koi's Reviews > Crooked Kingdom

— 5 stars ☆

⋆. spoilers ahead ⁀➴

this book took everything i loved about the first one and turned it up. even though i knew parts of the plot going in, the story still kept me hooked with twists and surprises i didn’t see coming. kaz’s final plan to outsmart van eck was genius, and watching it all play out was so satisfying. the stakes were higher, the tension was intense, and the payoff hit even harder. the way the crew played off each other’s strengths and weaknesses was so well done—it made every part of the plot feel like it was building toward something big.

one of the best things about this book was how it handled the multiple povs. each character had their own distinct voice, and their personal journeys felt just as important as the main plot. no one got overshadowed, and every perspective added something to the story. kaz’s relentless drive for control, wylan’s clever problem-solving, jesper’s quick thinking, matthias’ honor and conflict, inej’s unwavering loyalty, and nina’s sharp resourcefulness all balanced out the crew. the heists were thrilling, but what made it even better was how each character had personal stakes in everything, so their wins and losses hit harder.

just when i thought i had things figured out, the book threw in twists that completely caught me off guard. the heists and schemes were so well thought out, and whenever something went wrong, the crew found a way to turn it around. the tension was nonstop, and every twist felt earned—like it fit perfectly with the crew’s skills and the obstacles they were up against. it made for such an exciting, unpredictable read that had me on edge the whole time.

the relationships between the characters were another huge part of what made this book so good. whether it was kaz and inej’s deepening trust, wylan and jesper’s growing bond, or nina and matthias’ shared moments of connection, every relationship felt real and earned. both the romantic and platonic dynamics in the crew were stronger this time, and it added a lot to their interactions, making the highs and lows hit even harder. as the stakes grew, their bonds got stronger, and none of the relationships felt rushed or forced.

what i really loved was how each character had their own sense of morality, but they still worked together toward a common goal. even with different motivations and values, their loyalty to each other kept them solid. loyalty and trust were such big themes, and they were woven into the story in a way that made every choice feel more meaningful.

the ending left me feeling both satisfied and a little bittersweet. while it wrapped everything up perfectly, it was tough to say goodbye to these characters and this world after spending so much time with them. the closure was handled so well, tying up loose ends but still leaving me wishing for more adventures with this crew. it was the perfect end to an amazing journey, but i wasn’t quite ready to let go. now, i’m already looking forward to reading king of scars and getting back into this world with nikolai.


six of crows: 5 stars ☆