With the release of Crooked Kingdom, I had to give myself a week to compose myself and make a post that was actually useful and not just me gushing about the series. Six of Crows is a fantasy heist novel set in the same universe as Bardugo’s other Grisha series (which at this point I’m almost ashamed to admit I haven’t read). I’ve seen it described more than once as a mix of ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Oceans Eleven’; I would argue that it is better than either. It’s a great mix of gritty realism and pretty cool magic, with gangs, corruption, cons and criminals (of the best kind). It’s also one of the most all-encompassing books I’ve ever read, representation-wise. I didn’t think it possible, but Crooked Kingdom stepped up the game even further.

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• Published in 2015, Leigh Bardugo’s young adult fantasy novel Six of Crows, the first in a two-part series, received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, VOYA, and Kirkus Reviews. A fantasy heist story, the novel shifts between the alternating points of view of five teenagers who team up to pull off the ultimate prison break.

The first novel alone brings us a bisexual character in Jesper Fahey. Of course ‘bisexual’ is never actually mentioned in the book itself, which is my one complaint, but it is clear from his actions (and as far as I know confirmed by the author). Jesper is very open about his sexuality, with a whole lot of flirting included.

Then there’s Wylan, who I think is gay. I don’t think his sexuality has been confirmed in any way other than ‘definitely not straight’. We get quite a few suggestions of this through the first book, but since we don’t get any Wylan POV chapters until Crooked Kingdom, it’s not clear whether he already knew he was gay or figured it out as he went, or how he feels about it (although there’s nothing to suggest he’s anything but unfazed by it).

As well as not-straight characters, there is a whole range of other things covered- a physical disability, a learning disability, a fat character (who is considered the most beautiful), plus a variety of races. It lacks trans characters, but it’s better than most books out there. It’s also very, very easy to headcanon certain characters as asexual. (Unfortunately not so much aromantic since the main six are all paired romantically up by the end.)

Crooked Kingdom brings us two more not-straight characters! The lovely Nina confirms she is interested in girls, so presumably bisexual. And the more minor character (who still plays a big part), Kuwei, is also not straight. Oh boy. That scene was interesting. Counting Kuwei as one of the main characters, four out of the seven are now confirmed as queer. It also brings us a beautiful relationship between two boys, continued from the first book with pretty satisfying results.

Six of Crows; Leigh Bardugo October 3, 2016 With the release of Crooked Kingdom, I had to give myself a week to compose myself and make a post that was actually useful and not just me gushing about the series.

To recap;

Cons: No mention of the word bisexual within the pages. Every single main character paired off romantically.

Pros: Everything else.

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.

#1 New York Times Bestseller

USA Today Bestseller

New York Times Notable Book of 2015

2016 Teens’ Top Ten Nominee

Indiebound Autumn ’15 Kids’ Next List – Top Ten for Teen Readers

Reviews for Six of Crows

“This has all the right elements to keep readers enthralled: a cunning leader with a plan for every occasion, nigh-impossible odds, an entertainingly combative team of skilled misfits, a twisty plot, and a nerve-wracking cliffhanger.”
– Publishers Weekly Review, STARRED REVIEW ★

“Cracking page-turner with a multi ethnic band of misfits with differing sexual orientations who satisfyingly, believably jell into a family.”
– Kirkus Review, STARRED REVIEW ★

“Set in a world that will be familiar to fans of the author, this book can be fully enjoyed without having read any previous title… This is an easy choice for teens who enjoyed The Grisha Trilogy, Diviners, or any of the Shadowhunter books.”
– VOYA, STARRED REVIEW ★

Six Of Crows Pdf

“Taking what could have been stock characters of young adult fiction—the loner, the rebel, the outcast, and the con artist, the author has fashioned fully fleshed out, dynamic protagonists who will engage and enchant readers. What a thrill it is to return to the world she created with her popular “Grisha Trilogy” (Holt).”
– School Library Journal Review, STARRED REVIEW ★

Is Six Of Crows A Duology

“There are heist stories with ingenious plotting, and then there are heist stories like this one that raise the ante with luminous writing, fully credible characters, a richly developed world, and internal dangers as threatening as the enemy the team faces.”
– The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, STARRED REVIEW ★

6 Of Crows

“[F]or 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.”
– NY Times, Sunday Book Review

“Wildly imaginative, addictive and fast-paced, this spinoff to Bardugo’s popular Grisha trilogy is sure to leave readers begging, bartering and stealing for more….This is a standout novel of the year!”
– RT Book Reviews, Top Pick