About the Book
-
Author:
- Leigh Bardugo
Cover Story: Take Flight
BFF Charm: Make it Rain
Talky Talk: Heisty
Bonus Factor: The Grisha ‘Verse
Anti-Bonus Factor: Cliffhanger
Relationship Status: Ready to Join the Crew
Cover Story: Take Flight
This cover isn’t splashy or in your face, but in this case, that’s a good thing. It’s understated, yet intriguing, and the bird’s wings “creating” the buildings out of the sky is a gorgeous design choice.
I also like how there’s a nod to the Grisha Trilogy covers. This is a completely new series, yes, but since it takes place in the same world, it’s nice to have some sense of connection.
The Deal:
Kaz Brekker has made a name for himself and his gang, the Dregs, on the streets of Ketterdam through his smarts, his creativity, and his ruthlessness. Because of this, Kaz isn’t surprised when a man with a mission comes calling, looking to Kaz to do the impossible.
Kaz can’t resist the allure of the heist, nor the money that’s promised when he succeeds. But he’ll need his friends to pull it off, and even then, the outcome is hazy.
BFF Charm: Make it Rain
There are many characters in Six of Crows, and none of them are “nice” people. They’re criminals, street thugs who are willing to do whatever it takes to survive (and make a living). That said, none of them is really a bad person. They’re superloyal to each other, even when they don’t really want to be, and supertalented at what they do—be that thinking of ways to steal tourists’ money and valuables, break into an impossible fortress, or save their friends from certain doom. I don’t think I’d last long on the streets of Ketterdam, but having this group on my side might help me last a little bit longer.
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
The action in Six of Crows is more of the “let’s not die while on this heist” variety, but there are hints of relationships forming—or memories of relationships that almost were.
Talky Talk: Heisty
I’ve long been a fan of Leigh Bardugo’s writing. She’s got a gift for worldbuilding, and knows how to create characters who—even if they’re not exactly model citizens—feel like people you might meet on the street. (In the case of the cast of Six of Crows, however, you might not want to meet them on the street, especially if you want to keep your money.) She’s also a talented storyteller, and Six of Crows is a shining example of a fantastical heist story: filled with questionable motives, secrets, and slowly revealed plots with threads that were wound all the way back to the beginning.
Bonus Factor: The Grisha ‘Verse
In the Grisha Trilogy, Bardugo created a world that felt immense and realistic (even with the whole Grisha superpowers thing). At the end of Ruin and Rising, I was sad that I wouldn’t be able to read more about the world and learn more about its various peoples. Thankfully, Bardugo is apparently a mind reader, because Six of Crows expands the world far past the borders of Ravka.
Anti-Bonus Factor: Cliffhanger
As with any good heist story, things were never cut and dry for the crew in Six of Crows. There were many close calls and false starts, upset plans and near misses. As I neared the end of the book—knowing as I did that this was the first of a new series—I realized things probably weren’t going to be wrapped up with a neat bow. And I was correct.
Relationship Status: Ready to Join the Crew
Now, Book, I know I’m not the most skilled when it comes to a fight, but I’ve never really had the opportunity to test myself. I know that I could be a worthy addition to the gang, if only I was given the opportunity and some training. Let’s get together again soon and you can show me the ropes, OK?
Six of Crows is available now.
Mandy lives in Austin, TX, where she’s a technical writer by day and a pop culture junkie by night. When she’s not ensconced in a book for Forever Young Adult, Mandy can be found swooning over superheroes, dreaming of The Doctor and grinning at GIFs.
