Grishaverse #4; Six of Crows #1
by Leigh Bardugo
Nikki’s Rating: 9 out of 10
Summary: Ruthless and monstrous criminal Kaz Brekkar is the best there is. A picklocking master, Kaz is truly a devious genius and trickster who only wants more. More power, more money, more respect. And when the opportunity presents itself, Kaz grabs at it. Faced with the impossible task of breaking into the Ice Court of Fjarda, Kaz picks his team of rogues and misfits carefully. But upon arriving to Fjarda, Kaz and his team realize that they may have gotten more than they bargained for as rival teams attempt to take them out and the Grisha they come across are powerful beyond anything they have seen and completely strung out on a new drug.
9 Skillful Things about SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo
(May Contain Spoilers)
1. Grishaverse
The Grishaverse is a fantastic universe and it was a pleasure to have “Six of Crows” take place outside of Ravka and in Kerch. Bardugo does a great job of having Kerch feel distinctly different from Ravka in culture, economy, traditions, religion, etc. but making sure that they fit cohesively in the same world.
2. Disability
Often in the media, people with disabilities are overlooked and are usually a side character but Bardugo includes a main character with a disability, Kaz limps and uses a cane to aid him. This inspiration stems from Bardugo’s struggle in her own life with osteonecrosis in which she sometimes needs to walk with a cane.
3. Inej
Inej is a great female protagonist as she is a badass. She is both feminine, even slight in stature, and deadly. Inej has been traumatized and abused in the worst of ways but still remains spiritual and hopeful for a better future. She is a great example of resiliency and grace in the face of adversity.
4. Kaz
A devious con artist, Kaz is an intriguing protagonist as he is not really a “good guy.” He is feared amongst the Barrel gangs of Ketterdam, is ruthless with his enemies, and is constantly looking for ways to swindle more money from unsuspecting tourists; overall a crook through and through. And yet, you want Kaz to have the upperhand in the end and win.
5. Matthias & Nina
Probably my two favorite characters in “Six of Crows,” I love the story between Matthias and Nina. What is so powerful about their story is the discrimination that they must both overcome to eventually realize how they truly feel about each other. Both of them are able to come to terms with the fact that they have been misguided in what they were taught about each others’ people. It’s a great lesson into thinking about our own bias and judgments that may be completely false.
6. Twists and Turns
“Six of Crows” really is a masterpiece of twists and turns. It is a true adventure of misfits with high stakes gambles and impossible situations that keeps readers on their toes.
7. Humor
With all the dire situations they are put through, the characters throughout “Six of Crows” keep a hilarious and believable banter between them. Bardugo has a great sense of humor and she effectively uses it throughout all her novels.
8. Writing
As always, Bardugo’s writing is superb. “Six of Crows” moves at a quick pace with compelling and colorful characters with great character development and an exciting plot.
The gang’s fate concludes in the next Grishaverse book “Crooked Kingdom”.
As always, thank you for reading. I would love to hear from you so feel free to contact me or comment below. If you would like to support this blog and/or my paintings please become my patron.
Nikki Page Paintings 