
Six of Crows
Audible Audiobook
– Unabridged
Leigh Bardugo
(Author),
Jay Snyder
(Narrator),
Brandon Rubin
(Narrator),
Fred Berman
(Narrator),
Lauren Fortgang
(Narrator),
Roger Clark
(Narrator),
Elizabeth Evans
(Narrator),
Tristan Morris
(Narrator),
Audible Studios
(Publisher)
&
6
more
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Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price - and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone.
A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction - if they don't kill each other first.
©2015 Leigh Bardugo (P)2015 Audible, Inc.
- Listening Length15 hours and 4 minutes
- Audible release dateSept. 29 2015
- LanguageEnglish
- ASINB0716VKMH4
- VersionUnabridged
- Program TypeAudiobook
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Product details
Listening Length | 15 hours and 4 minutes |
---|---|
Author | Leigh Bardugo |
Narrator | Jay Snyder, Brandon Rubin, Fred Berman, Lauren Fortgang, Roger Clark, Elizabeth Evans, Tristan Morris |
Audible.ca Release Date | September 29 2015 |
Publisher | Audible Studios |
Program Type | Audiobook |
Version | Unabridged |
Language | English |
ASIN | B0716VKMH4 |
Best Sellers Rank | #273 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #1 in Thrillers & Suspense for Teens #10 in Action & Adventure Fiction for Teens #11 in Science Fiction & Fantasy for Teens |
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4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
39,132 global ratings
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Everything looks good! I’m pleasantly surprised as it’s the first book in a little while that has come completely intact. As you can see the packaging was fairly cushiony and seemed to do the trick :)
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Top reviews from Canada
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Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on May 31, 2023
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Really great story. Sucks you in after the second or third chapter!
Helpful
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on September 20, 2018
Verified Purchase
Once in a while a book will come in your life and turn your world upside down. Long after it's done, you will think about it while trying to do go on with your life. For me, this book did that. It took me a long time to read it, the fault was mine.
I love reading books where author manages to make me forget that I'm reading a book and Leigh Bardugo did that with her awesome writing. It felt so smooth like I was not reading a book but watching a movie. All six characters were unique and had something to add to the story in their own way.
They're misfits which fit perfectly with each other.
The best thing about this book
1. Character: Each one has something to bring to the story. Each one has a talent that takes the story forward. Even the side characters come with their own flavour. Its written from five points of views. The only book with so many characters pov is game of thrones. And just like GOT, Six of Crows pov are different, each one has their own voice and own way of looking at the same situation. Their emotions are raw and I believe their past experience helps them to bond with each other. They know how it feels to be so alone, so hopeless.
2. Story and the twist: Six of crows will go down as a book that had something new happening in each page. You will always be on alert. Every word will demand your attention, every twist will make your heart race, your jaw to drop. Many times, I stopped reading just to let it sink, all the while wondering how will the author pull her characters out of this situation. And each time she did it so smoothly that it made me realise how well she knows this character especially with the background story. We get to know what each of the characters has been through and why they believe or do certain things in such a way.
3. Place: Ketterdam, oh!!! how I loved and hated the city. It was a perfect place for the city. I could smell the salt in the air and humidity just like the characters.
4. Writing: Just brilliant. The dialogue is the best part of the book. The command on the language is strong. Not every author can pull off great writing but Leigh Bardugo is the queen.
Lastly, if like me you've not read any previous work of Leigh Bardugo than give yourself some time. It will be confusing in the beginning but have patience.
I love reading books where author manages to make me forget that I'm reading a book and Leigh Bardugo did that with her awesome writing. It felt so smooth like I was not reading a book but watching a movie. All six characters were unique and had something to add to the story in their own way.
They're misfits which fit perfectly with each other.
The best thing about this book
1. Character: Each one has something to bring to the story. Each one has a talent that takes the story forward. Even the side characters come with their own flavour. Its written from five points of views. The only book with so many characters pov is game of thrones. And just like GOT, Six of Crows pov are different, each one has their own voice and own way of looking at the same situation. Their emotions are raw and I believe their past experience helps them to bond with each other. They know how it feels to be so alone, so hopeless.
2. Story and the twist: Six of crows will go down as a book that had something new happening in each page. You will always be on alert. Every word will demand your attention, every twist will make your heart race, your jaw to drop. Many times, I stopped reading just to let it sink, all the while wondering how will the author pull her characters out of this situation. And each time she did it so smoothly that it made me realise how well she knows this character especially with the background story. We get to know what each of the characters has been through and why they believe or do certain things in such a way.
3. Place: Ketterdam, oh!!! how I loved and hated the city. It was a perfect place for the city. I could smell the salt in the air and humidity just like the characters.
4. Writing: Just brilliant. The dialogue is the best part of the book. The command on the language is strong. Not every author can pull off great writing but Leigh Bardugo is the queen.
Lastly, if like me you've not read any previous work of Leigh Bardugo than give yourself some time. It will be confusing in the beginning but have patience.
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on December 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
I bought the Shadow and Bone trilogy, having hugely enjoyed the Netflix series, but there are differences (no spoilers here for readers or viewers).
Read the trilogy, then dive right in to Six of Crows and see something new. Also get what they incorporated into the Netflix series and like me, wonder why Six of Crows wasn't saved for its own series, because this is EVEN BETTER than Shadow and Bone.
The characters have much more depth, and the story is delivered with different characters as the main actors in each chapter. This makes the reader really connect with each character in a new and very engaging way. Plus it delivers cliff hanger after cliff hanger! I sat there and read for literally hours at a time. I loved the echoes back to the original trilogy and when I got to the end, I immediately started on Crooked Kingdom (because I bought both at the same time, knowing I would do exactly this).
It's great to see how Leigh Bardugo is developing at such a huge pace. My one request though, would be that she not use the word 'wend' so frequently. Sorry Leigh, it gets a bit jarring.
Read the trilogy, then dive right in to Six of Crows and see something new. Also get what they incorporated into the Netflix series and like me, wonder why Six of Crows wasn't saved for its own series, because this is EVEN BETTER than Shadow and Bone.
The characters have much more depth, and the story is delivered with different characters as the main actors in each chapter. This makes the reader really connect with each character in a new and very engaging way. Plus it delivers cliff hanger after cliff hanger! I sat there and read for literally hours at a time. I loved the echoes back to the original trilogy and when I got to the end, I immediately started on Crooked Kingdom (because I bought both at the same time, knowing I would do exactly this).
It's great to see how Leigh Bardugo is developing at such a huge pace. My one request though, would be that she not use the word 'wend' so frequently. Sorry Leigh, it gets a bit jarring.
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on April 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
This book is fantasy meets good old fashion criminal heist. I could not put it down! What I found I really enjoyed about this book is that even though its based in a world full of magic, most of the cast were just ordinary people, with the exception of a couple hilariously witty grisha, accomplishing a crazy mission using only their wits and talents and cards life has dealt them. I like how each chapter was from a different characters perspective and at the same time it would pick up where the last one left off. And to be honest it was actually quite funny in more ways than one. For me, this is a book is one of those rare reads I wish I reread for the first time all over again. (less)
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on January 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
Another book I really enjoyed, a great rampage through interesting scenarios. Glad I got to read it in 2023 nice
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on September 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
A great read. Had a hard time putting it down. Would recommend this book to my friends.will buy the next one for sure.
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on October 12, 2016
Verified Purchase
Holy. Crow(s). Yep, that's all I need to say.
Okay, maybe a little more.
This WORLD. How I missed it; and I loved seeing a different angle of it as opposed to just Ravka from the Grisha Trilogy, even though now all I want to do is reread those books to dive right back in. These CHARACTERS. Misfits, criminals, convicts.. a perfectly imperfect group of deviants. I loved them all. Those SHIPS. I ship them all. Every single one. They were all so different and complex, with something for everyone, and the romance was subtle and strange and beautiful. (Kaz, oh Kaz, you're so effed up) That HEIST. I loved that it all went wrong. Even when you thought they had survived it and come out the other end, nope, it still went wrong some more. And then further wrong. The freaking ENDING. Okay, going into this I definitely thought it was a standalone; it was only halfway through I saw the title of the second book that at least gave me a little bit of a heads-up that things probably weren't going to end perfectly. Or maybe they would and we would just see more of the Crow Crew, it was hard to tell. But then..
Yeah, so, SIX OF CROWS was amazing, but like that's any surprise. If you're reading this review you already know it. I loved the Grisha Trilogy but I have to say that Bardugo has really hit her stride with this one. Her writing seems to have matured (not that it was IMmature before this), possibly even more vivid, and basically I need the next book right now. Please.
Please?
Okay, maybe a little more.
This WORLD. How I missed it; and I loved seeing a different angle of it as opposed to just Ravka from the Grisha Trilogy, even though now all I want to do is reread those books to dive right back in. These CHARACTERS. Misfits, criminals, convicts.. a perfectly imperfect group of deviants. I loved them all. Those SHIPS. I ship them all. Every single one. They were all so different and complex, with something for everyone, and the romance was subtle and strange and beautiful. (Kaz, oh Kaz, you're so effed up) That HEIST. I loved that it all went wrong. Even when you thought they had survived it and come out the other end, nope, it still went wrong some more. And then further wrong. The freaking ENDING. Okay, going into this I definitely thought it was a standalone; it was only halfway through I saw the title of the second book that at least gave me a little bit of a heads-up that things probably weren't going to end perfectly. Or maybe they would and we would just see more of the Crow Crew, it was hard to tell. But then..
Yeah, so, SIX OF CROWS was amazing, but like that's any surprise. If you're reading this review you already know it. I loved the Grisha Trilogy but I have to say that Bardugo has really hit her stride with this one. Her writing seems to have matured (not that it was IMmature before this), possibly even more vivid, and basically I need the next book right now. Please.
Please?
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 23, 2022
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This is one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. Definitely my favourite book. The characters are all so different and unique and the story line is so wonderful. I could hardly put the book down♥️
Top reviews from other countries

Paulina
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sooo Pretty!
Reviewed in Poland 🇵🇱 on April 30, 2021Verified Purchase
This book is so pretty! I'm obsessed! <3


Paulina
Reviewed in Poland 🇵🇱 on April 30, 2021
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MartaSulima04
1.0 out of 5 stars
Tak nie powinno być
Reviewed in Poland 🇵🇱 on January 25, 2022Verified Purchase
Książka przyszła z naddartym grzbietem i rozdartymi wewnątrz kartkami. Miała być prezentem dla przyjaciółki ale przyszła zniszczona. Uważam że jak za tą cenę i w ogóle, taka sytuacja nie miała prawa się wydarzyć. Nie wiem co trzeba mieć w głowie, wysyłając komuś zniszczony produkt, jeśli on kupuje nowy i w idealnym stanie. Ogólnie piękna ale zespół nawalił. I to nie w porządku

Karolina Rejewska
2.0 out of 5 stars
Pięknie wydana jednak przyszła uszkodzona.
Reviewed in Poland 🇵🇱 on February 18, 2022Verified Purchase
Pięknie wydana jednak przyszła uszkodzona. Miała być prezentem.
Gdy dostanę zwrot w lepszym stanie zmienię liczbę gwiazdek.
Gdy dostanę zwrot w lepszym stanie zmienię liczbę gwiazdek.


Karolina Rejewska
Reviewed in Poland 🇵🇱 on February 18, 2022
Gdy dostanę zwrot w lepszym stanie zmienię liczbę gwiazdek.
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Charlotte Watkins
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Fantastic Cast Of Characters That Are Bound To Draw You In
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 1, 2023Verified Purchase
Actual Rating: 4.5
’Better terrible truths than kind lies.’
Almost every time that I see Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse books mentioned ’Six Of Crows’ is the series that people tend to rave about most passionately. I’ve seen readers give the original series three stars but this one five on more than one occasion so it’s safe to say that my expectations of this series were pretty much sky high going into it (especially as someone who adored the original series too). Which I have to confess kind of worked against me. I loved this novel, and was hooked upon it immediately, but I constantly found myself waiting for the moment that would set this series above all the rest.
If that sounds negative I truly don’t mean it to. I adored this book – hence the rating – but I do want to warn others to be wary of setting their expectations too high and going into any of these books with the idea of comparing it to the other series.
Personally I think what people adore most about this particular duology is the characters. Maybe I’m wrong but for me they were definitely the standout feature so far. They’re an unusual blend of individuals who you can’t help but find yourself falling for...even as you know that you truly should not. They’re a criminal gang and one that certainly don’t shy away from getting their hands dirty. Yet they’re all infinitely fascinating and you can’t help but find yourself rooting for them on occasion. Everybody has a back-story that’s so complex and moving too. Plus the way that these characters’ pasts and presents slowly reveal themselves over the course of this book is superb. At the moment my favourites are Kaz and Inej but I loved everyone and the dynamic between Matthias and Nina was riveting.
Plot wise this book is jam packed with danger constantly present. The narrative opens in a way that instantly reels you in and – if you’re anything like me – will leave you feeling somewhat floored several chapters in. There’s always something waiting to catch you off guard. There’s always numerous levels of intrigue to uncover. There’s always something happening and there truly is not a single dull moment in this book. Fair warning it’s pretty gruesome at times too. There are definitely moments that will make you somewhat squeamish.
Truthfully there are only two reasons why I’m giving this 4.5 rather than 5 stars. Firstly there’s a moment towards the end that bothered me somewhat. It’s too much of a spoiler to go into details of but one particular element felt rather reckless – and maybe even somewhat unbelievable – to me. In the grand scheme of things it’s not too major and I can understand why it was done but it stood out to me somewhat regardless. And the second is the one that I mentioned in my introduction – the fact that I couldn’t help but wait for something slightly more due to the hype surrounding this book. The cast are undoubtedly worthy of five stars but the fantasy world building wowed me more with the original series.
Altogether I definitely recommend this book and can see why its characters are such major fan favourites. My personal advice is to go into it without any expectations of what series within the Grisha-verse world will be your favourite though and also, personally, I’d advice checking out the ’Shadow And Bone series first. It’s not strictly necessary to do so but I do think it’ll help give you a better understanding of Grisha going in. Here’s hoping – taking my own advice onboard – that the sequel will be a five star favourite.
’Better terrible truths than kind lies.’
Almost every time that I see Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse books mentioned ’Six Of Crows’ is the series that people tend to rave about most passionately. I’ve seen readers give the original series three stars but this one five on more than one occasion so it’s safe to say that my expectations of this series were pretty much sky high going into it (especially as someone who adored the original series too). Which I have to confess kind of worked against me. I loved this novel, and was hooked upon it immediately, but I constantly found myself waiting for the moment that would set this series above all the rest.
If that sounds negative I truly don’t mean it to. I adored this book – hence the rating – but I do want to warn others to be wary of setting their expectations too high and going into any of these books with the idea of comparing it to the other series.
Personally I think what people adore most about this particular duology is the characters. Maybe I’m wrong but for me they were definitely the standout feature so far. They’re an unusual blend of individuals who you can’t help but find yourself falling for...even as you know that you truly should not. They’re a criminal gang and one that certainly don’t shy away from getting their hands dirty. Yet they’re all infinitely fascinating and you can’t help but find yourself rooting for them on occasion. Everybody has a back-story that’s so complex and moving too. Plus the way that these characters’ pasts and presents slowly reveal themselves over the course of this book is superb. At the moment my favourites are Kaz and Inej but I loved everyone and the dynamic between Matthias and Nina was riveting.
Plot wise this book is jam packed with danger constantly present. The narrative opens in a way that instantly reels you in and – if you’re anything like me – will leave you feeling somewhat floored several chapters in. There’s always something waiting to catch you off guard. There’s always numerous levels of intrigue to uncover. There’s always something happening and there truly is not a single dull moment in this book. Fair warning it’s pretty gruesome at times too. There are definitely moments that will make you somewhat squeamish.
Truthfully there are only two reasons why I’m giving this 4.5 rather than 5 stars. Firstly there’s a moment towards the end that bothered me somewhat. It’s too much of a spoiler to go into details of but one particular element felt rather reckless – and maybe even somewhat unbelievable – to me. In the grand scheme of things it’s not too major and I can understand why it was done but it stood out to me somewhat regardless. And the second is the one that I mentioned in my introduction – the fact that I couldn’t help but wait for something slightly more due to the hype surrounding this book. The cast are undoubtedly worthy of five stars but the fantasy world building wowed me more with the original series.
Altogether I definitely recommend this book and can see why its characters are such major fan favourites. My personal advice is to go into it without any expectations of what series within the Grisha-verse world will be your favourite though and also, personally, I’d advice checking out the ’Shadow And Bone series first. It’s not strictly necessary to do so but I do think it’ll help give you a better understanding of Grisha going in. Here’s hoping – taking my own advice onboard – that the sequel will be a five star favourite.

Richard_92
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heart-stopping…like a Grisha, and addictive…like Jurda Parem. Six of Crows is an utterly fascinating page turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 22, 2017Verified Purchase
Heart-stopping…like a Grisha, and addictive…like Jurda Parem. Six of Crows is an utterly fascinating page turner, and a compulsory read for Young-Adult readers.
Six outcasts have accepted the charge of a seemingly impossible heist job that could earn them wealth beyond their wildest dreams. They have to break into a never before breached military stronghold, Ice Court, retrieve a hostage that holds a formula that could wreak mayhem on the world, and make it back to collect their reward. If that seemed improbable enough, they have to contend with enemies intent on derailing their efforts, conflict among themselves, and an ever-changing plan that leaves a lot to chance.
The most identifiable aspect of Six of Crows that I and other readers have loved while reading was the point-of-views that Bardugo afforded to each of her six outcasts. With six POVs, the fear was that Bardugo would struggle to provide a coherent and flowing narrative…this was certainly not the case! Each one of the characters had a unique and recognisable voice that leapt off the pages in their chapter, and into the hearts and minds of the readers. She achieved every author’s aim when writing multiple POVs; to have distinctive characters providing their own personal angle on one story. Her characters were afforded enough time to establish their own personality, their backstory, and their agenda for accepting an impossible job. With each visit to their palaces of their thoughts and feelings, we as readers become further and further drawn into their personal missions that are spurned on by revenge, family and love.
Creating one character that resonates with readers enough for them to fall in love with their personality is a challenge enough, given the high expectations of voracious readers nowadays, but Bardugo has managed to craft six individuals that are brilliant and loveable in their own right.
I’ll begin with Inej, otherwise known as The Wraith. Female and diverse characters are given the reins to control the tempo of the narrative, and oh boy do they dictate a ferociously-paced story. Inej is a fleet-footed and ninja-esque girl that gathers information and secrets for Kaz. But this small and deadly girl will use her talents for more dangerous and high risk means as she is a critical component of Kaz’s insane plan. Like the other characters in Six of Crows, Inej has physical and mental scars from another life before she joined Kaz in The Barrel. And those scars provide the inner-drive to pursue a path that takes her far away from her past as she possibly can.
Jesper is a hopeless gambler. But he is always hopeful. His uplifting demeanour is a key factor when the group are in a tense or harrowing situation. The banter he has with Wylan helped to provide the light relief that is always needed in a serious and high-risk quest.
Speaking of Wylan, the son of Van Eck, the councillor responsible for offering the group this impossible mission and wealth beyond their wildest dreams, Wylan starts out as a quiet outsider of the group as his expertise pales in comparison to the others. But with every passing chapter, his importance to the story and to the group rises and rises. He transforms from shy, privileged boy, to a daring and passionate young man.
Matthis Helvar, the drüskelle Fjerdan soldier who has found himself in Hellgate Prison, is a crucial cog in terms of the mission. As a former drüskelle, he has a great deal of knowledge about Ice Court and the various protocols that occur within those walls. His character exudes traits that have been drilled into him since birth, like; justice and loyalty, yet due to his conflicting feelings for Nina, a Grisha, the type of person he should be hunting, he self-tortures himself over who he should be loyal to.
Nina is the altruistic and fiery Grisha Heartrender that Matthias has feelings for. She has the ability to stop a person’s heart, and I’m not talking about the way she does that to Matthias! She can physically stop a person from breathing, an ability she will use more than once in their daring mission fraught with danger. Nina and Inej give powerhouse performances as the leading ladies in this epic fantasy story. They accept dangerous roles in Kaz’s plan without hesitation and they both are idealistic in their motives for being a part of the company of six.
While Nina manages to torture the heart of the loyal and brave Matthias. Inej does something similar, but more subtly, to the heart of the main protagonist, the brooding and mysterious criminal mastermind, Kaz Brekker. The man with a plan. An expert lock-pick and a master planner, Kaz accepts this wealthy adventure in the hope of enacting revenge on a man that is responsible for the horrors of Kaz’s past, the horrors that he carries with him today. Bardugo expertly crafts his backstory seamlessly into Kaz’s chapters, revealing more and more each time, as mystery, pain and hatred rise to the surface which threatens to crack at any moment and pour out.
The layered and well-developed characters that Bardugo has created through the use of multiple POVs is the main success that I will take away from my reading of Six of Crows. But she adds an element that all Young-Adult readers love. Love. The subtle hints of love interests were particularly expressed well, the Kaz-Inej burgeoning romance will no doubt grow in the sequel Crooked Kingdom as their love can heal one another from their demons and hopefully blossom too. The Nina-Mathias romance will probably develop more quickly, but they will almost certainly have more ups and downs due to their chequered history and innate rivalry. The Jesper-Wylan friendship was a good inclusion, especially their banter with one another, but I, and many others, feel that there could be some hidden feelings underneath the surface from both of them, and it could develop into something more than friendship. The character driven aspect never once felt unnecessary, even when some sub-plots overlapped, it only added more details to scenes from a different perspective which heightened the stakes and suspense even more. The sub-plots introduced into the story enhanced the overall plot as their hidden motives and backstory played a part in their actions during their nautical journey and subsequent heist.
Jurda Parem. A drug that exponentially increases the abilities of the Grisha (people that have magical abilities- for example, Nina, a Heartrender, can manipulate a person’s blood). This drug in question is the subject of a worldwide pursuit by all kingdoms trying to seek out the formula for their own means. Many intend to use it as a weapon and others for wealth. Kaz and his merry band of outcasts have been tasked to retrieve Bo Yul-Bayur, the inventor of the drug, before he replicates the drug for the Fjerdan army to use as a weapon. The six outcasts are all that stand in their way.
Crime is what binds them all together. It is very much a dominant theme and of course, dark and mysterious undertones follow the action like a shadow. This creates a different experience for readers who follow these criminals attempting to save the world. Given that their motives for saving the world range from greed and desire, to clearing gambling debts, they are clearly far from saints but they are doing a saintly job. The tone of the book is darkened by the sub-plots that emphasise the degradation of humanity and the terrible things that they have done, or had done to them. They’re all just complex characters, who are ruthless in their pursuit on righting the wrongs and injustices of their lives, which only helps them become our loveable criminals and heroes.
Ketterdam. The Barrel. Fjerda. The Ice Court. These are the places that we see the characters in action. The descriptions of all of these places were enticing and vivid. I immediately understood and imagined the world that Bardugo had built. A world full of crime and danger, but also one full of diversity and love. Six of Crows has the fantastical elements, the intrigue created by the scheming, and the heart-stopping moments that occur in the heist. Betrayal lurks in the background, plot twists happen unexpectedly, and danger is an ever-present seventh character. This is undoubtedly the best Young-Adult Fantasy I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The story is packed full of action, yet it never overwhelms or detracts from the central narrative. Beautifully paced, it leaves readers unblinking on every page.
With its memorable and compelling characters, its unnerving atmosphere, and magical world building, Six of Crows will take you on a journey that you wish would go on forever. Unpredictable to the last, a heart-pounding and suspenseful ending that assures its place in the pantheon of Young-Adult literature.
Six outcasts have accepted the charge of a seemingly impossible heist job that could earn them wealth beyond their wildest dreams. They have to break into a never before breached military stronghold, Ice Court, retrieve a hostage that holds a formula that could wreak mayhem on the world, and make it back to collect their reward. If that seemed improbable enough, they have to contend with enemies intent on derailing their efforts, conflict among themselves, and an ever-changing plan that leaves a lot to chance.
The most identifiable aspect of Six of Crows that I and other readers have loved while reading was the point-of-views that Bardugo afforded to each of her six outcasts. With six POVs, the fear was that Bardugo would struggle to provide a coherent and flowing narrative…this was certainly not the case! Each one of the characters had a unique and recognisable voice that leapt off the pages in their chapter, and into the hearts and minds of the readers. She achieved every author’s aim when writing multiple POVs; to have distinctive characters providing their own personal angle on one story. Her characters were afforded enough time to establish their own personality, their backstory, and their agenda for accepting an impossible job. With each visit to their palaces of their thoughts and feelings, we as readers become further and further drawn into their personal missions that are spurned on by revenge, family and love.
Creating one character that resonates with readers enough for them to fall in love with their personality is a challenge enough, given the high expectations of voracious readers nowadays, but Bardugo has managed to craft six individuals that are brilliant and loveable in their own right.
I’ll begin with Inej, otherwise known as The Wraith. Female and diverse characters are given the reins to control the tempo of the narrative, and oh boy do they dictate a ferociously-paced story. Inej is a fleet-footed and ninja-esque girl that gathers information and secrets for Kaz. But this small and deadly girl will use her talents for more dangerous and high risk means as she is a critical component of Kaz’s insane plan. Like the other characters in Six of Crows, Inej has physical and mental scars from another life before she joined Kaz in The Barrel. And those scars provide the inner-drive to pursue a path that takes her far away from her past as she possibly can.
Jesper is a hopeless gambler. But he is always hopeful. His uplifting demeanour is a key factor when the group are in a tense or harrowing situation. The banter he has with Wylan helped to provide the light relief that is always needed in a serious and high-risk quest.
Speaking of Wylan, the son of Van Eck, the councillor responsible for offering the group this impossible mission and wealth beyond their wildest dreams, Wylan starts out as a quiet outsider of the group as his expertise pales in comparison to the others. But with every passing chapter, his importance to the story and to the group rises and rises. He transforms from shy, privileged boy, to a daring and passionate young man.
Matthis Helvar, the drüskelle Fjerdan soldier who has found himself in Hellgate Prison, is a crucial cog in terms of the mission. As a former drüskelle, he has a great deal of knowledge about Ice Court and the various protocols that occur within those walls. His character exudes traits that have been drilled into him since birth, like; justice and loyalty, yet due to his conflicting feelings for Nina, a Grisha, the type of person he should be hunting, he self-tortures himself over who he should be loyal to.
Nina is the altruistic and fiery Grisha Heartrender that Matthias has feelings for. She has the ability to stop a person’s heart, and I’m not talking about the way she does that to Matthias! She can physically stop a person from breathing, an ability she will use more than once in their daring mission fraught with danger. Nina and Inej give powerhouse performances as the leading ladies in this epic fantasy story. They accept dangerous roles in Kaz’s plan without hesitation and they both are idealistic in their motives for being a part of the company of six.
While Nina manages to torture the heart of the loyal and brave Matthias. Inej does something similar, but more subtly, to the heart of the main protagonist, the brooding and mysterious criminal mastermind, Kaz Brekker. The man with a plan. An expert lock-pick and a master planner, Kaz accepts this wealthy adventure in the hope of enacting revenge on a man that is responsible for the horrors of Kaz’s past, the horrors that he carries with him today. Bardugo expertly crafts his backstory seamlessly into Kaz’s chapters, revealing more and more each time, as mystery, pain and hatred rise to the surface which threatens to crack at any moment and pour out.
The layered and well-developed characters that Bardugo has created through the use of multiple POVs is the main success that I will take away from my reading of Six of Crows. But she adds an element that all Young-Adult readers love. Love. The subtle hints of love interests were particularly expressed well, the Kaz-Inej burgeoning romance will no doubt grow in the sequel Crooked Kingdom as their love can heal one another from their demons and hopefully blossom too. The Nina-Mathias romance will probably develop more quickly, but they will almost certainly have more ups and downs due to their chequered history and innate rivalry. The Jesper-Wylan friendship was a good inclusion, especially their banter with one another, but I, and many others, feel that there could be some hidden feelings underneath the surface from both of them, and it could develop into something more than friendship. The character driven aspect never once felt unnecessary, even when some sub-plots overlapped, it only added more details to scenes from a different perspective which heightened the stakes and suspense even more. The sub-plots introduced into the story enhanced the overall plot as their hidden motives and backstory played a part in their actions during their nautical journey and subsequent heist.
Jurda Parem. A drug that exponentially increases the abilities of the Grisha (people that have magical abilities- for example, Nina, a Heartrender, can manipulate a person’s blood). This drug in question is the subject of a worldwide pursuit by all kingdoms trying to seek out the formula for their own means. Many intend to use it as a weapon and others for wealth. Kaz and his merry band of outcasts have been tasked to retrieve Bo Yul-Bayur, the inventor of the drug, before he replicates the drug for the Fjerdan army to use as a weapon. The six outcasts are all that stand in their way.
Crime is what binds them all together. It is very much a dominant theme and of course, dark and mysterious undertones follow the action like a shadow. This creates a different experience for readers who follow these criminals attempting to save the world. Given that their motives for saving the world range from greed and desire, to clearing gambling debts, they are clearly far from saints but they are doing a saintly job. The tone of the book is darkened by the sub-plots that emphasise the degradation of humanity and the terrible things that they have done, or had done to them. They’re all just complex characters, who are ruthless in their pursuit on righting the wrongs and injustices of their lives, which only helps them become our loveable criminals and heroes.
Ketterdam. The Barrel. Fjerda. The Ice Court. These are the places that we see the characters in action. The descriptions of all of these places were enticing and vivid. I immediately understood and imagined the world that Bardugo had built. A world full of crime and danger, but also one full of diversity and love. Six of Crows has the fantastical elements, the intrigue created by the scheming, and the heart-stopping moments that occur in the heist. Betrayal lurks in the background, plot twists happen unexpectedly, and danger is an ever-present seventh character. This is undoubtedly the best Young-Adult Fantasy I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The story is packed full of action, yet it never overwhelms or detracts from the central narrative. Beautifully paced, it leaves readers unblinking on every page.
With its memorable and compelling characters, its unnerving atmosphere, and magical world building, Six of Crows will take you on a journey that you wish would go on forever. Unpredictable to the last, a heart-pounding and suspenseful ending that assures its place in the pantheon of Young-Adult literature.
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