Title: Six of Crows

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Pub Date: September 29th 2015

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Genre(s): Young Adult, Fantasy

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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.

All hail Leigh Bardugo, we are not worthy! Six of Crows was/is/(will always be?) the best book of 2015! I’m not kidding guys, the hype is so real with this one!!!

Everything about this book is perfect. The story follows the funniest, the most complex, and the chillest cast of anti-heros I’ve ever had the pleasure of sitting down with. Bardugo gives us a thief, a spy, a Grisha Heartrender, a runaway, a convict and a sharpshooter. Isn’t that not the coolest set of characters? I mean, who doesn’t love an anti-hero?

But let me be serious for two seconds, I loved each and every one of these characters and was consumed by their personalities, falling headfirst into each of their individual chapters aching for more. Even when there was conflict between characters I found myself rooting for each person! (I know that sounds crazy, how can you root for both sides of the coin? But I’m telling you, I totally did.) Do you know how exhausting that is? To be so emotionally invested in every single character, in their every action, in their every thought? I swear, it’s the best feeling ever.

These characters are so real, they are flawed, they are multi-dimensional. And while I can’t say I know what it’s like to disappear into the shadows ala Wraith style, these characters were instantly relatable. Did I mention this book has some of the best action sequences ever? No? How foolish of me. Let’s see, thanks to the multiple points of view, the action is broken up and told through one of their lenses. So what does Bardugo do with that? She cuts the action at the best most suspenseful parts, right before the climax point, giving us this super fast paced plot that is constantly bouldering on forward. I felt like I was running along with the team, learning things as they did and as each twist and turn of the plot was revealed, I got to experience it for the first time with the characters.

So I already talked about how the characters are the best in the history of ever. And a lot of their amazingness has to do with the level of attention Bardugo paid to their individual backstories. Backstory you say? Isn’t that boring? NO!!! Not for these guys! As we learn more about each of them, we feel more for them, which I didn’t think was possible because I was already rooting for these guys.

Bardugo really outdid herself with this one and hands us layers upon layers of intrigue, suspense, betrayal, truth, and just the tiniest hint of swoon worthy romances that you don’t ever ever get enough of! (Why Leigh? Why couldn’t you show us a little more!?!)* So did I love Six of Crows? Well, let me ask you this, do I love sushi and would I eat it everyday if I could? (The answer to both questions is a loud, obnoxious and resounding HELL YASSS).

*I am not complaining, the suspense for the ships is amazing and at the same time it’s killing me!

So let’s recap my fangirling here into 5 Reason’s “Six of Crows” is the Best Read of 2015:

#1 Masterful Multi-dimensional Characterization

#2 Suspenseful and Perfectly Paced Action

#3 Layers of Character Manipulation/Growth

#4 Intricately Woven Backstory Expertly Weaved into Main Plot

#5 Ships! Ships Galore! We root for all the ships!

Rating 5/5

And because I loved this book so much, I couldn’t resist making some wallpapers. You may use them however you like, share them, pin them, print them, just as long as you enjoy them! 🙂 There is a download link at the bottom of each one that will take you to Dropbox where you can download the full size!

Download Link    

Download Link

Download Link

And in case you have read SOC and are dying to know the title of the sequel, here is the reveal video!

Have you read Six of Crows yet? Don’t you just LOVE Kaz and Mathias!?!?! *swoons* Also, I think SoC gave me my first ever book hangover. What was the last book that gave you a book hangover? (Share so I can torture myself some more with ridiculously good books!) Oh, wait, and didn’t that video not get you all hyped up for the sequel!?!?! *faints from over excitement*