Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo (Six of Crows Duology – Book 2)
The Dregs are regrouping after their daring heist and they are determined to get the reward they deserve. After being double-crossed, they are low on resources and high on enemies at every angle. New challenges arise to test the crew’s skills and loyalties as well as Kaz’s ability to hold them all together in the face of hopelessness. Ketterdam becomes a war zone as a battle for revenge ensues and the fate of more than just their reward weighs on their shoulders.
Crooked Kingdom is the continuation of the Six of Crows and so I read it immediately after I finished the first book. It begins right where the last one left off, so it almost feels like one long story. There was an incredible description of the smell of Ketterdam in the beginning of this book that makes you feel as if you’re standing on one of its damp streets:
“There was no escaping the smell, the throat choaking stew of bilge, clams, and wet stone that seemed to have soaked into his pores as if he had been steeping in the cities essence like the world’s worst cup of tea.”
The description makes it sound so miserable and gross and yet, I wish Ketterdam was a place I could visit. I cannot write this review without gushing about how much I love the characters. The way the characters face their fears and overcome their weaknesses in this book really deepens and opens them up to so much growth. My favorite member of the Dregs is by far Jesper Fahey. I love his constant confidence and flirty swagger, but mostly I love that we get to learn a lot more about his history in this book.
There are a lot of new challenges for the Dregs in this story, and they learn a lot about each other as well the limits of their own skills. They are challenged to overcome their personal weaknesses and the weak spots in their plans are stretched to the point of collapse. They have to adapt and shift in order to accommodate not only their own self interests but the interests of all Grisha and the rest of the world. Our beloved group of morally gray criminals, sort of become heroes in their own right. The character development and group dynamic are beautiful things to watch as they shift and unfold.
I think that anyone who likes to read fantasy or crime novels of any kind would like this series and I hope everyone I know reads it. It really is a beautiful story with great characters and surprises at every turn.
I would definitely pay money to be able to read this series over again for the first time.
I give Crooked Kingdom 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
-Jacqui
Books and Magick 