Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom Review

Hello everybody and welcome back to another edition of The CW Torch, today I will be talking all about the Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom Duology by Leigh Bardugo. I began reading this Fantasy series last November, because I’ve heard so many rave reviews of it, and it just seemed like the type of book that I'd love. For the first time in a while, the hype was real. While at first, I wasn’t all too impressed, but by the end of Six of Crows and throughout the entirety of Crooked Kingdom, Leigh Bardugo changed my mind, drastically. I have so much to say, but I will do my best to make this spoiler free, because I am aware that there are so many of you who haven’t read this series. Hopefully, my reasons for why I love and adore this series, will help you in making a decision to pick up this damn series! Without further ado, let’s get into the review! Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Genre: High Fantasy (Young Adult) Format: Kindle (Six of Crows), Hardback (Crooked Kingdom) Final Ratings: 4/5 Stars (Six of Crows), 5/5 Stars (Crooked Kingdom) Plot: Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, follows a criminal prodigy named 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 out 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.

When reading the synopsis you could definitely tell that this series is more of a character driven story, as it mainly focuses on the characters, rather than the actual heist. While I enjoyed the characters and character development, one aspect I found missing in the first book, was the plot. I felt like the plot was extremely drawn out and secondary to the character arcs, as the first book introduced us to these characters. To be honest, I didn’t really care for the plot, until the very end of the novel, and even more so in the second novel. I definitely think the plot was more developed in the second novel, as we really didn’t get deep into the heist until the later half of the first book. With that being said, there were so many aspects of the plot in the second book, that I really did enjoy. This book reminded me so much of the Ocean’s Eleven-Thirteen movies, and even a more fantastical version of The Breakfast Club. Mainly, because it closely follows a group of flawed strangers, all trying to achieve one goal. The only thing I could’ve asked for, was a more detailed and developed heist. Writing: After reading the first book, I wasn't too impressed by Leigh Bardugo’s writing, which I know is a very unpopular opinion. I thought it was a typical YA fantasy, but what really stood out to me, was how she developed such flawed characters. Each character had their own story, and not one stood out over the other, which doesn’t happen too often in Fantasy novels. She made you love each and every character, for many different reasons, even though they were all part of the same world, and trying to achieve the same goal. While I enjoyed her character-development, I thought she did lack in world-building, and plot-development. I thought she focused way too much on the romances, which was another thing that bothered me in the first book. I really didn’t like that every member within this crew, was in a romantic relationship in some way, with another member of the crew. In fact, there were only two romances in the first book, that I truly did care about, which I will discuss more in the character section of my review. However, what I found missing in the first book, were definitely made up in the second novel. I thought the characters were even more developed, making me fall in love with the romances even more. I thought the world of Ketterdam was way more developed, as I could easily picture it in my mind in Crooked Kingdom, rather than in Six of Crows. I also thought the plot was way more developed, even though it was still very drawn out. All in all, I really thought Leigh Bardugo’s writing definitely improved from the first novel. Another aspect I appreciated in this series, was that Leigh Bardugo tackled a lot of issues that you might be used to in a contemporary world, and not so much in a fantasy world. For instance, she included diversity in many aspects, drug-addiction, learning disabilities, and even human-trafficking. These different issues, made you really fall in love with all these characters, and it helped you see the truth behind those crooked streets of Ketterdam. Because in a way, these issues had you relate them to the real-world, which is something you don’t really see in YA Fantasy. World-Building:

As I stated earlier, I thought the world of Ketterdam was very lackluster in Six of Crows, but was definitely more developed in Crooked Kingdom. I felt like I couldn't picture Ketterdam in my mind, since the first book was so heavily focused on the characters. I also wasn’t sure if this was because I didn’t read her other trilogy, set in the Grisha Universe (which I am reading now), before reading the Six of Crows Duology. But even so, I thought she should’ve painted Ketterdam more than she had, for those who didn’t read her other trilogy first, thinking you didn’t have to read them first. So, I was extremely pleased that she decided to describe Ketterdam more in Crooked Kingdom, making it extremely vast and well-developed. In fact, it was one of my favorite aspects of Crooked Kingdom, because she had described the world in such a beautiful and haunting way. There were so many aspects of the world, that reminded me of Venice, because of it’s crooked streets that you could easily get lost in. Ketterdam also resembled many cities of Lord of the Rings’ Middle-Earth, such as Bree. But, still reminded me of our contemporary world, which was an interesting and unique mix. Characters:

The true stars of this series, were the extremely developed, flawed, and well-crafted characters. While they weren’t the most desirable characters, painted as outcasts and criminals, Leigh Bardugo still managed to make you fall in love with and root for them. They all had a story to tell, and not one character overshadowed the other. However, I did have my favorites from the beginning; Kaz, Inej, and Nina. Yet, their development in Crooked Kingdom, made me fall in love with every single one of them. This series was definitely an anti-hero story, making you question who to root for. Kaz Brekkar

Kaz is the leader of the crew, the Dreg who brought all of these people together, and the mastermind behind the heist. Bringing these five strangers, to get vengeance for his family, and the wrongs that Pekka Rollins bestowed upon his family. Kaz Brekkar was my favorite character of this entire series; I just love me some silent, brooding, and deeply flawed male characters. But, it wasn’t because of his role in the heist or because he was the true leader of the Crow Club. It was mainly because of his backstory, dealing with his brother and his past with Pekka Rollins, which we find out more about in Crooked Kingdom. I also loved his relationship with Inej, as this was the one relationship I was truly rooting for in this series. I loved their witty banter and sassy remarks towards each other, but I also thought they brought out the best in each other. He reminded me of Aragorn, of Lord of the Rings, in many ways. There was just something about Kaz Brekkar, that made me feel for him, and I think it was because of how he truly cared for Inej. He put up a wall, because of his past, but Inej helped break it down, even though he may not have wanted to. Inej Ghafa

Inej is a member of the Dregs, working as the Dregs’ spy. She is of Suli heritage and was raised performing with her family as an acrobat. When she was with her family in the west coast near Os Kervo performing in a carnival. Inej was rudely awakened and captured by slaves early one morning and subsequently sold to Tante Heleen, an owner of a pleasure house in Ketterdam, where she was forced to work in the Menagerie as an indenture. When Inej first met Kaz Brekkar she overheard him talking to Heleen asking her for information about her clients. Inej later approached Kaz and offered to help him but he did not respond and walked away. Kaz returned the next day to buy her contract from Heleen and gave Inej the chance to join The Dregs. Inej Ghafa was my second favorite character of this series, mainly because of her past. I thought she was one of the most developed out of all the characters, especially from where she was in the first book, to the very end. I loved her relationship with Kaz, because I thought she held her own very well around him. She was very sassy and snarky towards him, which I thought helped Kaz grow into a more caring person. I also thought she provided a motherly role for Nina, because they kind of went through the same thing in their pasts. Nina Zenik

Nina is a Heartrender from Ravka who joined the Dregs. She worked at the House of the White Rose and used her Grisha power in her services there until Kaz Brekkar asked her to join him in his quest to break into the Ice Court. Nina was another one of my favorite characters, because while she was the most flawed in my eyes, she really was the backbone of this group. She had a very important role within this group, that she really struggled with throughout the series. Mainly, because of her drug addiction to Jurda Parem, which she even thought was the only thing that allowed her to use her powers. At first, I wasn't a big fan of Nina, mainly because of her relationship with Matthias really annoyed me. But, once their relationship began to grow in Crooked Kingdom, I was actually starting to like them. Much like Kaz and Inej, I thought their relationship really helped them grow into mature adults. I also thought Matthias was a great influence to Nina, and helped her see that she didn't need the drugs to perform her Heartrender abilities. Matthias Helvar

Matthias is a former Druskelle (witch-hunter from Fjerda). He has a history with Nina, as the two of them helped each other after a storm destroyed their ship. They trust each other, until Nina betrays him. He hates Nina for her betrayal and for his initial prejudice against betrayal, but he also loves her. At first, I really didn't like Matthias at all, I thought he was extremely rash and immature in his decision making, and his reactions towards Nina. I found myself rolling my eyes a lot, during his chapters, because I really couldn't stand him. However, I did like him towards the end of Crooked Kingdom, because he was starting to put his prejudices aside, and was actually trying to help Nina through her addiction. I thought Matthias was really angsty, but that was mainly due to him trying to set aside his feelings for Nina. Ultimately, he couldn’t put them aside, and was actually starting to care for her. Wylan van Eck

Wylan is a merchant’s son with some talent for demolition, who Kaz takes on as a hostage, in hopes of using him as leverage against Jan Van Eck. He’s unable to read due to his dyslexia. Wylan to me is an understated character, who really didn't get as much screen time as Inej, Nina, and Matthias. However, I thought Wylan was one of the most interesting characters in this book, mainly because of his relationship with Jan Van Eck. I loved learning more about his past with his father, and thought these were some of the most pivotal scenes in this series. I also really enjoyed the representation of Dyslexia, because you could really see him struggle in his role within the Dregs, because of his learning disability. I was living for his scenes with Jesper in the second book, and thought they provided a bit of humor throughout all the tension of the series. Jesper Fahey

Jesper is a rich and prominent merchant who sits on Ketterdam’s Merchant Council. He makes a deal with Kaz Brekkar to retrieve the creator of Jurda Parem from the Ice Court. Jesper was probably the most understated character of this series, and I thought we nearly didn't get enough of him. However, I loved every chapter in Jesper’s perspective, and honestly wish we got more. Once again, I thought he helped Wylan get through his dyslexia, and was an extremely important factor in this heist. We also had two villains in this story, Jan Van Eck and Pekka Rollins. Jan Van Eck was a prominent merchant who sits on Ketterdam’s Merchant Council. He makes a deal with Kaz Brekkar to retrieve the creator of Jurda Parem from the Ice Court. Pekka Rollins is Kaz’s ultimate adversary after he stole from him and ruined his life. He’s the rich owner of a successful casino in Ketterdam, and is always up to no good in one way or the other. Both are very mistrustful and extremely witty and crafty, providing a good contrast throughout the series. With their history, you were also made to think who were the actual good guys and who were the bad guys. 

Thank you all so much for reading my review of the Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom Duololgy. This has been one of my favorite series that I’ve read, since getting back into reading. I loved the characters from the beginning, but got more into the world and plot, as I continued reading Crooked Kingdom. While I absolutely loved this series, and would highly recommend it to just about anyone, I am so sad that this story within the Grisha Universe is over. I am currently listening to the Shadow and Bone trilogy, which is Leigh Bardugo’s first series within the Grisha Universe, and so far I am enjoying it, and hope to learn more about this Universe that I love so dearly now. Hope you all enjoyed the review, here are some of my favorite quotes from the book to leave you all with, which I hope to start adding as a part of these reviews! TTFN, and Happy Reading! Chynna Williams @TheCWTorch  

Favorite Quotes: “Many boys will bring you flower. But someday you’ll meet a boy who will learn your favorite flower, your favorite song, your favorite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won’t matter because he will have taken the the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns your heart.” Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo “No mourners. No funerals. Among them, it passed for ‘good luck.’” Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo “The Heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true.” Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo “When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.” Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo “A gambler, a convict, a wayward son, a lost Grisha, a Suli girl who had become a killer, a boy from the barrel who had become something worse.” Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo “Better terrible truths than kind lies.” Page 56-57, Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo “Her suffering had not been for nothing. Her Saints had brought her to Ketterdam for a reason— a ship to hunt slavers, a mission to give meaning to all she’d been through. She would not betray that purpose or her friends for some dream of the past.” Page 57, Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo “When honest men have no coin to squander and put their minds to toil instead of vice?” Page 100, Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo “You’re not weak because you can’t read. You're weak because you’re afraid of people seeing your weakness. You’re letting shame decide who you are.” Page 283, Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo 

“This is the city I bled for. And if Ketterdam has taught me anything, it’s that you can always bleed a little more.” Page 354, Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo