One of my very favourite fantasy series. This is an action-packed duology with amazing characters, high stakes heisting and some really great ships.

Get into it!

“Six of Crows'', the first book from the duology series by Leigh Bardugo compacts everything you need if you’re a fantasy and heavy action lover. The world building is incredible, and the themes in the story focus specifically on the dark elements of society. I found that Bardugo’s story telling has improved a lot since her first Grishaverse series, Shadow and Bone. Her first series was from a first-person POV which limited the reader’s knowledge about the rest of the characters. With her new story-telling style, where she switches POV’s every chapter, readers can truly delve into all the wonderful, complex backstories of the main protagonists. The fact that this story steers away from the “chosen one” trope that is commonly seen in young adult novels was something different and it captured my attention immediately. The characters themselves are very complex and extremely flawed in their unique way, but they banter like any normal teenagers would and their group dynamic was very fun to read. I found that I could not put down the book when I started, I just wanted to get to know more about their stories, and where their adventure will lead them to. I highly recommend this to older teens who are okay with heavy and dark themes, or to adults who enjoy fantasy and heavy packed action.
@joy of the Hamilton Public Library's Teen Review Board

I am going to give this book a general 4 out of 5, to average out the beginning and ending. It started off with a rather quick jump, new characters and a strange world. It could have used a bit more space to let readers absorb all of it, but maybe that is because I'm a bit slow. The middle was honestly a lot of filler and the six thieves needing time to "get comfortable" with each other. It was a bit unnecessary. Now the ending, that was a power punch. Naturally, things go astray, and it ties everything in a knot that is easily undone, now that the second book is out. But I would HATE for the cliffhanger to be waited on. It's that good. 4/5 stars
@Siri of the Hamilton Public Library's Teen Review Board

This book drew me into the sweeping fantasy world right from the first pages. This plot was epic and complex with hidden twists and turns along the way. The main storyline is about a thrilling and action-packed heist. We see six unique main characters brought together with one common dangerous mission. I have to say, I was worried that with six main characters and five perspectives I would be confused. It did prove a little complex to follow in the beginning, but it was very easy to catch on and I found that the different perspectives were very effective. The point of views helped me view the characters equally and allowed me to see their personal agendas and thoughts. The author has crafted each character carefully with incredible depth. Every one of them has their own histories and there is a perfect mixture of sarcasm, darkness, and humour found among them. The world-building is extremely well-written, transporting me straight to the dark streets of the city, filled with thieves, criminals, and outcasts. This novel is fast-paced, dynamic, and exciting. Definitely a book I would recommend.
@Lumos of the Hamilton Public Library's Teen Review Board

Six of Crows presents the story of a group of teenagers who are considered neither heroes nor villains. They are just people who will do anything to survive, in this case even a mugging.

In Ketterdam Kaz Brekker is a thief with a gift for unlikely escapes , and is part of The Dregs, a gang led by Per Haskell. Kaz is proposed a robbery with a fair but almost impossible deal by Jan Van Eck, but he cannot do it alone. Kaz seeks the help of Matthias, a convict with a desire for revenge, of Jesper, a sniper who cannot get away from a bet, of Wylan, a fugitive with a privileged past, of Inej, his right-hand man and a spy known as a ghost, and of Nina, a destroyer of hearts who uses her magic to survive in the slums.

Kaz thought everything would be easy, but he didn't count on the problems of the people in the group. He also didn't count on falling in love, and not knowing how to act on hurting that person.

Throughout the book, there is plot twist after plot twist, the characters' pasts are told, making you question whether you should trust or not. But these characters are just children pretending to be adults, so you can empathize.

Will the crew be able to achieve their goals? At what cost? Will they all be able to survive? What will happen between them afterwards?

I think with a book like this one it is important to not tell any detail beyond an important one. Every word is important for how the book is going to end. It's like the domino effect.

I like this book because I think that the protagonists of the books are always heroes who fight for something good, not that there's anything wrong with that. But in Six of Crows we have a group of teenagers, I tend to forget that detail while reading, that they don't pretend to be good, they only look for their benefit. They are broken people, with pasts that will surprise you. The character development is very beautiful too, and I'm telling you that with the second book it will be bigger. That's why I think that if you like a raw story, with strange names, a well-made imaginary world, and a shocking ending, this story is for you.

Heists, plot twists, creative characters, and a gloomy world.

5/5

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is possibly one of the most eloquent, original, and touching books I have yet to read. I have never had the pleasure of reading something like it yet, and I hope I will very soon.

The novel, the first in a duology (a series of two books) follows Kaz Brekker, a talented thief of a gang within the bustling city of Ketterdam called the Dregs, as he gets hired to break into the Ice Court, the most secure prison within their world and often thought of to be unbreakable. Though Kaz accepts the mission and assembles a group of thieves and thugs, Inej, his “spider” and his best spy, Jesper, a master in the art of sharpshooting, Nina, a powerful Grisha (magic user), Wylan, a runaway and heir to a large fortune, and Matthias, a convict from an island prison searching for revenge to help him break into the Ice Court and retrieve what his employer is looking for within the prison.

It markets itself as a fantasy novel, though in this book I believe there is something for everyone. The relationships between each and every one of the characters is layered and complex, with a character that almost every person can relate to on some level or form from their experiences to traits. Leigh Bardugo handles every piece of each of their characters, from their race to their past experiences to their portrayal of both physical and mental health with care and without romanticizing it.

The plot is well paced and well written, and Bardugo shows huge growth from her old series with the way she writes her new characters and pieces of eloquent writing and quotes scattered throughout the book. As mentioned, the pacing of the book is also fantastic, managing to keep you with and entertained by all the characters and what they are doing while still getting to see pieces of their personal friendships and relationships with other characters.

Overall, Six of Crows is a highly complex, layered, well-paced novel with a thrilling plot, eloquent, mature writing, diverse, relatable characters, and a fun novel that I believe anyone could enjoy, and it is definitely worth the read.

This was literally such an INCREDIBLE book.
I read this at a point where I was getting bored with the usual YA fantasy formula (main character that gains a dramatic revlation, a troublesome love triangle, some sort of super powers- all that stuff), and it blew away my expectations. It was one of those books that I just couldn't bring myself to put down, a feeling that I'd really been missing recently. I finished it in a single day, and honestly it was the best way I could've spent my time.

Six of Crows was a breath of fresh air when I needed it the most. It's gained a place in my heart, and in my top 10 favourite books.

Six of Crows is a separate book from the Grisha trilogy, and is set in the same world, only on a different continent with new characters. This novel centers around Kaz Brekker and his five person crew to accomplish a seemingly impossible heist. The plot is well written and keeps the reader quite interested throughout. Each character is uniquely written and adds onto the small details that the author inserts. Fans of fantasy and action will enjoy this book.

I enjoyed this book! The action was fast paced and the character dialogue was quick and witty. It did take me a good third of the book to get into it, but once I did, I was hooked!

Book 1

AHHH LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!! every aspect was amazing from just the plot to the subtle friendships (nina & kaz, jesper & inej) and of course romances (kanej owns my heart). a really well-thought out book and is one of my new favorites. i highly recommend reading this!