Crooked Kingdom was a good book that delivered a somewhat satisfying ending to the found family of Ketterdam. The character development of the series was excellent, with flawed characters working to overcome their problems and improve their lot in life. The heist was dramatic and exhilarating and kept the reader on their toes. However, the ending almost feels unfinished, and the author could write another book on what is happening with Kaz and Inej in future adventures.

SPOILERS

My biggest problem with the book was Nina’s unsatisfying ending. As a reader, I want to feel satisfied at the end of each main characters' storyline in a book. I did not get that with Nina. I understand she’s going to be in the King of Scars duology, but that is a different series. I should not be obligated to read another series to feel satisfied with how her story ends in this series. Her ending does not have to be happy either, but it does need a conclusion that does not make the reader continuously wonder what happens next. Matthias had an ending. The short chapter summed up exactly what happened and what’s happening to him after his death. Nina did not get this in that series. After Matthias dies, we only see Nina from other main characters' perspectives. The author decided to create separate series, having them take place in the same universe, rather than one series that is interconnected. While Nina’s storyline does not end in the Six of Crows duology, her story does need to have a conclusion in Six of Crows, even if it is just one more chapter telling how she feels.

I was always going to read the King of Scars duology, but that might not case for some readers. When Crooked Kingdom was first published, readers would not know Nina's story was continuing in a different series, and that could have changed how they felt about the ending.

This series is better than Shadow and Bone, but the ending left a lot to be desired. Overall, I dislike the idea that King of Scars can change how I feel about this book. That is a whole other series, and that should not affect my opinion of this series, but I feel like it could because Nina did not get a conclusion.

Overall, I think this book was good, but the ending could have been better. I give it four stars.