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A review by tatiannareads
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
5.0
I definitely didn't anticipate sinking so deeply into this book! I was hesitant to jump into a book about a group of "wily teens" in a gang pulling a fast one on a group of adults... but this was so much more than that! Six of Crows and its characters have so much depth!! These are the most interesting, unique and well-developed teenage characters that I've encountered in a long time. They are more mature than most of the adult characters in books I've been reading lately. I was completely surprised in the best way.
The world-building is complex and intricate. I haven't read any of Leigh Bardugo's related books, so it was an entirely new world for me and I had to read the beginning slowly to understand and absorb everything. The environment is harsh and cruel, both socially and politically, and the six main characters we follow have heartbreaking backstories where they have had to move through challenges and traumas at young ages just to survive. They behave in ways that are fierce, cunning and ruthless most of the time, though as the book moves through each of their different perspectives, the reader is able to experience each character's unique vulnerability, softness, and humility. The female representation in this book is incredible! Nina and Inej are strong, multi-layered, independent and uniquely skillful, just like their male counterparts. They are not damsels in distress and they are not so overwhelmed by romance that they cannot function. I loved these characters so damn much and I wouldn't change a thing about them!
The plot is very character-driven, and despite three separate romantic relationships building, the romance is subtle and not the focus. For me personally this was a refreshing change from my current reading taste. The growing relationships and intimacy between the characters felt believable and I just couldn't help but fall in love with all of them so hard.
This book is masterfully crafted. I am not surprised by the hype and praise. You can tell it is written with such dedication to the world and characters, but also to perfect prose that sometimes reads like poetry. I will absolutely be reading A Crooked Kingdom!
The world-building is complex and intricate. I haven't read any of Leigh Bardugo's related books, so it was an entirely new world for me and I had to read the beginning slowly to understand and absorb everything. The environment is harsh and cruel, both socially and politically, and the six main characters we follow have heartbreaking backstories where they have had to move through challenges and traumas at young ages just to survive. They behave in ways that are fierce, cunning and ruthless most of the time, though as the book moves through each of their different perspectives, the reader is able to experience each character's unique vulnerability, softness, and humility. The female representation in this book is incredible! Nina and Inej are strong, multi-layered, independent and uniquely skillful, just like their male counterparts. They are not damsels in distress and they are not so overwhelmed by romance that they cannot function. I loved these characters so damn much and I wouldn't change a thing about them!
The plot is very character-driven, and despite three separate romantic relationships building, the romance is subtle and not the focus. For me personally this was a refreshing change from my current reading taste. The growing relationships and intimacy between the characters felt believable and I just couldn't help but fall in love with all of them so hard.
This book is masterfully crafted. I am not surprised by the hype and praise. You can tell it is written with such dedication to the world and characters, but also to perfect prose that sometimes reads like poetry. I will absolutely be reading A Crooked Kingdom!