Crooked Kingdom

5 stars Man, what a book! I was fangirling all over the place while reading this. It gave me all the FEELS. My little shipper heart was bursting with happiness as some relationships developped into something more. I love how despite their pasts, the gang can't really help but become close to one another and look out for each other. The friendship between Inej and Nina was so beautiful <3 I'm kinda sad this is the final installment. I need more!

2 stars.

This put me in a reading slump. twice.

I didn't like the middle third of the book and felt that the scheming of the group felt not as genuine as in the first book. I guessed most of Kaz plans and some characters fell more flat than in the first book. Also the ending didn't hook me.

So I must sadly say that this disappointed me and I think it's because of the way Leigh Bardugo writes her finales (since I didn't enjoy Ruin and Rising).

I was not expecting the spoiler death of the certain character. I mean, i already knew someone is going to die from the main six but...not that character. And though i felt sad but relieved because it wasnt who i was expecting so im grateful.

Leigh Bardugo's six of crows duology is the only series i dont have much to complain about because its very light, fun and intriguing to read. Unlike grisha trilogy, where there are so many plotholes that my head just goes ??? Half the time.

5 stars deserved.

Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy
If I had a wishlist for the perfect YA book, this book would meet all the criteria.

I'm going to structure this review in a series of dot praises for the book. Because nothing is bad about it. This is mandatory reading for anyone that likes YA, fantasy or has eyeballs.

-For once I can't find a character, group or nation that has a one-dimensional portrayal. Except Van Eck, but I don't hate him, just pity him for his deluded self-righteousness; and d̶e̶m̶o̶u̶s̶d̶s̶d̶b̶j̶d̶ White Blade but its nice to see the arrogant teenager who thinks they're hot shit because they're better than every one else at everything (seriously though, Celaena Sardothein is humble compared to d̶e̶m̶o̶u̶s̶d̶s̶d̶b̶j̶d̶ White Blade).

- Meaningful relationships that aren't either
a) Driven by lust and not love
b) Instantaneous and superfluous

- People overcoming their internal problems, with excellent character development driven by each protagonists internal problems/choices: Kaz's fear of personal attachment and overcoming/accepting the need to change all the things caused by the impact of his backstory; Wylan's fear of inferiority; Jesper's gambling addiction; Inej's problems with her past choices, fear of being in the wrong morally and fear of captivity; and Matthias' prejudice and fear of being a traitor.

- Diversity. Not forceful or driving an agenda, just simply there and good.

- The interplay. Heist books always bring have the best dialogue.

- Telling a meaningful story where the stakes aren't saving the world. I'm always ready to read a book that focuses on the personal stories of people who aren't picked by destiny to for greatness. A story where the final outcome doesn't benefit everyone, or save anyone, except the protagonists. This is why Dragon Age 2 is my favorite Dragon Age game, despite its shortfalls in everything that isn't its story-line. Its a hard thing to do; to be entertaining without raising the stakes.

- I can't really say anything more without descending in barely legible drivel and happiness for the greatness that is this duology.

More to come when I inevitably think of another great thing about this book.

“No mourners, no funerals. Another way of saying good luck. But it was something more. A dark wink to the fact that there would be no expensive burials for people like them, no marble markers to remember their names, no wreaths of myrtle and rose.”

crazy crazy crazy speechless I am so wow what to say what to say I need a third book. now.

In this book, we got to learn and explore more of the characters' pasts. We finally got all of Wylan's story (fuck you Jan Van Eck), and we got to see most of Jesper's as well.

I read this book in two days. That's how entertained and engaged I was. I spent my entire Saturday reading this.

I can't relate to any of the characters, and I usually can't with any book I read, but I don't think you need to relate to a character to feel a connection to them. This series introduced me to that idea. These characters are so well written and thought out that I have no choice but to love them. The way they all work together despite their differences.

Oh, Jes. :( The guilt he felt the moment he saw his father's face. “His father's head snapped up and Jesper steeled himself for what might come next–whatever insults or outrage his father hurled at him, he deserved. But he wasn't prepared for the relieved grin that split his father's craggy features. Someone might as well have put a bullet right in Jesper's heart.”

“Someone might as well have put a bullet right in Jesper's heart.” Yea... that hurt.

Indeed these characters have had hard times. But, Inej... So much shit has happened to her and though I can't relate to it, I can still feel sympathy for her. (Although Inej would probably tell me she doesn't want pity...) She was brought into Kerch unwillingly and spent her days slaving away at a Menagerie, which, in definition, is a place where wild animals are kept in captivity for exhibition. I now see why all the girls at the Menagerie have an animal for their name. Like hello?? A teenage girl working a job that exploits her to grown men?

Kaz's trauma prevents him from performing skin-to-skin contact. When we got that scene of him and Inej... he most definitely shit his pants. But he would try for her. That's what makes him good. Even if he is a shitty person, he loves Inej enough to want to try for her. And when they held hands... I may have cried.

I accidentally spoiled Matthias' death for myself...so when the time came I wasn't surprised, unfortunately. I was sad, of course, because it's Six of Crows not Five of Crows (thank you Cindy for that quote). Nina being so desperate for him to come back most definitely made me tear up, though.

“Matthias couldn't name the ache he felt in that moment. He was a solider. So was Nina. They weren't meant for such domestic scenes. But he'd envied those people and their ease. Their comfortable home, their comfort with each other.” ... This quote killed me. I don't think I will ever truly recover from this book.

Um. Let's talk about Chapter 40. First of all, I took a picture of it, printed it, and put it on my wall. Second, when I first read the books, Kanej was my favorite ship, but going back and looking at everything I tabbed, Helnik is far superior. Anyways, I have this chapter memorized. That's how many times I've reread it. Not that it's hard to learn, it's one paragraph. But what the fuck am I supposed to do in the third book without Helnik? I seriously can't handle this. I'm really mad at you Leigh.

I also want to add some quotes that made me laugh:

“...So Kuwei, you'll go to the Souther Colonies, and when the heat has died down, you can find your way to Ravka or Matthias' grandmother's house for all I care”
“‘Leave my grandmother our of this,' Matthias said.”

“‘Saints!' his father gasped. ‘This city is worse than the guidebooks said!'“

“‘You don't have enough money to buy her waffles,' Wyland grumbled.”
“Be quiet. We're in a library.”

“It wasn't that Alys was so bad, she just never stopped. She sang between bites of food. She sang while she was walking through the graves. She sang from behind a bush when she needed to relieve herself. When she finally dozed off, she hummed in her sleep.“

“Matthias' steps faltered. ‘Why would he–'“
“‘She's tied up, so he has to.'“
“‘Be silent.'“

“‘I also keep a journal.'“
“‘Must be fascinating. Day one: sat in tomb. Day two: sat in tomb some more.'“

“Jesper nodded sagely. ‘Good country air, lots of fields for...gamboling about. I grew up on a farm. It's why I'm so tall.'“
“Alys frowned. ‘You're a little too tall.'“
“‘It was a really big farm.'“

I want to reread this series so bad but 1) I want to wait a little bit longer and 2) I genuinely don't think I'd be able to handle it.

I really hope we get the third book in the next day because I'm not sure how much longer I can go without any new content. We better see them happy in the next book or Miss Bardugo is getting a punch to the mouth. <33

another solid fantasy fare!! I think all the characters are solid and likable but none that I got super attached to. The only issues were that all the flashbacks were really heavy-handed in their transitions but they were solid character ideas. I really enjoyed the second to last chapter cuz it was super meaningful given the character journeys but otherwise i just wasn't super invested in my read. But it was definitely a page-turner!

I enjoyed this a lot more than Six of Crows. Perhaps since the world was already built in my mind and the characters all felt familiar. The writing seemed to have improved significantly although it's still a little too amateurish to my taste. It does have certain interesting lessons, the pacing is fast enough to stay hooked. I believe this duology would be perfect for a middle schooler or even a high schooler.

Boy, was this a good book!

It is full of action and emotion and great plot twists, and even better relationships.
It started exactly where Six of Crows ended and I will admit, I was a tiny bit disinterested, as it had been quite some time since I read book one (almost a year and a half).
However, the story was crafted in such an intricate way, that it was impossible not to care. There were multiple peaks both in action and in character development and I was on the edge of my seat repeatedly. And just when I'd think everything was clear, the author would throw me a curve ball.
I even ended up shedding a tear or two at the end.

This duology really elevated my opinion of Leigh Bardugo's writing to a whole new level.

I highly recommend it!

Deep BreathSCREAMS FOR 47 YEARS Wow!!! That was EXTRAORDINARY!!!! While I definitely can't write a review that does this book justice, this was an EXTREMELY amazing way to finish everything that started in Six of Crows (Granted, I do have a complaint about a Certain character's death, but apart from that)!!!

Have you ever met someone and gotten a wrong first impression of them? That's what I did with this duology of books. It started out and I wasn't very impressed by the characters or the setting. Then I gradually developed a grudging respect for the world-building. Then I came to enjoy the characters more and more, and finally became fast friends with the series and learned to love it. Now that I've finished the second book, I'm onto the final phase in the relationship: I'm missing it. The heists were awesomely executed, and the character development was meaningful. Bardugo is a very skilled writer who has clearly spent a lot of time developing her universe. I place her books about fantasy con men and thieves on my shelf next to Scott Lynch and the “Gentleman Bastards”.

As per usual, loved the characters, the tension, etc. I needed to take breaks from how stressed I was getting. This was definitely more complex with more moving parts compared to the first book. SOMETHING was always happening - great for the rollercoaster feeling, but it left me still a little bit empty at the end even though it was generally a suitable ending for everyone.

In a way, it's sort of “more of the same” compared to its predecessor Six Of Crows, but just with a little bit more of everything. Though I didn't think it flowed as well as the previous one, it was still pretty enjoyable and you get to know the characters you already liked a bit better. Among which my boys Jesper and Wylan. :) I felt the death at the end was a tad unnecessary though? I'm not sure what it accomplished so close to the end, but then again I didn't particularly care about the character.

did matthias really need to die tho!?!?! :(

lovedlovedloved this book. wylan really came into his own in this one, and i really liked him. it did mean less time for matthias......... so it kinda felt like him dying wasn't as impactful as it could have been.

i was in tears for the last few chapters of the book. kaz buying that ship for inej! didn't see that coming because it's such a stereotypically romantic male thing to do - but i love that he did it. and her parents, oh gosh.

kind of disappointed with how nina just vanishes. wish there was a chapter with her in ravka so we know how things are going, or to get some closure, but maybe that'll lend itself to another spin off!? lol. one can hope!