** SPOILERS AHEAD **
I really hope that I won’t get into a reading slump after this masterpiece – feels like every other book might just be disappointing after the Six of Crows duology 
Regardless, I have soooo much to say about this book and I don’t want to restrict myself, so please know that there will most likely be spoilers in here.
I don’t think I’ve read many books with characters being fleshed out, and who fit into the story quite like these six (Harry Potter might be the only other example).
I could read about our 7 companions for the next 10 years and I wouldn’t be mad about it.
We learn so much more about their origins, their backstories while simultaneously the bonds between them are strengthened.
Kaz seems utterly impervious. Both to scrutiny and to human emotion. He likes that he gives off this vibe, and he’s probably (most definitely) made it as far as he has because he’s the way he is.
But unlike Matthias’ slight that turned loving in the end I don’t think Kaz is a demon but rather that he’s hunted by the demons of his past.
I would side with Inej any day and say that he is better than any of those ‘honest men’ in Ketterdam who got to where they are by swindling their way up on the backs of the people that had nothing to begin with and were left with even less.
It’s interesting how Kaz somehow reminded me a bit of Nikolai from Shadow and Bone, yet when the two met it was so clear to see how they were also very different. They are both brilliant minds, understand the world around them, are always one step ahead and are masterplaners. But were Nikolai exudes humour and a certain frivolity Kaz’ shield is made of seriousness and privacy.
I am sooooo glad that there is someone like Inej. Even though they both struggle with something similar (which makes their ‘ending’ so perfect) they also understand each other.
Out of all the characters Inej’ backstory was laid out the furthest (maybe safe for Nina) when we start in book two but there’s still snippets in here that let us picture her more fully and wholly – and just for his little stunt at the end I could kiss Kaz (further proof of the goodness he has in him).
What surprised me, and then it didn’t, was the last chapter, since I somehow didn’t think Inej would meddle in Kaz’ business. But then again, for all I know it could have been at his request or (and this, I think, is more likely) she felt that Kaz deserved peace and by driving away the one person he hated the most, after he successfully duped him, from the city he loves that peace might start to settle in.
The one other person in this crew that needed peace more than anything else was Jesper and as much as I love this boy he truly needed to find his grip. Though his father’s visit came with a lot of turmoil I believe it was also the catalyst for the change in direction and the opening of possibilities.
I LOVED the ‘explanation’ on why Jesper might be such a good shooter, and I think the whole correlation between his being Grisha and his restlesness makes total sense.
But were Colm was the catalyst and motivation Wylan was the encouragement and driving force, and I could swoon over that forever!
His view on the world also meant that he was unrelenting on showing Jesper that he was worthy of something better than the spiral of bad decisions and bad habits resulting from them.
I was sooo thrilled to have Wylan’s voice and mind on paper like the rest of the crew (safe for Kuwei), as it gave us such wonderful scenes and hopeful glimpses, that were so rare within the other chapters that I’ve only realised I missed when we were with Wylan.
His ability to look at (mostly) everything and see the potential there was soothing and soo much needed in this group he stumbled into. Though it might be seen as his naivity and his privileged mind I would argue it’s his biggest strength. Whereever there’s potential there’s a way. And I’m sure that Wylan will always find one.
The one that had to find a different path quite a few times herself and still didn’t let it bring her down is Nina. Her story is told quite extensively in book one but it doesn’t mean her chapters were less engaging. We leave SoC with her being voluntarily drugged with the most powerful and disastrous drug, and we have NO clue what it holds in store for her.
We still don’t know what it really did to her and I truly hope that she can find herself one more time.
It’s cruel that she has to do it without her biggest supporter, ally and protector, and my heart is aching for her. Just when he learned that the world wasn’t split in good and Grisha, that he could change it the way she changed him …
It makes their story so unbelievably bittersweet, but since I’m a masochist when it comes to reading I’m more than okay with this.
Still, Matthias has a VERY special place in my heart, and though I knew we wouldn’t get out of it all with the crew intact I somehow hoped against hope that it wouldn’t be him (even though I probably would’ve written it like that too).
His heart and mind changed to most. He had to learn so much, was stumped and hindered by all his previous teachings and encounters – which is soooooo human –, and I guess I hoped for it to be enough that he actually changed. That he could take his transformation and transform the world with it. But I guess that’s my naïve and romantic self talking. There was no guarantee that Nina and him could’ve rewrittten the narrative, changed the world, but I was happy for them to finally have each other. Just for them to be taken apart again … cruel, bittersweet, excellent writing!
I’ll never tire of saying that these characters are wonderfully written, and they interact so well with each other and the world/plot around them.
The heist, the intrigues, the blackmail and the genius were all very well written in Six of Crows already but Crooked Kingdom takes it to another level. How on earth are you able to write schemes and scams in such an intricate way without loosing the thread that connects it all??
I’m in awe! Leigh Bardugo made something very special and I’m infinitely thankful for my friend for her persisting nudges to finally read these books.
