Review (Spoilers): Six of Crows
I like the idea of this book more than the execution. Six of Crows is one of those stories you read for the ride, not necessarily to think too deeply about. The plot is fast-paced and entertaining, but some elements didn’t quite land for me.
The prose took some time to get used to. Although the style was simple, it still made the world harder to imagine instead of more vivid.
The book includes tropes I enjoy, such as heists, enemies to lovers, found family, and the classic motley crew. These are always fun, and they work well here.
Since this is YA, you kind of know the heist will ultimately succeed, which lowers the tension. There weren’t any moments where I genuinely thought the characters would fail. Most of the suspense came from wondering how Kaz would fix things, not whether he could. A few more real stakes could have added depth.
What the book does best is its characters. The cast is diverse, not only in background but in nationality as well, which adds a natural richness to the worldbuilding. There’s also thoughtful representation of LGBTQ+ characters and the inability to read and write. Giving each character a backstory was a smart move. In such a fast-paced book, it can be hard to form emotional connections, but learning about their struggles made it easier to care.
My favourite characters were Matthias and Inej. Matthias was the most complex. His worldview is challenged head-on, especially his society’s dehumanisation of Grisha. Inej struck me with her strength and vulnerability; her trauma doesn’t disappear just because she’s “badass,” which made her feel real. I didn’t like Nina at first, but she grew on me, and her relationship with Matthias became one of the most engaging parts of the book. Jesper and Wylan didn’t get much development until the end, and even then, it felt a bit rushed. I wish we had more from them earlier on.
Then there’s Kaz. He’s portrayed as hyper-competent, but often in ways that feel forced by making his opponents conveniently stupid. His early scenes (like dealing with the Black Tips and killing a rat) are clearly there to show his cleverness. He’s supposed to come across as ruthless and brilliant, but sometimes he just reads as an arrogant teen trying too hard to be edgy. Then again, he is only 17, so maybe that’s intentional. On the other hand, his age makes it hard to take him seriously as a feared crime lord.
Overall, I think teen me would’ve loved this more and been willing to overlook some of the things that now bother me (e.g. the very long rope). But it’s clearly aimed at a younger audience, and that’s okay.
Recommendations:
If you like heists in a fantasy setting, I’d recommend The Final Empire (Mistborn) by Brandon Sanderson; it has some flaws too, but it’s more tightly executed than Six of Crows. And if Matthias’ storyline was your favourite part, check out Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang.
Even the idea of being this near someone should have set his skin crawling. Instead he thought, What happens if I move closer?
“I don’t want your prayers,” he said.
“What do you want, then?”The old answers came easily to mind. Money. Vengeance. Jordie’s voice in my head silenced forever. But a different reply roared to life inside him, loud, insistent, and unwelcome.
You, Inej. You.
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 only you would open your eyes.
Many boys will bring you flowers. But someday you’ll meet a boy who will learn your favorite flower, your favorite song, your favorite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won’t matter because he will have taken the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns your heart.
I will have you without armor, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all.
She’d laughed, and if he could have bottled the sound and gotten drunk on it every night, he would have. It terrified him.
“It’s not natural for women to fight.”
“It’s not natural for someone to be as stupid as he is tall, and yet there you stand.”
It had started with a storm, and in a way, that storm had never ended. Nina has blown into his life with the wind and rain and set his world spinning. He’d been off balance ever since.
“I can hear the change in Kaz’s breathing when he looks at you.”
“You… you can?”
“It catches every time, like he’s never seen you before.”
“Nina might not be able to put you back, you know. Not without another dose of parem. You could be stuck like this.”
“Why does it matter?”
“I don’t know!” Jesper said angrily. “Maybe I liked your stupid face.”
