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Tag Archives: Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows By Leigh Bardugo

09 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Book Reviews

≈ 26 Comments

Tags

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

image
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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Spin-Off to Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy

01 Tuesday Jul 2014

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Book News

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

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

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

19 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Book Reviews

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

grisha

(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.)

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