A review by arielfarren
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

There were so many things I loved about this book. I loved the morally grey characters, the banter, the plot and how I never knew what was going to happen next and if Kaz would pull it off, I loved all three of the romance plots (even though it was a little unconventional for the main characters to be paired with one another), the friendships, and the crossover of characters from the Shadow and Bones series. The ending alone I would give 5 stars—if was so satisfying and heart wrenching, feeling like the perfect conclusion of the series. A major theme of this book is hope and healing from what’s happened to you. They didn’t have perfect lives, but the Crows are alive and fighting for a chance at their happiness. 

Spoiler 
The Crows struggle with gambling addictions, learning and physical disabilities, PTSD, etc.—they are showcased as criminals, and at times untouchable, but are still very much human.

Inej and Kaz might’ve been my favorite couple as they both undergo so much growth as individuals and together as a relationship is unconventional to them.  For each other, they slowly tested their limits and showed love in their own personal ways; Kaz changing Inej’s bandages despite his touch aversion, Inej always being near, and my favorite, Kaz reuniting Inej with her parents. 

Favorite Quotes:
 “I would come for you. And if I couldn’t walk, I’d crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we’d fight our way out together—knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that’s what we do. We never stop fighting.”
“You’re better than waffles, Matthias Helvar.”
“He doesn’t say goodbye. He just lets go.”


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