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4.5 AVERAGE
4.5 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Okay, so I finally did it—I read Six of Crows. I know, I know, I am probably one of the last people in the book community to pick this up. This book is like the staple, the must-read, the one that gets recommended a thousand times loterally everywhere, and yet for years, I avoided it. Why? Honestly, I was intimidated. I had tried picking it up before, but I just couldn’t get into Leigh Bardugo’s writing back then. I would read a few pages, then put it down and think, “Maybe this isn’t for me.” But here we are, years later, after reading more fantasy/dystopia, after figuring out what I like and dislike in the genres, I decided to give it another chance. And wow… I am so glad I did. Because I can now confirm—this book is absolutely worth the hype.
I went in completely unbiased this time. I stripped away every single review, every bit of fan chatter I had absorbed over the years, and told myself: “Just read it like it’s any other fantasy book.” And within the first few chapters, I knew I was in for something special.
— PLOT & PACING
This story had me hooked from the beginning. The premise alone is irresistible: six antiheroes banding together to pull off a heist so impossible it sounds like a death sentence. It’s gritty, it’s daring, it’s unpredictable. And somehow, Leigh Bardugo makes you believe every single step of the plan while also keeping you on the edge of your seat, wondering who’s going to mess up, who’s going to get caught, and who’s going to make it out alive.
What I really loved was the balance of character and plot. Usually, with multiple POVs, you risk either losing the the actual story or getting characters who don’t feel fleshed out. But here, the author, managed to weave both beautifully. Every character’s backstory, motivation, and personal demons tied into the larger heist in a way that made sense. It never felt like “plot first, character second.” It was always equalized.
Now, I did knock off .5⭐️ for a reason—the pacing during the actual heist wasn’t flawless for me. In the climax, I felt like some of the consequences of one character’s actions didn’t fully ripple through to the others, and there were a few moments that felt slightly inconsistent compared to the razor-sharp build-up. But that’s me nitpicking, because overall, the execution of the tension, twists, and reveals was phenomenal.
— WORLDBUILDING
The world of Ketterdam and the Grishaverse was so vivid without ever drowning me in details. Leigh Bardugo gives you just enough to fully visualize the Barrel, the canals, the gambling dens, and the icy Fjerdan prison without info-dumping. She layers culture, politics, and history into the narrative seamlessly, making it feel like a living, breathing world.
I also appreciated the balance between action, dialogue, and internal monologues. Normally, I prefer dialogue-heavy books, but here, the characters’ inner thoughts and reflections were so intricately tied to their past traumas and current choices that I found myself savoring those moments. It added depth without slowing things down too much.
— CHARECTERS (the best part!)
Let’s be honest: the characters make this book. They’re all complicated, flawed, morally grey, and driven by pain and purpose in equal measure. And I got attached—scarily attached—for just the first book in a duology.
• KAZ BREKKER – The boy is a walking contradiction. Ruthless yet broken, cold yet burning with vengeance, sarcastic yet haunted by grief. He’s brilliant, hardened, scheming, manipulative, and terrifying, but also so devastatingly human. His backstory gutted me. Out of all the POVs, his was the most fascinating to me. The constant tug-of-war between his wants/needs and his trauma made him feel endlessly layered. I don’t know whether I want to hug him or run from him, but either way, I’m obsessed. If he hit me with his cane, i’d thank him for it.
• INEJ GHAFA – My queen. I would literally go to war for her. Her resilience, her strength, her ability to turn pain into power—it floored me. And yet, she’s not hardened to the point of losing her heart. Her flashbacks to her family, her devotion to her religion and her yearning for freedom broke me in ways I wasn’t ready for. I loved her POVs, her sharpness, her quiet power. And don’t even get me started on how exhilarating her action scenes were. She’s the Wraith in the dark, and I lived for every second of it.
• JESPER FAHEY – My chaotic, witty, tragic sunshine. He made me laugh constantly, and I highlighted all his lines. But what destroyed me was the realization of how much of that humor is a mask for guilt, self-loathing, and a desperate need to belong. He is the literal embodiment of “smile on the outside, chaos on the inside.” I just want him to heal, thrive, and find peace. He was easily one of my favorites.
• NINA ZENIK & MATTHIAS HELVAR – I have to talk about them as a pair, because their arcs are so tightly wound together. Their relationship is messy, complicated, and full of tension—both romantic and ideological. Nina is everything: fierce, soft, loyal, and driven by both heart and duty. She’s unapologetically herself and embodies strength without ever losing vulnerability. A true girl’s girl.
Matthias, on the other hand, tested my patience at first—but watching his worldview unravel, his beliefs crumble, and his morality evolve was so satisfying. They are frustrating and beautiful and doomed in the best way, and I couldn’t stop rooting for them even when I wanted to scream at them. (yes im in love with matthias now, i think i always was a little)
• WYLAN VAN ECK – My sweet boy. He didn’t get as much POV time here, but every time he appeared on page, I found myself grinning. He’s quiet but resourceful, underestimated but brilliant. His small victories meant everything. He’s the kind of character who sneaks up on you until you realize, “Oh no, I’d die for him.” I cannot wait to see more of him in Crooked Kingdom.
— FOUND FAMILY
The heist was thrilling, yes, but what truly gripped me was watching this group of broken, lonely, battered individuals slowly knit themselves into something like a family. None of them are soft or safe people—they’re criminals, liars, survivors who’ve been through hell. And yet, together, they become more than the sum of their parts.
It’s not an easy bond. They clash, they distrust, they carry grudges and scars. But that’s what makes it so authentic. They don’t come together because of blind loyalty—they come together because survival requires trust. And in that fragile, begrudging trust, something tender begins to grow.
The moments that broke me the most weren’t always the big plot twists, but the small glimpses of care—Jesper teasing Wylan to make him smile, Inej quietly grounding Kaz when his trauma threatens to overwhelm him, Nina and Matthias clashing but ultimately protecting each other, Kaz allowing himself the barest sliver of vulnerability with Inej. Nina and Inej finding peace together in their girlhood. Those moments felt like shards of light in a dark world.
— FINAL THOUGHTS
What made Six of Crows stand out to me wasn’t just the high-stakes heist or the clever twists—it was how deeply personal it all felt. These characters aren’t just archetypes; they’re messy, traumatized, driven, and so painfully human. There’s no plot armor here. You feel how much they’ve suffered, and you know that survival isn’t guaranteed.
By the end, I was emotionally wrecked, clinging to every thread of hope for these characters, and absolutely terrified of what the second book has in store. I already know Crooked Kingdom is going to destroy me, and yet I can’t wait to dive in.
A near-perfect fantasy heist with some of the most complex, layered characters I’ve ever read. Equal parts thrilling, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. Leigh Bardugo delivered a story that lives up to every ounce of hype, and now I understand why this book is the phenomenon it is
I went in completely unbiased this time. I stripped away every single review, every bit of fan chatter I had absorbed over the years, and told myself: “Just read it like it’s any other fantasy book.” And within the first few chapters, I knew I was in for something special.
— PLOT & PACING
This story had me hooked from the beginning. The premise alone is irresistible: six antiheroes banding together to pull off a heist so impossible it sounds like a death sentence. It’s gritty, it’s daring, it’s unpredictable. And somehow, Leigh Bardugo makes you believe every single step of the plan while also keeping you on the edge of your seat, wondering who’s going to mess up, who’s going to get caught, and who’s going to make it out alive.
What I really loved was the balance of character and plot. Usually, with multiple POVs, you risk either losing the the actual story or getting characters who don’t feel fleshed out. But here, the author, managed to weave both beautifully. Every character’s backstory, motivation, and personal demons tied into the larger heist in a way that made sense. It never felt like “plot first, character second.” It was always equalized.
Now, I did knock off .5⭐️ for a reason—the pacing during the actual heist wasn’t flawless for me. In the climax, I felt like some of the consequences of one character’s actions didn’t fully ripple through to the others, and there were a few moments that felt slightly inconsistent compared to the razor-sharp build-up. But that’s me nitpicking, because overall, the execution of the tension, twists, and reveals was phenomenal.
— WORLDBUILDING
The world of Ketterdam and the Grishaverse was so vivid without ever drowning me in details. Leigh Bardugo gives you just enough to fully visualize the Barrel, the canals, the gambling dens, and the icy Fjerdan prison without info-dumping. She layers culture, politics, and history into the narrative seamlessly, making it feel like a living, breathing world.
I also appreciated the balance between action, dialogue, and internal monologues. Normally, I prefer dialogue-heavy books, but here, the characters’ inner thoughts and reflections were so intricately tied to their past traumas and current choices that I found myself savoring those moments. It added depth without slowing things down too much.
— CHARECTERS (the best part!)
Let’s be honest: the characters make this book. They’re all complicated, flawed, morally grey, and driven by pain and purpose in equal measure. And I got attached—scarily attached—for just the first book in a duology.
• KAZ BREKKER – The boy is a walking contradiction. Ruthless yet broken, cold yet burning with vengeance, sarcastic yet haunted by grief. He’s brilliant, hardened, scheming, manipulative, and terrifying, but also so devastatingly human. His backstory gutted me. Out of all the POVs, his was the most fascinating to me. The constant tug-of-war between his wants/needs and his trauma made him feel endlessly layered. I don’t know whether I want to hug him or run from him, but either way, I’m obsessed. If he hit me with his cane, i’d thank him for it.
• INEJ GHAFA – My queen. I would literally go to war for her. Her resilience, her strength, her ability to turn pain into power—it floored me. And yet, she’s not hardened to the point of losing her heart. Her flashbacks to her family, her devotion to her religion and her yearning for freedom broke me in ways I wasn’t ready for. I loved her POVs, her sharpness, her quiet power. And don’t even get me started on how exhilarating her action scenes were. She’s the Wraith in the dark, and I lived for every second of it.
• JESPER FAHEY – My chaotic, witty, tragic sunshine. He made me laugh constantly, and I highlighted all his lines. But what destroyed me was the realization of how much of that humor is a mask for guilt, self-loathing, and a desperate need to belong. He is the literal embodiment of “smile on the outside, chaos on the inside.” I just want him to heal, thrive, and find peace. He was easily one of my favorites.
• NINA ZENIK & MATTHIAS HELVAR – I have to talk about them as a pair, because their arcs are so tightly wound together. Their relationship is messy, complicated, and full of tension—both romantic and ideological. Nina is everything: fierce, soft, loyal, and driven by both heart and duty. She’s unapologetically herself and embodies strength without ever losing vulnerability. A true girl’s girl.
Matthias, on the other hand, tested my patience at first—but watching his worldview unravel, his beliefs crumble, and his morality evolve was so satisfying. They are frustrating and beautiful and doomed in the best way, and I couldn’t stop rooting for them even when I wanted to scream at them. (yes im in love with matthias now, i think i always was a little)
• WYLAN VAN ECK – My sweet boy. He didn’t get as much POV time here, but every time he appeared on page, I found myself grinning. He’s quiet but resourceful, underestimated but brilliant. His small victories meant everything. He’s the kind of character who sneaks up on you until you realize, “Oh no, I’d die for him.” I cannot wait to see more of him in Crooked Kingdom.
— FOUND FAMILY
The heist was thrilling, yes, but what truly gripped me was watching this group of broken, lonely, battered individuals slowly knit themselves into something like a family. None of them are soft or safe people—they’re criminals, liars, survivors who’ve been through hell. And yet, together, they become more than the sum of their parts.
It’s not an easy bond. They clash, they distrust, they carry grudges and scars. But that’s what makes it so authentic. They don’t come together because of blind loyalty—they come together because survival requires trust. And in that fragile, begrudging trust, something tender begins to grow.
The moments that broke me the most weren’t always the big plot twists, but the small glimpses of care—Jesper teasing Wylan to make him smile, Inej quietly grounding Kaz when his trauma threatens to overwhelm him, Nina and Matthias clashing but ultimately protecting each other, Kaz allowing himself the barest sliver of vulnerability with Inej. Nina and Inej finding peace together in their girlhood. Those moments felt like shards of light in a dark world.
— FINAL THOUGHTS
What made Six of Crows stand out to me wasn’t just the high-stakes heist or the clever twists—it was how deeply personal it all felt. These characters aren’t just archetypes; they’re messy, traumatized, driven, and so painfully human. There’s no plot armor here. You feel how much they’ve suffered, and you know that survival isn’t guaranteed.
By the end, I was emotionally wrecked, clinging to every thread of hope for these characters, and absolutely terrified of what the second book has in store. I already know Crooked Kingdom is going to destroy me, and yet I can’t wait to dive in.
A near-perfect fantasy heist with some of the most complex, layered characters I’ve ever read. Equal parts thrilling, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. Leigh Bardugo delivered a story that lives up to every ounce of hype, and now I understand why this book is the phenomenon it is
Non so da dove cominciare per descrivere questo romanzo.
Ho comprato questo romanzo a occhi chiusi, completamente alla cieca, fidandomi delle lodi che avevo sentito a riguardo nei mesi precedenti l'uscita in Italia. Ebbene: non mi ha delusa per niente. Se potessi dare più di 5 stelle, lo farei.
Non ho trovato una sola cosa che non funzionasse in quasi 500 pagine di romanzo. I personaggi funzionano benissimo tutti quanti, si intersecano tra di loro alla perfezione. Ognuno di loro è fondamentale allo sviluppo della trama e la cosa che più mi ha colpita è che, al lettore, risultino tutti quanti sullo stesso piano. Nessuna voce arriva più delle altre, nessuna viene messa in secondo piano, si sentono tutte allo stesso modo e tutte hanno la stessa importanza. Ho apprezzato particolarmente questo tratto perché non è semplice - specialmente per un autore di romanzi fantasy, credo - tratteggiare i personaggi in modo che tutti abbiano una parte nella storia, senza dover rimanere per forza nell'ombra e uscirne sporadicamente (sgomitando per altro).
Altro punto a favore: le descrizioni. Mai descrizioni furono meno noiose. Riuscivo a leggerle con piacere, senza pensare mai "ma quando finisce?", come mi capita spesso con altri autori. I paragrafi descrittivi mi immergevano nelle strade di Ketterdam, che nella mia testa si dispiegava vicolo dopo vicolo permettendomi di seguire passo dopo passo gli Scarti.
I rapporti tra personaggi poi sono gestiti in maniera magistrale, a cominciare dal rapporto tra Inej e Kaz che è delicato, fragile, rispettoso e che rende entrambi più forti. Questo succede lungo tutto l'arco narrativo tra tutti i personaggi: vi è un rispetto reciproco tra ognuno di loro che arriva facilmente al lettore e che pervade le conversazioni. Perfino nelle prime battute che gli Scarti scambiano con Matthias non vi è scherno, ma solo una divertente ironia.
Il finale mi ha spiazzata non poco: tutto quello che sembrava vero era in realtà falso (scusate il gioco di parole) e alcune scoperte nelle ultime pagine mi hanno sconvolta (Van Eck? Wylan? JESPER????)
Il patto di Kaz con Pekka Rollins è una di quelle cose che non mi sarei mai aspettata da uno come lui e onestamente sono curiosissima di sapere come questa svolta si evolverà nel secondo volume. Pekka riconoscerà Kaz? Kaz si pentirà? Si ammazzeranno a vicenda? Lo scopriremo (o meglio, lo scoprirò) solo vivendo.
Non voglio dilungarmi ancora molto, ma credo si sia capito che ho amato veramente ogni cosa di questo libro e la Bardugo è passata direttamente in prima posizione nella top 3 dei miei autori fantasy preferiti. Sono fermamente convinta che questo sia stato uno dei libri fantasy più belli che io abbia letto negli ultimi anni. Non posso evitare di pensare a che piega prenderanno gli eventi nel secondo volume e non vedo l'ora di scoprirlo.
Ho comprato questo romanzo a occhi chiusi, completamente alla cieca, fidandomi delle lodi che avevo sentito a riguardo nei mesi precedenti l'uscita in Italia. Ebbene: non mi ha delusa per niente. Se potessi dare più di 5 stelle, lo farei.
Non ho trovato una sola cosa che non funzionasse in quasi 500 pagine di romanzo. I personaggi funzionano benissimo tutti quanti, si intersecano tra di loro alla perfezione. Ognuno di loro è fondamentale allo sviluppo della trama e la cosa che più mi ha colpita è che, al lettore, risultino tutti quanti sullo stesso piano. Nessuna voce arriva più delle altre, nessuna viene messa in secondo piano, si sentono tutte allo stesso modo e tutte hanno la stessa importanza. Ho apprezzato particolarmente questo tratto perché non è semplice - specialmente per un autore di romanzi fantasy, credo - tratteggiare i personaggi in modo che tutti abbiano una parte nella storia, senza dover rimanere per forza nell'ombra e uscirne sporadicamente (sgomitando per altro).
Altro punto a favore: le descrizioni. Mai descrizioni furono meno noiose. Riuscivo a leggerle con piacere, senza pensare mai "ma quando finisce?", come mi capita spesso con altri autori. I paragrafi descrittivi mi immergevano nelle strade di Ketterdam, che nella mia testa si dispiegava vicolo dopo vicolo permettendomi di seguire passo dopo passo gli Scarti.
I rapporti tra personaggi poi sono gestiti in maniera magistrale, a cominciare dal rapporto tra Inej e Kaz che è delicato, fragile, rispettoso e che rende entrambi più forti. Questo succede lungo tutto l'arco narrativo tra tutti i personaggi: vi è un rispetto reciproco tra ognuno di loro che arriva facilmente al lettore e che pervade le conversazioni. Perfino nelle prime battute che gli Scarti scambiano con Matthias non vi è scherno, ma solo una divertente ironia.
Il finale mi ha spiazzata non poco: tutto quello che sembrava vero era in realtà falso (scusate il gioco di parole) e alcune scoperte nelle ultime pagine mi hanno sconvolta (Van Eck? Wylan? JESPER????)
Il patto di Kaz con Pekka Rollins è una di quelle cose che non mi sarei mai aspettata da uno come lui e onestamente sono curiosissima di sapere come questa svolta si evolverà nel secondo volume. Pekka riconoscerà Kaz? Kaz si pentirà? Si ammazzeranno a vicenda? Lo scopriremo (o meglio, lo scoprirò) solo vivendo.
Non voglio dilungarmi ancora molto, ma credo si sia capito che ho amato veramente ogni cosa di questo libro e la Bardugo è passata direttamente in prima posizione nella top 3 dei miei autori fantasy preferiti. Sono fermamente convinta che questo sia stato uno dei libri fantasy più belli che io abbia letto negli ultimi anni. Non posso evitare di pensare a che piega prenderanno gli eventi nel secondo volume e non vedo l'ora di scoprirlo.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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
Flawless!!!! I’m obsessed!!!!
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have not reread this book in so long but it’s so good i love these characters so much