A review by _lepetitlivre
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

5.0

So, I have read this book twice now. Both times, I thought it was bloody fantastic.

I feel like every character has such growth in this book it’s absolutely phenomenal.

The storyline was great even if it wasn’t as exciting as the Ice Court Heist I enjoyed it just as thoroughly.

Helnik, Wesper and Kanej? Literally some of my favourite ships ever. I feel like I really appreciated Kanej a lot more on the second read of both books than I did on my first and now I think their relationship is just so beautiful. They both have so much trauma and so many emotions to deal with but that last scene with them on the bridge looking out at the dock holding hands just *chefs kiss*. AND HE FOUND HER PARENTS LIKE HOW DOES THAT NOT ABSOLUTELY SCREAM “I AM COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY IN LOVE WITH YOU!!!!!!” Ahhhhhhh just love them so much.

Helnik is actually one of my all time favourite ships, like ever. I have adored every single moment with them. As I said in my SoC review - Nina is my favourite character ever. I love her so much and I love Matthias too and what they bring out in each other. I don’t think I cried too much when I first read CK at you know, that scene but this time oh wow, I bawled my little heart out. I was an inconsolable mess. I wanted them to go to Ravka together and have little blond chubby babies and live happily ever after but no, Ms Bardugo didn’t want that for me did she. I will be sending a strongly worded email.

Wesper? Oh Wesper, I just want to appreciate Wylan and Jesper for a second. Wylan, did someone say CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT?! He blossomed in this book, absolutely blossomed. He was witty and charming and adorable and clever and badass all rolled into one. “Wylan told them everything”?! Even though I knew what was happening it still made my heart clench. What a badass “I wanted it to look real” god I love him. And Jesper, oh Jesper, our loveable gambling addict and sharpshooter. What a faux pas kissing Kuwei but we’ll forgive him because he was confused and all over the place. I LOVE that Jesper says “I’ll read to him” to Jan idk why that makes me feel things but it definitely did. Wow WESPER.

All in all, this book was a 5 star read and I will read this over and over and over again.

Absolute genius ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Adding onto this that if Leigh Bardugo doesn’t revisit Ketterdam in a 3rd SoC’s book I will not be held responsible for my actions of crying for a year straight.