My review
My book review of Six of Crows
- Author
- Leigh Bardugo
- Series
- Six of Crows #1
- Release date
- September 29, 2015
- Read from
- 13.03.2026 – 22.06.2026
Book facts
Archetype
- Primary: Power Seeker (mastering abilities, strategic thinking, overcoming impossible odds, gaining control in a world that constantly tries to take power away)
- Secondary: Dark Romantic (morally gray characters, emotional walls, longing, trust built through pain, romance driven by tension and vulnerability rather than idealized love)
Tropes
Spice level
Low. The romance is subtle and woven naturally into the story. It never overshadows the plot and relies heavily on tension, chemistry, and emotional connection rather than explicit scenes.
POV
Multi POV. Each member of the crew receives their own perspective, allowing readers to understand their motivations, fears, and personal struggles.
Vibe
Fast-paced · Clever · Character-driven · Addictive. A brilliantly constructed heist story filled with unforgettable characters, sharp dialogue, high-stakes twists, and emotional depth.
What I loved
- The writing. Leigh Bardugo's a genius. Her writing is so easy to read, concise, and incredibly effective. The prose never feels overly complicated, yet it's filled with memorable lines and beautiful quotes.
- The pacing. Every chapter made me want to keep reading. The beginning took a little time to pull me in, but once it did, I couldn't put the book down. After about ten chapters, I was completely invested and constantly telling myself, "just one more chapter," only to realize hours had passed.
- The banter. The dialogue is sharp, funny, and full of personality. I laughed, smiled to myself, and highlighted far too many quotes.
- The plotting. Every twist felt carefully planned rather than thrown in for shock value. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, Leigh Bardugo surprised me again.
- The character work. Every member of the crew feels fully developed with their own strengths, flaws, motivations, and history. Nobody feels like they exist simply to fill a role.
- The romance. This is exactly the kind of romance I love reading. It's subtle, full of tension, and never takes over the story. Every interaction felt meaningful and added another layer to the relationships.
- The worldbuilding. Although I hadn't read Shadow and Bone beforehand, I never felt lost enough for it to impact my enjoyment. The world is complex but introduced naturally enough that I could learn as I went.
The highlights
- The incredible crew dynamics. Watching these characters interact with one another was one of the most enjoyable parts of the book.
- The endless twists and surprises that kept me constantly guessing.
- The balance between plot, character development, worldbuilding, and romance.
- The tension throughout the heist and the way every obstacle felt meaningful.
- The emotional moments that strengthened the found-family aspect of the story.
Characters
The entire crew stole the show.
- Every character felt distinct, memorable, and important to the story. Each member brought something unique to the group, whether through their skills, personality, or personal struggles.
- I became invested in every single one of them, which is incredibly rare for such a large cast.
- One of the biggest strengths of the book is how well Leigh Bardugo balances multiple perspectives without making any character feel neglected.
- Their relationships with one another felt genuine and earned, making the found-family dynamic especially rewarding.
What didn't work
Honestly, very little.
The only challenge I had was understanding parts of the magic system at the beginning since I hadn't read Shadow and Bone first.
However, the story was engaging enough that I quickly adapted, and it never became frustrating or distracting.
My final thoughts
This book is a perfect combination of everything I love in a story.
Amazing characters. Incredible plotting. Sharp dialogue. Fantastic pacing. A complex world that never becomes overwhelming. Romance that enhances the story instead of distracting from it.
You can feel the amount of thought and effort that went into every page.
This is one of those rare books where every element works together beautifully.
I can hardly put it down, and I already know this will be one of my favorite reads of the year.
I think I just found a new favorite author.
And honestly, I would pay good money to sit in a writing class taught by Leigh Bardugo.
Would I recommend it?
Absolutely.
If you love found family, morally gray characters, clever heists, slow burn romance, and books that constantly surprise you, Six of Crows is an easy recommendation.
Even if you're new to the Grishaverse, don't let that stop you. The worldbuilding may take a little time to settle into, but the characters and story make the learning curve completely worth it.
