Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction This book is pretty damn near perfect. It has everything you wanted and never thought you wanted. Much malice, adventure, action, magic, humour and a lot a lot of scheming. Let's not forget the six most wonderful characters who made the story oh so beautiful. And man, don't I hate books with that many main characters. Give the job to an inexperienced writer, and expect the plot and characters to be more than shallow. But here, Bardugo did the near impossible task of creating six lovable and complex characters. |
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.
Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.
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.
Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.
So a note to all who haven't read this book: Don't worry about 'extra casts' in the story. There is none.
Because this whole book is a damn good job. The characters were unpredictable and they will always keep you guessing. You can get a grasp on every character when you're well into the story, but never a full grasp on them. Never to the extent you feel you know enough of them. It's the feeling you know them but you really just don't. They are all just mysterious like that. They are evil, crazy, ambitious and cruel but you will love them for who they are all the same.
Because this whole book is a damn good job. The characters were unpredictable and they will always keep you guessing. You can get a grasp on every character when you're well into the story, but never a full grasp on them. Never to the extent you feel you know enough of them. It's the feeling you know them but you really just don't. They are all just mysterious like that. They are evil, crazy, ambitious and cruel but you will love them for who they are all the same.
“When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.” |
So here's the plan: First, they smuggle a convict out of a heavily guarded prison,then threaten him or to put it nicely acquire his help to break into the Ice Court- which mind you, is the one place that was said to be the most impenetrable place in the world - to steal one important man out of prison. For that, they will be paid a too good to be true sum of money.
Six people. Who are not exactly what you call friends. It was an unlikely crew, united by one mission, sometimes they even seem as if they want to stab each other. Other times it seemed like one crew member would betray the rest. Yet, they will be the best crew you would ever find.Every single character is multi-layered in terms of their personality which makes them indeed very real and unique. They were supposed to be unlikable but the way the author crafts them makes it impossible for them not to be loved because they are just so genuine to me. It's a bit confusing but I don't expect there would ever be characters quite similar to these few. Well, Kaz was definitely the most complex character in this book. He is a personal favourite - at least in my anti-hero book that is.
Six people. Who are not exactly what you call friends. It was an unlikely crew, united by one mission, sometimes they even seem as if they want to stab each other. Other times it seemed like one crew member would betray the rest. Yet, they will be the best crew you would ever find.Every single character is multi-layered in terms of their personality which makes them indeed very real and unique. They were supposed to be unlikable but the way the author crafts them makes it impossible for them not to be loved because they are just so genuine to me. It's a bit confusing but I don't expect there would ever be characters quite similar to these few. Well, Kaz was definitely the most complex character in this book. He is a personal favourite - at least in my anti-hero book that is.
“Our hopes rest with you, Mister Brekker. If you fail, all the world will suffer for it." |
And of course, Jesper and Wylan always give the dose of humour this book needs. Two people fairly annoyed and irritated by the other but well, eventually they become a small team themselves. The females, nonetheless, were totally bad ass. They fight for themselves. They are no less capable than the men in the story, with definitely that bit of charm themselves.
“Those guns are there to stop invading armadas,” Jesper said confidently.“Good luck hitting a skinny little schooner cutting through the waves bound for fortune and glory." |
And if I were to say so myself, the romance in this book was utterly beautiful. It was a slow-burn that doesn't meddle with the plot or rationality of characters in any ways (may I add: unlike most books). It was so natural, it simply slips into the plot quietly.
“Because you’re horrible. You’re loud and lewd and … treacherous. Brum warned us that Grisha could be charming.” |
You can safely go into this book with high expectations, because you will receive nothing less than everything you wanted.
“You have no finesse,” a gambler at the Silver Garter once said to him. “No technique.” |