A review by gilbertbg1
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

5.0

absolutely LOVED. The first book was amazing, and this one feels like the perfect continuation of the story. This book has a lot more different plots going on, where SoC had just the main heist, and where it could have felt messy or overdone it always felt succinct and clear. The plots never bunch into each other, and the book moves at a breakneck pace that keeps you hanging on every word. And all the while, there is still room for the exquisite character work that Bardugo does so exceptionally well. Different dynamics come to the forefront, but the more established ones still receive the care they deserve, giving a well rounded group dynamic that feels cohesive, but also full of individuals. Bardugo uses her deft hand to craft intricate, human stories about true human experiences in ways that never feel sensationalized or unkind. Her treatment of real world problems and lived experiences feels less like an attention grab and more like an attempt to capture the breadth of the human experience, and to tell stories about characters who feel as if they could reach out at any moment and take your hand to bring you right into the story with them.