Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is the first in a duology set in her Grishaverse. Now I haven’t read The Grisha Trilogy so I can’t tell you how this book relates to those, but I can tell you it is an exciting, action-packed read. I alternated listening and reading to my hard copy. If you enjoy audiobooks, I’d highly recommend it. There is a narrator for each POV making it easy to keep up when they switched each chapter.

I’m not sure I have a favorite character among the five main. Kaz Brekker is the leader. At only 17, he has made a reputation as a formidable thief and foe in the Dregs. He’s one guy you want on your side if possible. He’s manipulative and cares about one thing: revenge. Inej or the Wraith is a former menagerie girl Kaz saved and brought into his gang. She’s smart, can move without being seen, and happens to be in love with Kaz even if she won’t admit to herself. Nina is a menagerie girl and a Grisha Heartrender, meaning she can manipulate people’s bodies (make their hearts stop, that sort of thing). Yet Nina is kind, a former soldier in the Ravka Second Army, and a valuable asset to anyone that would have her. Matthias is a prisoner when we first meet him, thanks to Nina. He is a druskelle, Grisha hunter for the Ice Court. His life has been dedicated to hunting down and killing Grisha. Yet there’s more to him than just that. Then there’s Jesper. I like Jesper. He’s like the big kid of the group, but also one of the smarter ones. He has a love for guns and gambling and it keeps him in trouble.

This group of people tell the story as it unfolds before them. Basically the plot is this: Kaz is approached by someone from the merchant council to sneak into the Ice Court and return a scientist/prisoner that they have to the merchant council. Yet there’s always more to the story. Kaz picks those he trusts the most to help him pull this feat off. With the reward money, he can finally pay off his debt and exact the revenge he seeks. Kaz’s character is perhaps the most interesting. He trusts no one and his actions are always shrouded in mystery as he only gives the other characters what they need to know of the plan, not the whole plan. That he keeps to himself. It’s interesting to watch it all unfold.

BUT perhaps the best part of this book is its world and character building. I loved this well-built world! I was completely immersed from the first lines. It was easy to envision the world the author created in my head. I could hear the different accents, see the characters, feel the cold of the Ice Court, and witness the horror that befell the Grisha there. It was a wonderful reading experience!

Overall I really enjoyed this book. And the ending?!?! I’m crying over here. I need to know what will happen to this ragtag group of thieves and what Kaz has planned next, the sneaky little….If you enjoy high fantasy, adventure, crime, and a little romance, I highly recommend you read this book. It does not disappoint!