conceptually, i loved this. the whole idea of a group of chinese american college kids going on a string of heists to retrieve chinese art stolen by wconceptually, i loved this. the whole idea of a group of chinese american college kids going on a string of heists to retrieve chinese art stolen by western museums is fantastic. i found the exploration of identities within the diaspora really compelling and think this shows a lot of promise for a debut novel despite some of the more critical takes i've come away from it with. that aside...
the prose was repetitive to the point of distraction. most chapters began with a character's full name, the phrase "it went like this" and variations on it were constant refrains, and oftentimes descriptions would be repeated word for word. while the characters did feel distinct from each other in group scenes, the multi-POV format of the book didn't do them any favours. there was little to no change in style from one character's point of view to the others, which made it challenging to root for any of the interpersonal dynamics at play as much as i'd have liked. i also found there to be a lack of much development or character growth throughout the novel which was a letdown since i felt they all had a lot of promise.
as for the issue of the heist story format... this missed the mark for me. it was slow, largely unexciting, and seemed almost afraid to get into the actual details of the heists themselves. there was also the issue of suspension of disbelief, which is of course a given in novels like this and i'm usually not too bothered, but paired with the lack of investment i had in the characters and dynamics i was unfortunately a lot more keyed into how unrealistic their successes were than I might've been if other elements of the story had been stronger.
thank you to netgalley and penguin for providing this digital review copy in exchange for an honest review...more
oof. i still think i like six of crows the tiniest bit more, but the many moving pieces in this one wereread in 2021: ★★★★ ½ first read in 2016: ★★★★ ½
oof. i still think i like six of crows the tiniest bit more, but the many moving pieces in this one were handled brilliantly. anyway it's the middle of the night and i'm in a bit of a state, so in conclusion: i love these goddamn books and i love these goddamn kids
oct 2016:
After using tabs to mark anything and everything I loved about Six of Crows (photo at the bottom of this review) I'm definitely a little gutted that I couldn't find my tabs to do the same with this one. It had been so long since I'd gotten properly wrapped up in a book that it completely slipped my mind to take notes, too! Definitely didn't equip myself super well to write a single book review so this turned into a bit of a combined mini review of the series.
I'm so incredibly happy that this duology exists. A pair of character-driven heist novels in a high fantasy setting? These books are exactly what I never knew I needed.
While I enjoyed Six of Crows ever so slightly more than its sequel, there was a much grander aspect to Crooked Kingdom that I can't help but appreciate. For the most part, Six of Crows followed one particular heist--it worked well as a first book because you really had the opportunity to get a feel for the characters and their dynamics within their gang while still following an engaging plot. In this second instalment there seemed to be much more happening, but the novelty of the characters had worn off so you really didn't need the opportunity to get reaquainted. It allowed the focus to shift to a veritable series of rescues, cons, and heists, while growth of both characters and relationships continued throughout. Yet again, it works so well for where it fits into the series. I really have to applaud Leigh Bardugo for the crafting of an expertly paced duology.
These books are incredibly smart, the setting is exciting, and it all comes together brilliantly, but, as was my reaction from the very beginning of this series, the characters are the reason I love these books as much as I do. I still love Inej, Nina, and Jesper the most, and the others fall into and affectionate line after that trio. I also still think Inej and Nina's friendship is just about the best thing to ever happen, and each budding romance was lovely and written so as not to detract from the overarcing plot in the slightest. I'm going to miss these characters so much.
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22/02/2016: This cover is stunning! So eager to get my hands on this one. September feels so far away!...more
this series still fucking gets me. man. and i'd forgotten just how strong of a conclusion this was!
itreread in 2020: ★★★★ ¾ first read in 2017: ★★★★★
this series still fucking gets me. man. and i'd forgotten just how strong of a conclusion this was!
it's not a perfect series by any means—pacing issues, overused and sometimes conflicting descriptors, a lack of side characters (particularly women) with much substance, etc.—but the strength of it has forever been the main cast of characters for me and god, if i didn't just come out of this reread with a deeper appreciation and nuanced understanding for just about all of them
the experience of revisiting these books as an adult after initially reading them at age 17-19 was also so interesting and only made me all the more keen to see where things are headed next in threads of power
24.02.2017: Having now read the full trilogy, I can even more confidently say what I've been saying since 2015 anyway: this series is destined to be an all-time favourite of mine. I love all three books with a passion and will miss these characters and their world(s) dearly, but I'm content to part with them for now.
unsurprisingly bloody loved this yet again. i did notice an overuse of some descriptors (looking at kereread in 2020: ★★★★ ½ first read in 2016: ★★★★ ½
unsurprisingly bloody loved this yet again. i did notice an overuse of some descriptors (looking at kell's reddish hair and the word charcoal in particular) and a somewhat clumsy handling of lila picking up a new language, but i really just love this book and these characters so much. one of my all time favourites without a doubt.
15/02/2016: I love these books something fierce, but that was a brutal ending. (view spoiler)[I don't know what I expected. When the final 60 pages of a book are prefaced by a beautiful page titled simply Catastrophe, you should probably prepare for the worst. (hide spoiler)] The wait for the third book is going to ruin me.
21/04/2015: Oh god. Gorgeous cover(s) and exciting blurb and everything. My heart can't take it....more
it's rare that i read one of my old reviews and still stand by it completely but damn, yeah. this remainreread in 2021: ★★★★★ first read in 2015: ★★★★★
it's rare that i read one of my old reviews and still stand by it completely but damn, yeah. this remains excellent. i love these chaotic criminal children. one of my main issues with shadow and bone is a lack of connection to any of the characters and this series somehow accomplishes what no other series has ever done for me and made me care about all six mains with (near) equal fervour. bardugo was made for this style of story
personal highlights: the range of interpersonal relationships at play. the scheming. the humour. inej and nina's friendship. the depiction of ptsd. disaster bi jesper fahey. literally all of the romance (which is more of a rarity for me than i can even explain)
i went in expecting to be slightly more critical this time around and yeah, sure, i've got some more nuanced thoughts now but fuck it, five stars. i will not elaborate further
nov 2015:
This might be the best book I've read all year.
The plot was fast and clever, the writing was wonderful, and the characters stole the whole damn show. Inej, Nina, and Jesper had my heart right from the start. Kaz grew on me quickly. Wylan and Matthias took their time but I'm honestly pretty much sold on every member of the core six at this point. And their dynamics! Whether romantic or platonic, I'm a complete sucker for the relationships in this book. Stand-outs include Kaz and Inej, virtually any conversations involving Jesper or Nina being witty and delightful, and Inej and Nina because strong female friendships never fail to own my ass.
I may come back to write a proper review for this one, but I think I'll let my tabs do the talking for now. Every single one marks a part of the book that I adored, and this was me being selective.
I'm also a little in love with these black edged pages.
oh boy. the nostalgia factor was strong on this reread and i'm elated to find that in the five years that'vreread in 2020 ★★★★ first read in 2015 ★★★★★
oh boy. the nostalgia factor was strong on this reread and i'm elated to find that in the five years that've passed, i still love this book like mad. the plot and pacing weren't quite as strong as i remembered, but that has never really been my focus in this series. i just love these characters and their magical surroundings to bits
also s/o to kell! i was so blinded by my love for lila bard in my fist go around that i think i failed to appreciate him quite as much as he deserved. definitely not the case this time around!
04/03/2015: Holy hell can this author write. She has a way with words that truly blew me away. I wouldn't put it past her to write a passage about cleaning a toilet and still make it sound interesting. The prose was beautiful and the perspectives wove together wonderfully to create a full picture of what was going on. And those action sequences! I was never once lost or bored in the heat of the moment -- the writing hooked me in and didn't let me go.
As far as relationships go, I really enjoyed Kell and Lila's dynamic. They had such great back and forth and really balanced each other out. Not to mention the fact that I really appreciated their story (in this book) not being an overly romantic one. There's definite potential for them to become something more, but for now they just made for a great pair of adventurers!
Example number #300 of their fantastic exchanges:(view spoiler)[
"How did you know?" she asked, looking down at the rubble of the queen. "How did you know she wasn't me?" Kell managed an exhausted smile. "Because she said please." Lila stared at him, aghast. “Is that a joke?”
Kell and Rhy were tugging at my heartstrings with their brotherly bond. We didn't get to see all that much of their exchanges but I'm eager for more in future books! I'm also very interested in Kell's mixed feelings about his place in the royal family. I'd like to see more their 'family' dynamic. Lastly, I really liked Lila and Barron's relationship (view spoiler)[but I suppose that's squandered now (hide spoiler)]. Lila's a tough one to handle but Barron seemed to do a steady job of it and I appreciated the genuine nature their bond, however unusual it was.
I'm kicking myself for not reading a V.E. Schwab book sooner. I'm definitely going to be looking into some of her other books now, including the sequel to this gem (once the time comes)!...more
i can't quite believe it took me thirteen years to reread this one or that baby haley somehow didn't know there were sequels to be read in 2007 & 2020
i can't quite believe it took me thirteen years to reread this one or that baby haley somehow didn't know there were sequels to be read, but i'm so glad to have finally come back to this series!...more
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