MY RATING: ★★★★☆ (3.8)
Have you ever got the feeling where you’ve been hungry for a few hours but you wait to come home to get that meal. THAT ONE MEAL you were soooo looking forward to eat. Then, you go home and it’s not there anymore? HOW FRUSTRATING IS THAT. It’s my exact same feelings about this book. Six of Crows were in my top books of 2016 and I expected a lot from this sequel. The reviews came out in Fall and most of the people love it, so my expectations were even higher.
Unfortunately, it let me down. Tremendously. Here’s why.
- While I love a good and solid plot, (kudos for Leigh Bardugo for creating such a detailed storyline) this one was too much focused on the plot. It overshadows the feels that Six of Crows used to convey. Not enough character development. You can read 6 pages in a row about their plans and how they achieve it, then discover some twists and turns (which are brilliant) but end up feeling… nothing for the characters. The characters are the key to the Dregs team, how can you only stick to the plot? It ruined a lot characters for me.
- Leading to my second point : the downfall of Kaz Brekker. I loved him in the first book, very unique, dark and sinister personality. In this book? He only appears TO GIVE ORDERS. Nothing more. Like a chief commander. Somehow, he’s the only smart one who can make the plan work and thinks about everything. I realize he’s the leader but it would be nice to see some character dark side and vulnerabilities.
- Some characters who used to play a very important role were soo underrated (to the point where one of them died and I didn’t give a single fuck about it).
- A feeling that I never thought I would experience in this series : the childish archetype of young adult books. Reading Six of Crows was very enjoyable for the facts that everything made sense, mature-wise. Reading Crooked Kingdom, well let’s say the mature-wise vibe was crooked. I don’t know how many times I rolled my eyes at the most stereotypical young adult scenes ever. Maybe I’m getting old.
Don’t attack me yet, I still choose to give it 3.8 stars for a reason! Some upsides made reading Crooked Kingdom pleasant:
- Wylan’s parts were one of the most delightful parts of the book. We really get to see the development of a young boy into a responsible teenager trying to adapt in the world of criminals.
- Nina’s obsession with food ❤ : “I am grateful you’re alive”, he said. “I am grateful that you’re beside me. I am grateful that you’re eating.”
She rested her head on his shoulder.
“You’re better than waffles, Matthias Helvar.”
A small smile curled the Fjerdan’s lips.
“Let’s not say things we don’t mean, my love.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom - The dark humour of The Dregs. Having been acquainted with The Dregs in the first book, reading stories about them is like coming home to your family. They have an unspoken bond and loyalty that no one can compete with. #SQUADGOALS
- Spoilers: That moving and tearful scene where Kaz took back the control of the Crows !
I need to read this book soon.
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Did you read the 1st one? Did you like it? 🙂 – Trang
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So, spoilers. What do I click to see the spoilers?
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You just have to highlight the text HAHA it’s in white color
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ohhh, that IS clever…
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Did you read the 1st one? 🙂 Did you like it?
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Wylan broke me in this one. HE IS SO PRECIOUS & DESERVES ALL THE GOOD THINGS
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I KNOWW he was practically the star in this novel 😌😌-Trang
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Great Review! I enjoyed reading this book but I totally hated the ending especially that tragic scene. 😀
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RIGHTT?? That was so random wtf I was looking at the book and I couldn’t believe it – Trang
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Great review! Haven’t read this one but I’ve followed the buzz. I was thoroughly entertained reading your pros and cons.
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Thank youu!! Always a pleasure to know you’re enjoying my reviews teehee 😀 – Trang
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First of all, thank you for always keeping it honest! This is a wonderful review. I am actually thinking of skipping this series. I have the first title on my Kindle, but almost everyone seems to share similar thoughts and feel less than satisfied with this sequel. I really am not prepared to start a series that may fall flat. Do you think I could read the first and feel satisfied without having to follow up, or does it end in a hanger?
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Oh yes definitely. I would RECOMMEND you to read only Six Of crows. I LOVED IT. And it can be pretty much satisfying to end the duology with only one book. 🙂 – Trang
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Thank you Trang! I have Six of Crows on the Kindle. maybe that is exactly what I will do. I do not feel as disappointed now knowing that it can be satisfying as a stand alone 🙂
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Great review for this book Trang. I’m sorry to see you didn’t enjoy it as much as you maybe hoped, there was a lot of hype for it and I’ll admit I was one of the people who loved this book even more than Six of Crows, but I’m glad there were still things in Crooked Kingdom you enjoyed enough to rate it nearly four stars. 🙂
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Thank you Beth! I totally understand that books opinions can differ a lot hahah 🙂 I’m happy for you tho!! To enjoy it even more than thr 1st one that must be something :’) – Trang
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Great review! I also liked the first book a lot more, but I still enjoyed this one. Wylan and Jasper were the highlights of Crooked Kingdom for me, their development as character was incredible and I thought they were so cute! Also, I agree with what you said about the character that died, which is a shame. If that character was gonna die, the least we should have gotten was a good and meaninful death.
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YESS A GOOD AND MEANINGFUL DEATH. That what I was expecting for him 😟 But noo it was super quick and weird. Wylan and Jesper were def the highlight in this one LOL 😍-Trang
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Interesting review! I still haven’t read the book yet but am itching to start it. I found your review very intriguing as many people had thoroughly enjoyed the book. Since I haven’t read it yet I am not able to give my own opinion on the book! Have a nice day! 🙂
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Thank you for passing by! 😍 Definitely a book you have to read it for yourself I guess to be able to form an opinion. There are so many polar reviewss. Let me know what you think of it when you get to it 🙂 – Trang
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Oh such a shame it didn’t live upto your expectations!! But I’m glad you still found it enjoyable. I’ve not read this yet, but I’m still intrigued. Great review!
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Thank youu :)! Were you planning on reading the book or start this series? :O -Trang
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Great review, even though I loved this series. I agree that there was a lot of hype around it, hence I was cautious to read the series, as I did not want to be too disappointed cause I really liked the context of the story synopsis.
One thing that really did not make sense to me is that tragic scene at the end, which happened quite randomly, and I did not feel that that person deserved to go that way if it makes sense. Have a lovely day!
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