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A review by katyab
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
4.0
Dec 2020
Still fun. Still gripping. I actually think I got more from it this time around, that’s why the extra star.
***********
After stumbling upon Shadow and Bone a while ago, and being thoroughly disappointed, I kept returning to its Goodreads review section to justify my distaste. A title came up: Six of Crows. Same author, same world.
If anything, Shadow and Bone had a little bit of potential in terms of world building, even if it all felt a little hollow under the infinitely predictable main plot. As I investigated more about Six of Crows, hoping for promise, I recognised the cover. This was something I had seen many times, on Bookstagram, on review sites, in top lists. Maybe this was a better idea, but then again, I’d been a victim of overhype before.
Sometimes I choose to read rubbish as a counter to the books I study for my course (Shadow and Bone was such a choice).
Six of Crows was far from rubbish. It was compelling, well paced, with strong dialogue and a wonderful cast of protagonists. I felt I could get behind every one of their stories. Their dynamics held the plot together. Their flaws worked, their banter was honest, their strengths appropriate to the world they live in.
Not four stars: the world building was better, but I was left wanting more - again. I didn’t feel the scale of distance between the countries, but I absolutely loved the presence of diversity, especially the fact that characterisation didn’t rely solely on them being a certain nationality (perhaps with the exception of Matthias, but even then he had his God and his principles to struggle with).
Overall, pleasantly surprised and intrigued! I’ll return to Crooked Kingdom - I think the characters will draw me back. I’m a sucker for group plots and wicked banter.
Still fun. Still gripping. I actually think I got more from it this time around, that’s why the extra star.
***********
After stumbling upon Shadow and Bone a while ago, and being thoroughly disappointed, I kept returning to its Goodreads review section to justify my distaste. A title came up: Six of Crows. Same author, same world.
If anything, Shadow and Bone had a little bit of potential in terms of world building, even if it all felt a little hollow under the infinitely predictable main plot. As I investigated more about Six of Crows, hoping for promise, I recognised the cover. This was something I had seen many times, on Bookstagram, on review sites, in top lists. Maybe this was a better idea, but then again, I’d been a victim of overhype before.
Sometimes I choose to read rubbish as a counter to the books I study for my course (Shadow and Bone was such a choice).
Six of Crows was far from rubbish. It was compelling, well paced, with strong dialogue and a wonderful cast of protagonists. I felt I could get behind every one of their stories. Their dynamics held the plot together. Their flaws worked, their banter was honest, their strengths appropriate to the world they live in.
Not four stars: the world building was better, but I was left wanting more - again. I didn’t feel the scale of distance between the countries, but I absolutely loved the presence of diversity, especially the fact that characterisation didn’t rely solely on them being a certain nationality (perhaps with the exception of Matthias, but even then he had his God and his principles to struggle with).
Overall, pleasantly surprised and intrigued! I’ll return to Crooked Kingdom - I think the characters will draw me back. I’m a sucker for group plots and wicked banter.