Date A Book YA Book Club discussion

Hi Readers,

Welcome to the first week of the Six of Crows read along! We're discussing parts 1 and 2 of the book (Chapters 1-15 [inclusive]).

Remember this is an open discussion, but try not to post out of the parts being discussed. Have fun!


1. If this is your first time reading a Leigh Bardugo novel, what is you initial impression of the world? If you have read the Grisha Trilogy, how does this compare to Alina’s story?

2. Do you think Kaz is a sympathetic character?

Send us your favourite quotes from these parts for #DABbookclub

Here at Date a Book, we're long time Leigh Bardugo fans, so Six of Crows wasn't our first time stepping into the world. But we love getting the chance to explore other parts of the Grisha world.

Ravka will always have a special place in our hearts, but Ketterdam is staking a claim too!

Kimberley wrote: "2. He doesn't seem to be right now (I'm not good with judging emotions in the first place haha) I feel like I've had tiny hints that he could be if given the right situations. "

He's a tricky character to read, so we don't think you're alone if you're wary of his actions. He might trade in secrets, but the biggest secret you want to know is what gets under his skin!

Do you think the other members of The Dregs will have the chance to change him or his actions?

1. I enjoyed the Grisha Trilogy, but this seems a lot grittier and less idealistic than Alina's story, which is fantastic.
2. He's not a sympathetic character (at least, not now). He'd probably hate to be seen that way too, but he's endearing in a terrifyingly sharp way (if that makes sense). There's history there, and a painful one too, apparently. He's whip smart and ruthless, and definitely not someone you'd want to be on the bad side of

Kimberley wrote: "I believe they will change him. You don't work closely with people without being changed. As much as he might try to deny it."

Ah, but he's been working closely with these same people for years. What makes this particular journey different? Is it because the stakes are so much higher and the potential for super close quarters, that he might start changing his way of thinking?


Meg wrote: "1. I enjoyed the Grisha Trilogy, but this seems a lot grittier and less idealistic than Alina's story, which is fantastic."

We agree, Meg, it's definitely a gritter series. You can't help feeling that Leigh is stepping it up a notch. She's got this fantastic base for the world by already having built the rules for characters, now it's time to see what limits she can push.

But boy, oh boy, some of those descriptions can give a person nightmares. We want to wear protective eye gear to shield ourselves from Kaz's stray knives (but that also allow us to keep reading - because nothing is going to make us put down this book!)

Kimberley wrote: "Ahh, but there's a different person thrown in this time...He can't stick to the same old methods that habw worked in the past, change has to happen. "

You've hit the nail on the head there - he definitely can't rely on his old ways completely. It has appeared to work well for him so far, but life is a tricky thing, you can't plan for everything. Though Kaz will claim he can!

1. This is my first introduction to Bardugo, and now I'm going to have to read them all :)

2. I enjoyed Kaz because he was original, he's not a copy cat character. I think it helped to have all the different voices/perspectives though, because you definitely could get too much Kaz.

Arwen wrote: "I enjoyed Kaz because he was original, he's not a copy cat character. I think it helped to have all the different voices/perspectives though, because you definitely could get too much Kaz. "

Leigh shows off some seriously awesome skills with the POV changes. She's pretty fantastic at capturing the individual voices so well!

This isn’t my first Bardugo – it’s not even the first time I’m reading Six of Crows – but I love Leigh’s books.

Like Meg, I love that this series is edgy and gritty. I can’t get over how Six of Crows is so much stronger than the original Grisha series (not that there’s anything wrong with Alina’s story, it just comes off as more romantic and gentle, even when it covers some darkness…no Darkling or Rift puns intended)

I also love how it seems more inclusive. Alina’s story was so central to the Grisha struggles and even though her story took you out of Ravka at times, you don’t really see much of the rest of the world. But I do have a soft spot for the Grisha, so I love seeing them in the Ketterdam world too.


You might regret asking me for favourite quotes. Leigh pulls off some awesome exchanges between the Dregs. I’ll limit it to a few for now…

“A good time needn’t involve wine and . . . and flesh.”
“You wouldn't know a good time if it sidled up to you and stuck a lollipop in your mouth.”


“Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?"
"Knife to the throat?" asked Inej.
"Gun to the back?" said Jesper.
"Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina.
"You're all horrible," said Matthias.”


“The heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true.”


Also just about anything that involves Nina or Matthias <3

It's interesting - a couple of you have mentioned that Six of Crows has an edgier set-up when compared to Leigh's previous series. Do you prefer YA fantasy novels that don't shy away from the rough or darker side of a world?

Chloe wrote: "Kaz is a very tricky character to read but I think that's part of what i love, that he's really unique and different and not really someone I can just read without thinking, you really have to get into his mind frame, if that makes sense
I think he could be sympathetic but only in a very extreme situation where the person really deserves his sympathy."


Glad you're getting into the world, Chloe! It totally makes sense needing to get into Kaz's head to really understand him. He really is the most complex character in the series - and that's saying something, considering Leigh has developed full and unique backgrounds for all of her characters.

We're really glad to hear Six of Crows is helping you get out of a reading slump, and to think, you're only two parts in - there's a lot more action and adventure left in the story. Plenty more pages to come.

Date A Book wrote: "If this is your first time reading a Leigh Bardugo novel, what is you initial impression of the world? If you have read the Grisha Trilogy, how does this compare to Alina’s story?

Do you think Kaz is a sympathetic character?"

I'm fashionably late but started reading last night and it's my first Leigh Bardugo novel. Her writing is spectacular. I'm reserving judgement with Kaz at the moment #totallyfencesitting

Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "I'm fashionably late but started reading last night and it's my first Leigh Bardugo novel. Her writing is spectacular. I'm reserving judgement with Kaz at the moment #totallyfencesitting "

There's no way to be late to a DAB party! You could start reading in 6 months and we'd still be up for a chat.

Glad you're enjoying Leigh's writing style - we're looking forward to hearing your Kaz theories when you've made it through a few more chapters.

Date A Book wrote: "Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "I'm fashionably late but started reading last night and it's my first Leigh Bardugo novel. Her writing is spectacular. I'm reserving judgement with Kaz at the moment #..."

Okay, I cannot deny it any longer. I love his character. He's a dapper, ruthless entrepreneur and I'm here for it. I think he'll be a character of contrasts though. He's incredibly perceptive and I think he uses feigned detachment as a shield to protect his emotions.

Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "He's a dapper, ruthless entrepreneur and I'm here for it."

Woo! It's nice that he tells you exactly what type of person he is and lives up to it too. You just can't help loving him for it.

Here is my blog post on the first week

http://jessicasbookworld.blogspot.com...

Hey Jessica, thanks for your great post! Would love you to add some thoughts here too so we can all chat about it together!

Here are my answers:
1. If this is your first time reading a Leigh Bardugo novel, what is your initial impression of the world? If you have read the Grisha Triolofy, how does this compare to Alina's story?
This is my first time reading a Leigh Bardugo book and I am absolutely devouring this story. I am loving the world of Ketterdam and can't wait to explore more of the world. I'm particularly interested to read more about the Ice Court and get to know our characters more especially Inej and Nina.

2. Do you think Kaz is a sympathetic character?
Right now I don't believe that Kaz is a very sympathetic character, although he did show a little bit of emotion when it came to what happened to Inej right before they boarded the ship. Maybe he will change throughout this mission.

Thanks for sharing Jessica! We think you'll definitely get your wish of exploring the Ice Court and getting to know more about the leading ladies. They're pretty hard to resist and you want to know everything about them.

Hi Date A Book! I'm super late to the party but happy to be invited all the same.

1. I am a Leigh Bardugo virgin but luckily my first time has been very gentle ;) I was scared at first because this is a very immersive fantasy world and that can turn me off a new book but after the first gang confrontation I was in. I'm sure the terminology will sink in as I continue the book.

2. I think I'm a little bit in love with Kaz already. He just has the kind of attitude I can't resist in a lead male character. There seem to be little hints here and there into his backstory so I'm interested to learn what made him this way. The Dregs are willing to follow him into anything and so am I!

Jessica's Bookworld wrote: "right now I don't believe that Kaz is a very sympathetic character, although he did show a little bit of emotion when it came to what happened to Inej right before they boarded the ship. Maybe he will change throughout this mission.

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I'm already a bit hooked on Kaz and Inej's interactions. I'm looking forward to more!

Sarah wrote: "Hi Date A Book! I'm super late to the party but happy to be invited all the same...

...The Dregs are willing to follow him into anything and so am I!"

Hi There! Welcome to the chat – you can never be late to a DAB party, we’re just getting started!

It’s that last bit you said that gets us thinking: The Dregs are willing to follow Kaz anywhere. Why?

He’s not a gentle soul. He owns their secrets and drives them mental with his actions. He's also a selfish character, in that he only does something if it’ll benefit him in the long run. Well, most of the time. So what makes the entire Dregs team (minus Big Bolliger, obviously) willing to put themselves on the line for him? We’re totally in love with Kaz, so our own views are a little skewed – but it does make you pause a bit…