Crooked Kingdom

In this sequel to Six of Crows, criminal mastermind Kaz Brekker and his crew navigate the dangerous streets of Ketterdam after a heist gone wrong. The story picks up days after the events of the first book, with the team attempting to reclaim what was stolen from them while evading powerful enemies. The crew faces threats from multiple fronts: rival gangs, wealthy merchants, foreign powers, and dangerous new adversaries with superhuman abilities. The narrative alternates between multiple character perspectives, revealing their individual struggles and motivations as they execute increasingly complex schemes. This second installment expands on the world established in Six of Crows, incorporating elements from the broader Grishaverse and delving deeper into the dark underbelly of Ketterdam's criminal world. The book continues to explore themes of loyalty, revenge, and the price of ambition, while examining how trauma and past experiences shape individuals' choices and relationships.

Readers praise the complex heist plots, character development, and darker tone compared to Six of Crows. Many cite Kaz and Inej's relationship progression and Nina's grief storyline as emotional highlights. The dialogue and banter between characters receives frequent mention in positive reviews. Common criticisms include pacing issues in the middle sections and some plot points feeling contrived or convenient. A portion of readers found the ending unsatisfying, wanting more resolution for certain character arcs. Readers liked: - Multiple POV storytelling - Growth of side characters - World-building details - Moral complexity Readers disliked: - Slower middle section - Some predictable plot twists - Unresolved plot threads Ratings: Goodreads: 4.6/5 (282,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (6,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) "The character work is outstanding but the plot sometimes takes unnecessary detours," notes one top Goodreads review with 2,000+ likes.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo A band of thieves executes a heist in a fantasy world where magic users face persecution and power struggles.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch A brotherhood of con artists schemes and steals in a dark fantasy city filled with nobles, gangs, and political intrigue.

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson A crew of thieves plans to overthrow an immortal ruler using unique metal-based magic systems.

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi A team of specialists uses magic and wit to hunt artifacts in an alternate 19th-century Paris.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown A lowborn infiltrator leads a revolution against a color-coded caste system in a science fiction society.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Two students uncover a conspiracy targeting them at their elite private school while fighting a system of privilege and power.

🔮 Inspired by medieval Amsterdam, Ketterdam's canals and merchant culture were meticulously researched by Bardugo during visits to the Netherlands. 📚 "Crooked Kingdom" features a diverse cast where multiple main characters have disabilities or chronic conditions, reflecting Bardugo's own experiences with osteonecrosis. ⚔️ The Grishaverse, where the story takes place, has been adapted into the Netflix series "Shadow and Bone," which blends plots from multiple books in the universe. 🎭 The character Kaz Brekker was partially inspired by Peaky Blinders' Tommy Shelby and the anti-heroes of Ocean's Eleven. 🌟 The book's innovative magic system, Grisha science, draws from both Eastern European folklore and real-world physics principles, creating a unique blend of fantasy and science.