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A review by rubeusbeaky
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
5.0
This book is ALIVE <3 <3 <3!!! That is the best way I can think to describe it. The story starts in media res, and doesn't get bogged down in world building. Instead, it throws you into a /built/ world: Nations, religions, different languages, rival gangs, and various ne'er-do-wells with shady histories. Where is my Grishaverse roleplaying game?! Because I was immersed in this world for 462 pages, and it wasn't nearly enough! I need to spend months campaigning, walking the streets of Ketterdam, earning my tattoos and my shiny signature weapon... This book transports you, and I am ALL here for that!!!
The absolutely stunning powerhouse in this book is the ensemble. Every single character has something sympathetic or understandable about them. They are all conflicted morally, with personal obstacles to overcome. And their interactions are genuine and true to character, so much so that it's entertaining to root for ships or double-crosses, either way doesn't detract from the richness and realness of the character. That is a MONUMENTAL achievement. My greatest complaint about the Shadow and Bone trilogy was that I didn't find the male protagonist, Mal, sympathetic until the final book, and therefore his "fated" romance with Alina felt forced. Six of Crows blows all the petty jealousies of teen angst WAY way WAY out to sea, and gives us a cast of damaged and surprisingly emotionally mature young people. Their experiences are darker, their challenges greater, and their ability to trust and love and overcome DESPITE all that is /that/ much more compelling.
And can we talk for a minute about representation?! This is something I felt was lacking in Shadow and Bone too, see my previous complaint that Genya's not being a lesbian. But *MWAH!* Shadow and Bone has protagonists of color AND on the LGBTQA spectrum!! And a mix of different religions (and atheists) too! I know the lands and religions are made up, but after the sameness of Ravka's ragtag heroes in the orig trig, the diverse cast of Six of Crows is welcome - nay, I was jonesing for it! This upgrade satisfied my soul. Plus a million stars for diversity!!!
And SPOILER ALERT, this book gives us a female protagonist whose story arc has her realize that she don't need no man! AH!!! I cannot express how refreshing that is! After Alina, whose whole trajectory was about which boy she would choose to be with, it is so rewarding to have a girl realize that her dream can be about /her/ empowerment, boy or no boy! Yey, girl power!
Six of Crows is a goliath of YA fantasy achievement, and a glowing testament to Leigh Bardugo's progress and maturity as an author. I am so so SO in love with this book! <3 "No mourners. No funerals."
The absolutely stunning powerhouse in this book is the ensemble. Every single character has something sympathetic or understandable about them. They are all conflicted morally, with personal obstacles to overcome. And their interactions are genuine and true to character, so much so that it's entertaining to root for ships or double-crosses, either way doesn't detract from the richness and realness of the character. That is a MONUMENTAL achievement. My greatest complaint about the Shadow and Bone trilogy was that I didn't find the male protagonist, Mal, sympathetic until the final book, and therefore his "fated" romance with Alina felt forced. Six of Crows blows all the petty jealousies of teen angst WAY way WAY out to sea, and gives us a cast of damaged and surprisingly emotionally mature young people. Their experiences are darker, their challenges greater, and their ability to trust and love and overcome DESPITE all that is /that/ much more compelling.
And can we talk for a minute about representation?! This is something I felt was lacking in Shadow and Bone too, see my previous complaint that Genya's not being a lesbian. But *MWAH!* Shadow and Bone has protagonists of color AND on the LGBTQA spectrum!! And a mix of different religions (and atheists) too! I know the lands and religions are made up, but after the sameness of Ravka's ragtag heroes in the orig trig, the diverse cast of Six of Crows is welcome - nay, I was jonesing for it! This upgrade satisfied my soul. Plus a million stars for diversity!!!
And SPOILER ALERT, this book gives us a female protagonist whose story arc has her realize that she don't need no man! AH!!! I cannot express how refreshing that is! After Alina, whose whole trajectory was about which boy she would choose to be with, it is so rewarding to have a girl realize that her dream can be about /her/ empowerment, boy or no boy! Yey, girl power!
Six of Crows is a goliath of YA fantasy achievement, and a glowing testament to Leigh Bardugo's progress and maturity as an author. I am so so SO in love with this book! <3 "No mourners. No funerals."