Six of Crows By Leigh Bardugo

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author, book, book reviews, books, characters, fantasy, fiction, Grisha, heist book, Leigh Bardugo, literature, lstories, magic, magic system, novel, plot, read, reader, review, Six of Crows, Six of Crows By Leigh Bardugo, story, Thief book, world building, write, writer, writing, young adult

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Thief

Pages: 465

Point of View: Third Person (Inej, Kaz, Jasper, Nina, Mathias, and two one chapter narrators)

Released: September 29th 2015

Series: Six of Crows 1

Predictability: 2 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)

Source: Library

My Rating: 10/10 Stars

My Summary:

A new drug, Jurda Parem, appeared in Ketterdam, which allows a Grisha to have insane powers. The Fjerdan witch hunters have the maker of this drug and Kaz and his crew have been hired to break him out before someone else gets their hands on him.

The Crew:

Kaz is the mastermind. A ruthless gang lieutenant who walks with a cane, always wears gloves, and has a dark reputation.

Inej used to be a tightrope walker and now acts as Kaz’s spy. She believes in her gods and can climb anything.

Nina’s a curvy Grisha who does everything over the top.

Jasper’s a hyperactive sharpshooter with a gambling problem, but he always sees the best in people.

Mathias is an ex Witch Hunter convict who is torn and confused by his feelings for Nina.

My Review:

Although Six of Crows takes place in the same world as the original Grisha trilogy, it stands on its own. You don’t have to read Shadow and Bone to understand this book! Usually it’s still better to read the books in order for the little details, but there were only a couple of mentions of the characters from the first series. (I almost missed the one!)

The Good:

All of the characters were flawed and very real! They all had their vices, weaknesses, and shady pasts. I loved them all, but Kaz was my favorite! He might be more villain than hero, but I liked how clever he was, always a step ahead.

Most of our crew are a part of the Dregs, a gang from the barrel, the worst part of the city of Ketterdam. My favorite part was their traditions! Like saying No mourners, no funerals before a job.

As much as I liked the original Grisha trilogy, Six of Crows is miles better! Bardugo has obviously matured a lot as a writer since then. Her writing is tight and beautiful. She sets up the novel and the intricate world quickly and without any info dumping.

I had a lot of questions about the characters’ pasts and they were all answered as our characters head the capital of the Witch Hunters. The short flashbacks were interspersed as they travel and break in, and kept things interesting.

Once the job starts the action doesn’t let up! I tried to savor this book, but I gobbled if up once they reached the city. Six of Crows has the perfect combination of telling us part of the plan, but keeping plenty of surprises. Of things going to plan and going to hell. It all made for an incredible ride!

Bardugo did an excellent job of expanding her world! From the grittiness of Ketterdam to the shiny white city of the Witch Hunters, I enjoyed it all. The magic system wasn’t expanded much, but Nina’s heartrending was cool.

The Bad:

It ends to be continued! Not a little to be continued, but like I NEED the next book NOW to be continued! (I was fooled by the Grisha sample chapter! It ends at 86%!!)

What was the best book you read this year? Mine was either Six of Crows or Uprooted!

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Top Ten Sequels I Can’t Wait To Get

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A Song of Ice and Fire, Discworld, Grisha, Lunar Chronicles, Magnus Chase, mortal instruments, Percy Jackson, Red Rising, Saga of Recluse, Sequels I Can't Wait To Get, top 10 tuesday, top ten tuesday

 

Two in a row! I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I manage not to procrastinate two weeks in a row! (Who else is shocked?)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. They come up with top ten lists that people can blog about every week.

I usually wait until an entire series is released before jumping in, because I hate having to wait to find out what happens next and this way I can just binge read the entire thing! But there have been a few times this year when I actually read a book in a series before they were all out. (A couple of times I was tricked!) And some of these are series I’ve been reading for years and they just keep on going.

1. The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)

Expected Release Date: Oct 8, 2015

Okay so technically it’s book one, but I’m hoping Percy Jackson or Annabeth Chase make at least a cameo appearance. Riordan’s new book features Norse Mythology and stars Annabeth’s cousin Magnus.

He’s living on the streets when his uncle tracks him down and tells him he’s descendant from a Norse god. To prevent the end of the world (Ragnarok) Magnus has to search the nine realms for a weapon.

I mean Rick Riordan and Norse gods (secretly hoping for a Loki appearance) I just know this book is going to rock!

2. Winter & Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles #4 & 3.5)

Expected Release Dates: Fairest: Jan 27, 2015 Winter: Nov 1, 2015

I never expected to love Cinder, I mean cyborg Cinderella? But I do! And finally the last book is almost here! We also get a novella staring the evil queen Levana to tide us over for fall.

Things that need to happen: All of the couples live and are happy, obviously Levana is defeated and the Lunars freed. Cinder becomes queen of the moon and of New Beijing. Don’t want much, do I? Oh, and I want something nice for Iko too, she’s the best!

3. The Young Elites #2

Expected Release Date: ???

It doesn’t have a title yet, but I need it! The epilogue in the first one convinced me that the sequel is going to be even more epic than it’s predecessor!

4. Raising Steam (Discworld, #40)

Release Date: Nov 7, 2013 (Tiffany Aching: Unknown)

(I have a feeling Pratchett is going to make every one of my lists somehow.) Okay technically the next Discworld book that’s going to be released is The Shepherd’s Crown (Tiffany Aching, #5), but I’m not as big a fan of Tiffany as the regular Discworld and I still don’t own Raising Steam! (I’m hoping for Christmas) I’ve owned Thud since it came out, but I’m still saving it so technically that could be on my list too.

5. Six of Crows (The Dregs #1)

Expected Release Date: Oct 8, 2015

Yes, I know technically this is another first book of a series, but it’s in the Grisha universe, so I say it’s a sequel.

A crew of dangerous felonious misfits face impossible odds when they are pulled together to break into one of the most guarded places in the world. We have new setting, Kerch which is the opposite of Ravka and the center for all world trade. Also there will be a Grisha in the Dregs and the magic will be expanded upon.

My least favorite part of Shadow and Bone was the two “main characters” so I have high hopes for this novel, since it sounds like it’s staring people more like Sturmhound.

6. The Copper Gauntlet (Magisterium #2) / Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1)

Expected Release Dates: Copper Gauntlet: 2015 Lady Midnight: Sept 2015

I loved the Iron Trial and I have high hopes for where the story’s going to go next! Since nothing’s been released about Copper Gauntlet, I’ll group it with Lady Midnight, which takes place five years after Mortal Instruments (See it is a sequel) and stars Emma Carstairs.

There are mysterious killings in the city and Emma is determined to investigate, because they are strangely similar to her parents deaths, but not only humans are being killed downworlders are too. After the fairy queen makes a deal, the shadow hunters stop whose doing this and they’re release Mark Blackthorn the stakes are higher than ever, because if they fail it means war. And they only have two weeks!

I don’t expect this to be as good as Mortal Instruments or Infernal Devices, but I’m hoping to see more of Tessa and Jem! I don’t like the sounds of her falling in love with her parabotai, I know it’s forbidden, and maybe she’ll convince me, but it’s not really doing it for me. I liked Mark much better!

7. Cyador’s Heirs & Heritage of Cyador (The Saga of Recluce #17 & #18)

Release Dates: May 20, 2014 & Nov 18, 2014

I know none of you have heard of these books, but I love Modesitte’s epic fantasys. (The Corean Chronicles is my favorite, followed by Recluse)

The novels in the Recluse Saga are written out of chronological order, but in pairs (can’t spell duologys) and I wait until both are out to read them. This story line takes place after Cyador fell, so sixth? chronologically. Another coming of age story with a young male protagonist who wields both chaos and order powers, but I know Modesitte will make it awesome!

8. Golden Son (Red Rising Trilogy #2)

Expected Release Date: Jan 6, 2015

I really liked the start of Red Rising and I expect Golden Son to be more like that. I have a feeling we’ll finally get to see the space battle I expected from the first one. My main problem with Red Rising was the main character, Darrow and I’m hoping that he matured through everything the first book put him through. ‘Now a part of the elite, Darrow tries to bring down their society from the inside.’ doesn’t tell me much, but the first novel was nothing like I expected, so I’m trying to go into this one without expectations.

9. Siren’s Fury (Storm Siren #2)

Expected Release Date: Jun 2, 2015

After that ending I needed more, but I’m not too eager to read this after the blurb. First it reveals something that was the main reason I wanted to read the book to find out. Then it tells us that the bad guy stole Nym’s powers. So the whole book is a quest for her to get new powers? I’m not so sure I care. The cover’s pretty though.

10. The Winds of Winter (A Song of Ice and Fire #6)

Expected Release Date: This Decade?

The first book came out in 1996 (That’s almost 20 years ago!) I want them to be good, but come on! I NEED to find out what happens already! It’s supposed to start with two epic battles and tying up all of thee to be continued-ness in the very beginning.

Honorable Mentions: Sequels I want, but there is literally no information on them yet.

Griever’s Mark 2 (My review of the first one) I loved this book and I NEED to find out what happens next!

Faerie Revolutions 2 (The Last Changeling) Another good book that left me wanting more.

The Shadow Ravens 2 (Cipher) I look forward to seeing what the other two authors will do with this interesting world.

Do you read series as they’re published or like me do you wait until they’re all released? What sequel is at the top of your for must have now list?

Top Ten Characters I Wish Would Get Their OWN Book

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asimov, Characters I Wish Would Get Their OWN Book, Daneel, Darkling, Discworld, Grisha, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Infernal Devices, Jem, minor characters, nicci, Nico, Peeta, Percy Jackson, sherlock holmes, Sirius Black, Skulduggery Pleasant, Sword of Truth, top 10 tuesday, Top Ten Characters I Wish Would Get Their OWN Book, top ten tuesday, Vetinari

I finally did it! I finished a Top Ten Tuesday post on time! (I’ve been trying since July 15th)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. They come up with top ten lists that people can blog about every week.

I found this on Pintrest while I was looking for art to use for the character pictures and it was just too perfect! (Like half my list are the villains!)

Click on the art to go to the artist’s webpage. I own NOTHING.

1. Nico di Angelo (Percy Jackson) (Sequel or retelling)

“Nico didn’t like to be touched, but somehow this brief contact with his father felt reassuring – the same way the Chapel of Bones was reassuring. Like death, his father’s presence was cold and often callous, but it was real – brutally honest, inescapably dependable.” Blood of Olympus

Nico is the son of Hades and as such he has powers over the Dead. He appears younger than the main characters, but he’s actually over seventy years old. (It’s complicated.) He’s a complex character who’s (whose?) suffered numerous hardships and his fatal flaw is holding grudges.

Nico is one of the most interesting characters in Percy Jackson & The Heroes of Olympus, but until Blood of Olympus he never even got a Point of View! I’d like to hear more for him, he could have his own book or even series!

2. Sirius Black (Harry Potter) (Prequel)

“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.” Order of the Phoenix

Although a pureblooded wizard whose entire family has been in Slytherin, Sirius is a Griffindor. There he made good friends and proved himself quite the jokster, as well as expert wizard. His mother wrote him off after this and he’s had a complicated home life, but his new family was always there for him. (Trying not to spoil anything for those who didn’t read the book yet)

Okay so basically I just want a book about the Marauders, but Sirius would be the best narrator for it. The logical choice would be James, but I think Sirius is more interesting.

3.Havelock Vetinari (Discworld) (Prequel or retelling)

“I believe you find life such a problem because you think there are good people and bad people. You’re wrong, of course. There are, always and only, the bad people, but some of them are on opposite sides.” Guards Guards

Lord Vetinari is the Patrician (benevolent dictator) of the city-state of Ankh Morpork and though there are numerous people with magic and armies, he’s proved that manipulation and intellect can get you further. “One Man, One Vote,” in which Vetinari is the Man, and has the Vote. A previous member of the assassin’s guild. He’s involved in all of the attempts to get him out of office, to insure that they fail. He may be unpopular, but he makes sure that life in the city is better with him than without him. He knows everything going on in the city or at least everyone thinks he does.

Almost every character in Discworld character’s gotten their own book, except Vetinari! (He finally got a small pov in Night Watch, but it wasn’t enough) I want to see how he took over the city at least! His life story would be wonderful!

4. The Darkling (Grisha) (Prequel)

“The problem with wanting is that it makes us weak” Shadow and Bone

The Darkling is the only one with the power over darkness. He leads the Grisha. He’s ambitious and older than he appears, but much mystery surrounds him.

I want to know his history! (and get inside that lovely brain)

5. Jem (Infernal Devices)(Sequel) I would put Magnus, but he sort of just got one. (I would’ve preferred a novel to short stories though.)

“I know you feel inhuman, as if you are set apart, away from life and love, but… I promise you, the right man won’t care.” Clockwork Angel

Jem is a shadowhunter and orphan living in the London institute in the 1970s. His Parabotai is Will Herondale. Despite his dark past he always sees the good in people.

I’d like to find out what happens to him next. So often the nice guy/ friend character doesn’t get his happily ever after.

6. Peeta (Hunger Games) (Retelling)

“Well, there is this one girl. I’ve had a crush on her ever since I can remember. But I’m pretty sure she didn’t know I was alive until the reaping.” Hunger Games

Peeta works is his family bakery. He’s the strong silent sweet type of guy.

I’d like at least a short story where we got to get inside Peeta’s head during the games.

 

 7. R. Daneel Olivaw (Asimov’s Robot books) (Retelling)

“Aimless extension of knowledge, however, which is what I think you really mean by the term curiosity, is merely inefficiency. I am designed to avoid inefficiency.” Caves of Steel

A robot created to look exactly like his creator, Daneel teams up with a detective to solve his creator’s murder.

He doesn’t grow old so his life story could be quite long and I always wondered what he was thinking as he learned to act more like a human.

8. Nicci (Sword of Truth) (Prequel & Retelling)

“She was probably the most powerful sorceress ever to have drawn a breath.” –Richard Rahl, Phantom

Supporter of the Imperial Order she has nicknames such as “Death’s Mistress” and the “Slave Queen”. She learns much from Richard when she captures him.

I liked Nicci better than Kahlan. I know I’m probably the only one, but she just has more depth.

9. Sherlock Holmes (Retelling)

(Yes I know, I took great pains to find art that looked like how I pictured every character, but I couldn’t resist Benedict! #sorrynotsorry)

“What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. The question is what can you make people believe you have done.” A Study In Scarlet

The genius detective. (Do I really need to say more?)

I want to be inside his head! But there’s probably a reason we never were.

10. Skulduggery Pleasant (Prequel)

“I am a rational man, but haven’t you heard? i’m also insane. It gives me a unique perspective on things.” Death Bringer

Witty, condicending, sarcastic genius. Pleasant was “killed” years ago, but somehow came back to life, though he was then only a skeleton. He works as a detective for the Wizard’s Sanctuary and is wildly feared if not respected.

Like Sherlock Holmes, though he’s the title character he never narrates.

What character do you wish had their own novel? Any of these? Someone else in any of these books? Someone else entirely? 

Spin-Off to Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy

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author, book, book reviews, books, characters, fantasy, fiction, Grisha, Leigh Bardugo, literature, novel, plot, read, reader, review, Rising and ruin, Shadow and bone, Siege and Storm, stories, story, The Dregs, write, writer, writing, YA, young adult

Title: THE DREGS
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22294935-the-dregs

• Set in the same world as the Grisha
• Takes place not long after the events of Ruin and Rising
• A new cast of characters
• Two book series
• Expected release date: Fall 2015 (First draft done)

Described as a blend of Ocean’s 11, Inglorious Bastards and Game of Thrones.

SETTING: Kerch, a small island nation, hub of all world trade (legal and illegal) and a country rich in art and culture. Also home to one of the most dangerous criminal underworlds. It’s a very different place than Ravka: different politics, different players, and different food.

SUMMARY:
A crew of dangerous felonious misfits face impossible odds when they are pulled together to break into one of the most guarded places in the world.

YES THERE WILL BE MAGIC!!!!!!! One of the Dregs is an exiled Grisha named Mina.The magic of the Grisha Universe is there and it’s expanded upon.

I’m so excited! I can’t wait!!! Can I have it now? Please!!

Sources:

http://shelf-life.ew.com/2014/06/25/ruin-and-rising-leigh-bardugo/
http://www.twochicksonbooks.com/2014/06/fierce-reads-tour-stop-interview-and.html
http://www.themidnightgarden.net/2014/06/ruinrisingtour.html

Book Review: Grisha Trilogy By Leigh Bardugo – Rising and Ruin

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author, book, book reviews, books, characters, fantasy, fiction, Grisha, Leigh Bardugo, literature, novel, plot, read, reader, review, Rising and ruin, Shadow and bone, Siege and Storm, stories, story, write, writer, writing, YA, young adult

(No spoilers without proper warning.)

SHADOW AND BONE

Alina is a war orphan and has always been skinny and sickly. She grew up with her best friend Mal, a stocky boy who turned into a handsome young man. Alina’s afraid that the two of them are growing apart and she’s never had the courage to confess her true feelings to Mal.

The country of Ravka has been at war for over a century. A year ago Mal and Alina joined the military, Alina as a mapmaker, Mal as a tracker.

Their company is preparing to cross into the fold, an area of space where all is black and monsters known as volcra live. When they are attacked something shocking happens.

Alina is knocked out, then held at gunpoint and taken to the Darkling, a man with power over darkness itself. The Darkling leads the second army, the Grisha, people who have magical powers.

The Grisha are divided into summoners, (who control fire, wind or water) corporalki (heart renders and healers) and tinkerers. (Who make weapons, armor, and inventions like powders for explosives.)

The world of Grisha is unique as are the customs and words used, though they do sound a bit Russian. The romance worked and felt real. (I personally don’t like either of Alina’s suitors, but that’s just me. The Darkling has more promise than Mal, I just don’t like him.) The mystery actually fooled me. Afterwards I was surprised I didn’t see it coming, but it was well done, because I totally didn’t. (I kept talking about it afterwards too.)

Alina is sometimes foolish, but the author does such a good job of telling the story that these ‘mistakes’ make sense to the audience and some even turn out not to be mistakes.

SIEGE AND STORM

The sequel continues along the same lines as the end of Shadow and Bone. We meet some engaging new characters, most notably Stormhond the ‘pirate’. I found myself wishing Alina would have a new love interest and there is a new guy in her life, but I’m not sure what to make of him. He’s an interesting, mysterious character, but can he be trusted? Can anyone?

The book started with a bang, but dwindled in the middle. There’s too much planning and plotting and telling of time passing, but of course there’s plenty of action by the end.

RAISING AND RUIN

Raising started depressing, but luckily that storyline only lasts for the first chapter. (I hated that priest!)

We finally found out more about the Darkling’s past, including his name. I was satisfied with his name, it suited him.

There were multiple plot twists in the last book, and even the things I thought I’d figured out were a bit different than I expected. The first of the two major twists was good, but the second didn’t make any sense. (So much for small science…)

Most people will probably be happy with the ending, but I’m not. Overall I enjoyed this book and thought it was as good as Siege. (Except for that one part of the ending. I could rant about that all day, but I won’t.)

Shadow and Bone – 8 stars

Siege and Storm – 7 stars

Raising and Ruin – 6 stars (1 subtracted for the ending)

 

 

SPOILERS: DON’T READ IF YOU HAVEN’T READ SIEGE AND STORM (No spoilers for Rising and Ruin though)

 

 

 

Which guy were you rooting for? (Was anyone rooting for Mal?) What did you want to happen to Alina? Queen? Grisha leader?

I know that Mal is supposed to be the love interest for Alina, and she keeps telling me how great he is, but I just don’t see it. I’d like to see her with the prince personally, (Which is strange for me, I’m not a prince sort of girl, but then again he isn’t the usual prince.) And if not the prince than the Darkling. (Yes, I know he’s technically the bad guy, but I can’t help it. I like him. Certainly more than stupid Mal.)

I know Alina hated ruling the Grisha, but I think she could do a good job of it. Maybe not as the sole ruler, but with a council of other Grisha. (or the Darkling.) Sure. Or she could be the queen, that would be cool too. I’m good with either of these outcomes. Becoming evil and joining the Darkling would work too. She could become a pirate with Stormhond and I’d be happy. (Not that I expect that outcome.)

 

Okay, I had to rant a little (SPOILERS FOR END OF RISING AND RUIN) DON’T READ IF YOU HAVEN’T READ RISING AND RUIN 

 

 

 

 

The part I hated about the ending wasn’t which guy she would up with, because though I hated Mal, I expected her to wind up with him. (Even though I kept hoping otherwise.) The whole he’s dead, no wait he isn’t was rather dumb, but that’s not what really bothered me either. Nor was it about anyone who died. (Though a couple of more people could’ve died and made me happy, namely that priest.)

Alina losing her powers was about the worst outcome possible, and as if that wasn’t bad enough now dozens of other people suddenly have the sun summoner powers! (So much for special!) Now tell me that’s a happy ending? Everyone who got her powers is a good guy right and wouldn’t cause all manner of trouble for the Ravka now? Right…

Even the pathetically sappy reopening of the orphanage would be acceptable if only Alina had her powers! (Maybe just the amplifiers broke so she’s back with her natural powers.)

Okay, I know I said I wouldn’t rant, but I couldn’t help it. I really like these books and the whole losing her powers and lots of normal people all of a sudden having them almost ruined it for me! Okay, I’m done now. (Molly backs away sheepishly.)