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Throwback Thursday

by Leigh Bardugo

six of crows

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(Review originally posted: 9th October 2015)

‘ “We’re a crew with limited interests, and you don’t gamble, swear or drink to excess. But here’s the secret to popularity: risk death to save you compatriots from being blown to bits in an ambush. Great way to make friends.” ‘ p. 197

My throwback this week is to my review of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows. It was my favourite book of 2015 and as I’ve just picked up it’s sequel Crooked Kingdom, I can’t help but reminisce on awesomeness that was this book! If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet now’s the perfect time to grab yourself a copy and get stuck in! Read my review below if you need further convincing.

Title: Six of Crows
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry Holt
Book: #1 of Six of Crows
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Found: Goodreads and Blogger’s Recommendations
Rating: 5 Voodoos

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.

- Goodreads

Wow this was one hell of a ride! I’m so gonna have a massive book-hangover after this one! But it was totally worth it!

There’s nothing more daunting than picking up a book that has had so much high praise! Why, because, what if I don’t get the hype? What if it falls flat? What if I look like the only one not dressed up at a fancy dress party? Wait that doesn’t really make sense!! See that’s how worked up this situation gets me! Anyway, these fears left me with a knot of apprehension, but also excitement, as I started my first Leigh Bardugo novel. (I know don’t kill me, I have been meaning to read the original Grisha trilogy for ages, but just haven’t got round to it yet).

So yes, I am really happy to report that this book is as amazing as everyone is making it out to be!  I just adored every minute of it! It’s full of action, adventure, tension and intrigue and I loved the undertone of dark humor that flowed throughout. The world building was incredible. I could picture myself running through the dark and dangers streets of the Barrel and sailing across the sea to the icey land of Fjerda, although I wouldn’t want to be there alone! Everything screamed of danger and a girl like me, with very little street smarts, would be eaten alive. I’d either end up dead or someones bitch and neither of these sound very appealing.

Unlike me, the girls in this book are strong and feisty! They completely hold their own. Inej, is a sixteen year old thief, who everyone refers to as the Wraith because she is the best spy in the Barrel and Nina is a Heartrender Grisha who’s powers allow her to fix or break anything in a living thing as long as she’s close enough to it. Nina hides everything behind a sarcastic sense of humor while Inej employs a silent approach which allows her to observe everything! I loved these girls! Along with these 2 girls we had 4 amazing boys. There’s Kaz A.K.A ‘Dirty-hands’ (because he’s not afraid to commit any crime to get what he wants), he’s the most feared member of the Dregg’s street gang, a man you don’t want to mess with. There’s Jesper, Kaz’s second, a thief who’s quick with a gun, but who has a weakness for gambling. Then there’s Wylan A.K.A the merchling. He’s the son of a high flying Merchant, but he’s set on proving he’s his own man, and he may well do this with his keen chemistry set skills! And lastly there’s Matthias. A disgraced Fjerdan soldier, determined to redeem himself. Which may be a little problematic considering the main aim of a Fjerdan soldier is to eradicate all Grisha. But Matthias and Nina have history, oh boy do they have history. :) Together this band of misfits must rescue a man called Bo Yul-Bayur, who has created a game-changer of a drug. All they have to do is make it past numerous check points, break into the infamous Fjerdan prison, and out again, before hunting down Bo Yul-Bayur and escaping Fjerda, all without dying! Simples!

Someone compared this to Ocean’s Eleven and I can totally see why! The planning that went into this heist and the numerous spin off plans in case something went wrong?! My GOD, every moment was a stroke of genius!

Every character played their roll to perfection and the story developed at an impressive pace! I literally had no idea what would happen next. I just had to hold on tight and hope that I would still be in one piece by the end of it!  This is easily the best book I’ve read this year and I can’t believe I have to wait till September 2016 for the next book. I don’t know how I’m going to survive that long!!!

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