Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - Six of Crows

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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

161 reviews

angelo_vossen's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

"Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo is a greatly crafted heist novel that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and mystery into an enthralling narrative which reminded me of an interesting blend of the plot of the show „Money Heist“ set in a „Game of Thrones“-esque environment with a bit of „Harry Potter“ magic sparkled in. Set in the bustling city of Ketterdam, the story follows a diverse group of outcasts and criminals as they embark on an impossible mission to infiltrate the impenetrable Ice Court and rescue a valuable hostage.

Bardugo's world-building is immersive and richly detailed, painting a vivid picture of the bustling streets, dark alleyways, and seedy underbelly of Ketterdam. The city itself feels like a character, with its complex social hierarchy, intricate politics, and simmering tensions between rival factions. As the name implies, the names of Ketterdam‘s locations and places seem to be strongly influenced by the language Dutch - finally my three years of Dutch classes came in handy!

At the heart of the story are the six main characters, each with their own distinct personalities, motivations, and secrets. From Kaz Brekker, the cunning and ruthless leader of the crew, to Inej Ghafa, the skilled and enigmatic spy known as the Wraith, each member brings something unique to the table, and their interactions are filled with wit, tension, and unexpected moments of vulnerability.

The heist plot is intricately constructed, with layers of deception, betrayal, and several unexpected twists that keep readers guessing until the very end. Bardugo masterfully ratchets up the tension as the stakes grow higher and the obstacles more daunting, leading to a thrilling climax that will leave readers breathless - and kind of overwhelmed at times, to be frank.

But "Six of Crows" is more than just a gripping adventure story. It's also a character-driven narrative that delves deep into themes of loyalty, friendship, redemption, and the search for identity and belonging. Each character is grappling with their own demons and struggles, and watching them grow and evolve over the course of the story is both moving and satisfying. Additionally, I‘m always here for an enemies-to-lovers trope - and this book series appears to give me two at once (and even more love stories)!

I adore how Bardugo chose to write from the different perspectives of the main characters alternating in each chapter. Since the protagonists are not always huddled together, this caused me as reader to be highly excited and wanting to rush to the next chapter to see what everyone is up to. That being said, I would have loved to read some chapters from Wylan‘s perspective. That perspective kind of was missing for me and I wonder how Bardugo decided to use everyone‘s perspectives (even an additional surprising one at the end) except Wylan‘s - but I‘m keeping my hopes up for the second book in this duology.

Overall, "Six of Crows" is a brilliantly executed novel that will appeal to fans of fantasy, heist stories, and character-driven narratives alike. With its richly imagined world, complex characters, and pulse-pounding plot, it's a book that will keep readers glued to the page from beginning to end.

Content Warnings