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Synopsis (from GoodReads):
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.
Review:
Six of Crows continues to build the world of the Grisha, first seen in the book, Shadow and Bone. Where the Grisha trilogy focused on the Kingdom of Ravka and the Grisha training academy, this book is set in the small but bustling country of Kerch. It's capital city, Ketterdam is the seat of commerce where everything, and everyone, has it's price. This is a grittier, more grounded story. The heist story was so compelling that author Leigh Bardugo could have easily have done away with the fantasy elements, altogether. But some of the most unique parts of this world, also make the story really exciting!
In this story, the Grisha are being hunted and killed by the zealots of the country of Fjerda, who see Grisha as unnatural and sub-human. With this added dimension, the story can make all kinds of comparisons with modern-day prejudices. It's easy to kill when you can demonize your victims. One of my favorite scenes is when a certain character realizes all that he had been taught was wrong,
"The life you live, the hate you feel--it's poison. I can drink it no longer."It was a beautiful reminder that hate can be unlearned. People can open their hearts and change.
The story introduces many new characters, some are Grisha while others are not. But all have a complicated backstory. There are no dashing heroes in this world. Each person is complex and not completely good or evil. I was lucky enough to attend a book signing with Leigh Bardugo. I mentioned how I liked that the characters were so morally complex and she told me she has no interest in perfect people. She finds that boring. I couldn't agree more. In some scenes I was cheering Kaz on, while in others I was shocked at how quickly he could do something horrible. This is not one of those stories where someone's so bad he's good. There is genuine turmoil bubbling in these characters as they make some terrible choices. Can someone still be worthy and yet be so violent? As someone says in the book:
We are all someone's monster, Nina
I loved the ambiguity of this world. Six of Crows hit so many truths for me. I can't wait to read more!
Rating:
Source: Bought by myself
Format: Hardcover
Recommendation: If you like adventure and fantasy you will enjoy this.
Will I read more from this author: Yes!
THIS SOUNDS BEAUTIFUL! Complex characters, lessons to be learned....sign me up please!
ReplyDeleteOOoh nice! I saw Leigh last week myself! Still need to read this one! But argh...too many other reads in the way!!! Keep trying to reshift things, but yeah...still isn't happening just yet! Sigh...
ReplyDeleteGreat review! Glad to hear it was as amazing as I've been hearing!