Saturday 10 August 2019

Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) - Leigh Bardugo

"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."

 Seriously, this book was such a crazy ride. The jump in quality from the Grisha trilogy to Six Of Crows and Crooked Kingdom is just astounding. These books have Bardugo's compelling style all over them, and yet they are so much more complex, rich, and well-written. As a person who doesn't love multiple perspectives, especially more than two, I'm amazed at how the author manages to juggle so many diverse characters and make me care about them all. They all gave such a unique and distinct slant in their telling. 

Crooked Kingdom is a beast of a book - my hardcover would make a nice murder weapon - and yet the action and tension never run dry. It's a cliche to compare a book to a rollercoaster but that's exactly what this felt like - highs and lows of emotions, equal parts humorous, entertaining, dark, violent, romantic and gritty.

The stakes just keep getting bigger. This book opens where we left off with Wylan wearing Kuwei Yul-Bo's face, and our gang must rescue Inej, get revenge, and defeat the bad guys. But that doesn't even begin to sum up all the action, adventure and craziness going on here. As well as being dark and compelling, the characters and relationships we love become even more fascinating and developed. One of my favourtie things about these books is the witty and hilerious dialougue. It feels so natural and I find myself laughing along with them. 

There are so many satisfying things in this book - like watching Kaz Brekker just be fucking awesome,all the twists and turns, Nina being her naughty sarcastic self, the wonderful but not overplayed gay romance - but it also hits you in the heart, and it hits hard.

The ending was perfection. It was the kind of ending a story like this deserves - the kind that leaves you wanting more, but knowing that it finished in exactly the right place.

Age Restriction 14+. Mentions of time spent in a brothel, torture and withdrawal.
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