Fiction

Review by Fariha

We are all someone’s monster.

Leigh Bardugo just became one of those authors whose shopping lists I’d read with this book. While I enjoyed Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone, it did not affect me as emotionally as Six of Crows has. Six of Crows is about a heist crew with an impossible mission but there is no better group of misfits fit for the job.

None of the characters here are good, per se. They are greedy, they are recklessly ambitious, they are very much morally ambiguous, sometimes they are cruel, everybody has a past that made them that way and the readers can get behind their goals and, despite the characters’ flaws. Leigh Bardugo clearly has a gift for creating dark, scheming, lovable characters who are not heroes but the readers cheer them on despite that.

I was going to talk about a favourite character here but then realized that I simply cannot choose. I’d have a better luck choosing a single favourite book than a favourite character from this book. What does that say?

What is the easiest way to steal a man’s wallet?

Knife to the throat?

Gun to the back?

Poison in his cup?

You’re all horrible.

The easiest way to steal a man’s watch is to tell him you’re going to steal his watch.

Inej is the purest of them all and I love her. Kaz is one greedy bastard but I love how clever he is. I approve of 0% of Jesper’s actions but I want to give him a hug. Wylan needs a hug because reasons. Nina’s sassy confidence is unforgettable and her mistakes only make her human. I LIVE for Matthias’ character development. I love them all so much.

The romances that developed were so realistic and I am rooting for them with all my heart. The chemistry between certain characters is undeniable and Ms. Bardugo makes us wait in agony as the characters finally start to come to terms with their feelings. Also, we have two gay (maybe bi? I’m not sure) lads whose conversations are all I live for. As much as I wish there was a lesbian couple in the making, I’ll settle for shipping the current relationships with vigor.

Trickery is not my native tongue, but I may learn to speak it yet.

I was also very impressed with the execution of the heist. I was at the edge of my seat as the characters seemed like they would die at any moment. The stakes just kept getting higher and higher and my heart was beating faster and faster and somehow Leigh Bardugo tied it all back. Can I please get a look at this lady’s fascinating brain?

It was great to be back in the Grisha world and this time we got to see a different aspect of this world. The world building was great, as was the backstories for the characters and how they all ended up together in this deadly mission.

I don’t know what to say other than read it! There are only two books and they’re both out and I have no clue what you’re waiting for if you have yet to read it.

Read the ebook!