Amalie Keefe
Six Dangerous Outcasts. One impossible heist.
Set in the fantasy world of the Grishaverse, 'Six of Crows' is undoubtedly one of the best young adult book series of all time, and the Grishaverse one of the most descriptive and incredible fantasy worlds that you can find. With characters and places so intricately detailed, you feel as if you yourself are part of the action! As well as this, the character development throughout the book is astonishing and is a joy to read. 'Six of Crows' will take you from laughing to crying and back again every step of the way.
'Six of Crows' is the fourth book in the Grishaverse series, and part of a sequel duology (including 'Crooked Kingdom') based primarily on the Ravkan Second Army. This army consists of Grisha - people with magical abilities such as the power to summon elements, transform substances, heal and kill. Although you do not necessarily need to read this trilogy beforehand (and it is not quite as good in my opinion), I would definitely recommend it as well.
Compared to 'Shadow and Bone', 'Six of Crows' is seen as better than the original series. Instead, this duology takes us away from Ravka to the island of Kerch. In the bustling streets of Ketterdam, filled with pleasure staves inhabited by thieves and con artists, a new drug is tested: jurda parem. This is a substance that could change the lives of all Grisha forever. Intent on stopping the drug from changing everything they’ve ever known, a high-esteemed member of the merchant council, Jan Van Eck, promises a large cash prize to criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker if he can break into the most heavily guarded facility in the world and stop the drug from becoming a threat.
Kaz has no trouble with heists or danger, but, knowing he can’t pull off this deadly feat alone, he begins to hire a team that will help him in his mission and lead themselves to victory. Life-threatening risks and impossibly high stakes, they all know that this might be their last ever job.
And it’s not just the plot that makes this book one of my favourites - the characters are the main reason I rank this series so highly. Written in the different perspectives of all the six main characters from chapter to chapter, it introduces the characters innermost thoughts and feelings and by the end of the book, you cannot stop thinking about it! Plus, the characters are so well-planned and thought out that it’s hard not to love each and every one of them.
Matthias, a convict and former Grisha-hunter drüskelle; Jesper, a sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager; Wylan, a runaway with a hidden past; Nina, a Grisha heartrender, stuck in Ketterdam under unusual circumstances; Inej, a spy/acrobat known as the Wraith and finally Kaz himself, a thief, con artist and gang leader with a gift for unlikely escapes. Each character is unique and diverse in their own way (may it be disabilities, looks or special talents) and are so well put together that there are no words to describe how amazing and stunning they truly are.
I loved reading this book, and I really hope that everyone else who reads it would too. I cannot express how much I would recommend this novel and 'Crooked Kingdom' too; I’m really glad for anyone who enjoys it as much as me!
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