No Mourners.
No Funerals.
Leigh Bardugo's popular Six of Crows duology finally made its way on to my TBR list and I absolutely devoured them both, leaving me with the biggest #bookhangover ever.
Seriously, I'm not sure how to recover.
Anybody else experiencing all the feels after finishing this duology?
Six of Crows
One part Ocean's Eleven, one part Gangs of New York, Six of Crows is a high octane fantasy thriller complete with twisty plots, heartwrenching moments and dazzling characters. Anything is possible if the price is right - Kaz Brekker, lieutenant of the Dregs - one of the many gangs that battle in the streets of Ketterdam - is about to score the payday of a lifetime. One that will make all of his dreams come true, guranteeing his place among the big bosses of the city.
The catch?
The job he's about to take may kill him before he ever gets back to Ketterdam.
It's a high stakes, deadly heist with the odds stacked against him, but if Kaz is going to pull off the impossible, he'll need the right team to do it.
Enter: a gambler, a soldier, a heartrender, an acrobat and a merchant's kid who come together to form a motley crew of misfits that must work together to pull off the job of a lifetime - and if it doesn't kill them, they may kill each other first.
Leigh Bardugo is a master wordsmith and world builder - this book is everything I could ever want.
The plot is well formed and easy to follow, but is neither predictable or boring. It's a crazy twisty ride that keeps the reader guessing. Even when I thought I had parts figured out, something unexpected would happen and throw me off.
This book has such an atmosphere about it - Ketterdam is dark, gritty and mysterious in contrast to Fjerda's white wintery sterility. I loved that Bardugo created such a vast world without being redundant or tedious - deftly creating mutliple cultures, characters and cities that bring the story to life.
Character development is outstanding. The characters in this novel are unique and complex. Each has his or her own history and motivation for joining Kaz on this insane quest. One thing that makes me really enjoy a book is the connection to the players in it. The Crows are some of my favorite characters - their strengths, weaknesses, heartaches and victories resonated with me and pulled at my heartstrings. These are the types of books that I love to read.
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Crooked KingdomThat's the problem with Ketterdam, Jesper thought as they stumbled through the dark. Trusting the wrong person can get you killed.
If Six of Crows pulled at my heartstrings - Crooked Kingdom ripped them apart. Thanks, Leigh Bardugo for that.
You guys - the second book in this duology has EVERYTHING in it. It's just as smart and fast paced as the first one. It's dark, twisty, unpredictable, funny, romantic and bittersweet. I LOVED IT.
Kaz and his crew barely escaped the Ice Court, but instead of collecting the payout of a life time, they've been betrayed and one of their own has been kidnapped. Determined to get what's theirs they embark on yet another high stakes game to bring down the person who wronged them.
After Six of Crows, I was a little nervous that Crooked Kingdom would be too similar to the first book plotwise. I was also worried about further character development and the crew being split up.
What can I say? I want my characters to be together!!
I really shouldn't have worried. This book was as strong, if not stronger than the first. It was a knock out sequel to the first that had me in little bursts of laughter, tears, and heart pounding suspense. Leigh Bardugo pulled out the big guns with this one and delivered one of my favorite books - ever.
Seriously, #allthefeels though.
Should you find yourself reading this - I challenge you not to fall in love with this book.
The relationships are stronger and the stakes are higher and it captures the reader's attention and never lets go. Whether you're in it for the ships or the plot - you won't be disappointed.
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