Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Reviewer: Louisa, grade 8

Rating: 5 stars

Imagine a world similar to our own, with the same imperfections and beauty, but at the same time so different in its countries, people, and abilities. In the book Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, this world comes to life with amazing authenticity, with complicated nations, races, and religions. In the center of this world lies an island called Kerch, the smallest nation. A bustling, competitive city, Ketterdam, sits at the northern tip. Ketterdam is home to some of Kerch’s most notorious criminals and convicts who roam the dangerous streets of the Barrel. Among them are Kaz, Inej, Nina, Matthias, Wylan, and Jesper. They risk their lives every day as they fight to survive in their harsh world, but when Kaz receives an opportunity that offers a way out of the hardship in the Barrel, he takes a chance that may make them rich beyond their dreams, or put them all in their graves.

Reading this book kept me on my toes the whole time because the action, as well as the dialogue, pulled me into this intriguing story. I really enjoyed it because the characters, their relationships with each other, and the world they live in just felt so real to me. Leigh Bardugo did an amazing job creating the plot and the characters seem like actual people. Each character has a unique background and secrets you could never guess, and because the book’s chapters switch from being narrated by each of the characters, you come to understand their motives and trauma as the story unfolds. I really connected with a lot of them, and that made the book even more compelling because I got concerned and anxious for them.  

There is a sequel to this book as well; Crooked Kingdom, which is also by Leigh Bardugo, and it is equally excellent and clears up the questions at the end of Six of Crows. I recommend reading both because the second offers more great dialogue and will make you attach to the characters even more. Ultimately, this story will be very appealing for fantasy fans and anyone else who likes adventure and suspense.