Six of Crows Boxed Set: Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom

Six of CrowsBy Leigh BardugoI gave this book a 4 out of 5 starsNo SpoilersI own the physical and the audible copySo to start off I will say this, at first I had started Six of Crows, and then had put it down to start other series, until I read the Grisha series, and it opened my eyes and I understood a bit more about the world and the Grisha’s and what they were. Once I read the Grisha Triology I was able to enjoy this book like I should have been. No idea why, I do know others needed to do the same but at the end of the day I wish I had a heads up on that.With that being said, I loved this book! I loved everything about the characters and the world and how in this series it was focused on a different part then the trilogy. Now I won’t say it is my favorite book in the world, but it is one of those that is worth reading, and probably rereading a couple more times. My favorite characters are going to be Inej and Kaz, and their chemistry with each other and those around them. This isn’t a story about some girl pinning over a guy or some tragic love story, or really a love story at all. Yes it has aspects of one in there but not over the top, its actually very subtle. It has more action and more mystery and more keep you on your toes aspects. Which makes me adore this book. I hope that she keeps this up in the second one and that we get a good final ending in Crooked Kingdom. The word play was spectacular and the story line was captivating. You honestly should pick this series up and read it! Just I recommend reading the Grisha Trilogy first.Crooked KingdomBy Leigh BardugoI gave this book a 5 out of 5 starsNo SpoilersI own the physical and the audible copyHoly Crap. *mind blown* *speechless*Bardugo has completely outdone herself with this one. It made me laugh, it very nearly made me cry, it wrapped me up in an all-consuming blanket of words and didn’t let me go until it was over with, and just left me… Speechless. This is by far my favorite book out of Six of Crows and the Grisha Trilogy.So firstly, can I just say Kaz Brekker “Dirtyhands” is a serious genius? The way that he manipulated everyone and you just never knew or expected what was going to happen next. Piece by piece, a puzzle was laid out and things that happened earlier in the book, you need to remember for later in the book, and it is like an explosion in your brain going “Oh now that makes sense!” Any questions I might have had, they were all answered. She did not leave me wanting, except that I want to know more about Kaz and Inej after the fact, like what adventures they have, what their life is like and so on. This book is a serious roller coaster of emotions. But maybe not just a roller coaster. Maybe an entire amusement park would be a more apt description.She did an amazing job with the different POVs and it wasn’t just 2 or 3 but 6 or 7. And the flow that she kept them in was just beyond words. She juggled them flawlessly and built on the already complex nature of them and just added more layers without missing a beat. There was so many emotions, so many feels that this emotional roller-coaster/amusement park/carnival has left me just like “Wow.” No matter what happens things just crescendo, between the relationships, the dark nature of some of their backgrounds, love found and ultimately lost, and dark, and almost a sexy erotic without making outright sex scenes, but keeping it entertaining with the many many personalities. The violence and the gritty nature just made this book so dark and compelling and a read like I have not had before other than A Court of Mist and Fury but with a completely different tone. It is soul crushing and mind blowing. I just cant get over it yet.I absolutely love all the action and the mischievous nature of our beloved little gang whom was fully developed and when one of them was outraged and crying it pulled on those heart strings and made you want to cry also. (Actually a friend of mine did cry) but I have to say out of my favorite characters Inej is the top of the list along with Nina, Matthias, and of course Kaz. I absolutely loved the dialogue, with all the bantering and the rapport between the characters.But at the end of the day, if you want to know if you should pick up this book. Then the answer is Yes. Dont wait, don’t keep looking through reviews you have to experience this masterpiece of amusement park/roller coaster ride for yourself. It might have finished in the perfect spot, in just the perfect way but Leigh Bardugo… I hope you read this cause How Dare You. You are evil. A brilliantly minded evil genius and I absolutely can’t wait to read yet another series/standalone book written by you.“No Mourners. No Funnerals.”

If I could, I would give it up to seven stars. What a thrill this was, how wonderfully written and imagined. Not only are the books beautiful and the art memorizing, the characters and plot breathtaking, the entire feel of it is just larger than life. Like you have entered some secret world and once you've stepped out of it, somehow it stays with you. Kaz Brekker will forever have my heart and I thoroughly loved him and his journey. Every time I see someone now wearing gloves I cannot help but smile and think of Kaz. Leigh Bardugo created a fascinating world where you root for Kaz and his team with all your being, she writes in a way where you can actually wrinkle your nose every time the stench of the Ketterdam hits you from the written page and imagine all the buildings if you close your eyes.Inej is my precious everything and since I couldn't really pick favorites with Jesper, Wylan and everyone else, I decided very early on that I was adopting everyone and nothing could ever harm them. I leave to you all to decide how you will handle the agony of what happens during the course of two books. (I highly recommend chocolate and hot coffee).The box set is perfect because I guarantee you will want to jump right into the second book once you finish Six of Crows.I reluctantly admit the first book has the upper hand because it pulls you into the plot in a much more intimate way, I found the second book slightly more dramatic, a lot of plans went wrong one too many times and I was getting depressed but you cannot have the full experience of Six of Crows without reading Crooked Kingdom. Wile the first makes you fall in love with everyone and everything, the second book delivers the single most epic love declaration you have ever read in your life. (clue: it involves crawling if necessary to fight your way through to save the love of your life). Sigh.The books deal with a lot of delicate issues that include slavery and forced prostitution and while they were done in a very realistic way, it also was all made in a way that you do celebrate how these characters overcome all the misery and misfortune in their lives. You sheer for every victory, whether it's small, big or just symbolic like not forcing the mandatory gang tattoo on a girl because she should have the right to choose if she is willing to be branded again.There are so many good things about these books that no review would ever make them justice but if you're reading this, go buy the books now. Gush about it later.

First of all, let me just say that as someone who collects books, I really appreciate finding hardcover boxed sets like this. Aside from the Netflix logo printed onto the dust cover, both of these books are definitely pretty and will look good on your shelf.Now, for the story itself. (I’ll warn you before I give any spoilers, don’t worry!) Alright, so, I honestly do think this duology is overrated. I expected it to live up to the hype it’s gotten online a little more. The whole magic system is pretty cool, but it can be hard to follow at times. I usually read a duology like this in 2-3 days, but this one took me almost 2 weeks. It seems like there’s just too many terms for different people with different ‘powers’ in this book. That being said, it’s still a good read. The characters are funny and lovable.(Spoilers ahead from here!) Okay so I can see why so many bookworms have a thing for Kaz lol. Although I found a few of the characters a little annoying at times. For example, I think Nina’s weight is brought up too much, and it seems like her ‘big appetite’ is mentioned every other chapter. I also think that ‘pleasure houses’ are mentioned a little too often since both the girls in the group have a background involving them. Most of the romance between Kaz and Inej doesn’t take place until the second book, but I like that it’s kept PG13. I like that it’s gradual like that because it keeps you rooting for Kaz to get his girl and make her stay. That’s all I’ll say for now, but generally this is still a good buy. Again, great that it’s a boxed set. I definitely recommend.

Fantastic books, nice covers and arrived undamaged.