Badassery and Heart-stopping Action •• Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry & Holt (6th Oct 2015)
Series: Six of Crows #1
Format/Source: Paperback (purchased)

Blurb:
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.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

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Having only read Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm in the Grisha trilogy, I really wanted to read Six of Crows since my bookish babes Malie, Nabilah, Kimberly, Suraya and Mimie were practically in love with the marvel that is Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows. If Six of Crows were a Russian delicacy, they wouldn’t have just eaten it, they would have inhaled it in a heartbeat. And I would have done the same thing because who can resist something so dark and alluring? Something that promises a fantasy so rich and inviting?

“The heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true.”

Set in the same universe as Bardugo’s previous books, Six of Crows is a darker, sexier version of the Grisha books. Why, you might ask. Because it’s got this really gritty feel to it, heck, even the cover looks dark and mysterious but still serving some badass realness.

“You love trickery."
"I love puzzles. Trickery is just my native tongue.”

The book follows the story of Kaz Brekker who is some sort of criminal mastermind with a flair for the dramatics and being such a drama queen, he loves to surprise everyone with the tricks up his sleeves. His fabulously tailored sleeves, mind you. Presented with an impossible heist to extract a very important person from the impenetrable Ice Court, Kaz aka cinnamon roll recruits a band of thieves, weapons specialists and generally anyone who wants moolahs and isn’t afraid to risk their lives in doing so.

Here's the lowdown of the members in Kaz’s gang!

Inej, who is also known as the Wraith, is a spy and a genuine sweetheart if she’s not holding a knife to your neck or shimmying on building ledges and listening to you as you do unspeakable things in hidden places. Then there is Jesper who is sassy as fuck. Oh, wait. I forgot, he’s also an excellent marksman. Nina, is a Heartrender and I like her red hair. Matthias is a cool dude who wants to shag Nina and Wylan is just the most adorable thing in Six of Crows. I’m all aboard the Wyper ship because I fucking love them.

Right? They sound like such a fun gang of people to be around with!

“Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?"
"Knife to the throat?" asked Inej.
"Gun to the back?" said Jesper.
"Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina.
"You're all horrible," said Matthias.”

An impossible heist.

Some really disturbing back stories.

Something close to kissing.

Sassy ass one-liners. Yes, I’m talking about you, Jesper Fahey, you stud.

I can’t really tell you much about the plot because by doing so, I would spoil it for you. If you’ve not read Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha trilogy, it might not be a huge problem for you since there aren’t that many references to the other trilogy. I, myself, had only read Shadow and Bone and Ruin and Rising – yes, judge me. Too many books, too little time – and I would recommend you to read the Grisha books to get a better understanding of the Grishaverse.

“Oh, I see. I'm the wicked Grisha seductress. I have beguiled you with my Grisha wiles!"
She poked him in the chest.
"Stop that."
"No. I'm beguiling you.”

Six of Crows was on an entirely different level compared to Leigh Bardugo’s previous books because it’s definitely more matured and mysterious. Instead of a fantasy tale that relied on the heroine’s journey to discovering her magical abilities and a love triangle, Six of Crows had the makings of a badass, action-packed and adrenaline-fueled blockbuster film. Think Suicide Squad with better writing, darker humour and hilarious one-liners.

“It's not natural for women to fight."
"It's not natural for someone to be as stupid as he is tall, and yet there you stand.”

I had missed out so much because I put off reading Six of Crows for the longest time. I was so disappointed with myself, I could have smacked myself with Kaz’s cane, but I can’t because Kaz would be livid that I’m messing around with his cane.

“Many boys will bring you flowers. But someday you'll meet a boy who will learn your favorite flower, your favorite song, your favorite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won't matter because he will have taken the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns your heart.”

As sultry as the Wraith’s graceful movements and as cheeky as the jester that is Jesper Fahey, I couldn’t get enough of Six of Crows because it was a masterpiece. I am still at awe with how Leigh Bardugo has such an incredible knack for the unexpected twists and turns that elevate the story on different levels. Heart-stopping, intense and equally charming, Six of Crows is not to be missed. Now that the sequel, Crooked Kingdom is out, what are you waiting for? It’s a duology so go ahead. Start on Six of Crows, people! Also, stay tuned for my review of Crooked Kingdom – I loved it, it was epic and you need to read it.

Thinking about the gang has made me smile.