4.27.21 Update: lol I reread my review below from when I first read this in 2016 and like apparently I didn't like Matthias? Hahaha I would literally sell my soul for Matthias. Anyways Stream Shadow and Bone on Netflix. 05.21.17 Update: Lies I tell myself: I'm sure reading this a second time will be a great idea. You'll definitely won't feel that void in your heart when you finish. Hahaha can I hire Jesper to slay me? a new, updated review expressing my utter obsession with this book will be coming one day 4.25/5 stars “The knowledge that they might never see each other again, that some of them—maybe all of them—might not survive this night hung heavy in the air. A gambler, a convict, a wayward son, a lost Grisha, a Suli girl who had become a killer, a boy from the Barrel who had become something worse.” Ever since its release, I've been hearing non-stop how amazing Six of Crows is. Not once have I ever seen a negative review. Everyone loves Six of Crows. Everybody. That isn't even a generalization. Everybody loves Six of Crows. (Have I said everybody enough? I'll say it again just in case. Everybody.) Including me. I have now fallen into the abyss that is Six of Crows . This book, especially compared to what I've read of The Grisha Series , blew me away. The characters and the world building and the writing and just everything. It was amazing. However, with all the hype surrounding it, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed. I'm not quite sure what it was, and I'll probably never figure it out, but there was something missing. I'm sure that you've heard the plot before, I mean if you haven't then I'm not sure where you've been living? Under a rock maybe? But in case you came out of that rock to read this review, the entire thing can be summarized with the tagline: “Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist.” It's been a long, long while since I've read a heist book (Shout out to twelve-year-old me who read [b:Heist Society
6574102
Heist Society (Heist Society, #1)
Ally Carter
https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1359254479l/6574102.SY75.jpg
6767235] at least five times in a row, probably more) and I absolutely loved it. I'm so used to YA Fantasy books being out a main character trying to overthrow a grumpy old ruler and seizing the throne for themselves, that it is honestly so refreshing to see a twist to that stereotype. Leigh did a great job of making the heist feel impossible from the beginning, as opposed to telling us it is impossible and never showing us, as I appreciated that very much. In fact, I appreciated everything she did with this book. I'm going to get this out of the way: those stained black pages were absolutely gorgeous. There were times when I stopped reading just to stare at them. Then after about ten minutes, I'd have to snap out of it, wipe away the drool, and continue on reading. God, everything about this book is just so aesthetically pleasing. The characters are what made this book so spectacular. It is rare to find a book that isn't just plot-driven, but also character-driven. Honestly 4/6 of the cast I love so f***ing much I'd probably jump off a cliff if they asked me to, maybe I'd even commit a murder for them. Who knows? The other 2/6 , I'd probably wouldn't kill for, but I'd still like to be best friends with them and maybe we can have sleepovers together or something. I think that would be nice. “No mourners,” Jesper said...“No funerals,” the rest of the Dregs murmured in reply. Among them, it passed for “good luck.” Kaz. Everything I want in a character, and more, was throw together and presented itself in Kaz. He's ruthless, clever, diabolic, intelligent, thoughtful, bad-ass, and more. Just all of the adjectives thrown into one, bloody perfect boy. He now has a very special place in my heart. I applaud Leigh for throwing everything the world has to offer at him, from a tragic childhood (can I just say little tiny Kaz was such a cinnamon roll. I just loved his backstory and the path he ended up taking) to wearing those gloves all the time to a limp, and instead of making it a weakness, turn it into his strength. Honestly, Leigh took the stereotypical YA protagonist, threw it out the window, and created this beautifully imperfect character that I will cherish forever. I don't want to mention [b:Shadow and Bone
10194157
Shadow and Bone (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #1)
Leigh Bardugo
https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1339533695l/10194157.SX50.jpg
15093325] too much because I honestly feel like these books are so far apart it isn't fair to compare them, but I'll just say that Alina to Kaz is main character biggest leap I have ever seen from an author. Kaz is very easily in my top ten favorite characters of all time, and I am honestly heartbroken that there is only one more book I have to read that is full of him. Honestly, I'd read anything if Kaz was the MC. Even 50 shades. Inej. Inej really surprised me. I didn't really like her at first. I'm not sure why since it was clear from the beginning that she's amazing. But I grew to like her very quickly, and now I don't remember what my life was like before her. It's kind of a bad habit, but I often compare characters to others I have read/seen before. Usually, I can easily find many comparisons, but Inej was different. There was only one person I could think to even begin to compare her to, and even that's a stretch (her stealth and aerobic training reminded me a lot of Ty Lee from Avatar the Last Airbender, her personality however, did not). Inej was such a new type of character to me, and I loved it. I love her. Kaz loves her. There's this weird love triangle thing happening between the three of us. Jesper. I know that Leigh made is clear from the beginning that Jesper was a sharpshooter, but I was about a fourth of the way through this book when I realized there were guns. Guns! A fantasy world with guns! Just more proof that Leigh Bardugo truly made something unique with this book. I liked Jesper, I really did, but he wasn't my favorite character. I enjoyed his development throughout the book, both physically, emotionally, and romantically. Yet, two weeks after finishing Six of Crows, I am struggling to remember specific details about him. I am hoping that when I get around to reading [b:Crooked Kingdom
22299763
Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)
Leigh Bardugo
https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456172607l/22299763.SY75.jpg
42090179], I get to dive more into the world of Jesper. Nina. Alternate name: My Queen. Nina was amazing. Just amazing. Probably my favorite character, well besides Kaz of course. She didn't have the typical YA appearance, and yet she was still beautiful, flawless, and strong. And everyone in the book knew it. Again, I applaud Leigh Bardugo so much. I'm not the skinniest person in the world, and I was honestly so shocked to see a character like Nina, someone I can picture myself as, while still feeling confident and proud. I'm still a little confused about what exactly she can do with her Grisha powers, but that's not a big deal. I know that she is incredibly powerful and that I don't ever want to get on her bad side. When I do read [b:Crooked Kingdom
22299763
Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)
Leigh Bardugo
https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456172607l/22299763.SY75.jpg
42090179], I hope we get to see even more of what she can do. Just a quick recap, Nina is queen and she's better than you. Wylan. I don't know why, but the entire time I pretty much pictured Troye Sivan as Wylan. Maybe not Troye Sivan, per say, but the same composure and look of innocence. If that makes any sense? Was it just me? It was probably just me. After Kaz and Nina and Inej, Wylan was another one of my favorites. And we didn't get to see one chapter of him. I mean, I understand, he can't read, so it wouldn't really make sense. But if Feyre can do it in first person, than Wylan can do it in third. If that doesn't change in [b:Crooked Kingdom
22299763
Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)
Leigh Bardugo
https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456172607l/22299763.SY75.jpg
42090179], I am gonna revolt. I will show up on Leigh's front yard with a picket fence. But anyways, Wylan kind of got thrown into the team with no special skills (well, no special skills that are up to par with everyone else) but he still held his own and made himself a valuable player in the game. Like Jesper, he stole my heart. Quite a shame he kinda felt underappreciated in the story. #TeamWylan Mattias. What can I say about Mattias? Probably not much. I wasn't the biggest fan. He made me have trust issues, and I just haven't been able to let go of them yet. I'm just going to have to wait until I finally read [b:Crooked Kingdom
22299763
Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)
Leigh Bardugo
https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456172607l/22299763.SY75.jpg
42090179] before I can make myself from a more positive and sturdy opinion about him. Don't get me wrong, I still like Mattias. He was such an interesting character to throw into the mix. I just don't trust him fully. I want to give this book five stars so badly. I just wish I could figure out what was missing. I loved everything about it, but yet I just can't bring myself to give it five stars. But, as I said earlier, everybody loves this book and that census now includes me! Yay! I've owned this book for almost a year now, why hasn't anyone forced me to pick it up earlier? Now if you excuse me, I'm gonna go think about how perfect Kaz Brekker is some more.
