WHY?! WHY LEIGH BARDUGO?!

Hey everyone! It’s nearly 2 in the morning and I have just had my heart broken by Leigh Bardugo. Do you think it is a favourite pasttime of authors? Cause I certainly do.
Six of Crows was a fantasy novel that was on my TBR for quite some time. I had heard so many good things about this duology in general, I knew I would read them someday. It is also incidentally the first novel I read from the Grishaverse and I honestly cannot wait to get my hands on the Shadow and Bone trilogy. I could always get an ebook or an epub, but I really wanna read it in paperback. And it is not available on Amazon😭😭. Hopefully, though it will be there in the bookstore I visit often.

Anyhoo, here’s the blurb (And might I just say that it is absolutely amazing?):
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 (Matthias)
A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager (Jesper)
A runaway with a privileged past (Wylan)
A spy known as the Wraith (Inej)
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums (Nina)
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes (Kaz)
Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.
Umm… like always, I honestly don’t know how to start this review.
Plot:
So, a bunch of people coming together to pull off a heist. Sound familiar? I am sure it does. However, the way Leigh Bardugo introduced the fantasy element and pulled it all off is just amazing.
It also has a trope which I personally don’t run into very often (even though it is very common)- found family. It was refreshing to read a novel from a genre I don’t very commonly read from.
Characters:
Where? Do? I? Even? Start?
I loved all the characters!!! It’s so brilliant to read a book where you find none of main protagonists annoying. I do wish their had been Wylan’s POV. I am glad the author wrote the book in third-person POV as this book in the first person POV would have been confusing.
I also like how this book picked up the topic of young girls being exploited and how Inej …. just is so cool. While all the characters are cool, Inej is my favourite.
Writing Style:
Leigh Bardugo is an author who I have never read before. Hence, the writing style was unfamiliar to me. That is also the reason I took about five days to complete the first hundred pages. However, once you get into the skin of the book, you will find it easy to flow with it. I do still believe that the writing style could be slightly better.
When I finished this book, it felt as though Leigh Bardugo had pulled my heart out of my chest and shattered it into a gazillion pieces. However, I do like when books do that to me. I can’t wait to start to next book! But that will have to wait until tomorrow! However, here’s my final verdict on the first book of the duology-
My Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
Please give it a try if you haven’t already. It is a must read for all fantasy lovers.
Have you read the book? Is it on your TBR? What are your thoughts? Let me know down below in the comments!
P.S.-1: Nehal, if you reading this, do give this book a try as soon as possible. I know you are eager to give it a go, so give it a go! What you waiting for?
P.S.-2: I was cleaning my cupboard today and I realised I had so many freaking books. And I also realised that the only time I feel that I have too many books is when I clean my room. Do you all relate? Let me know in the comments!
Glad you enjoyed it! Fair warning, Crooked Kingdom will do an even better job of breaking your heart into pieces!
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Oh man, now I am unsure if I should read it or not😭
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Ahhhh Riddhi!!! I love this review and I’m beyond thrilled to hear you enjoyed this one!! Yessss the characters are all so precious!!! May I ask who your favorite from the crew is? Mine is Matthias — though that’s definitely an unpopular opinion 🙃😔
I have to say, if SoC broke your heart, CK will DESTROY you. I still haven’t recovered from that book. Good luck. 😶
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Mine is Inej… there is just something badass about her! And well, I don’t really hate Matthias…. I get why you would like him.
Why are all comments saying this, I am scared to read it!
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I love Inej soooo much 😍 and everyone else too haha. So excited for the TV show!!!
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Wait, isn’t the TV shows for shadow and bone?
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The TV show is going to combine both Shadow & Bone and the Six of Crows books!!! So excited omg!!! 🤩🤩
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Haha, well, I will read Shadow and Bone before watching it then😅
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It’s both SOC and Shadow and Bone
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Yeah, well, I need to read Shadow and Bone😅
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Aaaaaah yes Inej is the best. Don’t worry there will be a Wylan POV in book two if I remember correctly! I’m so glad you enjoyed, SoC truly is amazing. Also, Shadow and Bone is definitely not as good, don’t get your hopes up for that haha.
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Oh yay!
Oh I see I see.
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Oh Riddhi, your poor sweet soul – if Six of Crows already destroyed you, Crooked Kingdom is going to tear your heart into pieces and scatter them across the Earth. So obviously, I can’t wait for your review! 🤣🤣🤣
And yesss – Inej is obviously the best! I absolutely adore her! (I mean, I adore the other characters, too, but you know – Inej is just even more awesome 🥰)
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Oh my God, everyone stop saying that! I am now thinking of not reading it😭
Yes, that is precisely true!
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Nooo – you have to read it!!! It’s heart-wrenching in the best way possible, and there are so many great Inej scenes! 🥰
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Yeah I started it!
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Six of Crows is so freaking amazing, i’m glad you liked it!!
I’m rereading it in preparation for the TV show, which I’m super duper excited about it, and I know it’s going to be an awesome reading experience 😀
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Oh wait, I thought the TV show was for Shadow and Bone…. but nonetheless, I am excited for how it turns out!
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They are combining both! Not sure how it will work, but I’m definitely excited to find out 😀
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Ohhh.. well I will still need Shadow And Bone… I am not gonna watch it until I read the trilogy, so…
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That’s what I’m doing rn!
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Ohhkayy
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This is such a fun duology! I think you’ll find the second book is even better – Bardugo seems more comfortable with the characters, and they have more interesting things to do. And there’s Wylan POV, which is a great addition!
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Finally someone saying that yes I should read it and not mentioning the fact that it will shatter my heart!
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
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Oh, well um… yes, it WILL shatter your heart, of course. But I’m one of those people who likes being devastated by a good book, lol. And since Crooked Kingdom is better-written than SoC, it’s also better at devastating… but in a fun way!! (according to this masochist, at least) Since you enjoyed, SoC, I definitely recommend CK.
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Oh okay!
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YES RIDDHI YESS SIX OF CROWS AGREE 100% WITH WHAT YOU SAID. The writing style is pretty unique and the found family is just so sweet ahhh. Truly the characters have made this book a great fav of many and I’m so heartened to hear that you’re attached to them as well – INEJ IS MY ABSOLUTE FAV AS WELL! I’m so excited for you to get to Crooked Kingdom, it’s even better and with even more feels if that’s even possible!! 💖 Great review!!
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Thanks Cherelle!
And I have been hearing praise for Crooked Kingdom all around, but I am scared to read it as everyone’s saying it’s gonna shatter my already broken heart 😅😅
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Ah yes, ripping your heart out. Yes, that is exactly what authors are supposed to do. Any book that doesn’t, is not going to get 5 stars from me.
I read Daughter of Smoke & Bone, and though it was a little YA trope-y and I felt like I could see the strings moving, it was still a wrenching emotional experience.
I feel like I have too many books only when I have to move house. Actually, not even then, but that is when I am forced to get rid of some.
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Oh yeah, that’s true.
Ah, I see I see
Exactly😅
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ahh riddhi!!! if six of crows broke your heart, then omg crooked kingdom will leave you scarred!!! i love the whole crew so much, and i’m glad you did too!! lovely review!! 🙂
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Well, I am honestly thinking of not reading Crooked Kingdom 😂
Thanks!
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nooo you should def read it, just saying it’s really sad!!
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Yeah I started it!
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Inej is awesome!! And Matthias is also really good
Crooked Kingdom would rip your heart out.
PS-2 (I never feel like, I’ve a lot of books cause I purchase and read and purchase and read and do not store or keep it)
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Yeah, I have been hearing that all ,morning
Ah, I see
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I’m glad you liked it because this is one of my favorite books! But if you thought six of crows was sad just wait for the ending of crooked kingdom.
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Yeah I have been hearing that since the morning😂
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Oh my god, to say I audibly gasped when I saw your post is not even an understatement! I’m so glad you’ve finally read it! Beware of CK though, that one’s always rough. I cried for like three hours and had to call my best friend to help me calm myself via distraction. Anyways, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and YES, Inej is a queen. I also really loved that the books deal with her experience, as I feel like its something that we don’t see often enough in literature. Ok, I’m done now! Great post, bye!
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Yeah everyone has been telling me that… And even though i have started it, i am feeling scared to go further😂
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Oh, but you HAVE to finish it!!! It’s sooooooo good!!!
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Oh, dont worry, I will!
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I just read Six Of Crows duology last month, and yes I completely relate to you. I mean, both the books are on my “Best-books-ever” shelf on Goodreads. And wait till the end of Crooked Kingdom, I am sure your heart will shatter and re-mend a million times towards the end😉
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Yeah, so I have been told
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Ah, I’m glad you loved it!! I’m almost halfway through and I don’t know what to say 😂
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Mm hmm
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I adore this book. Great review!
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Thanks!
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I’ve read most of her books and honestly? Not a fan! But there was definitely something very special about “Six of Crows” duology!
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Oh, I see! I honestly can’t say anything, since I haven’t read any other of her books!
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I’m so glad you loved it!! Six of crows and Crooked Kingdom are two of my favorite books EVER. I love all the characters and the kinship they have with each other. I highly recommend reading her book Ninth House and well in addition to her series abt the Grishaverse
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Oh yeah, it’s on my TBR!!
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