Hello again friends!
I have heard so many great things about Six of Crows that I thought it was high time I read it. A while ago I read the first book in Bardugo’s previous series, Shadow and Bone. Although the story had merit, the writing left something to be desired and I really couldn’t get into the characters. In my opinion, this new series (while set in the same world) is a completely different writing style and I’m so glad I gave this author another shot. This is a perfect example of why you shouldn’t judge an author by just one book.
By Leigh Bardugo
YA Fantasy Fiction
Synopsis
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.
Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction―if they don’t kill each other first.
My Thoughts
This book is set in a world the author created in her previous book series, Shadow and Bone. So if you have read any books from that series, then you will already know a lot of the terms and places being mentioned. If you haven’t, don’t worry, it’s not required and there are explanations for everything as you read through.
The main plot of this book is an impossible heist involving six misfits with varies problems and complicated histories. The crew ages range from 15yrs to 18yrs old and many of them have intertwining histories. The first character introduced is Inej, she is nicknamed the Wraith due the fact that she is extremely light and nimble on her feet. She is reserved, religious and part of a gang called the Crows, as is another player named Jesper. Jesper is a sharpshooter/sniper and is very easy going despite numerous life and death situations. Wylan is the youngest member of the group and is dubbed the explosive expert. He every bit acts his age and definitely seems even younger at times.
Nina is also a member of the Crows and is the only Grisha in the group. A Grisha is a person with magical abilities in one of three divisions. She is called a heartrender, and has the ability to kill a person by controlling their heart, lungs or any other bodily function. She must hide this power, however and only uses it behind closed doors because there are people who would see all Grisha dead. Those people are called the Druskelle, a cleric type order that believes the Grisha are unnatural. Matthias is one of the Druskelle and also has a complicated back story with Nina, which is slowly uncovered throughout the current story. The final player is Kaz Brekker, a highly intelligent but ruthless leader of the gang, the Crows. Kaz is definitely the linchpin of the group and keeps his eyes on the prize despite the cost.
Each character is so unique and they play well off one another. Every chapter is told through a different characters perspective so you get to see inside their thoughts as the group makes progress, experience setbacks, and relationships strain. I definitely found myself rooting for the group in spite of their roughness and, in some cases, lack of morals. I really liked how the author slowly unfolded the backstory of each member of the group, so as the characters progressed, the readers understanding of them does as well.
If I could use one word to describe this book it would be Action! The events are fast paced and the excitement never stops, this is definitely a page turner. There are a few romantic thoughts throughout the story but that is not the main focus and I think it’s mostly to keep the relationships interesting. The characters are paired off as the book advances and the romance is focused on each pair in their own way.
Although it seems like everything is wrapping up nicely at the end of the book, there is a curve-ball thrown and a sequel to read! I have already purchased the second book, Crooked Kingdom and can’t wait to see how the crew comes together for this next mission.
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