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Six of Crows (Six of Crows, 1) MP3 CD – Audiobook, September 27, 2016

4.6 out of 5 stars 48,729 ratings

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone.…

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction–if they don’t kill each other first.

Amazon Editors' favorite summer reads Amazon%20Editors%27%20favorite%20summer%20reads

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Leigh Bardugo is the author of the New York Times bestselling Grisha Trilogy. She was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and, most recently, makeup and special effects. These days, she lives and writes in Hollywood, where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 27, 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Unabridged
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1522609733
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1522609735
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.5 ounces
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 - 17 years
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 0.63 x 5.5 inches
  • Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ Six of Crows
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 12
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 48,729 ratings

About the author

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Leigh Bardugo
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Leigh Bardugo is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House and the creator of the Grishaverse (now a Netflix original series) which spans the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, the King of Scars duology—and much more. Her short fiction has appeared in multiple anthologies including The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. She lives in Los Angeles and is an associate fellow of Pauli Murray College at Yale University.

For information on new releases and appearances, sign up for Leigh's newsletter: http://bit.ly/bardugonews.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
48,729 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an amazing fantasy novel with well-written characters and great banter, featuring many twists and turns in its thrilling heists. The writing and storytelling are fantastic, with perfect pacing that keeps readers hooked, and they appreciate the interesting worldbuilding and lighthearted banter throughout the narrative.

873 customers mention "Readability"815 positive58 negative

Customers find the book delightful and entertaining, with one describing it as a thrilling heist novel.

"...Kaz can be as greedy as he can be cruel, but he’s also so brilliant, brazen, and daring that you can’t help being drawn to him...." Read more

"...The writing is phenomenal, the characters are complex and fascinating, and the world we were introduced to in the first trilogy feels so much more..." Read more

"...Six of Crows is an extremely fun book, I'm pumped to read its sequel and the other stories set in this world, and to check out the Netflix series..." Read more

"This book was surprisingly addicting especially in the last half but it took me a while to grow attached to the characters...." Read more

527 customers mention "Character development"494 positive33 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting the interesting and well-written personalities with great banter between them, and the story featuring six main characters. One customer mentions the authentic character backstories, while another notes how the narrative switches between different characters every chapter.

"...a single detail, everything serves a purpose, feels necessary for us to understand the characters and every flawed decision they make, the result is..." Read more

"...I loved how Leigh Bardugo wrote each character differently. This is one reason why I was interested in the book...." Read more

"...Leigh Bardugo has crafted some of the most fascinating and unique characters I’ve come across in YA fantasy...." Read more

"...The writing is phenomenal, the characters are complex and fascinating, and the world we were introduced to in the first trilogy feels so much more..." Read more

464 customers mention "Plot"384 positive80 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, praising its thrilling heists and many twists and turns, with one customer highlighting the daring heist at the center of the narrative.

"...Leigh Bardugo is a master at storytelling, though, and I can’t wait to see the Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows books be brought to life in the..." Read more

"...There are endless twists and turns, obstacles that need to be overcome, enemies that need to be taken out, plans that fall apart and then need to..." Read more

"...While the plot focuses on fulfilling this heist, interspersed are really compelling backstories that give incredible (and painful) glimpses into how..." Read more

"...Each of the six main characters are given full, compelling backstories, motivations, skill sets, personality quirks, and personal demons to sort out...." Read more

229 customers mention "Writing quality"216 positive13 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its fantastic storytelling and seamless narrative flow, with great descriptions that transport readers into the story.

"...There are endless twists and turns, obstacles that need to be overcome, enemies that need to be taken out, plans that fall apart and then need to..." Read more

"...The writing is phenomenal, the characters are complex and fascinating, and the world we were introduced to in the first trilogy feels so much more..." Read more

"...He's well-written, but his worldview and way of thinking were difficult for me to wrap my head around or justify...." Read more

"...that this market still has room for a story well-told and prose well-written." Read more

211 customers mention "Pacing"167 positive44 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, describing it as well-paced and fast-moving, with one customer noting there's never a lull in the action.

"...This book will pull you in different directions because all six characters get to tell the story from their point of view before, during, and after..." Read more

"...can imagine just based on the details of their mission, Six of Crows is truly action-packed...." Read more

"...Action-packed, high stakes, fast-paced, this is easily a favorite in this Universe...." Read more

"...info dump or description binge, but rather gradually and generously through vivid scenes, where characters interact with the clash of cultures that..." Read more

150 customers mention "World building"138 positive12 negative

Customers praise the book's world building, describing it as well-developed and interesting, with one customer noting how the author delves deeply into various aspects of the setting.

"...Bardugo doesn’t waste a single detail, everything serves a purpose, feels necessary for us to understand the characters and every flawed decision..." Read more

"...this heist, interspersed are really compelling backstories that give incredible (and painful) glimpses into how each of them came to be as they are...." Read more

"...The worldbuilding is also very impressive. I understand that there are other books and trilogies and such set in this same world...." Read more

"...The world-building is also phenomenal, with Bardugo's Grishaverse feeling rich and immersive...." Read more

91 customers mention "Humor"88 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, particularly its insanely witty banter and dry wit woven throughout the narrative.

"...what I loved most about Jesper and Wylan was that they provided a bit of comic relief where the other characters were so intense all the time...." Read more

"...Dialogue: The dialogue is both witty and revealing without ever seeming pedantic, over-the-top, or on-the-nose...." Read more

"...Keep trying. It’s SO worth it. There’s so many amazing quotes! I literally have notes and notes full of them. This book is funny!..." Read more

"...loved Jesper and Wylan’s interactions, they had some of my favorite dialogue in the book...." Read more

63 customers mention "Sturdiness"50 positive13 negative

Customers appreciate the book's sturdiness, describing it as well-crafted and in amazing condition, with one customer noting it arrived in mint condition.

"...Her voice changes for the different characters are so well crafted and she really puts a lot of emotion into her work...." Read more

"...Leigh Bardugo's characters are wonderfully complex and well-developed...." Read more

"...Once I got rolling though, I was so consumed in this well developed and rather action-packed story...." Read more

"The characters are so unique and well developed I love their distinct personalities...." Read more

Where the Grishaverse really takes off
5 out of 5 stars
Where the Grishaverse really takes off
enjoyed the first three books, but as many people have said before me, this is where the Grishaverse series really picks up. You can easily start reading this book first without any knowledge of the world because it starts in a new location with new characters, about two years after the events of the original trilogy. It’s an amazing and exciting ride from beginning to end. Just a note: Like the Shadow and Bones trilogy, this book was long and didn’t feel quite YA to me. Not all of the characters seemed that young and they were dealing with some pretty serious topics. In particular, the references to underage sex trafficking are frequent and a little hard to stomach, even though there is nothing explicitly described. But I loved the characters and their found family dynamic. Since I’ve seen the TV series now, I can really appreciate how great the casting is for them. I already loved Kaz, Jesper, and Inej from the show (and I love them even more now that I know more about them). I didn’t like Nina before but she warmed up to me in the book, but I hated Matthias even more. I don’t understand or like his relationship with Nina. She can do so much better than him. I liked the hint of queer representation with Jesper and Wylan, but I want more. It was a little weird that there are six main characters (even in the title!) but Wylan doesn’t get any scenes from his POV. He felt like a sixth wheel. (You know what I mean.) There was more screen time dedicated to Nina/Matthias and Kaz/Inej. The cliffhanger ending was a shocker so I will definitely read the next book soon. Pekka Rollins better get what’s coming to him! I can see why this is more popular than the original series because of the action, the diverse characters, and the extra humor. Lots of fun! LGBT+ representation: two of the main characters are queer, there’s a hint of queer romance.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2025
    I picked up Six of Crows yesterday when I felt completely drained- sick with a cold, tired of rewatching movies, and unsure if I even had the energy to focus on a book. I hadn’t read in a long time, even though I used to be an avid reader. I was nervous I wouldn’t connect the way I used to. But I couldn’t stop connecting once i was a chapter in- by the end of the day, I had finished the entire novel- not even stopping when a freaking spider landed on my book, i simply flicked it away in a manner that would make Kaz Brekker proud and kept reading till the end - something inside me had lit back up.

    Spoilers ahead!

    Set in the criminal underworld of Ketterdam, Six of Crows follows six outcasts pulled together for a heist that seems impossible. But the magic of this book isn’t the mission, it’s the people. The characters are multilayered, each scarred by their past, each navigating the world with complicated choices that reflect who they are and what they've been through. Bardugo doesn’t waste a single detail, everything serves a purpose, feels necessary for us to understand the characters and every flawed decision they make, the result is a story that feels urgent, intimate, and deeply human.

    What struck me most was how hard this book resists easy moral categories. There are no pure heroes here, just people doing what they must to survive, often making questionable choices that make perfect emotional sense. As a reader, we instinctively try to sort characters into “good” and “bad,” but Bardugo challenges that impulse. Even the ones you root for carry darkness inside them. And even the villains and settings feel chillingly real- Tante Heleen, for instance, isn’t just evil for the sake of plot. Or even hellgate-they reflect real abuses of power that are hard to look at -and harder to forget.

    Among a cast of unforgettable characters, it’s Kaz and Inej who have my heart in an chokehold and put my emotions through the wringer. Their bond is quiet, often unspoken, but filled with tension and understanding. As someone who relates to Kaz’s high emotional walls, I found it incredibly comforting to see that love can still slip through the cracks, that even if someone can’t name their feelings, their actions speak volumes. The scene where Kaz goes back for Inej, claiming it’s just because “she’s an investment,” hit me hard. His words are armor -but his choices reveal everything. And Inej, in her strength and clarity, sees him for who he is and still holds her own. They see each other. They feel safe in each other’s presence without needing to be fixed.

    Nina and Matthias, in contrast, bring a fiery, complex dynamic. Their enemies-to-lovers arc unfolds with all the beautiful frustration that trope deserves, but what makes it matter is that both of them are wrestling with deeply ingrained biases. It’s not about changing for each other, it’s about confronting the stories they’ve been told and discovering the humanity beneath them. Their love is messy, flawed, and brave.

    More than anything, Six of Crows reminded me why I loved reading in the first place. Beneath all the defense mechanisms and pain, it’s a story of survival, found family, and fragile hope in a brutal world. It doesn’t shy away from the trauma its characters carry, but it also doesn’t let that be the end of their story. They keep going. They make space for love, for trust, for change.

    And maybe that’s what makes this book so unforgettable. Not the magic or the heist, but the quiet, fierce belief that even the most broken people can still choose to have in themselves, and in others.

    The only thing I’m mad about is the cliffhanger-ish ending but I’m lying, because if crooked kingdoms is half as good, i will willingly hand over my whole heart again and wait for it to be put through the wringer. I would’ve started and finished it today if I had it - but Amazon assured me it would arrive tomorrow.

    Until next time; No mourners, no funerals 🥹❤️
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2021
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    This is going to be a very long review. I’m sorry ahead of time, but I knew it wouldn’t be a short review after I finished the book. Lots needed to be typed, but I promise no spoilers.

    Six of Crows is set in Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, but this time readers will get to follow six different characters on a mission to pull off a very dangerous heist together. This book will pull you in different directions because all six characters get to tell the story from their point of view before, during, and after the heist. It’s crazy how Leigh Bardugo managed to keep up with all six points of view while building the storyline to this new epic adventure in the Grishaverse.

    Storyline/My Thoughts: First, if you read the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, then I will let you know now that Six of Crows doesn’t take place simultaneously as the trilogy. It’s set further in the years after the war has happened. Unfortunately, the Grisha are still treated horribly, and most are hidden or at Ravka helping the King rebuild, but this book is not focusing on that storyline. Instead, it’s focusing on six different characters, which each have a different personality and background. They are all supposed to be in their teens but come off as maturer in age. If you lived the way they did, then you would be much wiser in years to deal with the issues they have had to succumb. Readers will get to read some of their backstories when they tell their points of view in Six of Crows. (It’s amazing how authors can keep up with everything. I can’t even remember yesterday sometimes due to memory issues.)

    I’m going to try to break down what I liked about each character without going overboard. I loved how Leigh Bardugo wrote each character differently. This is one reason why I was interested in the book.

    Kaz Brekker has a heartbreaking back story, but he has managed to fight through everything thrown at him. He has a disability that requires him to have a cane, but he’s stronger than ever. He’s one scary character, even to his team, because he plans things that will put himself and everyone at risk. I enjoyed his character, especially after finding out what happened to him. He’s on a mission for revenge for what happened to him, and he will do anything to get that revenge. One thing that drove me crazy about him is his feelings for a particular character that he would rather deny than tell the truth. Just tell her!!!!
    Inej Ghafa is by far my favorite character of the six. She’s been through a lot too, and Kaz saved her from the life she had at the Menagerie. She became known as the Wraith since she’s able to sneak up on people. She’s a fighter. She puts Kaz in his place a couple of times, and only she can do it to him. I could go on and on about her character. I loved getting to read her point of view.
    Jesper Fahey has a secret that he’s unwilling to share with anyone on the team until he has to on the heist. He has a gambling issue, but he’s an excellent sharpshooter. I loved how even he questioned Kaz, but he also became friendly with another person on the heist.
    Nina Zenit is a Grisha Heartrender who uses her magic to survive the slums. Her abilities include controlling someone’s breathing, heart, and cells in their bodies. She’s one Grisha you don’t want to mess with, and in this book, she ends up putting herself at risk for everyone else to survive.
    Matthias Helva is a former druskelle and a Fjerdan witch hunter. Both Nina and he are dangerous together because he can’t stand what she is, and Nina is trying to make it right by Matthias. They have a complicated past and relationship that could put the others at risk. Matthias is one person you either could trust or not, and there were times I didn’t feel I could trust him with the group during the heist.
    Wylan Van Eck is someone that Kaz brings to the crew for leverage since the person who requested Kaz’s help happens to be Wylan’s father. Wylan, though, has his own tricks up his sleeve, and I hope I get to know him more in the next book. He fit right into the crew during the heist.
    All six are on a dangerous heist to break out a scientist from an impenetrable prison and put themselves at risk of being put in jail or, worst, being killed. (It’s all Kaz’s fault, but it was a deal that no one could turn down.) The heist reminded me of the movie Ocean’s Eleven, but much more risk to it, and instead of stealing money and gold, they have to steal a person. This person is someone everyone wants for themselves since they have created something that will change the odds.

    The thing that drove me bonkers about this book was how slow it started for me. It took me a while to gain my interest in the story. I’m used to reading multiple POVs, so that was not an issue. It was the issue of getting to the heist, going through everything, and then how it ended. It took a while to get through it all. I also was bothered by how Kaz did not get the revenge he wanted in this book. He had a chance but didn’t take it. He deserves revenge for what happened to him. He also didn’t share his feelings with a specific character that he should have in this book. I hope he starts sharing them in the next book. I know Kaz will be out for revenge even further in the next book, but for something else entirely. Overall, this book receives four stars from me. I think if the book would’ve grasped me from the beginning and not been slow to start, then I would have given it five stars. There was a lot to take in the beginning.

    Leigh Bardugo is a master at storytelling, though, and I can’t wait to see the Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows books be brought to life in the Netflix series. I already love the actors/actresses they chose to play the book characters.

    Now I need to make time to read the Crooked Kingdom because this book left me with a cliffhanger.

    Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Six of Crows Duology. It’s also part of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse. (If you read the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, then you will read about certain characters in this book from the current characters. There will be a moment of clarity of who Nina is and where she came from, and why she ended up with the crew. I don’t think you have to read the Shadow and Bone Trilogy to read this book, but I feel readers will miss out on some connections between the books.)

    Cliffhanger: Yes.

    Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you are a fan of YA Fantasy involving a dangerous heist with six different characters, you will enjoy this book. I also would recommend the audiobook if you enjoy listening to books. The narrators were fantastic at having the characters come to life when I listened to the book instead of reading it.
    Customer image
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    4-stars: 'Six of Crows' by Leigh Bardugo

    Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2021
    This is going to be a very long review. I’m sorry ahead of time, but I knew it wouldn’t be a short review after I finished the book. Lots needed to be typed, but I promise no spoilers.

    Six of Crows is set in Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, but this time readers will get to follow six different characters on a mission to pull off a very dangerous heist together. This book will pull you in different directions because all six characters get to tell the story from their point of view before, during, and after the heist. It’s crazy how Leigh Bardugo managed to keep up with all six points of view while building the storyline to this new epic adventure in the Grishaverse.

    Storyline/My Thoughts: First, if you read the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, then I will let you know now that Six of Crows doesn’t take place simultaneously as the trilogy. It’s set further in the years after the war has happened. Unfortunately, the Grisha are still treated horribly, and most are hidden or at Ravka helping the King rebuild, but this book is not focusing on that storyline. Instead, it’s focusing on six different characters, which each have a different personality and background. They are all supposed to be in their teens but come off as maturer in age. If you lived the way they did, then you would be much wiser in years to deal with the issues they have had to succumb. Readers will get to read some of their backstories when they tell their points of view in Six of Crows. (It’s amazing how authors can keep up with everything. I can’t even remember yesterday sometimes due to memory issues.)

    I’m going to try to break down what I liked about each character without going overboard. I loved how Leigh Bardugo wrote each character differently. This is one reason why I was interested in the book.

    Kaz Brekker has a heartbreaking back story, but he has managed to fight through everything thrown at him. He has a disability that requires him to have a cane, but he’s stronger than ever. He’s one scary character, even to his team, because he plans things that will put himself and everyone at risk. I enjoyed his character, especially after finding out what happened to him. He’s on a mission for revenge for what happened to him, and he will do anything to get that revenge. One thing that drove me crazy about him is his feelings for a particular character that he would rather deny than tell the truth. Just tell her!!!!
    Inej Ghafa is by far my favorite character of the six. She’s been through a lot too, and Kaz saved her from the life she had at the Menagerie. She became known as the Wraith since she’s able to sneak up on people. She’s a fighter. She puts Kaz in his place a couple of times, and only she can do it to him. I could go on and on about her character. I loved getting to read her point of view.
    Jesper Fahey has a secret that he’s unwilling to share with anyone on the team until he has to on the heist. He has a gambling issue, but he’s an excellent sharpshooter. I loved how even he questioned Kaz, but he also became friendly with another person on the heist.
    Nina Zenit is a Grisha Heartrender who uses her magic to survive the slums. Her abilities include controlling someone’s breathing, heart, and cells in their bodies. She’s one Grisha you don’t want to mess with, and in this book, she ends up putting herself at risk for everyone else to survive.
    Matthias Helva is a former druskelle and a Fjerdan witch hunter. Both Nina and he are dangerous together because he can’t stand what she is, and Nina is trying to make it right by Matthias. They have a complicated past and relationship that could put the others at risk. Matthias is one person you either could trust or not, and there were times I didn’t feel I could trust him with the group during the heist.
    Wylan Van Eck is someone that Kaz brings to the crew for leverage since the person who requested Kaz’s help happens to be Wylan’s father. Wylan, though, has his own tricks up his sleeve, and I hope I get to know him more in the next book. He fit right into the crew during the heist.
    All six are on a dangerous heist to break out a scientist from an impenetrable prison and put themselves at risk of being put in jail or, worst, being killed. (It’s all Kaz’s fault, but it was a deal that no one could turn down.) The heist reminded me of the movie Ocean’s Eleven, but much more risk to it, and instead of stealing money and gold, they have to steal a person. This person is someone everyone wants for themselves since they have created something that will change the odds.

    The thing that drove me bonkers about this book was how slow it started for me. It took me a while to gain my interest in the story. I’m used to reading multiple POVs, so that was not an issue. It was the issue of getting to the heist, going through everything, and then how it ended. It took a while to get through it all. I also was bothered by how Kaz did not get the revenge he wanted in this book. He had a chance but didn’t take it. He deserves revenge for what happened to him. He also didn’t share his feelings with a specific character that he should have in this book. I hope he starts sharing them in the next book. I know Kaz will be out for revenge even further in the next book, but for something else entirely. Overall, this book receives four stars from me. I think if the book would’ve grasped me from the beginning and not been slow to start, then I would have given it five stars. There was a lot to take in the beginning.

    Leigh Bardugo is a master at storytelling, though, and I can’t wait to see the Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows books be brought to life in the Netflix series. I already love the actors/actresses they chose to play the book characters.

    Now I need to make time to read the Crooked Kingdom because this book left me with a cliffhanger.

    Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Six of Crows Duology. It’s also part of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse. (If you read the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, then you will read about certain characters in this book from the current characters. There will be a moment of clarity of who Nina is and where she came from, and why she ended up with the crew. I don’t think you have to read the Shadow and Bone Trilogy to read this book, but I feel readers will miss out on some connections between the books.)

    Cliffhanger: Yes.

    Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you are a fan of YA Fantasy involving a dangerous heist with six different characters, you will enjoy this book. I also would recommend the audiobook if you enjoy listening to books. The narrators were fantastic at having the characters come to life when I listened to the book instead of reading it.
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    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Pratik Ganguly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great
    Reviewed in India on May 26, 2025
    Although the climax looked a bit made up. The story really holds up. I am impressed and going to finish the entire series. Thanks author.
  • Michelle Yolanda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ein grandioses Meisterwerk mit vielen Gefühlen
    Reviewed in Germany on October 30, 2016
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Es gibt kein gebündeltes Adjektiv für all die Gefühle, die in mir toben. Die Geschichte begleitet mich bei jedem Schritt. Ich liebte schon die Grisha-Trilogie und nun folgte dieses Buch, in welchem man schon vor dem eigentlichen Lesen war. Im Internet tummeln sich unglaublich viele Bilder der Charaktere und man will dieses Buch einfach nur lesen, in der Hand halten und lieben. Durch all die Zeichnungen kannte ich die Charaktere schon eine Ewigkeit, aber wusste ich dennoch nicht, wie genial sie und die Geschichte sind. Manchmal denkt man, es könne sich nicht steigern. Dieses Buch zeigt das Gegenteil. (Und ist einer der großen Sterne für mich, deshalb entschuldige ich, sollte jemand diese Rezension als zu schwärmerisch empfinden.)

    Nach Grisha hat Leigh Bardugo noch einmal einen sehr großen Schritt gemacht und man merkt, dass sie selbst sehr viel in dieses Buch gesteckt hat. Zeit, Energie, Liebe. Auch wenn es nicht immer zutrifft, so sieht man hierbei, sich viel Zeit für ein Buch zu nehmen, schafft einen ganz anderen Stil und Charakter. Obwohl wieder die gleiche Welt verwendet wurde, so war es nicht, dass sie es sich dadurch leicht gemacht hat. Wenn man mehr aus der Welt der Grisha erfahren wollte, den anderen Ländern, dann findet man genau dies in diesem brillanten und atemberaubenden Buch. Es wird nur sehr wenig der vorherigen Trilogie aufgegriffen. Eher wird die Welt noch einmal neu geschaffen und auf andere Art und Weise, erwachsener erzählt.

    Es ist wirklich faszinierend, wie Leigh Bardugo es geschafft hat aus auktorialer Sicht, sieben Hauptcharaktere spielen zu lassen. Kein Chaos entsteht in dieser unglaublichen Komplexität, sondern bringt es Spannung mit jedem Kapitel, was einen blättern und blättern lässt, das Herz hört nicht auf schnell zu schlagen. Der Schreibstil aller Kapitel, immer ein wenig auf den jeweiligen Charakter angepasst, verfließt ineinander wie Wasser und bringt dunkle, magische, romantische, liebevolle und amüsante Stimmungen durch bloße Worte mit sich. Bardugo weiß es wirklich, wie mit den Gefühlen des Lesers gespielt werden kann.

    Wie ich sagte, reizten mich schon vor Beginn die Charaktere und dies auch noch beim Lesen des Buches. Alle sechs waren so unterschiedlich voneinander und definitiv keine Stereotypen. Sie waren verschiedenen Geschlechts, Abstammung und vor allem ihre Geschichte, die ihre Person formte. Durch die Erzählweise erhält man eine gewisse Distanz zu ihnen, die nach und nach verschwindet. Man möchte nur wissen, was mit ihnen ist, wie sie denken. Langsam, ohne es richtig zu merken, schleicht sich die Vergangenheit von ihnen in die Erzählung und man stellt eine starke Bindung zu ihnen auf. Trotzdass man sie zu kennen scheint, überraschen sie einen jedes Mal aufs Neue. Es ist zudem ihr echtes Sein, das mich an sie band, und ihr realistischer und authentischer Umgang untereinander. Nicht jeder mag jeden, alte Verbindungen können noch tief in der Seele sein, Vergangenheit und Taten lassen sich nicht einfach vergessen. Das Buch ist nicht überzogen mit Liebesgeschichten, wenngleich man die Liebe spürt, wie die heiße Glut unter der dunklen Oberfläche einer Kohle, kurz davor hervorzubrechen. Es sind unausgesprochene Worte, die zwischen den Personen bestehen und man kennt sie, nur durch eine winzige Tat, es stimmt schlichtweg. Hier wird die Liebe der unterschiedlichen Ebenen aufgegriffen. Freundschaftlicher und romantischer Sicht. Es ist so schön Nina und Inej zusammen zu sehen, wie sie in dieser tiefen und vertrauten Art miteinander sind. Matthias und Nina, wie Liebe und Hass zu gleicher Zeit herrschen. Jesper und Wylan mit ihrem ganz eigenen Sein. Und schließlich Kaz und Inej, wie Grenzen fallen. Die Gruppe der Sechs harmoniert mit ihren Stärken und Schwächen, der Tiefgründigkeit. Mir ist jeder einzelne Charakter fest an mein Herz gewachsen, vor allem einer. Kaz Brekker. KAZ. Es ist schwer zu beschreiben, wie er eigentlich ist. Man fühlt es.

    Ebenfalls haben andere handelnde Personen ihre Tiefe und eine unausgesprochene und dennoch so gut bekannte Geschichte. Man könnte meinen, in Kaz, Inej, Nina etc. zu schlüpfen und ihre Erinnerungen und Gefühle zu ihnen zu kennen, sodass keine weiteren Erklärungen nötig sind. Sogar merkte ich mir sofort jeden der Namen, wenngleich sie gänzlich unbedeutend waren, was selten bei mir der Fall ist. Und so als würde die Zeit wie in der des Buches vergehen, treten andere in den Vordergrund und andere blendet man aus, sodass man wie die Dregs nicht mehr mit ihnen rechnet oder auch von ihnen getäuscht wird.

    Zu den außergewöhnlichen Charakteren kommt eine einzigartige Geschichte hinzu. Sie hatte ihre Ruhepunkte, aber bleiben bei mir die Aussetzer des Herzschlages, die Atemnot und pure Gefühle in Erinnerung. Es passiert wahnsinnig viel in diesem Buch, trotzdem ist es nicht zu schnell erzählt oder zu langsam. In den teils am wenigsten erwarteten Momenten, hat die Handlungen eine plötzliche Wendung, die man nie vorhersehen konnte. Man war hin und her gerissen und konnte nicht glauben, was gerade geschehen war. Das bedeutet jedoch nicht, dass man mit dutzenden Fragen zurückgelassen wurde, denn fügte sich alles zusammen. Aspekte, wie winzig sie manchmal waren, hatten ihre Bedeutung und einen nachvollziehbaren Grund. Nichts war nur eine zeitschaffende Aktion für mehr Seiten zum Lesen, eher wollte man mehr und mehr. Die „WTF“-Momente nach einem dieser Plottwists, rissen die Gefühle mit und warfen alles durcheinander, dabei waren sie immer bewegender. Und dann der Schluss. Warum? Ich konnte nicht mehr. Es war so zerstörend und erschreckend.

    Das Buch brach das Herz wie es eine Person normalerweise nur kann. Es löste ganz versteckte Gefühle aus, eine Sehnsucht und Liebe. Wer glaubt, dies ist ein typisches Jugendbuch, der irrt sich. Es ist eine Zusammenfügung aus den Gefühlen des Lebens auf erwachsene Weise erzählt und gänzlich extraordinär. Es ist wie die Sonne am Himmel oder der strahlende Vollmond. Eigentlich kann man es mit dem Himmel bei Nacht vergleichen, bei dessen Anblick man alles empfindet, eine gewisse Ehrfurcht aufgrund seiner Ausstrahlung und die Inhalte sind wie die einzelnen Sterne, einzigartig und nicht unterdrückt. Tiefen herrschen vor, die neugierig machen, doch auch Furcht auslösen und den Wunsch nach Ergründung bringen. Die Sterne blenden nicht, aber man kann sie nicht übersehen mit ihren Konstellationen.

    Ich kann nicht beschreiben, wie viel mir dieses Buch mit all seinen Worten, den sich einprägenden Zitaten verborgener Tiefe, bedeutet. Mich erinnert es an Red Rising in der geballten Gefühlsaufwirbelung und ebenso werde ich es nicht mehr vergessen können. Dazu muss gesagt sein, dass ich mir Monate dafür Zeit nahm, immer wieder eine kleine Dosis wie eine Droge zu mir nahm, aber trotzdem nahm es mir die Luft zum Atmen, jedes Mal, tränkte meine Träume. Wenn die Art es so zu lesen schon derart schön schmerzhaft war, ist alles zusammen ein Tsunami größten Ausmaßes in mir. (Ich beginne lieber nicht bei den Gedanken an Kaz Brekker und der Dregs).
    Report
  • Laura Machado
    5.0 out of 5 stars Um livro impecável, épico e único
    Reviewed in Brazil on September 3, 2017
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Tenho a leve impressão de que nunca vou estar pronta o suficiente para resenhar esse livro. Nunca li nada parecido, ele realmente parece ter sido muito, mas muito estudado mesmo, criado nos menores detalhes. Talvez eu até esteja exagerando um pouco, dizendo que não dá para descrevê-lo, mas eu tinha as maiores expectativas e ainda me impressionei.

    Eu sabia que gostaria dele antes de ler, porque já sabia qual seria seu ponto alto: os personagens. É minha parte favorita de qualquer livro (ou, pelo menos, a que considero a mais importante). Mas a Leigh Bardugo ainda conseguiu me impressionar durante esse livro. Nunca imaginaria que era possível criar tanta história, tanta profundidade para tantos personagens em um livro só. Muitas vezes, na verdade, esse jeito dela de contar um pedaço da história deles no meio de uma cena me incomodou. Mas dá para ver a força que isso trouxe à personalidade deles e às decisões mais essenciais que eles tomariam dali para a frente. Dá para ver todos os milhares de detalhes que ela foi amarrando durante a trama perfeitamente. Acho que eu nunca tinha visto ninguém fazer isso tão bem.

    Mas, na verdade, até a metade do livro, eu ainda não sentia que ele entraria para a minha lista de favoritos. A autora - que, na minha opinião, já tinha escrito a trilogia Grisha muito bem, - subiu completamente o nível dos seus livros e do universo Grisha nesse livro. Ela fez tudo maravilhosamente bem, somente as informações necessárias nas horas certas, tudo conectado, sigiloso e intrigante na medida. Acho que nunca li um livro tão bem criado, tão meticuloso e desenvolvido com tanta maestria. Mas, infelizmente, isso não é o suficiente para fazer um leitor amar de verdade um livro.

    Quer dizer, alguém realmente ama de paixão Ulysses? (Até deve ter algum louco por aí, né?) E, mesmo assim, a genialidade dele é inegável.

    Até a metade do livro, eu sentia a história um pouco pesada. Tive vários momentos em que sentia uma ligação linda pelos personagens, mas não eram tão recorrentes quanto eu queria, em meio à tanta complexidade e tantos detalhes. Mas aí, passando da metade, tudo parece ter se intensificado. A história ficou mais rápida, os detalhes de histórias do passado dos personagens ficaram mais raros e logo passaram a ser inexistentes, mesmo assim provando sua importância nas partes mais cruciais. Aquela leve ligação que eu criei com os personagens só ficou mais forte e eu passei várias e várias páginas seguidas repetindo para mim mesma o quanto amo eles e a história. Aliás, passei várias dezenas de páginas sem nem olhar para o número delas (o que tinha acontecido muito antes). A primeira metade, que eu tinha me esforçado para ler, se transformou na segunda, que eu li em uma madrugada, com sono e dor de cabeça, porque me recusava a não terminar. A história fica emocionante o suficiente para você cancelar o resto do mundo só para ler.

    Aí, sim, percebi o carinho e o amor que desenvolvi pelo livro que lhe garantiam um lugar na minha lista de favoritos.

    Sem contar com um ritmo um pouco mais arrastado do que eu desejaria no começo (não se engane, não é que nada de interessante acontecia. É só o passado mesmo dos personagens que cortava um pouco os acontecimentos), só tenho uma única outra crítica para a história. Pode falar que eu não estou nunca satisfeita (apesar de que dou cinco estrelas se eu amar o livro, independente de ele ter defeitos ou não), mas em alguns momentos eu senti mesmo que o livro era um pouco perfeitinho demais. As peças encaixaram todas bem demais. Senti um pouco mais de falta de cuidado em alguns momentos (que tipo de crítica é essa?). Nem tudo precisava ser tão bem alinhado, sabe?

    Mas isso realmente é crítica de privilegiado, porque o livro é maravilhoso e nada é deslocado de propósito. O ponto alto, além dos personagens, é a relação entre eles. Meu deus, a amizade da Inej com a Nina foi maravilhosa. A última coisa que a Inej fala no livro pro Kaz foi maravilhosa também, o que ela pensa logo antes deveria ser ensinado em escolas para todo mundo - como se dar valor, não aceitar migalhas de atenção, como se amar primeiro. Jesper e Wylan me deixaram completamente curiosa para o segundo livro, me apaixonei pela relação da Nina com o Matthias logo no começo, a complexidade de todas as crenças dos dois e como eles as quebravam, mas as mantinham. Gente, que desenvolvimento incrível. Que capricho, sério!

    Até o Kaz, que não caiu tão bem para mim no começo (principalmente por aquilo da perfeição que falei, ele me parecia um pouco gênio demais de vez em quando), se mostrou digno de líder desses seis loucos desvairados que foram para o fim do mundo por luxúria e, vamos admitir, seus próprios sonhos. E o final, meu deus, não vou conseguir relaxar até ler o próximo livro, que promete ser ainda mais perfeito! Pelo menos, espero que seja, agora que a autora não precisa nos ensinar mais quem os personagens são.

    Aliás, um último comentário: a escrita da Leigh Bardugo nunca foi nem um pouco ruim, mas, como tudo nesse livro, ela subiu muito de nível desde a trilogia Grisha. Já sei que vou ler qualquer livro que ela escrever daqui para a frente.
  • Natalie
    5.0 out of 5 stars The book is in excellent condition very happy with it.
    Reviewed in Japan on October 16, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Nice and neat
  • Won221
    5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning collector’s edition
    Reviewed in Italy on June 16, 2024
    The Collector's Edition of Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is a must-have. It features beautiful cover art, illustrations, and extra content. The story of Kaz Brekker and his crew's thrilling heist is captivating. Perfect for both new readers and long-time fans!