"Crooked Kingdom" by Leigh Bardugo 

Happy Halloween! (From Australia, at least!)

It has been a few weeks since my last update, unfortunately. But I'm hoping after my exams I will finally be able to get back into reading! 

Enjoy x

Book: Crooked Kingdom

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Published: 2016

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 536

Series: Six of Crows #2

I know this series is widely loved, but I've truly just never been able to connect.

"That was how you survived when you weren't chosen, when there was no royal blood in your veins. When the world owed you nothing, you demanded something of it anyway." - Kaz Brekker

Welcome to the world of the Grisha.

Kaz Brekker and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives.

Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties.

A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets - a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

Where to begin. Honestly, I've been struggling to finish this novel - for many reasons. I could blame exams all I want, but if I truly loved this book, I probably could have finished it. 

I began reading it on my kindle and then when time started to get a bit tight, I turned to an audiobook. And to be honest, I've only listened to an audiobook once before in my lifetime and it just isn't for me. There is nothing like being able to hold a hard copy in your hands. That is the only form that I will ever truly love. So, listening to it as an audiobook is probably where the problem began.

I love the characters that Bardugo created. I love the entire gang, especially Inej. There is just something about their dynamic skills and personalities that make them one. It's as if you can't have one of them, but you must have all, even if they don't always get along. Bardugo is truly a master when it comes to illustrating her characters. She clearly knows her stuff. I think the way she also creates Inej and Kaz's relationship is a perfect balance of hard lines and soft touches. They are two opposites that would have likely never crossed paths if not for the way Bardugo is able to structure and weave their stories together. 

Ultimately, this story just isn't for me. I think I already knew that when I read Six of Crows, but I always hate leaving a series half-finished. I think the plot itself gets quite tricky, especially when trying to concentrate by listening to an audiobook. I often got confused and b the end of it, I wasn't entirely sure what they were trying to achieve. I think for me the length of the book takes away from the plot. It was too long. It was not the type of book for me where I can't wait to read the next chapter. There was just something missing for me. And that's just a personal opinion, it doesn't mean the book is going to be like that for everyone. And clearly, it isn't, because this duology has so much love and support and despite not being set on it, I cannot wait to watch the Netflix series. 

I think I also felt saddened when a particular scene comes into play towards the end. It almost felt entirely unnecessary, like they'd gone through everything just for this to happen. What happened added no value to the plot. They weren't being heroic. It just happened out of nowhere, after everything else they'd escaped from. You might be able to guess, but I won't give anything else away in case some of you are still yet to read it (or everyone else has already read it because I'm clearly four years behind trends...)

PROS: I didn't mention this before, but the friendship between Nina and Inej is sweet. Especially in a story where everyone is trying to remain unfeeling and just survive. 

CONS: The overall plot for me.

So, I'd give this story a 7/10!

Hope to see you all soon (likely end of November - early December)

Madi xo