Series Review: Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1)

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.

Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2)

When you can’t beat the odds, change the game.

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

This was originally published on August 19th 2018

So, this review has actually been a work-in-progress for quite some time now (when I say quite some time, I really mean like over a year HAHAHA), but I really just wanted to make sure I put in everything I wanted to say about these stunning books. AAAND what better time to post than now! Especially with Leigh announcing there’s going to be a third book 😍😍

These were the first books I read by Leigh Bardugo, and I’m so happy that they were. Before I picked up the series to actually read them, I’d heard so much about Leigh and this series, and how amazing they were, so I was super excited to read them, the only reason why it took me so long was because I thought it was absolutely necessary to read the Grisha Trilogy first (having to read another 3 books before made me say ehhhhhh), but after talking to a few people and learning that I didn’t have to read the Grisha Trilogy (although it probably would’ve helped), I couldn’t start them faster.

What can I say?? Every time I sit down to write about this duology, I can feel my heart racing faster and I always just want to re-read the series! Leigh Bardugo has such a way with words, and creates flowing scenes and deeply realistic characters. I accidentally ordered two copies of the duology hardcover boxed set so I could go through one set and highlight the parts I liked best with a grey highlighter hehe. Can I also just say that they’re not only beautiful books on the inside, but they’re so photogenic!! I try not to post multiple photos of the same books on my bookstagram, but I think I have like 4 or 5 photos of this duology because they’re just so beautiful.

Leigh created such a vivid world, and although I didn’t know anything about the world when I began, I picked everything up very quickly. The writing style is easy to read, but it’s also very descriptive and flows so well with such beautiful quotes. Leigh weaved the most complex story together with twists and turns everywhere, but did so in a way that it was so subtle that when everything was revealed, I kinda just sat there in awe and tried to connect everything together.

The characters are all very complex and all have very different voices when narrating. Although I love them all, my favourites are Nina and Inej. Nina is so fiery and sassy, and Inej is just adorable and I love how patient she is with everything. There’s a lot of diversity in these books, and it’s woven in so subtly! A lot of books I’ve read try and emphasise the fact that they’re diverse, but this one really doesn’t, and I love it. For more detailed information about the diversity in these books, I recommend checking out this article by Fem Magazine. Feven did such a great job of summarising the qualities, but please don’t open it if you don’t want to see spoilers!

I dived into Six of Crows not really knowing what I was getting myself into, and I actually couldn’t stop reading it. As in, when I finished SoC, I immediately picked up Crooked Kingdom and devoured it. The ending of Crooked Kingdom didn’t just break my heart, it shattered it and crushed the remains into the ground. There was so much I wanted to change!! But at the same time I was happy with the ending, I don’t know how that works but it does.

I really loved this duology, and I can’t wait for the next book!! I always recommend these to friends who are looking for a book, and I just think they’re absolutely amazing.

2022 update

I’ve just finished my fourth re-read of these gorgeous books, and I just thought I’d quickly pop over and add to this review. This duology is still just as brilliant as it was the very first time I read them, I absolutely adore everything about these books, and I’ll continue re-reading to my heart’s content. I first read these books back in January 2016, and even now they still capture my whole heart and attention 6 years later.

The plot is still brilliantly woven and complex, with intricate schemes, relationships and politics within Ketterdam (and outside of it!). These books never fail to draw me in, and keep me guessing – even if I know what’s going to happen! The characters are every bit as wonderful as they were the first time, the second time and the third time, and I really love them. We’ve got LGBTQ+ representation, different ethnicities and different types of relationships – both romantic and platonic. This group of misfits is so near and dear to my heart, and I would easily read at least 10 more books about them if Leigh ever chose to bless us with more Crows content. Six of Crows keeps making me fall in love with the world and the crew, and Crooked Kingdom keeps on stomping on my heart and shattering it into a million bits, whilst simultaneously making me laugh.

I actually ended up going back and reading the Grisha Trilogy in 2021 after seeing Shadow and Bone come out on Netflix, and not being able to resist watching it for much longer HAHA. In all honesty, I don’t think the Grisha Trilogy is as good as the Six of Crows duology – the characters aren’t as compelling, the story is a bit more convoluted, and I absolutely hated Mal. I still haven’t read the King of Scars duology, as it didn’t hold my interest when I first picked it up (I think it was just wrong timing though), but I will give it another go!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Leigh Bardugo is the #1 New York Times bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the Six of Crows Duology and the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, as well as the upcoming Wonder Woman: Warbringer (Aug 2017) and The Language of Thorns (Sept 2017).

She was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University. These days, she lives and writes in Hollywood where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band.

She would be delighted if you followed her on Twitter, elated if you visited her web site, and fairly giddy if you liked her selfies on Instagram.