Six of Crows: Volume 1

Leigh Bardugo

Sep 2015 · Six of Crows Book 1 · Sold by Henry Holt and Company (BYR)

About this ebook

See the Grishaverse come to life on screen with the Netflix series, Shadow and Bone -- Season 2 streaming now!

Meet Kaz Brekker and his crew: Jesper, Inej, Wylan, and the star-crossed Nina and Matthias, on the heist of a lifetime in Six of Crows from #1 bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo.

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.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo returns to the breathtaking world of the Grishaverse in this unforgettable tale about the opportunity—and the adventure—of a lifetime.

Read all the books in the Grishaverse!

The Shadow and Bone Trilogy
(previously published as The Grisha Trilogy)
Shadow and Bone
Siege and Storm
Ruin and Rising

The Six of Crows Duology
Six of Crows
Crooked Kingdom

The King of Scars Duology
King of Scars
Rule of Wolves

The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic
The Severed Moon: A Year-Long Journal of Magic
The Lives of Saints

Ratings and reviews

Well, what can I say about this transcendental book that hasn't already been voiced? Not much I know, but allow me to unload the mountain of feels that I have garnered from this book. This is my second time reading this book and the effect on me is not much changed from the first time. I first read this book a few months after it was first released and fell head over heels in love with everything about this book. Rereading the book has only strengthened my obsession with this amazing story. This book slammed into me full force, knocked me off my axis, and gut-kicked me for good measure. An assault I loved every moment of. I fell in love with Bardugo's Grishaverse when I read the Shadow and Bone series. Then I read this and was so in awe of this world. I loved being able to see another part of this incredible world that she has created. There are many elements from the Shadow and Bone trilogy included in Six of Crows but we see a different view, a different way of life, and a few different countries within the Grishaverse. Bardugo is so skilled in differentiating each culture and creating a perfect image of them in the readers' heads. She accounts for political viewpoints, weather, traditions, day to day life, dress, and how these different cultures view the rest of the world. The world building is truly brilliant. You can tell how much Bardugo has grown as an author with the plot of this story. Simply put, it is damn incredible. Each plot point is intricately woven into the overall story to create a masterpiece that is truly grand. The way that the pieces of the story fit so immaculately makes my little fangirl heart cheer like mad. It's just so impressive. The twists and reveals in the story are ones that you won't expect and they all have such a big impact. Equally impressive are the characters. Never in my life have I read about a more deliciously malicious yet morally gray set of characters, and I love each and every one! I really loved the progression of each character's backstory throughout the novel and how it affects their actions in the present. I love how fierce each of these characters is, yet vulnerable at the same time. What makes them vulnerable also makes them fierce. These characters all have tragic pasts that haunt them and/or addictions and inner demons to fight. They haven't had the best hand dealt to them, but they have used this to make them stronger. To make them survivors. While I love each personal journey, I also love the camaraderie and relationships that are formed. The romantic aspects of this book are very subtle. There are definite feelings between certain characters but it isn't told so much in a physical way. It is told in the concise words of the characters and their actions. I really found the budding romance between certain characters incredibly beautiful. I certainly have a soft spot for tortured souls finding love and this book is a menagerie for that trope. Overall, this is a book that I will always cherish. I will come back to this story again and again for these characters that have imprinted on my soul, this harsh world that is displayed so vividly, and a story that will always stick with me. If you have not experienced Bardugo's Grishaverse then you are missing out on a truly exceptional world. These stories are soul-shattering and it is a hurt that you will beg for more of.

I loved the Grishaverse trilogy so I was excited to keep going with this duology and I really enjoyed this first book. It may have even been better than the Shadowbone trilogy. There seemed to be a lot more action as the rag tag team from The Barrel takes on a heist of a lifetime. I especially enjoyed the multiple POV’s. It was nice to get in the mindset of each character. The multicast of narrators did a phenomenal job embracing the characters. My only wish was that the narration had been more conversational in that each character player their part no matter whose POV. But in the end it was still an enjoyable listen.

There had been a lot of hype in the book world about the Six of Crows duology, so I had to jump on this bandwagon and give it a chance after reading the blurb. Six of Crows is definitely a wonderful read, but I'm not sure if I would give it all the hype it created. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying the book is bad. I'm just saying I enjoyed the story. It's a great story, but I don't think I'm going to put it in my top 5. Now, I may change my mind after reading Crooked Kingdom and I will let you know if I do change my mind. One thing I really enjoyed about this story is it didn't follow a character who was trying to save the world or a country. It followed six individuals who were damaged and just trying to survive. They were thieves and gang members who were after the biggest score of their lives. The chapters rotate being told from different points of view. I'm not talking two or three different points of view, but SIX unique points of view. And each character has depth and a distinct voice. Not only does Bardugo have a masterful talent when it comes to writing characters, but she is just as talented when it comes to creating fictional worlds. The Grisha world Bardugo has written is complex and adventurous. P.S. If you are like me and like to collect physical books, the hardcover copies of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom are absolutely GORGEOUS!

About the author

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and the creator of the Grishaverse (now a Netflix series) which spans the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, The Language of Thorns, and the King of Scars duology—with more to come. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and Ninth House (Goodreads Choice Winner for Best Fantasy 2019). She lives in Los Angeles and is an Associate Fellow of Pauli Murray College at Yale University.