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amy
5.0 out of 5 stars ...no funerals...
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2016
Verified Purchase
They say no mourners, but I'm mourning. I'm mourning that this duology is over. I adored the first book, but the with the addition of the second, the two paired go up in my list of ABSOLUTE PERFECT BOOKS EVAR (which, Ima be honest with you, is kind of hard to get into. The Raven Boys is in there. Harry Potter is in there. You know what's not? The Hunger Games trilogy or even the author's first set of work, the Grisha Trilogy. SCANDALOUS)

This was so delicious. It was. Fulfilling, never disappointing, it whetted my appetite for a last job/heist story and satisfied with the level of a Shawshank Redemption-style smack down. It gave me spine-shiveringly-fingers-grazing-slightly-hungrily romantic moments, sweet first love moments, hungry lip-devouring moments. It gave me moments where I wanted to fist pump the hell out of every character, and then clutch them to my chest.and make soothing crooning moments.I read the entire thing in 6 hours. Then I re-read the ending. Multiple times. Tears and shivers and laughing and crying all at the same time. Every time.

I CANNOT ENUNCIATE ENOUGH MY APPRECIATION FOR THIS BOOK. I literally gasped at the presentation of one character who I didn't see coming (literally or figuratively) but was so delighted at the brilliance of the author's move. Everything fit. A perfect puzzle of a story that comes to the most resounding satisfying snap at the ending. I AM NOT KIDDING. BUY THIS BOOK. Actually, buy Six of Crows first, devour that (if you have't) and then BUY THIS BOOK. And if you're like me, voraciously devour it. Then as soon as you hit the ending, immediately go back and start re-reading, because you know you've missed details the first time around because the pacing of the story wouldn't allow you to slow down and appreciate the nuances. That's what 2nd readings are for. And 3rd. AND CAN I GET A HALLELUJAH FOR NO LOVE TRIANGLES?!!!?!!?! (THAT didn't count. IT doesn't count. I'm not counting IT.)

Thank you Leigh Bardugo, for this duology. Thank you for adding to my miserly BEST READS EVAR pile. Thank you for Kaz, Inej, Jesper, Wylan, Nina, Matthias, Sprecht, Rotty and every other brilliant character you've made so readable and loveable/hateable.

Although, could someone please help me out? Most of the lands are pretty obviously references to real life places. Can I get an assist on Novyi Zem? I know I should be able to figure it out - I feel like it staring at me RIGHT IN THE FACE, not mad, just....disappointed.
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Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars what happened? warning, spoilers
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
Well, I'm sad to say that this was not what I expected. When Six of Crows came out, I read the descriptions and the reviews and I knew I had to have it. When I finally got my hands on it, I burned through page after page, practically devouring these diverse, interesting characters and gorgeous settings. Everything was gritty but oh-so-suspenseful, and the characters' personalities were flawed but lovable. However, the sequel seems to have lost the spark that drew me in.

First of all, the characters. They were the ones who captivated me in the first place--each one was uniquely talented and capable. Of course none of them were squeaky clean (with the exception of Wylan, and even he has a secretive past) because its a book about the dregs of society, but I fell in love with them all the same. In Crooked Kingdom, I didn't click with them like I did before. One in particular was very irksome (warning, minor rant ahead). Nina's dialogue is filled with unapologetic self-admiration and supposed female-empowerment, which was ok at first but it got old very quickly. There's a line in the book about her being "all talk but no action" which I must agree with. Her relationship with Matthias consisted of her being all sass and boldness, with Matthias as her faithful dog, readily agreeing with everything. It seems to me that in recent YA books with "strong" heroines, they have similar characteristics: lots of attitude, sass, and arrogance, and their romantic partner is very deferent (example: Aelin Galanthius from ToG series). I wish authors would empower women without feeling the need to obnoxiously portray them as egotistical with a love interest who fawns over them.
Inej was my favorite character because she is so talented, yet she doesn't heap praise on herself all the time--rather, she's dignified and is just plain awesome being herself. Kaz is a close second because he is NOT all talk, no action. He has earned his reputation, everyone could rely on his deviousness and ability to get out of any situation. Sometimes his schemes fit together too perfectly, as in there were spots where it wasn't believable or realistic. But they were certainly elaborate and exciting.

I also had an issue with how Bardugo used a painfully obvious tactic over and over again. The character would be doing their assigned task, something would go wrong at the last second, and then the chapter ends grimly with a cliffhanger. Now, lots of authors do this--first one to come to mind is George RR Martin in GoT--but I found myself getting irritated with this repetitive ploy. I understand that these books are about heists, but I wish that the suspense had been built up in a more subtle or sophisticated way.

Looking back, I see a lot of similarities to the Game of Thrones series, like the multiple perspectives, gritty environment, and dark characters. I can't say that Bardugo pulls it off as well. Martin's world is truly unapologetic--no fancy tricks to save his characters. This world is reminiscent of that, especially with (*****MAJOR SPOILER******) Matthias's death. Which, by the way, dropped out of nowhere within the last 100 pages and was given very little depth and discussion. What was the point? Even Nina, his lover, doesn't treat his death with very much gravity.

Overall, I kept reading to see the relationships develop and the heists go on. It's not as bad as I might have made it seem--I'm just sort of disappointed. The hard copy is beautiful; great cover art and the edges of the pages are tinted red. It's very striking--sometimes, however, I got bored with the story and my attention wandered to the prettiness of the book.
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Top reviews from other countries

Doodlebug
2.0 out of 5 stars Page missing from my copy of the collector's edition.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
I love the book, but page 431 is missing; they've printed an extra 'part 6' title page where it should be - literally mid-sentence. Returning for a replacement, and if the next copy is okay I'll come back and up it to five stars, but I feel like I can't give a collector's edition five stars if it's faulty (and I'm wondering how many people haven't spotted the fault because they've already read the non-collector's editions and bought this as an extra).

Other than that the edition is beautiful.

EDIT: Yeah, the second copy sent had the same misprint. Be sure to check your copy.
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2.0 out of 5 stars Page missing from my copy of the collector's edition.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2019
I love the book, but page 431 is missing; they've printed an extra 'part 6' title page where it should be - literally mid-sentence. Returning for a replacement, and if the next copy is okay I'll come back and up it to five stars, but I feel like I can't give a collector's edition five stars if it's faulty (and I'm wondering how many people haven't spotted the fault because they've already read the non-collector's editions and bought this as an extra).

Other than that the edition is beautiful.

EDIT: Yeah, the second copy sent had the same misprint. Be sure to check your copy.
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Neelam
5.0 out of 5 stars Review
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2019
Verified Purchase
After my reread of Six of Crows I just had to read Crooked Kingdom and even though I knew what happens I was still not ready for that ending. This duology is one of my all time favourite books!

It’s no secret that I adore everything that Leigh Bardugo writes and of course this book did not disappoint. This was a reread via audiobook and I highly recommend listening as it’s a full cast and amazing!

This book starts where Six of Crows ends and it’s set entirely in Ketterdam unlike Six of Crows where they travel to Fjerda and back. So this story is a little different but no less enthralling and action packed. As usual the characters are absolutely wonderful and I love seeing their character development. I also loved seeing cameos by some of my favourite characters from the Grisha trilogy!

Once again I was completely enthralled by the story and the characters. The banter between the characters is my favourite thing ever! They always seem so much older because of what they’ve been through but then they squabble and fight and sass each other just like your regular teen and it would just remind you how young they really are.

The development of my ships was another thing I absolutely loved! The angst and the slow burn between them and how each couple is so different from the others and each go through their own journey and together as a couple and then on another growth in their gang together. Leigh had their character developments in all different areas of their life and did it so well.

My favourite ship is of course Kaz and Inej. The slow burn between them and their own hardships and barriers they’ve built that makes it hard for them to even admit their feelings for each other. It just killed me! But I really love how Leigh handles Kaz’s PTSD. He cannot touch people and I loved that he wasn’t “magically cured” because he wanted to be with Inej. He struggled with it, it prevented him from being able to be close to Inej and it felt so much more real.
This story is quite different from Six of Crows as it isn’t just one quest that they go on throughout the book. They have to make multiple plans and deal with lots of different groups of people. It was absolutely amazing to see how their plans came together. This book will take you on a wild ride!

The ending of this book is so satisfying in so many ways but will also break your heart and drag it through the mud and run it over with a truck. I first read this book in 2016 and I have never gotten over a particular thing that happens at the end. They had so much potential and it was ripped away from them. BRB going to go cry.

Anyways I highly recommend you go read this duology and all the Grishaverse books because they are amazing! I absolutely love all the grisha books but this duology will forever be my favourite!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Review
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2019
After my reread of Six of Crows I just had to read Crooked Kingdom and even though I knew what happens I was still not ready for that ending. This duology is one of my all time favourite books!

It’s no secret that I adore everything that Leigh Bardugo writes and of course this book did not disappoint. This was a reread via audiobook and I highly recommend listening as it’s a full cast and amazing!

This book starts where Six of Crows ends and it’s set entirely in Ketterdam unlike Six of Crows where they travel to Fjerda and back. So this story is a little different but no less enthralling and action packed. As usual the characters are absolutely wonderful and I love seeing their character development. I also loved seeing cameos by some of my favourite characters from the Grisha trilogy!

Once again I was completely enthralled by the story and the characters. The banter between the characters is my favourite thing ever! They always seem so much older because of what they’ve been through but then they squabble and fight and sass each other just like your regular teen and it would just remind you how young they really are.

The development of my ships was another thing I absolutely loved! The angst and the slow burn between them and how each couple is so different from the others and each go through their own journey and together as a couple and then on another growth in their gang together. Leigh had their character developments in all different areas of their life and did it so well.

My favourite ship is of course Kaz and Inej. The slow burn between them and their own hardships and barriers they’ve built that makes it hard for them to even admit their feelings for each other. It just killed me! But I really love how Leigh handles Kaz’s PTSD. He cannot touch people and I loved that he wasn’t “magically cured” because he wanted to be with Inej. He struggled with it, it prevented him from being able to be close to Inej and it felt so much more real.
This story is quite different from Six of Crows as it isn’t just one quest that they go on throughout the book. They have to make multiple plans and deal with lots of different groups of people. It was absolutely amazing to see how their plans came together. This book will take you on a wild ride!

The ending of this book is so satisfying in so many ways but will also break your heart and drag it through the mud and run it over with a truck. I first read this book in 2016 and I have never gotten over a particular thing that happens at the end. They had so much potential and it was ripped away from them. BRB going to go cry.

Anyways I highly recommend you go read this duology and all the Grishaverse books because they are amazing! I absolutely love all the grisha books but this duology will forever be my favourite!
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nocaptainreuben
5.0 out of 5 stars So good it resets my bar for all books from this point on
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
Ok, I’ve just finished the duology and wow. Since I wasn’t coherent when I finished Six of Crows, and have now read Crooked Kingdom straight after it and can no longer really pick them apart, this is gonna be a review of the duology as a whole, but they’re basically one story anyway and I don’t comment on any specific plot points or anything so whatever.

First of all, I have to comment on the author’s sheer skill with words. The writing itself is just so beautiful and gloriously visual. Bardugo crafts her sentences in a way that’s so smooth and sweet I could drink them down in one and ask for another glass. There are so many powerful, quotable lines and there were more than a few moments where I found myself thinking ‘I need all the fanart of this right now’.
The pacing is brilliant as well - I’ve hardly been reading lately and I’ve been really restless and finding it hard to focus on books, yet this had me not wanting to put it down.
One of my comments about the Shadow and Bone trilogy was that I loved the hints of darkness in it and wanted it to be even more ruthless, and I feel like Bardugo has well and truly achieved that. The tone is perfect, with it being properly gritty, yet still incredibly fun, with lighter moments and some excellent humour to cut through the murderiness.

On top of the fact that she’s such a beautiful writer, the plot consistently surprised me and had me completely hooked. I loved how Bardugo would reveal nuggets of information at a time, just enough to keep you interested but never enough to work things out. And with the way she writes the characters, it’s often as if you’re finding out the plan along with them, with the only person knowing everything and holding all the cards being Kaz. I was constantly impressed by how clever he is and how everything is so meticulously planned in a way that feels both incredibly farfetched but also completely believable.
Part of what kept me so invested was that it always feels genuinely perilous. The gang keep finding themselves in scrapes that I think there’s no possible way out of, and I’m absolutely hooked and worried about them all, with no idea how it’s going to play out. And usually when characters repeatedly escape situations like that, it starts to lose its edge a bit and I just get bored with it, but this was always done so imaginatively and cleverly that it stayed interesting.

As much as I loved the scheming, peril, action, and darkness, I was so glad to see that even amongst all that, attention was still consistently given to the character development for each of the gang members, their relationships with one another, and revealing more of their backstories. It’s one of the most compelling plots I’ve read in a long time, but even that means nothing if the characters aren’t up to scratch, so building in that time to make me care about them made a huge difference.
I felt something for every single member of the crew, but I don’t think I’ve ever read a character like Kaz. He is absolutely despicable, and I don’t like him in the slightest, but I... kind of love him? I respect him totally and I was hanging on his every action because he’s such a compelling character. I feel like if I was living in the Barrel I would follow him without hesitation and gladly put my life on the line to prove myself to him, all while knowing the monster he is and being more than a little disgusted and terrified of him. It’s a very complicated feeling.

Finally, and kind of on a separate note, I’d just like a round of applause for Bardugo’s approach to diversity please. Different ethnicity? Couldn’t care less. Not heterosexual? Whatever bro. Differently abled? Who gives? Even with this being a fantasy world and obviously very different to real life experiences, there is so much brilliant representation in there. But the best thing about that is that it doesn’t shout about it in any way; all the characters are just judged on what they can do rather than what they are, and the respect and equality demonstrated feels completely natural. It just felt so positive and like an excellent example to other books.

I now definitely understand why this is one of my best friend’s favourite duologies, and I’m kicking myself that it took me this long to read it. I think this is one that will stay with me for a long time and kind of resets the bar for all books for me a little bit.
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Hayley
5.0 out of 5 stars No mourners, No Funerals
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
No mourners
No funerals

After finishing Crooked Kingdom this morning I realised 2 things:

1. My own headcanon is the only thing that's keeping me going today.
2. I wish I read this sooner - so I would have recovered by now!

After finishing Six of Crows a few weeks back - my plan was to jump right in to Crooked Kingdom. I knew I would love it, so I held off reading it in a bid to savour it.

It certainly lived up to my expectations (though SoC is my fave).
There were times when I thought the plot was too slow and nothing was really happening. But - overall I think that help build the tension for the climax at the end. I certainly wished I could flip back a few pages and stay in the safety of the previous chapters, before Leigh Bardugo ripped my heart out and squeezed every last bit of hope out of it.

I laughed out loud at Jesper's and Nina's banter with the rest of the gang. It was needed in an other wise fairly bleak to and fro between everyone.

When you're fed crumbs of hope on one page and then given a slap in the face back to reality on another - my emotions were frayed for the second half of this book.

As most of you know - I love a good romance. And, although I couldn't say that the main 'romance' in this is even that - the bitter sweet affection that could be something more in time is the only hope I have. I'm filling in the gaps myself.

Through all the scheming, distrust and harsh reality of life in the barrel - whether Kaz would ever admit it or not - he is the reason that all of them came together and he was used as a buffer as they all bonded. He's the reason for their friendships/relationships and I bet that just makes him feel all warm and fuzzy lol.

I truly hope that one day we get another story from the Barrel because I'm not ready for this to be the ending.
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5.0 out of 5 stars No mourners, No Funerals
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2020
No mourners
No funerals

After finishing Crooked Kingdom this morning I realised 2 things:

1. My own headcanon is the only thing that's keeping me going today.
2. I wish I read this sooner - so I would have recovered by now!

After finishing Six of Crows a few weeks back - my plan was to jump right in to Crooked Kingdom. I knew I would love it, so I held off reading it in a bid to savour it.

It certainly lived up to my expectations (though SoC is my fave).
There were times when I thought the plot was too slow and nothing was really happening. But - overall I think that help build the tension for the climax at the end. I certainly wished I could flip back a few pages and stay in the safety of the previous chapters, before Leigh Bardugo ripped my heart out and squeezed every last bit of hope out of it.

I laughed out loud at Jesper's and Nina's banter with the rest of the gang. It was needed in an other wise fairly bleak to and fro between everyone.

When you're fed crumbs of hope on one page and then given a slap in the face back to reality on another - my emotions were frayed for the second half of this book.

As most of you know - I love a good romance. And, although I couldn't say that the main 'romance' in this is even that - the bitter sweet affection that could be something more in time is the only hope I have. I'm filling in the gaps myself.

Through all the scheming, distrust and harsh reality of life in the barrel - whether Kaz would ever admit it or not - he is the reason that all of them came together and he was used as a buffer as they all bonded. He's the reason for their friendships/relationships and I bet that just makes him feel all warm and fuzzy lol.

I truly hope that one day we get another story from the Barrel because I'm not ready for this to be the ending.
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N. Mummy
5.0 out of 5 stars Good price, great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2019
Verified Purchase
Loved this series, the writer's style is a little complicated to get into initially but her storyline is intricately woven. A great fantasy novel, this is the 2nd in a series of 2. It's very popular and was sold out at my local book stores so I decided to order it online and amazon was by far the most competitive price, almost half the price in store.
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