Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo a.k.a Best Money I Have Spent

Book: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Published: September 29th, 2015

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Pages: 462

Goodreads: Link

Synopsis:

Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker has been offered wealth beyond his wildest dreams. But to claim it, he'll have to pull off a seemingly impossible heist:

Break into the notorious Ice Court

(a military stronghold that has never been breached)

Retrieve a hostage

(who could unleash magical havoc on the world)

Survive long enough to collect his reward

(and spend it)

Kaz needs a crew desperate enough to take on this suicide mission and dangerous enough to get the job done - and he knows exactly who: six of the deadliest outcasts the city has to offer. Together, they just might be unstoppable - if they don't kill each other first.

Thoughts:

The thought of reading this book terrified me. So many times before I had given into the hype and read books that I ended up disliking. When it came to Six of Crows, it seemed almost as if everyone including their grandmother had read this before me. After which all the praise for the story felt artificial. Yet despite the small yet loud voice in my head telling me to do otherwise, I decided to buy the book and read it after all. I can't even begin to explain how glad I am of that decision!

Six of Crows was great! The writing was well done and enjoyable. The pacing of the story was also on point. I absolutely loved the way world was built up. The magic system was cool. There are lots of different cultures that have really intriguing dynamics. All of the characters were very lovable and quickly became close to my heart despite their many faults. They all have interesting backstories and distinct personalities. The way they interacted with each other was incredibly human and relatable.

I took a very strong liking towards the female characters. Both Nina and Inej are, for lack of a better word, kick-ass. They're feminine, but not useless. Both of them possess a set of skills vital to the success of their endeavor. They don't try too hard to be rebels or to be bad-ass, to deny their own nature nor to prove they can play with the boys, they're just themselves and that is beautiful. No damsel in distress can be found here.

Of course, there was also romance but what I loved the most about it was the fact that it did not get in the way of the main plot. The relationships are not simple. They all have their own sets of skeletons in the closets. Those complications, made the characters feel that much more real. My heart bled for all of them.

One of my favorite parts of this book was that it managed to gracefully touch upon subjects that most of us find uncomfortable. Taboo subjects that we try to avoid at all cost in everyday conversation. The fact Six of Crows acknowledges all of those things saying: "Hey, this is something that does happen in the world and there really isn't a way to sugarcoat it or pretend that it isn't real." This is the first time I have read a book that tackles subjects of that kind. I have to admit, I was uncomfortable reading those parts even though Leigh Bardugou didn't really go into great detail - a fact that I am thankful for. But I am glad that those were part of the book. I feel like acknowledging the reality and enlightening people on the matter is a very important thing to do.

In conclusion, I would like to say that I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It is so much more than a heist story. It is full of people who have hit lowest points in their life yet still kept on going. It shows that there, in fact, is a speck of light in the darkness and I find that truly inspirational.

*The following contains spoilers. You have been warned!*

Now, I would like to point out some parts of the book that stood out to me the most. As I mentioned earlier, I fell in love with all of the main characters and for many different reasons. I love Inej for her determination. For her ability to just push through. One of the most vivid moments with her was this one:

The heat of the incinerator wrapped around Inej like a living thing, a desert dragon in his den, hiding from the ice, waiting for her. She knew her body’s limits, and she knew she had no more to give. She’d made a bad wager. It was as simple as that. The autumn leaf might cling to its branch, but it was already dead. The only question was when it would fall.

Let go, Inej. Her father had taught her to climb, to trust the rope, the swing, and finally, to trust in her own skill, to believe that if she leaped, she would reach the other side. Would he be waiting for her there? Let go, Inej. Should she jump now or simply wait for her body to give out?

My heart ached reading these words. Inej had hit her limits. Even her faith was wavering. Her entire life she was thought to pick herself back up after every fall yet here, she started to consider whether there was a point in doing so. Perhaps it would have been far simpler to give up. In my opinion, that whole climb of the incinerator was also one of the turning points for the relationship between her and Kaz. I guess there is nothing that tests one's loyalty more than a suicide mission. The next quote is a good summary for the two.

“One minute he made her blush and the next he made her want to commit murder.”

The relationship between Kaz and Inej made me want to bang my head against the closest hard surface. I understood both of their feelings for the other and also why each of them refused to act on said feelings. but the frustration it gave me was no joke. Would Inej ever be able to break down Kaz's walls? Would pieces of Kaz ever be put back together enough for him to let anyone in? I don't know. But every interaction between the two gives me hope that chips each time they beat around the bush.

Nina and Matthias were not much better. This unlikely couple just has so many issues and the fact that they, even for a short time, are capable of looking past their differences amazes me. Prejudice is powerful jet they are stronger than it. For the most part at least. Watching the two interact is very endearing.

“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 could probably listen to the two of them bickering for hours.

And last, but definitely not least are Jesper and Wylan. It has been very long since the last time I have wished for two characters to end up together as much as I wish that for these two. They are adorable! Anyone who dares to claim otherwise can fight me on this personally. Jesper and Wylan are relationships goals as far as I know.

"If only you could talk to girls in equations." [...] Wylan said, "Just girls?" Jesper restrained a grin. "No. Not just girls." It really was a shame they were all probably going to die tonight.

I shall go down with this ship and not regret it one bit. Their relationship is just too precious!

I would have also liked to include some of my favorite quotes from Six of Crows but then I would need to copy-paste the entire book. There was so much said that for me hit close to home. Not so much directly but rather symbolically. I enjoyed it a lot and would like to know what other people thought of this book as well.

Review of Crooked Kingdom:
https://mybookaddiction101.blogspot.com.ee/2017/08/crooked-kingdom-by-leigh-bardugo.html

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