Reviews with content warning for Blood - Crooked Kingdom

This book has multiple points of view, but our main character is a criminal prodigy named Kaz Brekker. Kaz and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives. They are double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Ka’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets – a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world. Kaz knows when you can’t beat the odds, you change the game.

The plot for this series has been like The Breakfast Club meets Ocean 11 and I loved the aspect of it and the found family trope. I loved that all the personalities in these six main characters were fully developed and it wasn’t like there was a character who was there to move the story along. They were all working together and wanting to sleep together or wanting to kill each other. My favourite characters were still Kaz and Inej, I loved their bond and loved the sexual tension during this book and that Kaz was willing to give up the mission to get Inej back and then they get Inej back and she’s like where am I going now and what’s the plan?

I think the only reason that stopped it from being five star is because the middle bit was a bit slow and I was wanting more action and wanting everyone to kick ass and sometimes it just didn’t happen. Plus I don’t forgive Leigh Bardugo for killing off one of the six, that’s just mean.

I loved how it ended, but obviously a third one has been mentioned and I am wondering how on earth it’s going to be carried on.

Content Warnings

lujisa's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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? No

4.75

Content Warnings

seforaflorian's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful sad 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

4.5

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bubblegum_or_books's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional lighthearted 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? No

4.25

Content Warnings

giulidrago's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Quando supererò il trauma permanente inflittomi da questa meraviglia, scriverò una recensione sensata.

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themoodreader's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I received this book as a gift years ago, and I have finally made the time to finish this duology.
"Crooked Kingdom" picks up right at the end of "Six of Crows". Kaz and his crew have just wrapped up the most dangerous heist of his career. They should be celebrating, but unfortunately, they have been betrayed, and now they must gather what little resources they have to continue on a new adventure.
This book was very high stakes, and I was on the edge of my seat trying to anticipate what would happen next. I loved how much of an adventure this felt like, without being too cheesy and cliche.
This duology is first and foremost about friendship, which I think is such an important theme to be prevalent in the Young Adult genre. People need to have solid relationships in their life or else they will not get very far, which is really highlighted in this duology. I love that these misfits have all bonded together, and they are so willing to do anything for one another. It is beautiful, heartwarming, and encouraging that we all can find our people.
My one criticism with this story was that some of the scenes felt a little long to me. I ended up falling out of the story quite a few times. I think this would have worked a little better for me if it were 100 pages shorter, but I still enjoyed this book, nonetheless.
I will definitely be continuing to read from Leigh Bardugo more in the future, and I highly recommend this duology to anyone looking for a YA fantasy with some loveable misfits.

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