Crooked Kingdom - Chapters 1 - 4

By Leigh Bardugo

Download the first four chapters of Crooked Kingdom for free!

The highly anticipated sequel to the thrilling #1 New York Times-bestselling Six of Crows.

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets—a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Aug 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781250132895

Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and the creator of the Grishaverse (now a Netflix series) which spans the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, The Language of Thorns, and the King of Scars duology—with more to come. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and Ninth House (Goodreads Choice Winner for Best Fantasy 2019). She lives in Los Angeles and is an Associate Fellow of Pauli Murray College at Yale University.

Book preview

Begin Reading

Table of Contents

About the Author

Copyright Page

Thank you for buying this

Henry Holt and Company ebook.

To receive special offers, bonus content,

and info on new releases and other great reads,

sign up for our newsletters.

Or visit us online at

us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup

For email updates on the author, click here.

The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you for your personal use only. You may not make this e-book publicly available in any way. Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the author’s copyright, please notify the publisher at: us.macmillanusa.com/piracy.

PART ONE

FORSAKEN

1

RETVENKO

Retvenko leaned against the bar and tucked his nose into his dirty shot glass. The whiskey had failed to warm him. Nothing could get you warm in this Saintsforsaken city. And there was no escaping the smell, the throat-choking stew of bilge, clams, and wet stone that seemed to have soaked into his pores as if he’d been steeping in the city’s essence like the world’s worst cup of tea.

It was most noticeable in the Barrel, even more so in a miserable dump like this one—a squat tavern tucked into the lower floor of one of the slum’s grimmest apartment buildings, its ceiling bowed by weather and shoddy construction, its beams blackened by soot from a fireplace that had long since ceased to function, the flue clogged by debris. The floor was covered in sawdust to soak up spilled lager, vomit, and whatever else the bar’s patrons lost control of. Retvenko wondered how long it had been since the boards had been swept clean. He buried his nose more deeply in the glass, inhaling the sweet perfume of bad whiskey. It made his eyes water.

You’re supposed to drink it, not snort it, said the barkeep with a laugh.

Retvenko put his glass down and gazed at the man blearily. He was thick necked and barrel chested, a real bruiser. Retvenko had seen him toss more than one rowdy patron into the street, but it was hard to take him seriously dressed in the absurd fashion favored by the young men of the Barrel—a pink shirt with sleeves that looked fit to split over huge biceps, a garish red-and-orange plaid waistcoat. He looked like a dandified soft-shell crab.

Tell me, said Retvenko. His Kerch wasn’t good to begin with, and it was worse after a few drinks. Why does city smell so bad? Like old soup? Like sink full of dishes?

The barman laughed. That’s just Ketterdam. You get used to it.

Retvenko shook his head. He didn’t want to get used to this city or its stink. His job with Councilman Hoede had been dull, but at least his rooms had been dry and warm. As a treasured Grisha indenture, Retvenko had been kept in comfort, his belly full. He’d cursed Hoede at the time, bored with his work shepherding the merchant’s expensive cargo shipments across the sea, resenting the terms of his contract, the foolish bargain he’d made to get himself out of Ravka after the civil war. But now? Now he couldn’t help thinking of the Grisha workshop at Hoede’s house, the fire burning merrily in the grate, brown bread served with slabs of butter and thick cuts of ham. After Hoede had died, the Kerch Merchant Council had let Retvenko take on sea voyages to pay his way out of the indenture. The money was terrible, but what other options did he have? He was a Grisha Squaller in a hostile city with no skills but the gifts with which he’d been born.

Another? the barman asked, gesturing at Retvenko’s empty glass.

Retvenko hesitated. He shouldn’t waste his money. If he was smart with his pennies, he would only need to rent himself out for one more voyage, maybe two, and he’d have enough money to pay off his indenture and buy himself a ticket to Ravka in a third-class berth. That was all he needed.

He was due on the docks in less than an hour. Storms had been predicted, so the crew would rely on Retvenko to master the air currents and guide the ship calmly to whatever port they needed to reach. He didn’t know where and he didn’t care. The captain would call coordinates; Retvenko would fill the sails or calm the skies. And then he would collect his pay. But the winds hadn’t picked up yet. Maybe he could sleep through the first part of the voyage. Retvenko tapped the bar and nodded. What was a man to do? He deserved some comfort in this world.

I am not errand boy, he muttered.

What’s that? the barman asked as he poured out another drink.

Retvenko gave a dismissive wave. This person, this barman, could never understand. He toiled away in obscurity. Hoping for what? An extra coin in his pocket? A warm glance from a pretty girl? He knew nothing of glory in battle, what it was to be revered.

You Ravkan?

Through the muzzy blur the whiskey had created, Retvenko came alert. Why?

No reason. You just sound Ravkan.

Retvenko told himself to relax. Plenty of Ravkans came through Ketterdam looking for work. There was nothing on him that said Grisha. His cowardice filled him with disgust—at himself, the barman, this city.

He wanted to sit and enjoy his drink. There was no one in the bar to jump him, and despite the barman’s muscles, Retvenko knew he could handle him easily. But when you were Grisha, even staying still could mean courting trouble. There had been more rumors of disappearances in Ketterdam recently—Grisha vanishing from the streets or their homes, probably snapped up by slavers and sold to the highest bidder. Retvenko would not let that happen to him, not when he was so close to buying his way back to Ravka.

He downed his whiskey, slammed a coin on the counter,

Reviews for Crooked Kingdom - Chapters 1 - 4

[cecilywolfe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely devastating - another author who isn't afraid to kill characters, especially those we love.

No mourners, no funerals.

I wish that was true, and I hope she writes more in this fantastic fantasy world she has created.

[anacskie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Crows remember human faces. They remember the people who feed them, who are kind to them. And the people who wrong them too. I truly enjoyed the second installment of this duology series by Leigh Bardugo. But I have to admit that it is also a book that I find extremely hard to review, because of the fact that this book has about half a dozen points of view from different characters. But Bardugo has a way of making each character fascinating that each view did not became so redundant. She has skills that kept the whole process of multiple POV more natural instead of being forced. I have read other books with tons of POV and it always comes out so contrived.If you couldn't beat the odds, you changed the game. In this book, unlike the first one, the setting is mainly within the city of Ketterdam. The story picks up where it left off. Kaz and the gang came back to Ketterdam so eager to received their rewards. But instead of getting the fat reward that Jan Van Eck (the merchant who hired them) promised, they found out that Van Eck double crossed them. On top of that, he kidnapped one member of their valuable crew, holding her hostage for ransom. The stakes just keep getting bigger in this book, plus enemies of Kaz and the gang just increased in number. It was definitely a roller coaster ride that will leave you breathless. One of the things I liked in this book is the fact that you get to know more of each characters, their emotions, fears, dreams/hopes and what they had been through. Has she really thought the world didn't change? She was a fool. The world was made of miracles, unexpected earthquakes, storms that came from nowhere and might reshape a continent. To sum it up, the book is not only about the crazy non-stop action of gun fights/acrobatics, genius schemes and revenge. It was also about family, friendship, trust/loyalty, love and camaraderie. I actually shed some few tears (don't judge me) most especially towards the end. It definitely deserves all the accolades it got. Although, I was craving for more, I have to admit it ended perfectly. An epic conclusion to an awesome series. I rarely give five stars and this book deserves way more.

[narilka · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Where do think the money went?" he repeated."Guns?" asked Jesper."Ships?" queried Inej."Bombs?" suggested Wylan."Political bribes?" offered Nina. They all looked at Matthias. "This is where you tell us how awful we are," she whispered.He shrugged. "They all seem like practical choices."Crooked Kingdom picks up just days after where Six of Crows leaves off. Kaz and the gang have just finished pulling off the heist of the century and now their backs are against the wall as they've been double (triple, quadruple?) crossed by just about everyone. One of the team has been kidnapped and the lure of jurda parem has drawn many enemies to the city. Old rivals and new will test the bounds of Kaz's scheming mind if he and his crew are to survive.I admit I hadn't really warmed up to Kaz in the first installment but that's no longer an issue. All the character backgrounds we received in the first book are given even more depth and by half way through I was fully invested in each character. I love the the relationships Bardugo has created, both platonic and romantic. The characters bond and build true camaraderie, using the strengths of each to balance out flaws, turning them into one highly effective team. The main story line is very twisty! Gone was the annoyance of the constant reminder of character ages. The action scenes are intense and almost cinematic. Kaz Brekker's scheming knows no bounds, which is a good thing considering how many setbacks the team encounters. I was kept on the edge of my seat wondering how everyone was going to pull through. The payoff is very satisfying. Very.I laughed, I cried, sometimes both at the same time. This duology completely swept me away and I was more than happy to go along for the ride. I can definitely see a reread in the future.

[jdifelice-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ugh this book was just so good. I LOVED it. It was such a great conclusion and the writing was beautiful, the story flowed so well and I just loved all the characters. I loved seeing their development and flaws and Bardugo did a great job of making them feel human.

Full review to come later :)

[cathishaw · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Leigh Bardugo is solid in this sequel to the Six of Crows. Interestingly, even though I didn’t read the first book (my only Bardugo novel was Shadow and Bone, which I loved), I was completely engaged with Kaz’s story.For me, Bardugo writes the kinds of books I love: strong characters, fast paced action, and plot lines that are intriguing. Both books I’ve read by her have fallen into the “can’t put down” category. Looking for an entertaining and engaging read? Crooked Kingdom will definitely meet your needs.

[tamaranewman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heart. Broken.

[m_mozeleski · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The excellent sequel to Six Of Crows, it shows Kaz Brekker's crew growing and becoming even closer than before. A fantastic story.

[damred-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don’t have the proper words to describe how much I loved this book, this world and the characters.Everything was perfect, I loved the twists and especially the way it was written, the twists were smart and I rarely if at all saw them coming. I will be re-reading this series. Favorite series I’ve ever read.

[passion4reading_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After the events in Six of Crows the action picks up almost seamlessly in this second and concluding volume of the duology, and the already high stakes have been raised even higher. If possible, the tension is increased by a notch or two, with the change in POV acting as a mini-cliffhanger so that I felt I had to carry on reading until I knew what had happened to the character involved. While I enjoyed the world-building as much as in the first volume, it is the characterisation that really stands out for me: each character is portrayed with their frailties and flaws, but also their courage, determination and loyalty to their friends, and I cared deeply about them. I was sad to reach the final page and say goodbye, and wish the series had continued.Escapism in the best sense of the word.

[herenya_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I hadn't been expecting Six of Crows to end the way it did, and I embarked upon Crooked Kingdom feeling frustrated and impatient (I wanted to know what happened and I wanted to know now). It’s also a darker story than Six of Crows. In the first book, the job involves risking their lives but if they fail in their mission without being killed, although they won’t get paid, they’ve still got the option of returning their old lives in Ketterdam.However, in the sequel, everything is going to hell in a handbasket. They’ve made enemies and this time it is personal. They’re fighting on their home turf and there’s no obvious chance of things going back. to the way things were before. It’s become a case of win or die.Like the first book, Crooked Kingdom is tense and twists unexpectedly. It has teamwork and banter and some positive developments amongst the craziness. I was mostly okay with the final outcome and where it left these characters. I was unsurprised by what it cost - that turn of events fitted the story - but nevertheless it muted my enthusiasm for this duology.The frustration of a story which is almost but not quite everything I wanted it to be, I guess. “I’m fine,” said Inej. Jesper rolled his eyes. “You always say that.” “Isn’t that how things are done around here?” asked Wylan. “We all tell Kaz we’re fine and then do something stupid?” “Are we that predictable?” said Inej. Wylan and Matthias said in unison, “Yes.”

[fairesteve-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Anyone who knows me well knows that even when I was going through my teens, I found YA novels annoying and have avoided the genre almost altogether. Instead, I'd either be reading children/tweens books or adult fiction. It's overall a mix of being tired of the same stories and stereotypes being retold in bland ways, the constant coming of age stories that, due to how I grew up, didn't leave me nostalgic or happy, but left a bad taste in my mouth, and the overall feeling that the books were dumbed down for readers in a way that was unappealing. I understood that there was a place for them, but that place was never on my bookshelf. If I wanted more teen orientated adventures or romance stories, I was more than happy with my manga collection instead. When I stumbled across the first book Six of Crows, I was simply looking at my library's recommendations for me and I thought it looked interesting. However, they didn't mark it as YA on the site so I was a little put off when a beautiful hardcover book with "YA" slapped on the spine was handed to me by the librarian. I contemplated not taking it out as I had been let down by the genre too many times to count. But, I checked it out anyways. What greeted me was a flawed story, but a very good one with characters I really enjoyed and an ending that left me angry that I'd have to wait a year to get my proper conclusion.And that year went by slowly, but it finally passed.Crooked Kingdom is a fitting ending to Six of Crows. The pacing can be slow at times, but overall this was a very satisfying read. I felt every emotion that each character felt, I teared up as I saw my favorite characters in pain, I laughed at all the new one-liners that will be on my favorite quotes list, I was invested in nearly every moment, and I enjoyed a YA series for the first time in years. It made me feel alive to a degree. I could gush about the book for hours (and already have to my boyfriend who is just as shocked as I am that I've loved a series as this so much), but I would risk spoiling everything. Please, if you enjoyed the first book, grab this one and get your ending. My only main complaint is that the characters, to me, do not act their age. They feel so much older and I suppose you could say what they went through forced them to grow up faster, but I almost feel it is a cop-out excuse. They are their age because of the target demographic. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just throws me off some moments to have their ages retold to me and it has to register just how young these characters are.Get the book. No Mourners. No Funerals.

[reading_fox · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The conclusion to the Heist - a direct continuation from Six of Crows which should be read beforehand. Having succeeded in stealing away the famous scientist's son, Kaz and the crew returned home to find they'd been cheated of their reward, and one of their own kidnapped for good measure. The 'Scheming face' appears almost immediately, and a cunning plan is concocted which requires the dedication of all of his crew. But when Kaz hadn't recognised all of the depths to which is opposition was prepared to stoop, nor had he fully allowed for his own predictability, things go wrong and it's down to individual strengths to overcome their weaknesses.Well plotted with some exciting jinks and turns, some more obvious than others. The voice switches between the various members of the crew, as per the last book, which mostly works apart from the annoying cliff-hangers (literally of course in a few instances). THere's also a lot of maudlin dwelling on back-story, oh woe is me how did I get to be here hanging from my fingertips above a dreadful drop etc. AT least there's no repeats of information provided in the last story, but still it's not really the kind of thoughts that go through your head. Engaging storyline through in places it felt more contrived than the last. Interestingly it does appear to come to a complete close as a duology which is unusual.

[banoczi_henrietta · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is phenomenal. Dare I say it's better than Six of Crows? No actually, both of them are amazing on different levels. Although this one did make me cry a lot more. It was everything I wanted and more.
I was hooked from the first page, it never felt slow, and the action sequences kept me on the edge of my seat. But my favourite parts were definitely the plot twists; for me none of them were predictable or boring. I also really really liked the new characters introduced, and it just made me fall even more in love with the old crew.
My one complaint is that there are only books in this series. why

[gracepasquale · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Not only did Jan Van Eck cheat Kaz and the crew of their money after they successfully pulled off the ice court heist, but now he has kidnapped Inej, and gave Kaz only a week to give up Kuwei before he kills her. Now Kaz, Jesper, Nina, Matthias, Wylan, and Kuwei must race against the clock to save Inej’s life. Meanwhile, Kaz hasn’t forgotten about his money, or about his revenge against Pekka Rollins. Kaz has outwitted the people of the Barrel before, but what will he do when the entire city is out to get him? Can he and the crew outsmart the entirety of the Barrel? With so many lives on the line and plans to carry out, things are bound to go wrong. So the only question is…will what matters most go right in the end?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~These characters are so incredibly well-developed. They each possess their own unique stories, their own strengths, their own weaknesses. I grew to love every character and genuinely cared about their well-being as if they were actual people. That’s how good Leigh Bardugo’s writing is. I could read a page of just snippets of dialogue and know exactly who is speaking because each character has their own distinct tone and mannerisms.In addition to the characters, the Grisha universe is amazing in of itself. I love the world, the concept of the Grisha, how there are all these different regions with people, cultures, languages, and beliefs unique to those locations. The detail of this world blows my mind.In Crooked Kingdom, Kaz and the crew are planning Inej’s rescue, keeping Kuwei safe, plotting to get their money from Van Jeck, and Kaz is contemplating his revenge on Pekka Rollins more than ever. I genuinely cared about all of these problems. My love for the characters made these situations somehow personal to me, and for the first time in a while a book was equally plot driven as it was character driven for me.Kaz’s schemes are incredible and I was literally in awe watching them unfold. Sometimes you think the plan went sour just to find out Kaz had planned for that all along, while other times the plan really does take a turn for the worst yet Kaz knows exactly how to bounce back (sometimes). The last job at the end of the book was amazing, how Bardugo was able to think all of that up is beyond me.Lastly, Bardugo’s writing is incredible. The last few chapters were written so perfectly, I had so many emotions while reading. The story didn’t wrap up neatly and perfectly – and I wasn’t expecting it to. Each character had a realistic end. And it was beautiful and solemn and bittersweet and BARDUGO CONTINUE THIS SERIES DAMMITThe Long Awaited Romances:Kaz and Inej: They have become one of my favorite couples of all time. This is the absolute definition of a slow burn – it’s tentative, scary, hopeful, and lovely. Both Kaz and Inej have experienced such tragedies and yet they are each other’s glimmer of hope. Inej’s constant faith in Kaz’s redemption is heartwarming. And despite Kaz constantly saying he’s a cold, heartless bastard, he still takes these tiny steps to show that that isn’t entirely true. I just love them so much. I really do hope and pray and beg for Bardugo to continue this series because I want to see so much more.Wylan and Jesper: Ugh. These two are absolutely adorable. In Six of Crows these two were harmlessly flirtatious, but in Crooked Kingdom it became so much deeper. They both see each other’s inner turmoil and they just both get each other. Both of their stories unfolded so much more in this book. Wylan struggles with his feelings of inadequacy and uselessness, while Jesper struggles with his self-identity, his family, and his gambling. If you thought Jesper making Wylan blush in Six of Crows was cute, then just wait until you crack into Crooked KingdomMatthias and Nina: I grew to love this couple so much in this book. In Six of Crows, I liked Matthias, but I didn’t have a real connection with him like I did everyone else. But Crooked Kingdom made me fall in love with his big, goofy, naive self. I love his tentativeness to be with Nina, his politeness about it all, him getting embarrassed at the talk of romance. Nina is my second favorite character (next to Kaz) and I absolutely loved the way she teased Matthias and broke him out of his shell. I loved all their interactions and they were constantly making me laugh and smile. And for someone who doesn’t speak romance, Matthias is oddly very romanticOverall, this series was such an adventure. I grew to love and understand these characters in such a short period of time and got the chance to live in a world full of witty banter, magical beings, and devious schemes. Can I set my credit card to automatically be charged whenever Leigh Barudgo writes a book within the Grisha universe again? I’d like to set that up.

[thegenreminx · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was first introduced to author Leigh Bardugo when I read the Grisha Trilogy. That series was just spectacular (imagine fireworks and sparkles after this word), so when I read about the first book in this duology, Six of Crows, which is set in the same world as the Grisha books, I had to read it! I adored the first book and this book was even better! How could I even love it more? It is unfathomable! I had to wait a bit of time before writing this review because the ending of this book was such a bittersweet ending. My feelings ranged from angry to sad to elated to sobs. Ugh, even thinking about the ending compels me to get on an emotional roller-coaster.Crooked Kingdom picks up shortly after the end of Six of Crows and the Dregs have not had time to heal from their battle at the Ice Court and things have gone from bad to worse. They are working on a time line to try and save their beloved Wraith. Things do not go as planned and it seems for the first time that Kaz may not be in control of the situation. The plot is so full of twists and turns that it just sucks you in until the end.Every character in this book have their demons that they grapple with and the crew is such an odd assortment of characters but they work well together because of Kaz Brekker. Who happens to be one of my favorite characters ever. He is a mastermind beyond compare and he is also suffering from one of the worst cases of PTSD I have ever seen in a character. His is one mission with many objectives in this book and that is to save Inej, destroy Wylan’s Father (the man responsible for Inej’s capture), and to get his crew to safety in whatever sense that applies.Leigh Bardugo’s writing is so utterly amazing! All the characters in this story are layered and developed. You will come to care about each and every character. They are so alive to me that the conclusion of this duology was a knife to my heart because I want more. More of the characters, more of this world, more of the Grisha, I want it all.

[wagner5sarah35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fun, thrilling continuation of Six of Crows, picking right where the earlier book left off and building on the character development commenced there. Deception plays a key role and I enjoyed watching the characters interact, challenge, and surprise each other. I would highly recommend this book to YA fans, but only after reading Six of Crows.

[bookappeal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The second and final book picks up right after Kaz and his crew pulled off an impossible heist in Six of Crows, only to be double-crossed and now in hiding for their lives. Once again, Kaz must craft a scheme with a ton of moving parts - much of which go wrong - in order to save himself and his friends but without losing sight of his ultimate goals. Bardugo occasionally indulges in some unbelievable details but the plot is only hard to believe because of its amazing scope and complication. With fully fledged characters, nonstop tension, and extremely compelling writing, this duo-logy concludes brilliantly.

[acargile-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book follows Six of Crows, so read that book first before this one! It’s the second of the duology, so that makes it the final book!Kaz and the other have returned to Ketterdam after being swindled out of the payoff for pulling off an impossible heist. The first order of business is to rescue Inej who was taken. Inej isn’t waiting around for rescue, but her options are very limited. Kaz is haunted by his past, giving him trouble seeing past the lies and making clever plans. Matthias worries about Nina, but they are able to get closer and rely on each other as Nina continues to ween herself off jurda parem. Jasper and Wylan continue to dance around each other as they each learn about the others’ lives. Jasper’s life gets more interesting when his father arrives. Kaz sees this visit as fortuitous. In this novel, the gang have to outwit the most evil, but they are hampered by Kaz’s past. It’s an intense novel with a powerful ending. There’s room for another novel, but it also ends. It’s supposed to only be a duology, but the Leigh Bardugo has left room for more if she wants to return to it. I really like these two books, which means I need to read the earlier books that explain the society!

[krau0098 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a very well done continuation of this series. I love the world, the characters, and the beautifully twisty turny plot. This is the second, and final, book in the Six of Crows duology. I enjoyed it a lot.I listened to this on audiobook. I actually wasn’t a huge fan of the audiobook (I read the first book in Hardcover). There are different narrators for each POV which is a good idea but doesn’t work all that well in this case. You end up having very different voices for the different characters depending on which POV you are listening to. Some of them are very jarring; for example the narrator of Wylan’s POV did Kaz’s voice very scratchy and squeaky which was annoying and much different than the other narrators. I personally would recommend reading a paper copy of this one and skipping the audio version.This story continues to be very much of an Ocean’s 11 type of fantasy book. There is a lot of intrigue and scheming. Kaz is your completely invulnerable planner who has back-up plans for his back-up plans and always seems to come out ahead even when it looks like he’s been had.I love all the characters in here; they all have a lot of depth to them and are each intriguing in their own right. I also loved how the story was told from so many POVs and still told such a beautifully cohesive story. Many times too many POVs fractures the story, but for this book it works incredibly well. All the characters’ stories weave together beautifully to form the main story.This book does an okay job of wrapping up the main story. As I said, I am pretty sure that this is a duology. The last couple chapters had me a bit confused because it almost seemed like Bardugo was setting up for another story. Additionally there were quite a few loose ends that weren’t wrapped up at all. I am wondering if those will be addressed in a spin-off series or if they are just meant to drive home the fact that life goes on.Overall I really enjoyed this book a lot. It’s well written, has some amazing characters, and the world-building is wonderful too. The story is woven together through a number of points of view (POVs) and it works beautifully for this book. My only complaint is that I wish some aspects of the story had been tied up better. Hopefully some of these characters will feature in a spin-off story at some point. This duology is definitely recommended to fantasy fans who enjoy an Ocean’s 11 style storyline.

[rivkat_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This sequel to Six of Crows delivers all the intrigue, treachery, heists, and related scams one could want, melding with the politics of the new drug that threatens to make magic-users’ situation even worse in terms of their exploitation/attempted extermination. The ringleader Kaz has to struggle with his PTSD that prevents him from even admitting that he cares about anyone, while the young woman who loves him back has her own damage from years as a sex slave—I liked that they were very, very angry about what had happened to them and that there were no easy solutions, but they also stayed committed to the larger task (even when that was getting revenge on the people who betrayed them).

[shellypya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kaz and his crew find their loyalties tested after pulling off an impossible heist and are forced to fight for their lives when powerful enemies descend on Ketterdam in pursuit of knowledge about a dangerous drug.

[nbmars · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Note: Spoilers for Book One, Six of CrowsThis is the sequel of an excellent young adult fantasy series about a group of six smart, resourceful, and very likable members of the underclass of Ketterdam.This Amsterdam analogue is a teeming soup of gangs, brothels, gambling dens, and a greedy, ruthless merchant ruling class that uses its false patina of respectability to control assets and power in the city. Kaz Brekker is the de facto leader of one of the gangs. In the first book, he, along with five other gang members, tried to pull off an impossibly hard heist, and in fact, they were only partly successful.As this book begins, the Councilman Van Eck has captured one of Kaz’s gang members, Inej, and is threatening to begin torturing her if Kaz doesn’t turn over Kuwei Yul-Bo, a scientist who may hold the key to giving people supernatural powers. Kaz wants not only to recover Inej intact, but to figure out a way to protect Kuwei and to get the money they were owed by Van Eck. In addition, Kaz wants to get revenge on Pekka Rollins for the death of his brother. He comes up with a brilliant scheme to accomplish all of it, letting readers in on it only as it unfolds.Their strategy is based on pyschology. Kaz tells Nina:“‘Rich men want to believe they deserve every penny they’ve got, so they forget what they owe to chance. Smart men are always looking for loopholes. They want an opportunity to game the system.’ ‘So who’s the hardest mark to swindle?’ asked Nina. ‘The toughest mark is an honest one,’ said Kaz. ‘Thankfully, they’re always in short supply.”Discussion: Kaz and Inej have something more between them than just collegial feelings, but both of them are so psychologically damaged, it is difficult for them to acknowledge it or act upon it. After Inej is rescued, she asks Kaz if he would have still come for her if Van Eck had broken her legs and she was no longer of use to him. Kaz replied:“I would come for you. And if I couldn’t walk, I’d crawl to you, and no no matter how broken we were, we’d fight our way out together - knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that’s what we do. We never stop fighting.”What he can’t say: "Because I love you."In addition, Jesper needs to come to terms with the fact that he is actually a Fabrikator; i.e., one of the set of people called Grisha, who can manipulate matter at its most fundamental levels. His father had brought him up to hide his talent, because Grisha were hunted, enslaved, and/or killed.Wylan is trying to deal with his conflicted feelings for his father; he knows Van Eck hates him and tried to have him killed, but on some level he still wants to believe that either he brought it on himself for being illiterate, or that his father really isn’t that bad.And Nina and Matthias want to come up with a way to undo the hatred and mistrust between their two nations. It will be an uphill battle.Evaluation: The plot in these two books, looked upon by some as a young adult version of the Ocean's Trilogy heist films, is well-woven and the writing is excellent. It's dark but also hopeful, and impressively sophisticated. It should also be noted that the main hero has a physical disability, but does not let it stand in his way. The ending to this second book is bittersweet. I felt so sad, and yet in many ways, the ending was perfect.Note: This is not a standalone book.

[bookishpeach240 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

let's just say that this book blew my mind. This book had me gasping with disbelief and shock every three sentences. all the twists and turns, and a certain incident that... oh gods, I'm still not over it. I'm going to write a proper review once I'm able to form coherent sentences.

[jethplain · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

All beginnings start with an end. What a bittersweet ending filled with hope and possibilities. I Ended my year with Leigh Bardugo's Crooked Kingdom and it hit me, The Six of Crows series just ended. Is it really just a duology? I need moooore! The second instalment starts with the remaining members trying to gather intel to rescue Inej after she was taken. Aside from trying to get their money from their heist in the Ice Castle and getting her back, new problems arise. Grishas in Ketterdam are going missing with while delegates from Ravka, Shu Han and Novyi Zem have arrived. Characters from the Grisha trilogy also make an appearance and will play important roles in Kaz' ultimate plan.There's more character development in this one. The Crows really grew up by the end of this book, especially with Kaz and Jesper. They face and acknowledge their inner demons, came to terms with it and are working on to get pass it. I hope I get to hear more of them soon (stand alone books? or cameos?).If you like The Grisha Trilogy and Like the Six of Crows then this is a must read.

[evelynnygren · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Let’s all take a moment to thank Leigh Bardugo for her amazing writing skills. The Six of Crows duology has become one of my favorite series now. I love Kaz, he is my absolute favorite—I always am fond of the trauma-filled ones—and I love his relationship with Inej. I loved seeing each member of Kaz’s little group grow and develop. I like when characters are able to improve in themselves and work through their many problems. I think Wylan grew the most and I am so proud of him, and I would like to thank Jesper for helping him along and supporting him. I am deeply saddened by Matthias’ death. Was not expecting that at all, kinda took me off guard, it really hit me in the feels. I will be denying that that ever happened. I have no idea what Leigh has planned for the rumored third book in this series, but I know it’s going to be good! Again, loved this book a lot and I can’t wait to continue with Leigh’s other books in this universe!

[ajhackwith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book ripped my heart out in lovely ways. I love every character in this bar.

[quondame · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Similar to the previous volume, with no new virtues. Schemes and setbacks and surprises. The gang of six talented outcasts follows Kaz through the maze of Ketterdam's intrigues involving powers outside and in, all of whom want the young Shu who may have the secret of parem and to take a piece, preferably fatal, of Kaz. It's a bit too long with a few tricks to many, but moves fairly well and offers up a few tricksey battles for those who like.

[emeraldreverie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

More of the same great pain march through your heart.

[faith_murri · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book finally did what all 4 books before it failed to do.

It made it to my favorites list.

That was how you survived when you weren’t chosen, when there was no royal blood in your veins. When the world owed you nothing, you demanded something of it anyway.
I started this with low expectations, to be honest. I had been let down by Six of Crows and didn't want to repeat my disappointment. And I think those low expectations saved me just a little bit. While I still had reservations in the first 100-or-so pages, by the midpoint, I was sufficiently hooked. Honestly, I feel like the real problem with this duology is that the first book is bogged down by thematic set up that only pays off in this book. The plot was better paced, held more tension and stakes. There were real ideas here to latch onto, and real character moments that didn't feel too contrived or that they were entirely for the aesthetic. I felt myself begin to truly care for the characters and their problems, especially those characters who hadn't managed to snag me in the first book, like Jesper, Wylan, and Matthias. And those who I already cared for only became more important to me, primarily Kaz and Inej.

In specifics, I loved Nina's new abilities and the utter horror of their reality (I'm trash for possessed dead people; weird, I know ¯_(ツ)_/¯ ). I loved Jesper's battle to accept his own faults and his own gifts, and how his father played a key role in the plot. I loved Wylan's similar journey, and I loved that they helped each other through their hardships. I loved Inej and her warrior's spirit. I loved Kaz and his open ending. I loved Matthias and his goofy, fish-out-of-water kindness and equally compelling struggles. I even loved Kuwei and his stupid little antics.

This book had me sobbing all the time. I was a mess. I stayed up to ungodly hours reading this and further ruined my already damaged circadian rhythm. I'm so glad I read it. Maybe, upon a re-read, I'll like the first one more because of this one.

Crows remember human faces. They remember the people who feed them, who are kind to them. And the people who wrong them too. They don’t forget. They tell each other who to look after and who to watch out for.
Read this review and more on my blog here!

[ray_-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant, cunning, marvelous, wonderful, amazing, awesome...

I could use a whole dictionary and still wouldn't be able to give this book justice.

I loved the first book, I found it amazing, but this one was something else, this one was everything I loved in the other book and much more!

I loved the harmony between all six characters, enjoyed every single PoV, related to every character in a way that was different from the others.

I felt their aches and sorrows and happiness.

I worried for them, wept for them and leaped with joy with them.

Kaz, Jesper, Nina, Matthias, Inej and Waylen felt more like my companions, my friends, than a bunch of book characters.

The tention and the adrenaline rush in this book was even higher than in the previous one, it felt like they were constantly in danger and something could go wrong at any moment.

I loved that.

I also loved the characters' growth each on of them had in this bookas well, and loved how things took time to happe , wounds took time to heal and bad habits took more than one try to get rid of(yes I'm looking at you Jesper)

This whole thing was so realistic and I loved how the ending of this book felt like a beginning of another million brilliant tales

My heart broke for Matthias but I think that was the best thing that could happen to make the book even closer to reality (doesn't mean I didn't cry for him though)

I must admit that even though I loved the ending, I would've loved it even more if there were more books in this world with these characters, not because this book didn't feel complete, but because it was so wonderfully done that I crave more!