Why Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows is a YA experience no one should pass up!
It's time to talk books! First up in the spotlight is Six of Crows by the talented Leigh Bardugo.
Okay, so there's a reason this novel is the first I'm choosing to post about - it's one of my all-time favourites! I've read it and its sequel, Crooked Kingdom, quite a few times now with no intention to stop the re-reads at all!
Together, the duology forms an edge-of-your-seat, exciting heist story with a refreshingly varied cast of criminals, each of whom it is absolutely impossible not to love.
Six of Crows may actually be my favourite YA novel, period. It's certainly a strong contender - here's why...
The plot itself is incredibly engaging; full of shocking twists and turns, adrenaline-pumping action, and cunning schemes and plans that make you feel super clever just by reading them as they unfold. A heist is always exciting, sure, but a heist set in a fantasy world with magic and more... it doesn't really get better.
Fast-paced plot aside, I think what makes this book so great is the varied cast of main characters. Not only are there 6 of them - which is quite a lot considering the book's chapters jump between their perspectives - but each and every one of the characters is fully fleshed out with personality, motivations and compelling backstories. There's something about them all that feels indescribably real, which is probably why they're so easy to get attached to.
The characters themselves showcase how diversity and inclusivity should be done, and boy is it done well. We have:
Kaz, a young crime boss with debilitating PTSD and a physical disability that requires him to walk with a cane;
Inej, a WOC with a history in child sexual trafficking, working to free herself from her indenture;
Nina, a curvy Grisha woman who's unafraid to wear her heart on her sleeve and flaunt her sexuality;
Matthias, a brute of a man warring with his learned prejudices;
Jesper, a black, bisexual gunslinger with a gambling addiction; and
Wylan, a frightened, ginger-haired runaway with dyslexia and daddy-issues.
Trust me when I say that, by the end of the book, you'll be wanting to coddle each and every one of them.
Bardugo's writing is so easy to read, and part of what makes her characters lovable is her incredible aptitude for well-written dialogue. The characters may be complex being with equally complex backstories, but what really brings them alive is how much personality Bardugo can get across through the endlessly sassy and sarcastic dialogue. Every line is gold.
Honestly, there's not one bad thing I can say about this book. If it's not on your to-be-read list, I highly recommend it!
Let me know in the comments what you think!