past

A spy known as the Wraith

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

A photo of Six of Crows in front of a stall of earrings at the Surajkund Handicrafts Fair 2019.

Initial Thoughts

I’d been wanting to read this duology for months (really enjoyed the Shadow and Bone trilogy), even tried to pick it up twice but couldn’t make it past the first two chapters. I guess I wasn’t in the right space for it. This time, everything clicked right from the start and once I was over that two-chapter hurdle, I didn’t want to stop reading.

Plot & Writing

This book was much darker than the Shadow and Bone trilogy, I’m not sure which I like more just yet. Part of the book is spent planning and plotting for a heist and the other half has a lot of action, violence, backstabbing, manipulation and such. It was exciting, engaging – a wild ride that keeps you turning pages quickly, wanting to know more and more. It was also nice to see more of the Grishaverse – Ketterdam, The Barrel (it’s brutal!), a bit of Fjerda.

When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.

The writing was just slightly harder to get into; Shadow and Bone had simpler writing. It just took a few chapters to get used to the voices of the characters (it’s multiple POVs in the third person) and visualize the new places and everything that was happening.

The Characters

He’d seen her make eyes at a pair of shoes she fancied in a shop window.

We have six main characters, all with different personalities and backstories but one common theme – it’s been a hard life but it made them tough. And these six strong, amazing characters have a lot to gain if they’re able to pull off the heist.

He’d helped her build a legend to wear as armour, something bigger and more frightening than the girl she’d been.

It was so thrilling to see the crew interact and work together, take crazy risks while dealing with personal demons. I’m not head-over-heels in love with Kaz (yet!) but I do see some potential. Nina, Inej and Matthias are just so strong and committed to their respective causes.

On a side note, I got serious Aelin (Throne of Glass series) vibes from Nina and Inej – Nina because of her quirkiness and confidence, Inej because of her strength and sense of duty among other things – and I loved that!

I have been made to protect you. Only in death will I be kept from this oath.

I also loved reading a certain pairing’s chapters because of the potential enemies to lovers trope. I want to know more about them all, especially Jesper and Wylan and I’m hoping to see slightly more romance in the next book.

Final Thoughts

After the previous unsuccessful attempts, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Six of Crows much though I hoped I would like it enough to read this duology quickly so I could pick up King of Scars as soon as I got it. Thankfully, I did enjoy it! After the first few chapters, I could not put it down and read about half of it in one night.

Once you get the lay of the land and meet all the major players, the fun really begins. I’d like to point out that I was sick in bed with cold, fever, etc. when I was reading this book but it kept me up and reading all night. It wasn’t the best thing ever, slightly tedious but I promptly picked up Crooked Kingdom as soon as I finished Six of Crows because I was so worried about what’s going to happen next.

Recommended To…

Any YA Fantasy fans though I would suggest reading the Shadow and Bone Trilogy first as it’s easier to get into the writing and get a feel for the Grisha world, the people and the magic system.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Find this book: Goodreads | Amazon

I apologize if this review sounded a little dry/lazy/not gushy enough – I’m still recovering from said cold, fever etc. and my mind is still quite foggy (that’s why I’ve been MIA all last week). Also, I didn’t want to spoil anything about the characters or the plot. 🤷‍♀️ Anyway.

Have you read this book yet? Are you planning to? Excited for King Of Scars? Let me know in the comments below!