Review By: Stacey Marsh
Series: Six of Crows
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Published: 2015, Henry Holt and Company
Triggers: Violence & Torture, Child Abuse, Sexual Assault, Harassment, Death, Murder, Slavery, War Themes, Imprisonment, Drug Addiction
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, LGBT, Romance, Magic, High Fantasy, Young Adult
Audience: 9, 10, 11, 12
Summary: 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, and 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 is a fantasy novel that kicks off a series of books from author Leigh Bardugo. Led by a street-smart boy named Kaz, he and a group of misfits journey to rescue a man who is the only known creator of an addictive drug in order to earn more money than they could ever imagine. Kaz is a dark character with a violent reputation that precedes him. Readers later find out that he and his brother we deceived by a man who appeared to be helping them out, only to lead to the death of his brother. This event drives Kaz’s actions throughout this story as he seeks revenge. Although Kaz is known for violence, he is seen completing some acts of kindness, especially toward Inez, another member of the team. The relationship between these two individuals builds over the course of the book. Another complicated relationship is between Matthias and Nina because Nina is a Grisha, a person with special powers, and Matthias has been raised to not trust them. This relationship overcomes many challenges of trust and acceptance, and in the end, Matthias reveals his true devotion to Nina. Other members of this crew include Jesper, who is a known gambler. He gives away part of the group’s plan in the beginning of the novel, which is unknown to readers at the time, but it comes back to haunt him as he is left out of valuable information at the end of the group’s journey because Kaz suspected his failure to comply to his expectations. The last member of the group is Wylan, who is a runaway from a rich family. It turns out that he does not know how to read, the reason his father kicked him out, but he has other valuable talents, including playing the flute and making bombs. This story is a fun read because of all of the deception that leads to unexpected twists in the story. As a young adult book, the themes cover loyalty, justice, and survival. The setting is dark and the story is full of fast-paced action. The best part about this book is the depth of the characters. Each character’s story is full of layers that unfold throughout the book. There are different themes that could be explored in the book, including the temptations that some of the characters face, like gambling, revenge, and being face to face with an addictive substance. This book is definitely aimed at a more mature audience.
