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A review by maegnoche
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
5.0
Six of Crows, the first book in the SOC duology from the Grishaverse, is simply just so amazing. Now before I start with my very messy and chaotic review of why this book has taken a very special place in my heart, I would like to start by saying Leigh Bardugo is a genius or a criminal. The way she crafts a heist that you can't see in any action/robbery movie is so original and creative and unforgettable. Her secret? I don't know, but let's talk about the things I think made this book one of my favorite of all time.
Personally, the thing about robbery/heist/team gets together for a mission kinds of books/movies is that it's been done so much times before. It's a pretty common trope that even if we know will probably be the same thing over again, we want to watch it. That is the very reason why I went into SOC without high or you can even say low expectations despite the hype.
The first thing that really captured my interest and my heart was the characters. Essentially, this book uses the "found family" trope (not sure if that's what it's called but you get the point) But what's so special about it is that Bardugo doesn't just use the trope and call it a day. She makes it her own by giving the characters purpose. Even characters whose presence don't feel too seen or aren't meant to be like Wylan for example cannot be taken out of the story or if they do, it wouldn't be the same. Through the multiple POVs, I think she's perfectly able to establish a platform for each character to tell their story and kinda just do their thing sometimes.
What I personally loved about these characters is despite them being morally grey, even unlikable and extremely questionable, is they're multi-dimensional. Now the way Bardugo makes them multi-layered is something I completely and wholeheartedly adore. I think a huge problem with lots of authors who write about trauma or painful pasts is that they either do the following (sometimes both): one, they use the pain for plot development or drama or two, they prioritize building the trauma over the overall story. While their intentions may be noble and it's definitely very important to talk about these topics, its essence is completely wasted because it just seems too forced or too unnatural. In SOC, the story is prioritized which is why when the characters' pasts are brought in through flashbacks in their chapters or seldomly conversations, it seems natural, it seems more relatable, it isn't thrown in your face. I won't go much into detail but here's a few things I loved about the characters.
Kaz who's the leader of the gang is one of the best anti-heroes or even characters I have ever encountered. I think the thing I love about him despite being so questionable as a person is that he's upfront about it and even proud of it. Unlike other very morally grey characters who are changed when they meet their "found family" or that one girl (okay, Kaz has Inej but we'll talk about that later), Kaz doesn't and he isn't meant to. This is also where his hard past is seamlessly integrated into the story. Not to give any spoilers, but as someone who lost so much and had to literally work his way up as a child, he can't afford to be good. He doesn't really care about the greater good, his main intention is literally money but he owns up to it and that's what makes him redeemable as a character.
Okay, I take Kaz being one of my favorite characters of all time because we need to talk about Inej. Inej just like the rest of the gang has been through absolute hell. While Kaz's intention is money, Inej just wants freedom. She wants to get rid of her debt, she wants to go back to her family, she wants a shot at normalcy. I really applaud Bardugo for creating such a complex female character who is also badass. I sound confusing but the way female characters who have trauma are built is just letting them kill, get retribution, face this person who's the source of their trauma, have some out of the blue monologue and immediately she's empowered. Bardugo finds a combination between complex female characters who can't really kill or wear capes or do Captain Marvel like things and female superheroes. She can literally easily kill anyone anytime but she'll never get over her biggest fear and that's honestly okay. Also she doesn't really try to hard to make herself useful or prove herself worthy, she's just Inej or the Wraith which I also love.
Jesper's also really interesting and although his story isn't filled with as much hardships as Kaz's and Inej's, he still manages to spice up the story. In a way, he kind of portrays a part of us that wants to get better, that wants to repair the aftermath of our mistakes, and the large part that's not even halfway there. I think his story really sends the always forgotten but super important reminder that change doesn't happen overnight and that's just okay.
Nina deserves more hype seriously because she manages to deliver humor and complexity, super flawlessly too. She's sort of an extension of Jesper in a way that they both regret the consequences of their mistakes. She's still beating herself up for things she did and I like how the way she navigates through it seems so raw and genuine.
Wylan's cute and also Jack Wolfe's my new crush so even though he didn't take up much of the story, I still love him. Also he's such a softie that him and Jesper would be so perfect for each other. I did almost cry though about the part with his dad that was later on revealed.
Matthias is umm... I really don't know- he has a past and has been through some hard stuff but I guess his personality is mostly being in love with Nina. His whole thing about leaving a part of his identity behind and feeling like a traitor to his people was pretty interesting I'd give him that but otherwise he was fine I guess.
Another thing I loved about this book was the dialogue. Leigh Bardugo Aces the whole banter part of this book. Jesper and Inej, Nina and Inej, just them in general. It makes the book feel much lighter which I completely adore. Ms. Bardugo you should be a comedian. There's also really a balance between banter and prose.
Now for the romance. Can Inej and Kaz just get together already? Every interaction they had got me blushing, screaming, crying, and wondering when it's my turn to be happy. The slow-burn, the tension, the "I hate everyone but you", ugh I LOVED THEM. And when Kaz asks Inej to stay I SWEAR I was on the verge of losing it. Wylan and Jesper too. The way Jesper actively finds ways to tell Wylan he likes him and openly and proudly flirts with Wylan. SWOON. Matthias and Nina have a sadder love story. I love how theirs was an enemies to lovers to enemies again back to lovers. I personally believe though Nina deserves better than Matthias. Sorry Matthias, I just don't like you too much HAHA.
The world building and plot development went perfectly hand in hand with the character development and just everything else. There were so much twists and turns throughout the book that I just needed to find out what was going to happen next. If anyone knows how to build a plot creatively and properly at the same time, it's Leigh Bardugo. She's a master at balance, suspense, and pacing.
Longest review I've ever written but that's not even enough to encapsulate how much I loved this book. Little tip though: it took me three months to move on from this book because of the first 80 pages that are kinda hard to understand, so don't get discouraged. But other than that, get this book right now and you won't regret it.
Personally, the thing about robbery/heist/team gets together for a mission kinds of books/movies is that it's been done so much times before. It's a pretty common trope that even if we know will probably be the same thing over again, we want to watch it. That is the very reason why I went into SOC without high or you can even say low expectations despite the hype.
The first thing that really captured my interest and my heart was the characters. Essentially, this book uses the "found family" trope (not sure if that's what it's called but you get the point) But what's so special about it is that Bardugo doesn't just use the trope and call it a day. She makes it her own by giving the characters purpose. Even characters whose presence don't feel too seen or aren't meant to be like Wylan for example cannot be taken out of the story or if they do, it wouldn't be the same. Through the multiple POVs, I think she's perfectly able to establish a platform for each character to tell their story and kinda just do their thing sometimes.
What I personally loved about these characters is despite them being morally grey, even unlikable and extremely questionable, is they're multi-dimensional. Now the way Bardugo makes them multi-layered is something I completely and wholeheartedly adore. I think a huge problem with lots of authors who write about trauma or painful pasts is that they either do the following (sometimes both): one, they use the pain for plot development or drama or two, they prioritize building the trauma over the overall story. While their intentions may be noble and it's definitely very important to talk about these topics, its essence is completely wasted because it just seems too forced or too unnatural. In SOC, the story is prioritized which is why when the characters' pasts are brought in through flashbacks in their chapters or seldomly conversations, it seems natural, it seems more relatable, it isn't thrown in your face. I won't go much into detail but here's a few things I loved about the characters.
Kaz who's the leader of the gang is one of the best anti-heroes or even characters I have ever encountered. I think the thing I love about him despite being so questionable as a person is that he's upfront about it and even proud of it. Unlike other very morally grey characters who are changed when they meet their "found family" or that one girl (okay, Kaz has Inej but we'll talk about that later), Kaz doesn't and he isn't meant to. This is also where his hard past is seamlessly integrated into the story. Not to give any spoilers, but as someone who lost so much and had to literally work his way up as a child, he can't afford to be good. He doesn't really care about the greater good, his main intention is literally money but he owns up to it and that's what makes him redeemable as a character.
Okay, I take Kaz being one of my favorite characters of all time because we need to talk about Inej. Inej just like the rest of the gang has been through absolute hell. While Kaz's intention is money, Inej just wants freedom. She wants to get rid of her debt, she wants to go back to her family, she wants a shot at normalcy. I really applaud Bardugo for creating such a complex female character who is also badass. I sound confusing but the way female characters who have trauma are built is just letting them kill, get retribution, face this person who's the source of their trauma, have some out of the blue monologue and immediately she's empowered. Bardugo finds a combination between complex female characters who can't really kill or wear capes or do Captain Marvel like things and female superheroes. She can literally easily kill anyone anytime but she'll never get over her biggest fear and that's honestly okay. Also she doesn't really try to hard to make herself useful or prove herself worthy, she's just Inej or the Wraith which I also love.
Jesper's also really interesting and although his story isn't filled with as much hardships as Kaz's and Inej's, he still manages to spice up the story. In a way, he kind of portrays a part of us that wants to get better, that wants to repair the aftermath of our mistakes, and the large part that's not even halfway there. I think his story really sends the always forgotten but super important reminder that change doesn't happen overnight and that's just okay.
Nina deserves more hype seriously because she manages to deliver humor and complexity, super flawlessly too. She's sort of an extension of Jesper in a way that they both regret the consequences of their mistakes. She's still beating herself up for things she did and I like how the way she navigates through it seems so raw and genuine.
Wylan's cute and also Jack Wolfe's my new crush so even though he didn't take up much of the story, I still love him. Also he's such a softie that him and Jesper would be so perfect for each other. I did almost cry though about the part with his dad that was later on revealed.
Matthias is umm... I really don't know- he has a past and has been through some hard stuff but I guess his personality is mostly being in love with Nina. His whole thing about leaving a part of his identity behind and feeling like a traitor to his people was pretty interesting I'd give him that but otherwise he was fine I guess.
Another thing I loved about this book was the dialogue. Leigh Bardugo Aces the whole banter part of this book. Jesper and Inej, Nina and Inej, just them in general. It makes the book feel much lighter which I completely adore. Ms. Bardugo you should be a comedian. There's also really a balance between banter and prose.
Now for the romance. Can Inej and Kaz just get together already? Every interaction they had got me blushing, screaming, crying, and wondering when it's my turn to be happy. The slow-burn, the tension, the "I hate everyone but you", ugh I LOVED THEM. And when Kaz asks Inej to stay I SWEAR I was on the verge of losing it. Wylan and Jesper too. The way Jesper actively finds ways to tell Wylan he likes him and openly and proudly flirts with Wylan. SWOON. Matthias and Nina have a sadder love story. I love how theirs was an enemies to lovers to enemies again back to lovers. I personally believe though Nina deserves better than Matthias. Sorry Matthias, I just don't like you too much HAHA.
The world building and plot development went perfectly hand in hand with the character development and just everything else. There were so much twists and turns throughout the book that I just needed to find out what was going to happen next. If anyone knows how to build a plot creatively and properly at the same time, it's Leigh Bardugo. She's a master at balance, suspense, and pacing.
Longest review I've ever written but that's not even enough to encapsulate how much I loved this book. Little tip though: it took me three months to move on from this book because of the first 80 pages that are kinda hard to understand, so don't get discouraged. But other than that, get this book right now and you won't regret it.