After watching Shadow and Bone and reading the first book in the series, I wanted to learn more about the three original Crows that make their appearance in the Netflix series--Kaz, Inej and Jesper. So, I read the book.
The duology of the Six of Crows books: Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, follow Kaz--the most ruthless seventeen-year-old boy in the Barrel--his Wraith and scout Inej, gunslinger Jesper, Grisha Heartrender Nina, explosive expert Wylan, and, somewhat reluctantly, the Fjerdan Grisha hunter Matthias.
These six characters are sent on a quest that will give them a handsome 30 million in kruge (dollars). But this quest comes with some deadly consequences.
Grisha, the people who practice the Small Science and control elements (for the Grisha orders, look at my Shadow and Bone post here) have been given a powerful drug that lets them be able to do many unnerving things that should be way beyond the limits of their powers. Kaz and his team are sent to return the scientist responsible for creating this drug, called parem, in order to receive their money. But to find him, first they have to break into one of the most secure prisons in Fjerda--the Ice Court.
Let's just say Kaz Brekker may be brilliant, but sometimes things don't go according to plan...
“I don’t want to die.”
“I’ll do my best to make other arrangements for you.”
She closed her eyes.
“Keep talking, Wraith. Don’t slip away from me.”
“But it’s what I do best."
Not only are the six main characters all a team, there's some romance involved... and, ah, well, none of the six main characters are good at expressing their feelings.
There are heists, gunfights, arguments, negotiations, explosions, kisses, confessions, and a few twists and turns too.
Kaz Brekker might be the seventeen-year-old and self-proclaimed King of the Barrel, but this might be one job he can't quite pull off...
Content:
Ooooookay. First thing you need to know is there is MUCH gore involved. A lot of fighting sequences, action, horrifying backstories, and... let's say moral compasses headed in the wrong direction.
The Barrel is a pretty slimy place... and so are its people.
One "f------g" and a few uses of "a--," "d--n," "h---," "sons of b------," "bas----," and "s---."
So, basically, some language.
Two of the characters live and work in pleasure houses and are indentured to the owners... and there are some pretty horrifying addictions and problems.
There are some kissing scenes and two gay main characters as an eventual couple.
Only two people in the book feel morally obligated to do anything good, and it's telling of their characters. Most of them are in it for the money or some other reason and will stop at nothing to get what they want (especially Kaz).
HOWEVER, the characters are very interesting and complex and make the story interesting and worth reading. Thoughts and lines from some of the main characters' POVs are super interesting and poetic.
And it makes the show's version of the characters far more fun and easier to understand; I actually really love their portrayals of them more now that I've read the book.
So go have fun in the Grishaverse!
Happy Reading,
~TheBookGobbler
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