A review by mallorypen
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad 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

4.5

MATTHIAS DIED?!? Screw this book. Screw the whole damn thing!!!


But really, what a fantastic end to this duology! I connected with every character, I was surprised but not confused by every twist, and the ending was the right mix of triumphant and heartbreaking all in one. Inej’s visit to Pekka Rollins in the end was just *chef’s kiss* and I love the slow and steady progression of Kaz and Inej’s relationship being built through mutual understanding of their respective traumas and their trust for one another.

Jesper and Wylan? Amazing. I was laughing at the kiss scene where Jesper messed up, but their ending - Jesper being Wylan’s trusted reader and confidante, Wylan bolstering Jesper’s exploration of the part of himself he’s kept hidden … lovely all around.

Nina’s transformation after using parem was so interesting - it would have been so easy for her to be the outlier who magically wasn’t affected by the long term effects of the drug, but her powers twisting (and Kaz finding a new way to use them) made more sense and was wholly satisfying.

The assassin who thought she was a queen felt a little one dimensional to me. And
Matthias’ death is unforgivable, even though it made good literary sense that not everyone would survive, and even understanding you were wrong in the face of a bigger truth and a precious love is not enough to protect you from ignorance and hate. Still. I’m mad about it.
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