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 Shadow and Bone, now a Netflix original series.

Discover what comes next for heist trio Kaz, Inej, and Jesper -- and the star-crossed Nina and Matthias -- in the #1 New York Times bestseller Six of Crows, Book One of the Six of Crows Duology.

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.

Praise for Six of Crows:

“Six of Crows is a twisty and elegantly crafted masterpiece that thrilled me from the beginning to end.” –New York Times-bestselling author Holly Black

“Six of Crows [is] one of those all-too-rare, unputdownable books that keeps your eyes glued to the page and your brain scrambling to figure out what’s going to happen next.” –Michael Dante DiMartino, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra

“There's conflict between morality and amorality and an appetite for sometimes grimace-inducing violence that recalls the Game of Thrones series. But for every bloody exchange there are pages of crackling dialogue and sumptuous description. Bardugo dives deep into this world, with full color and sound. If you're not careful, it'll steal all your time.” —The New York Times Book Review

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

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

Praise for the Grishaverse

“A master of fantasy.” —The Huffington Post
“Utterly, extremely bewitching.” —The Guardian
“This is what fantasy is for.” —The New York Times Book Review
“[A] world that feels real enough to have its own passport stamp.” —NPR
“The darker it gets for the good guys, the better.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Sultry, sweeping and picturesque. . . . Impossible to put down.” —USA Today
“There’s a level of emotional and historical sophistication within Bardugo’s original epic fantasy that sets it apart.” —Vanity Fair
“Unlike anything I’ve ever read.” —Veronica Roth, bestselling author of Divergent
“Bardugo crafts a first-rate adventure, a poignant romance, and an intriguing mystery!” —Rick Riordan, bestselling author of the Percy Jackson series

Ratings and reviews

I love kaz!!!!! He and the darkling would get along just fine

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.

Story is amazing. It's a hidden gem for sure. My only issue with the story is the ages, it just seems so weird to read this book knowing the team are all teenagers. They feel like they should be in their 20s. In the beginning, I was thinking Kaz was an older man but him being 17 with that much skill at leading had me like 'what..?'. I loved the PoVs though, each chapter being a different character is awesome, it works great for a story like this. [SPOILERS] Love action books but romance is a plus for me. Kaz and Inej, I can't see it. Kaz's endgame is a vengeance run and Inej's is wanting to get away from her current life of being a thief. Inej and Jesper though, that moment on the ship where they were walking around together was awesome, I just loved it. Jesper wants to get away from his current life as well which puts them in the same boat. Nina & Mathias' relationship - the 'angry/love' bond makes no sense, it's just ignorant imo. Though in the end, it was a nice relationship arc.

About the author

Leigh Bardugo is the New York Times-bestselling author of Ninth House and the creator of the Grishaverse, which spans the Shadow and Bone trilogy (now a Netflix original series), the Six of Crows duology, the King of Scars duology, The Language of Thorns, and The Lives of Saints - with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. She lives in Los Angeles.

leighbardugo.com
grishaverse.com