Review: Six of Crows

Title:  Six of Crows 
Series:  Six of Crows #1
Author:  Leigh Bardugo (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  Young Adult 
Publisher:  Henry Holt and Company
Publication Date:  September 29, 2015
Source:  Bought

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...
A convict with a thirst for revenge.
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

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Me, while reading this book.

Holy cow, guys.  I'm so, so impressed right now.  This book has completely blown me away.  I was tentative to buy it at first because I never actually finished the Grisha trilogy, also written by this author (though I wanted to...other books just always got in the way).  I'll be honest, at first my main motivation for getting this was the fact that the page edges were colored black.  That was just too cool to pass up.  But I've quickly realized this book is so much more than a lovely aesthetic.  I'm dubbing this my favorite book of 2015, which is huge because I've read some awesome books this year.

The writing in this book was gorgeous.  Seriously, some of the most beautiful and well-written lines I have ever read.  I was transported into the moment with the characters, the descriptions were that good.  And they weren't overwhelming!  There was a perfect balance between dialogue, action, and description.  In other books, I often find myself skimming through long paragraphs of description but I didn't have that problem at all with this one.  Everything is just so quotable, too.  I want to go around throwing random passages at people just so they can see how magnificent it is.

  

 As far as the plot is concerned, it was also great.  The pacing was so wonderful and I loved that it was told from the point of view of all the different characters (even though I'm not normally a fan of that style).  But, by far my favorite thing about this novel was the characters, especially Kaz.  Now, don't get me wrong, I loved all these characters.  Each of them were well-rounded and sported unique and three dimensional personalities and back stories but there was something about Kaz that completely drew me in.  I have a thing for troubled, morally loose and rather villainous characters and Kaz fit that so well.  He was amazing and I loved every bit of him.  I adored his hard facade and his ruthless dealing and how he was always one step ahead of everyone.  He was smart and strong and his wit was awesome.  And he wasn't perfect.  I loved that his backstory was so messy and mixed up and really affected how he acted, even know.  I also liked that he wasn't perfectly healthy, seeing as he had a bad leg and limped.  It gave what would be a nearly indestructible character a form of weakness, though Kaz never let it hinder him.  

Okay, I need to stop myself there or I'm just going to keep gushing about Kaz and never stop *deep breath*

Six of Crows is an amazing book with an all-star cast and a plot that will keep you on your toes.  The writing style is beautiful and fits the tone of the novel perfectly.  I honestly can't give this book any high praise.  It's my favorite of 2015 and I absolutely need the second one now.  Until then, I'll have to tide myself over by finishing up the Grisha trilogy.

“A liar, a thief, and utterly without conscience. But he'll keep to any deal you strike with him.” 

Five Teapots