SIX OF CROWS BY LEIGH BARDUGO/ TEENAGE CON-MEN AND #THUGLIFE TO THE MAX /BOOK REVIEW/

Review by: Khudija Nadeem

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.

The Goodreads version: Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker has been offered wealth beyond his wildest dreams. But to claim it, he'll have to pull off a seemingly impossible heist:

Break into the notorious Ice Court

(a military stronghold that has never been breached)

Retrieve a hostage

(who could unleash magical havoc on the world)

Survive long enough to collect his reward

(and spend it)

Kaz needs a crew desperate enough to take on this suicide mission and dangerous enough to get the job done - and he knows exactly who: six of the deadliest outcasts the city has to offer. Together, they just might be unstoppable - if they don't kill each other first

REVIEW

How do I even begin to describe one of my favorite YA (Young Adult) books of all time of ever?

This action-packed adventure has just the right blend of fun and emotion that leaves you laughing out loud in the most unlikely times, and gasping every time (EVERY. SINGLE. TIME) you find a new plot twist.

It’s a story featuring six unlikely heroes. As readers, we get to see the story unfolding from pretty much the whole gang (all six of them, except for Wylan, who’s POV we can read in the second book, Crooked Kingdom). The writing style is beautiful and sharp, using gritty descriptions that are easy to read. The plot is so intricately woven that all you can say is “wow!”.

It’s a heist story, of all things. Starting from an impossible offer and a heist that could very well end up with everyone getting killed, and ending at a shocking point after many plot twists, traveling to another continent and back, this book is a thrill ride from beginning to end.

The worldbuilding is spot on, rich, gritty, detailed but not to the point where you get bored. There are different countries and whole lifestyles and cultures that have been condensed to give us a perfect perspective to understand what’s going on.

Remember our friend Mark?" Wylan winced. Let's say the mark is a tourist walking through the Barrel. He's heard it's a good place to get rolled, so he keeps patting his wallet, making sure it's there, congratulating himself on just how alert and cautious he;s being. No fool he. Of course every thime he pats his back pocket or the front of his coat, what is he doing? He's telliing every thief on the Stave exactly where he keeps his scrub."

"Saints," grumbled Nina. "I've probably done that."

"Everyone does," said Inej.

Jesper lifted a brow. "Not everyone."

"That's only because you never have anything in your wallet," Nina shot back.

"Mean."

"Factual."

"Facts are for the unimaginative," Jesper said with a dismissive wave.”

Here folks, we see how gangs operate. With a lot of snarky comments.

The sharp writing style gives it that edge, and the masterful plot is so intricately done that it’s hard to comprehend.the plot twists leave you shook. The flashbacks make you want to cry. The insight into the characters and their motivations in third person is just enough that you realise that not everything is as it seems, and you want to know more.  Many have described this book as the Ocean’s 11 of the YA fantasy book world, and the humor, and action can attest to that.

Kaz is offered an incredible sum of money to perform a deed that might just start an international war. But does he care? Only if he can earn a profit from said war. He and his gang have to break a special scientist, who has developed a magical version of jurda (a coffee like drug) out of the most well-protected and fortified jail in their world.

Characters:

The characters really make this story what it is.

THEY ARE ALL SO DIVERSE AND DIFFERENT.Everyone is a different race and background, they have different faiths and lifestyles, and they clash with each other too. The females have this amazing bond that is so rare in books. They are equals, friends, sisters, that both support each other and are NOT fighting for the sake of a man. And they DON’T try to hide/not be feminine, they are what they are and they still manage to kick butt! Inej and Nina are honestly two of my favorite book characters of all time. All the characters are so well-developed and have tons of layers.

You can really see them grow throughout the course of the book, even more so in the second one.

This book sounds really dark and sort of negative, but the truth is far from that. These characters  have an amazing and realistic balance of good and bad, and despite the fact that most of them are misfits and  criminals, you can see that they can be good people. Especially the part where they end up saving the world and all that.

Plus their dynamics with each other are very fun.

You just want to be part of their squad. 

“Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?"

"Knife to the throat?" asked Inej.

"Gun to the back?" said Jesper.

"Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina.

"You're all horrible," said Matthias.”

This pretty much summarises all of them s people, except for Wylan, who is precious and innocent and perfect.

Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get Wylan’s ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost.”

Brekker’s lips quirked. “I’ll just hire Matthias’ ghost to kick your ghost’s ass.”

“My ghost won’t associate with your ghost,” Matthias said primly, and then wondered if the sea air was rotting his brain.”

This above is pretty much my favorite quote from the book. You can see that there definitely is  humor.

“I'm a business man," he'd told her. "No more, no less."

"You're a thief, Kaz."

"Isn't that what I just said?

Basically Kaz is always so dramatic and I love him very very much.

REVIEWLOCITY SCORE:11/10!!!

So, basically, all I really want to say is GO READ THIS BOOK AND READ IT NOW.