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 … 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.
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This was one of the best books I have ever read. It was funny, romantic, and action-packed.
I really liked the way that it follows six different perspectives that all see things so differently and come from completely different backgrounds. The past that haunts all of them is a common thread binding them together. Beautifully written and a gripping read [book:Six of Crows|23437156] is a book that must be read by everyone who enjoys YA fiction.
Spoiler alert: They don’t get the waffles in this one.
This daring heist is pulled off by six of the dirtiest, most clever members that Ketterdam has to offer. Kaz and his band of misfits find their way into a deal that no their can resist: breaking into one of the most secure buildings in their world in exchange for more money than they will ever need or spend in a lifetime. This adventure by Leigh Bardugo is a true page-turner and a fantastic addition to any bibliophile’s library.
I found this book truly a fantastic piece of fantasy literature. The characters have flaws to relate to, morals to root for, and manage to define themselves each as true individual members of a team.
Age recommendation: 13 or 14+
Definitely some violence and almost no romance (which I was sorely disappointed about, read the book and you’ll probably agree).
*Spoiler* Wylan and Jesper do have a gay romance, but it doesn’t truly surface until the second book.
Disclaimer: I do not retain any support for the LGBT community, just much love.
Okay, this is the first time in my life where I’ve felt like I can give a book a solid 5 stars. My God this book!!! This was recommended to me by a friend. Well, I don’t think you can call it to recommend when one day she showed up in your place with the book and told you she brought it so you could read it. Right off the bat when I read the summary, I really didn’t feel like it was very interesting. I would have never even considered it after reading that summary, but my friend did expect me to read it so I did. The first chapter was a little meh for me, that is until it ends. Then I was like “Whoa what?! Next chapter!” And from there this became the best book I’ve ever read.
First of all, I always fear the cliches that so many books pull off. They kill so much of the story. But this book didn’t pull a single cliche at all! It’s a fast-paced action fantasy. I really can’t say much without giving it away, but please give this book a try. It has so much to offer! Great World builds, a great variety of different, complex and totally relatable characters. Seriously, the characters here vary in race, gender, orientation, morality, strengths and weaknesses, motivations, backgrounds, you name it!
Another thing that I absolutely love about the story (other than the lack of cliches cuz come on that’s just too good!) is the “reasons why”. So in a lot of books and movies and series, we get this character that is all “You’ll know what you need to know when I decide cuz I’m cool and mysterious and just want to keep you in the dark for no good reason”. At first, I thought this was like that, but then you read and understand why. Why did he keep her without details of the plan? Because she had the ability to go forth and do it alone if she knew how, which would then take away the profit that he gained by keeping her depending on him. This is one example without trying to spoil it, but if you read this book, you’ll understand. Everything in this book has reasons behind it and I absolutely LOVE that.
I’m already starting the second book. It takes me so long to read since I’m juggling College and a 30 hour per week job, which leaves me incredibly exhausted and without any time that’s not dedicated to college, work, or college work…. But this book is hands down the best I’ve read of its genre.
Absolutely loved Six of Crows. Bardugo draws such vivid characters. I especially enjoyed Kaz, who is an atypical hero because of his physical & psychological limitations. The book moved along at a lively speed, and I thought the world described to be very detailed and sensory-filled. The heist seemed impossible to complete, and I enjoyed being surprised at the twists and turns.
A riveting book set in a very well-drawn world populated with unique characters.
I absolutely loved this book
I have been waiting to get sucked into a multiple point-of-view YA fantasy, and this is that fantasy.
I run a monthly poll on my daily blog, ThisIsMyTruthNow, where my followers choose a book I read each month from my Book Bucket List. Last month, they chose Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Before I get into the review, a few housekeeping items… I do not normally read fantasy or young adult books as a regular part of my reading genres. I tend to prefer historical, contemporary, thriller or mystery fiction; however, I try to branch out each month and read something out of my ‘comfort zone.’ I love Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Book Thief, The Hunger Games, and many more, so I do often find myself with top ratings for books in fantasy and young adult. Before I opened Six of Crows, I had been warned the first 50 to 75 pages would be difficult until I was absorbed into the story, given all the background on the fantasy world and the new terms / descriptions; however, I was not warned it was almost 500 pages long. I probably should have put something smaller on the list that voters could have chosen! Let’s get into the review…
The plot, characters, setting, themes and perspectives are intense and beautiful. I could easily see the story unfolding before my eyes as I immersed myself into the new world. It feels like this could grow as popular as some of the other fantasy tomes I’ve read (see above) among various reader groups. It hits all the sweet spots for transferring your mind from the monotonous and ordinary to an explosively and wildly imaginative universe. The way character back stories are woven together, the order in how events unfold and the dynamics between so many of the major and supporting characters is well thought out, planned and developed. Kudos to the author for building such an amazing playground for readers to frolic in.
All that said, I struggled through the book – not because it wasn’t a good one – because it was so different from what I normally read and enjoy. I need clarity on a world when I read about it mostly because I like to figure out the connections and history of what’s going on. I wasn’t sure of the boundaries and parameters here because it could literally have gone anywhere (then again, that’s the point of fantasy, so it seems like an obvious statement). If I put my analytical cap on, I think had I watched this as a film to gain the broader perspective of all the components of the world and the character profiles, I might have had a strong enough baseline to let myself become completely absorbed in the book while reading it afterwards. Unfortunately, that isn’t possible at the moment, so I read it first.
One of the key things I believe in life – especially as a book reviewer and a writer – is to be honest and fair, but to also look at a situation from all perspectives. This is a tremendously good book with a huge and wide appeal for its audience. It wasn’t an ideal match for me as a reader, perhaps right now, or perhaps given its genre. That said, rating it is tough. Ratings are personal and reflect how a reader feels about a book, but as an author, I would hate for someone to rate my book poorly because it wasn’t a good match for them; because a reader doesn’t like it doesn’t mean it isn’t a fantastic book. It is in that tenuous space that I try to come up with a rating that is fair given all the circumstances. If I loved fantasy and this type of novel, it would hands-down be a 5-star rating. Because this is not something that normally appeals to me with great significance, it’s probably a 3-star rating. To be fair, I think the book deserves a middle-ground to represent the best of both worlds – my personal opinion and that of a critical reader and author.
4-stars to this book… while some may applaud my effort to be fair, others might yell at me for misunderstanding the book or not being creative enough. Either way, I would recommend this to anyone who loves this genre or even wants to explore the genre more. If you’re not a fan of this type of work, don’t start here. You won’t be able to absorb what is probably the true greatness of this book and its appeal until you’ve had a bit more experience in the fantasy world.
Kudos to the author… and hopefully people reading my review see that I did not follow my normal review style in this book, rather I took a step back to find the best approach for me to review it. Thank you to the voters in my poll. I’m definitely open to more fantasy, but perhaps I should start a bit lighter to grow into this genre. I think you voted A Crown of Thorns and Roses for November… here I go!
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an author who lives in NYC. My debut novel, Watching Glass Shatter, can be purchased on Amazon @ http://mybook.to/WGS. I write A LOT. I read A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you’ll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I’ve visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an author who lives in NYC. My debut novel, Watching Glass Shatter, can be purchased on Amazon @ http://mybook.to/WGS. I write A LOT. I read A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you’ll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I’ve visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
When I started writing, it was out of a desire to write the sort of book I wanted to read, and couldn’t find. I no longer need to because this book has it all. Thanks Leigh, I can take the rest of the decade off! The pacing is perfect, the story clever (I adore characters who are smarter than me!), and I almost cried when my plane landed yesterday because it meant I had to stop reading. I can’t recommend this book enough.
What a charming read! I truly loved this book and its flawed characters. The voice is unique, the setting charming and original, the plot intricate yet easy to follow. The characters have depth and, though they are “super” in many ways, they are also very human and relatable. Magic adds charm to this adventure-driven story with a touch of romance.
A must read <3
Amazing! Can’t wait to read the next book! I loved everything about this book! It was perfect. I’m in love!
Um, wow! This book was hard to put down, I loved everything about it. It was also interesting to see the Grisha world long after Alina and Mal. In Six of Crows, six outcasts lead by Kaz Brekker pull off the impossible heist. It was a breathtaking read that had you sitting on the edge of your seat. I was sad to have finished reading this and cannot wait to read Crooked Kingdom.
So many of the YA books I read are in 1st person, some 3rd tense, others 1st tense and I’ve gotten used to that POV. But Linda Barduca writes in third person, and I really like her style. Six of Crows is excellent. The premise is an alternate reality in another world. It involves a gang of teens who have had to fight to survive. I love the characters, their personalities and their backstories. I’m not going to spoil anything but you these books are a must read.
Wow! This is an instant favorite!! It grips you right from the beginning and refuses to let go!! The characters, the story, the world…absolutely brilliantly done! And the heist! Wow! The books reveals the characters’ background slowly throughout the book and in short flashbacks…enough to tease you, leaving you wondering what happened to them that made them the unique criminals they are.
I loved every moment!!
A definite must-read fantasy!!! Can’t wait to read the next!
On the edge of your seat type of book, definitely no question why it is a Gateway award book!
Every so often a book will come along which will make you re-evaluate all the 5 star reviews you have given in the past. Six of Crows for me is that book. Set in Leigh Bardugo’s “Grishaverse” it is the tale of an impossible heist where the rewards far outweigh the risk. Our main protagonist Kaz Brekker is fast becoming a legend in the bowels of the Barrel, the criminal underworld of Ketterdam. He is young, but a driven and ruthless trickster, with a team to match. They are tasked with breaching the heavily fortified Ice Court to rescue a scientist held hostage. It’s a feat which has never been achieved, but with the promise of a reward that will take Kaz and his team out of the bottom of the Barrel it’s risk he’s willing to take, after all, just how many things could go wrong?
Six of Crows is told in multiple points of view, which can sometimes be confusing for me but there were only a couple of occasions that I found myself flipping back to the start of the chapter to remind myself who in the limelight. I felt that this was a style that worked really well with this story as the main six often found themselves in different places with different tasks and this way of storytelling allowed it all to come seamlessly together. Whilst it does majorly involve the Grisha, I found it was a world that I easily fell into pace with, without having read the Grisha Trilogy first. I’m told there are a number of nods which are present but I never felt lost or like I was missing out.
The characters are fantastic, my favourite by far was Inej, the wraith. Rescued from the oldest profession by Kaz, she is a force to be reckoned with, a silent assassin. There are no walls she can’t climb or secrets she can’t glean. I felt most for her, what she had been through before joining with Kaz and how it had driven her to become who she now was. I loved the sense of purpose that grew within her throughout the story. The others too though all have their stories to tell, a proper band of misfits all with their secrets and terrible histories that have shaped them. It’s hard to remember that they are all teenagers, but then that makes them easier to underestimate.
The audacity behind Kaz’s plan is immeasurable and it is through this that I am just in awe of the writing. At just shy of 500 pages there was not a single moment of rest for the reader, I felt on edge every step of the way. I felt fear for these characters, trepidation but also the good humour that only a rag tag bunch of forgotten teenagers could have in the circumstances they faced. I simply did not want to put this down, at all. The last of the six sections I tried to slow down as I knew it was coming to an end but it pulled me in and wouldn’t let go. It’s rare for a book to leave me breathless, but this one really did. It’s the first of a duology and I can’t wait for pay day to roll round so I can pick up Crooked Kingdom. If I could give this six stars I would, It’s a truly amazing read and If you’re a YA fantasy fan you will not be disappointed!
I recommend this book tickets anyone who wants a villain to be a real villain but also part of the good guys team. Really fun read!
I really really LOVED this book! The characters are amazing and the plot was so unpredictable I just couldn’t stop!! I really enjoyed Leigh’s descriptions of places and especially the personalities and traits of the characters, I was impressed with the depth and passion she was able to wrap up in all of them but especially Kaz. I recommend this book 100% especially to any Throne of Glass lovers(like myself:))!!!
4.5 stars. This is an entertaining, well-written story with an interesting ensemble of characters in a fascinating milieu. Kaz and the gang do seem too advanced and jaded for their young ages, and some of the magic is a little too convenient, complete with post-event explanations, etc., but overall I recommend the book and want to find out what happens in the sequel.
First two chapters: 2 stars.
Rest of book: Can I give 10 stars?
Wonderful book with interesting characters and a world that was a mixture of magic and technology, although the latter seemed slightly out of place, as it only applied to weapons. Plot relied heavily on the characters knowing more than the reader, which undermined some of the twists towards the end, as I began to expect a miraculous escape every time, but luckily the characters got a surprise in the end too, which made the ending much better than it might have been.