The last book review I did for this blog was the Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. I decided to continue on her Grisha-verse and talk about the next books in the series, a duology called Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom.
Not everybody loves a story about a gang of thieves, but literary and cinematic history proves there are legions of us who do. (The Fast and the Furious series? Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, and Eight? The Thomas Crowne Affair? Point Break?)
This duology focuses on a young criminal named Kaz Brekker. Through the two books, we follow Brekker and his ‘family’ – silent yet deadly Inej, fun-loving gambling addict Jesper, over-the-top charismatic Nina, solemn stuffed-shirt Mattias, and new-to-the-team runaway Wylan. Together they form a gang known as the Crows. The first book focuses on the ‘big heist’ – that one job whose reward will grant each their greatest desire, be that freedom, redemption, revenge, or just plain money. The second book deals with the repercussions of that job, both in their personal lives and in their world at large.
In my research for this review, I found several complaints that a group of teenagers would not be so self-possessed or capable of plotting and planning their exploits required. I disagree. These are children who had to grow up quickly. A young girl kidnapped from her family and sold to a pleasure house doesn’t have any choice but to grow and adapt, or die. A boy who loses his family and endures hardships that make the human touch revulsive? Survival by any means becomes the most important thing to him. A young wastrel who loses all his money and who, because of shame, wants to disappear instead of facing himself and his father? You develop a thick skin, superb gun-slinging skills, and a wicked sense of humor as your coping mechanism.
Are some of their escapades outrageous and unbelievable? Yes. Does it take anything away from the snarky banter, nonstop scheming, and wild escapades? Not at all. I was honored to go on this roller coaster adventure with them. Fingers crossed that Leigh Bardugo turns this duology into a trilogy!
Though they are stand-alone stories, some characters, and some major plot points do carry over. Reading the original trilogy brings an added layer of
comfort and tension. When a certain ‘fox-faced man in his twenties wearing a teal frock coat’ showed up, I cheered. No spoilers, but he was my second favorite character in all seven books! (Kaz and Inej together were my faves!)
Most of the action takes place in the city of Ketterdam, a fully developed character in its own right. A cross between Victorian London and Las Vegas, you travel its twisted canals and shadowy backstreets with our gang. You might not want to live in Ketterdam, but you sure would like to visit.
So I invite you to visit the hedonistic island city. Watch out for pickpockets, hang on to your belongings, and look for the Crows.
#Fave Friday Fiction: Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows is YA fantasy at its best!
