Crooked Kingdom the highly anticipated sequel to Leigh Bardugo’s thrilling #1 New York Times-bestselling Six of Crows.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 … 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.
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Review #74940818083081 of me fangirling over Leigh Bardugo’s writing. Just to start things off, I LOVE THE CROWS SO MUCH. And the character development, oh my gosh. (Kaz? Matthias? WYLAN? It was all immaculate.) I love how by the end of Crooked Kingdom the crows had become a sort of “found family” and how you could see how strong everyone’s relationships had become, whether it be romantic or platonic (but oh my gosh I would give my life for Kanej…the slowburn ).
I love how rather than just play it off, Leigh Bardugo really dives into the mental health of each of the crows. We get to see how Wylan deals with his dyslexia, Jesper deals with (what I assume is) his ADHD and gambling addiction, and how Kaz and Inej both deal with their PTSD. It was really refreshing to see Bardugo allow her characters to grow rather than just brushing off their struggles.
This book quickly became one of my favorite books of all time and I am so excited to see what Leigh Bardugo will do with Six of Crows #3!
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: Crooked Kingdom
: The Six of Crows Duology #2 & Grishaverse #5
: Leigh Bardugo
: 4/5
Let me start out by saying that in the end I did really like the book and that is why I gave it four stars. However, I had such a hard time getting into it, it literally took me weeks. That said, when I did get into it I was able to finish it in a couple days. Maybe it’s because I am not used to reading so many characters and therefore I couldn’t really connect with them at times and it also made me feel impatient with reading. In the beginning it was the hardest, I felt that the story progressed too slow for me. What I did love, and why it still got such a high rating is because of the story itself. It was written so carefully and crafted so so so very well. I love the mystery and suspense, especially the twist and turns. I am a big lover of the unexpected twists and turns and there were a lot of those here. I tend to give book that have unexpected twists a higher rating because I value these surprises a lot. Moreover, I liked how the characters were crafted so detailed even when it was hard for me to connect at times. I also loved the humor in this book, there were a lot of nice comebacks and funny moments. You can definitely notice that the authors writing has improved since writing the Grisha trilogy. Overall, a very good fantasy read with many twists and turns.
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Kaz Brekker can certainly pull off a heist…or a few, with his unconventional methods. If the drug Jurda Parem gets into the wrong hands the fate of the Grisha world is in danger. So what does Kaz do? He places the only man who can reproduce the drug in an open auction! You can imagine the intricate plan which must lie behind a move like this which ends up with the bad guys wanting vengeance: funded by plenty of cash from dignitaries who didn’t know what hit them. I enjoyed reading the hardships of the street life and how the dregs try to shape a better life for themselves, but missed that the story didn’t have a higher stake with a more satisfying resolve.
I’m a romance reader, I love books that have a strong couple that endures everything that’s thrown their way and come out closer and stronger.
That being said this book got me hooked from the get go. No it’s not a romance. It shows a different kind of love, one that is born out hardship, pain, loss and loneliness.
This ragtag crew is as close as a family can get. They bicker and fight but they’re there for one another when it counts. They love each other even if they don’t say it.
The couples that formed within the crew are beautiful. Each story has a heart of their own. I laughed and cried with them all as their stories unfolded.
This book broke my heart in more ways than one. I feared for them all and when all was said and done my heart broke some more.
Kaz and Inej I loved. They are so scarred inside and at the same time so strong. They both are the glue that holds the crew together and I can’t wait to see what becomes of them on the next book.
Wylan and Jes are the funniest. They’ve gone through hell and back but haven’t lost that spark. I loved them and how they worked their way towards one another. They are essential to the crew not just because of their abilities but because they can put a smile on their faces no matter the situation.
Nina and Mathias are the sweetest most lovable couple. He’s the most innocent man. He works through his beliefs out of love for Nina and learns to accept everyone for who they are no what they are. Nina seems strong but she’s the sweetest. I can’t say no more, I won’t spoil this for you.
What this crew accomplished is nothing short of a miracle all the book is action packed my anxiety levels went through the roof. I swear I wanted to hurt their enemies so bad.
I loved seeing some characters from the Grishaverse verse too. I missed them a lot.
What an ending! I did not see everything coming together in quite that way. This was twisty and turny and so very addictive! There were some conclusions that had me in tears… and those were both heartwarming and heartbroken tears. I’m more than just a little bitter about a certain death that has left me devastated! This is a beautiful thrill ride that will leave you gasping for air and hanging on for dear life. There was just so much happening and so many things to cheer for and so many things to hope for.
The qualities that these characters had were so very detailed making them leap up and off of the pages. From devious to pious to sweet and vengeful, each emotion is brought to life perfectly. I didn’t think I would love this when I first started reading. These characters are rough around the edges and possess fierce personalities. Some have a nativity to them to you really don’t want to see vanish.
I love how Leigh Bardugo sets the stage. Her imagery is spectacular. The things that her characters say!!! They are so very powerful both in brilliantly destructive ways and those that float into your heart so that you’re never quite the same way again.
And have I mentioned how bitter and salty I am about a certain death!? I’m pointing at you Leigh Bardugo!!! You broke my heart and I know that whenever anyone asks about a character’s death that I’ll never get over, it will be his! Which means you’ve done a fabulous job creating this duology and I humbly bow before you with all of my thanks and my bitterness laid bare before you.
I loved the Six Of Crows, and when it left me on a cliff hanger I was only more besotted to it. As soon as I got the chance I picked up Crooked Kingdom and to my pleasure found it just as good! I loved loved loved this series, the characters and their emotions were so relatable and realistic it was hard to believe they lived in a fantasy world. One of my favorite things about this book and the previous was that they told the story from different point of views. Each chapter was told from a different character, letting me slide deeper into their emotions and manners. Another wonderful thing is that this book stands alone. You can read it before or after you read the Grisha Series. You don’t have to read that series at all if you don’t want to, but trust me once you get a taste of Leigh Bardugo’s writing you’ll want to devour every word she writes! This is one of the best books I have ever read and definitely recommend it!
I really enjoyed these books and these characters a lot. I kind of felt like it could’ve been set with older characters and nothing would’ve changed except their ages because there was a LOT of graphic stuff that I suppose I associate with older books, but it was still enjoyable to read and I loved the ending, so.
I was sooo ready for this follow up to Six of Crows and it didn’t disappoint. It’s easy to forget that these characters are only 17. And all they want is waffles. Just give them their waffles!!
That was one hell of an ending and yet, I don’t think it was wrong. Still, I would be lying if I say it didn’t break my heart into pieces.
I think the best thing about this series is how close the characters were to my heart. They’re a crew that I loved fiercely. It’s hard to think of them as only characters. Leigh Bardugo breathed life into them. They have feelings, fears, goals, and weaknesses. I prayed that everything will work out for them. But try as I might, even in this fantasy world, perfect endings don’t exist.
While I finished Six of Crows really fast, I dragged reading Crooked Kingdom. I didn’t want it to end. But most importantly, I didn’t want to get to the part I feared the most (I accidentally read a spoiler so I knew). Although it might have ruined things a bit, it was a really good book.
Full review: https://kookbookery.wordpress.com/2020/06/28/a-bittersweet-end-to-the-duology-crooked-kingdom-by-leigh-bardugo-review
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time! Leigh Bardugo is a fantastic writer and I was totally sucked in to every page of this story! The characters are absolutely fantastic and I adored every single one of them. Kaz and Inej, Nina and Matthias, Jesper and Wylan–I shipped them all! <3 Do yourself a favor and read this amazing fantasy tale. You won't be sorry.
OMG
SO MANY FEEEELS
HOW DARE YOU DESTROY MY LITTLE HEART LEIGH!!!!
BUT ALSO MAKE IT SO HAPPY AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!
Ok, so many things happened during the book and I just needed to know if everyone will be okay or not!!!! But the end really caught me off guard THREE TIMES AND I AM IN TEARS OF SADNESS AND JOY AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!
We finally get to have Wylan chapters and it is my second favorite after Inej!!!!
Now I definitely need to read the trilogy because I want to read King of Scars.
I gave it a 4.5 stars because I felt that the pacing was slower than the first book, but other than that I enjoyed this book so much
Kaz and the gang contrive a plan to rescue Inej, and reclaim the 30 million that they are owed for the Ice Palace job. However, it isn’t going to be as easy as they think being the most wanted people in Ketterdam.
Think Gangs of New York, set on a fiction island in the Black Sea, and add a bit of fantasy and magic. It didn’t end the way I thought it would. I liked this duology much better than the other trilogy. The characters were much more likable, and it was a lot better written.
*Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars!*
I think I enjoyed this book more than I did the last one. It has more going on and we get to see and hear about the characters from the Shadow and Bone trilogy more than we did in the first book.
I think the events in this book were more interesting than the events in the last book, but the repetition did get tiring. While that is the case, Bardugo did have the time that I realized it was just kind of repeating itself be the last time.
We see character development all around. Kaz, Inej, Jesper, Wylan, Matthias, and Nina all go through some kind of character development and it was done soooo well. Especially for Kaz, Jesper, Wylan and Matthias. It was so great to be able to see them go through it.
This book made me cry, which is why I believe this book (and the series in general) is so great. I was able to get attached enough to allow it to make me feel the emotions the author wanted me to feel. I only cried during two back-to-back scenes, and I am positive that if you haven’t read it yet and you like the characters, you will probably cry too.
I really hope that Bardugo *does* create a third book later on. It definitely ended in a way that would allow her to continue the series if she liked. I honestly think that if she doesn’t write a third book, she should at least give a little novella or something like that since it ended in a way that left me with many questions that haven’t been answered.
Vengeance never looked so good, and come at such a high price. The end to this duet left me flipping pages madly, devouring every dive into a character’s backstory and motivation, every shift of the plan and deviation of the shadowed plot from the devious mind of Kaz Brekker and the Dregs. Absolutely stunning, and a perfect segue into King of Scars!
I started reading this as soon as I finished Six of Crows and it was the best I did for my reading. Sequel’s are usually not always as good as the first BUT this sequel was at par with the first. Congratulations once again Leigh Bardugo, you’ve done it again. This duology will be remembered for a very long time. I don’t know about you all but when I’ve read an excellent book I feel some sort of like amazing taste on my tongue. Six of Crows gave me that feeling and Crooked Kingdom hyped it up. This duology is a must read for any book lover.
I really love this book and all the characters!
The second book in the Six of Crows duology is action packed. Going to miss that world.
I thought I’d give myself a bit of time before writing the review to get over my hangover, but it didn’t work. I’m still madly in love with Crooked Kingdom, so expect a lot of gushing and incoherent rambling up ahead!
This isn’t an easy review to write because most of the things I want to talk about contain spoilers! It was so nice to be back in Bardugo’s world and read about my favourite characters again that I flew through this.
Crooked Kingdom starts right where Six of Crows left off – Inej taken hostage, and with plots for vengeance forming. Bardugo does what she does best – plot twists at every corner, brilliant character development and the banter was to die for! Especially between Nina and Matthias, and Jesper and Wylan. Their constant flirting and innuendos were fantastic and made my day, even more so because innocent Matthias didn’t get the innuendos.
There were a few parts I loved especially, such as the story of how Matthias’ met his wolf Trass, Wylan’s character development, seeing Inej afraid because she’s such a strong character, and the ending. Word of warning: One of the six dies. While I really wanted all of them to make it out alive I do think that a death makes more sense than none, given the danger they keep putting themselves in. If anything I think we’re lucky to loose only one of them, but I’m happy that no one else has to die.
And of course the writing is brilliant.
This duology is one of my favourite things. I learnt so much from it for my own writing, and love it all the more for it. Bardugo’s world will be my happy place if I’m ever stuck for inspiration.
So, just in case you were wondering – I recommend this duology! Read it now!
This book really bored me. I loved [book:Six of Crows|23437156], it truly was one of the best books I have ever read and I will be forever grateful that I picked it up. This one just didn’t match my expectations. I expected it to be as dazzling as [book:Six of Crows|23437156] but it just wasn’t. I had to force myself to finish this book. It got better at the end especially when Matthias dies and they all get there dream I also enjoyed Ninas new and unexpected powers that instead of harming the living, raise the dead and how Kaz grows from a bitter youth to a mature adult. I loved the transformations they all went through and how they each come to terms with their past and who they have become. In the end, it was totally worthwhile to get through this book and I really think that this duology ended with a bang.
Easily the best book ever!!! Also, Jesper is amazing!!! Everyone should read this!!!
Love love love