Crooked Kingdom Book Review!

So I just finished reading Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo! This is the second book in the Six of Crows duology. If you haven’t read SoC yet, there will be spoilers from this point on.

In short, Crooked Kingdom follows the aftermath of Kaz Brekker’s crew as they try to recover from being horribly cheated by Jan Van Eck. Inej has been taken captive by Van Eck, every country is after Kuwei Yul-Bo, Bol Yul-Bayur’s son and the only person who knows the secret to jurda parem, and Kaz Brekker is once again out for revenge against Pekka Rollins and, of course, his thirty million kruge. The Dregs crew once again formulates intricate, and definitely insane, plans to win a game that’s being played against their odds, and in the midst of all that, also hope to save the Grisha world.

“What am I doing here?”

I almost screamed with delight when I found out that the first chapter was written in Wylan’s perspective. He was one of my absolute favorites in SoC, and finally getting to read his PoV was the best thing ever. Wylan is such an innocent, witty, and meaningful character that it’s impossible not to love him. In this story, Wylan’s character development absolutely blew me away. It was incredible to see how his self-image grew from seeing himself as a disgraced, illiterate heir to giving himself a purpose and value in the world, especially through his identity as his mother’s son. Leigh Bardugo did an astounding job with Wylan’s character, and the messages of self-worth and capabilities despite disabilities radiating from Wylan all through the story was one of the best morals I have ever taken from a book.

“Anyone can shoot, but not everybody can aim.”

And then, of course, there’s Jesper. In my SoC review, I mentioned that I wanted to see more of Jesper’s past, and if I didn’t see anything in this book, I may as well be blind, because Jesper’s backstory hit me full on. It was so bittersweet to see Jesper try to make things right between him and his dad, and the little glimpse of Jesper’s relationship with his mother literally broke my heart. It showed so much more of Jesper’s Grisha side and why he’s suppressed his powers for so long, debating whether or not to accept his mother’s gift or to believe as his father told him, that it was a curse. Throughout the story, Leigh Bardugo writes two beautiful friendships for Jesper: Inej and Wylan. In Inej’s companionship, Jesper is able to realize that there is more destined to life than the gambling addiction he has chosen, and in Wylan, Jesper learns that he is and deserves more than he realizes.

“Mati en sheva yelu; This action will have no echo.”

Besides being a complete badass, Inej is one of the most well and deeply written characters I have ever encountered in any book. Despite being through enough to drive any person on a mad road for vengeance, Inej seeks justice in order to build a better world for those ahead of her. Even Kaz admits, “Inej was stronger than he would ever be. She’d kept her faith, her goodness, even when the world tried to take it form her with greedy hands.” (CK, 366). No words that I can say, at least in one blog post, can express how much respect I have for this character. Through Inej, Bardugo speaks a message on fear: that everyone has fear, and only those who choose to face it win. 

“I can help you.”

Of all the characters, I feel like Kaz had the most subtle yet one of the most breathtaking character development storylines in YA books. In demeanor, he’s good old Kaz, with the same scheming face, greed for money, and devious plans to destroy his Barrel rivals. But in heart, it’s quite clear in Crooked Kingdom that he’s trying to change. As we see more of Kaz’s past, Leigh Bardugo reveals why Kaz is the way he is, tying in past traumas with present traits of his character. Of all the amazing friendships in this book, though, my favorite would have to go to Kaz and Inej. I’m a huge Kanej shipper, but I feel like their romance story was carried out in the most eloquent and touching way possible. Instead of being drawn together by romantic feelings for each other, Kaz and Inej were initially drawn to each other to help the other. Their entire friendship has been based off of saving each other, sometimes from physical threats, and sometimes from the grasp of being pulled past redemption. In the last moments of the story, Inej tells Kaz, “I’m not ready to give up on this city, Kaz. I think it’s worth saving.” As an afterthought, she adds silently, “I think you’re worth saving.” Bardugo really speaks a message on the meaning and acts of forgiveness through Kaz and Inej’s friendship, and it also provides a lesson of hope and redemption.

“I have been made to protect you. Even in death, I will find a way.”

Ok, for all my romantic side is worth, it’s impossible to talk about Nina or Matthias unless you talk about them together. I haven’t read all of the Grisha Trilogy yet, but from what I can tell, there was a lot of border tensions between Ravka and the Fjerdans and the Shu Han. If for nothing else, this duology was meant to show the possibility of peace and love between rivals. I love how clear it is to see both Matthias and Nina grow from having extremely bigoted and malevolent mindsets towards each other to having their eyes opened to be able to see the beauty of taking a new side. Even greater yet is the sacrifice Matthias makes to be able to make this change. Bardugo uses Matthias’s character so well to be able to show that the only fear is fear of the unknown. Matthias’s words to the young drüskelle at the end of the book was absolutely the most bittersweet and heartwarming thing ever and as I read it, I could literally see all the lessons that Matthias himself has learned throughout the series written into this one quote: “Do not be afraid. Fear is how they control you. There’s so much in the world you don’t have to be afraid of, if you would only open your eyes.”

As for Nina, I simply admire and cannot fathom the amount of strength she has. Not only with her first fight with jurda parem, but the second especially. Nina to me is the mother of the group. She clearly cares deeply about everyone in the crew and will make any sacrifice to save them, even if it means breaching the unknown and risking her own life and sanity. Inej’s shadow, Dunyasha, may have thought she was fearless, but if anyone is truly fearless, it would be Nina, who is not without fear, but possesses the strength to face it. Nina’s true character and loyalties show through in the end when she is willing to battle parem one last time and let go of Matthias, knowing how much it would hurt, but knowing that it would be better than keeping him with her against his will.

Overall, I just absolutely loved Crooked Kingdom. The plot of this book is just as blissfully intricate as Six of Crows, and I honestly expected no less from Leigh Bardugo. Her books spell out diversity and humor and love and friendship like none other, and I can’t wait to read and finish the Grisha trilogy!

Now, for some trivia :) 

Favorite character: Wylan, because he’s precious and it’s practically impossible not to love Wylan

Favorite friendship: Kaz and Inej, need I say more?

Favorite ship: Jesper and Wylan, because they’re hilarious

Least favorite character: Jan van Eck, this guy is the Umbridge of Six of Crows and there’s literally no redemption I can think of for him

Favorite quote: “Mati en sheva yelu; this action will have no echo”

Favorite scene: literally anything Jylan, and the “I can help you” scene because who doesn’t?

Six of Crows or Crooked Kingdom? Probably CK

That’s about it for my Crooked Kingdom book review! Please respond to some of the trivia above, I’d love to hear your favorites! 

(The photo and art is by me)