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.
Rating: 4.5/5Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance
I have a love-hate thing going on with novels and why-didn't-I-see-that-coming twists. Like Harry Potter being a horcrux? And having to "die" in order to destroy it? I don't think I'll ever get over those two especially. And I'm adding more to that list because Six of Crows was so clever it made me feel inadequate. But then again Kaz, the mastermind main character, just has a way of inspiring that in people.
But seriously, this book is a delicious, layered cake of twists and turns and complicated yet organic relationships that make it so fun to read. It's easy to lose yourself in the smooth pacing and suspenseful moments that lure you in for more. The world-building is pretty solid as well, but I've heard that Bardugo had a whole other series to practice on beforehand. The Grisha Trilogy, from what I've gathered off of other bloggers, is set in the same or similar world. Either way, it's done well in Six of Crows.
And I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really enjoyed the multiple points of view. Each character has such a distinct voice and unique story that I was somewhat grateful we got a glimpse into all of their heads. It really allowed a personal connection to grow between book and reader. The best way I can explain this is that it almost felt like there were no minor characters. Which, in many cases could go horribly wrong, but in this case it just worked. It's like when your favorite supporting character upgrades to a series regular and you go with it because you're just so excited you'll be able to see their face more. You get me? It was just nice to read, okay.
My only complaint is that I really think this book could be a standalone—at least it had the feel of one. The epic quest plot came pretty much full-circle, with just a few loose ends that alluded to sequels, and I think it could have been great even if those lingering questions were taken out. To put it simply, the ending felt kind of forced, but I can still see all the connecting dots that led to it.
So, I'll leave you guys with this: if someone demanded a one word definition for Six of Crows, I would pick "thrilling." If anything, Bardugo knows how to capture her readers with memorable characters. And maybe, in retrospect, using that word is a bit worrying since most of the characters are young, gang members who have killed lots of people, but I'll take what I can get. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a captivating adventure tale with terrific characters and who is comfortable with a good amount of violence.
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