Reread in 2021: this is a book that sticks with you because WOW did I love it even more in a reread. I would still die for Nina and Matthias

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This was a much better book than Shadow and Bone, especially since I read these back to back. Bardugo dropped the first person narration (thank goodness) and working on showing and telling much more. However, I didn't walk away from this as ecstatic as seemingly everyone else on Goodreads. It's a really solid novel with a great cast of characters and rather decently fast paced. But I didn't feel like I understood what was going on until a solid third into the book. I think the problem with a heist story is the author has to selectively tell you information in order to keep you surprised and on your toes. Yet, I called nearly every twist in this story many chapters before it happened.  OBVIOUSLY Van Eck was going to betray them. I was yelling at the Kaz when he said they were meeting based on Van Eck's terms... c'mon dude. You're clearly not the clever businessman you pretend to be. Another problem could be the issues I had with Shadow and Bone that I barely understand what's going on in this fantasy world. Bardugo just constantly throws words out there and gives no explanation as to what that actually means! I'm not saying she needs to info dump on me, but what the hell is drüskelle? They're some sort of soldiers, but I feel like I don't actually understand what/who they are. 

I do like this book enough to read the sequel, mostly because I cannot find summaries of the second and third books in the Grisha trilogy anywhere and I desperately need to know what happens. Also... Nina and Matthias have stolen my heart. 

Also I read a review comparing this to the Lumatere Chronicles, and it felt like such a stab in my heart. Melina Marchetta is such a superior writer.