Crooked Kingdom Book Review :Masterclass in Grit, Loyalty, and Heartbreak
Leigh Bardugo’s Crooked Kingdom, the stunning sequel to Six of Crows, is not just a continuation of a heist story — it’s a high-stakes, heart-rending, and emotionally rich finale that elevates the characters we love into legends. With this book, Bardugo proves once again that she’s not just a master of fantasy plotting, but a true expert in writing unforgettable characters whose scars shine as brightly as their victories.
Picking up directly after the events of Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom wastes no time plunging readers back into the gritty, treacherous streets of Ketterdam. Kaz Brekker and his crew — Inej, Jesper, Nina, Matthias, and Wylan — have been betrayed after pulling off an impossible heist. Now, with Inej captured and powerful enemies closing in, it’s not about riches anymore. It’s about revenge, redemption, and surviving a city that wants them dead.
What follows is an intricately woven narrative of schemes, counter-schemes, and razor-sharp strategy. Every member of the crew has a part to play, and Bardugo gives them all space to shine. While Six of Crows was about building trust, Crooked Kingdom is about testing it to the breaking point.
Kaz Brekker, the infamous Bastard of the Barrel, is at his most cunning and complex. His trauma runs deep, but so does his loyalty. His mind remains a terrifying maze of plans, and watching him work is like witnessing a magician at their peak. But what makes Kaz truly compelling is the way Bardugo strips him of his armor, revealing the vulnerable boy beneath the gloves. His relationship with Inej — filled with tension, longing, and emotional restraint — is one of the most beautifully painful slow burns in YA fantasy.
Inej Ghafa, the Wraith, is a force of quiet strength and unshakable moral clarity. Her spiritual depth, her resilience, and her inner fire make her a beacon in a world full of shadows. Watching her reclaim her power and face her past is one of the most satisfying arcs in the book.
Each character in Crooked Kingdom is crafted with care, and none are left behind. Jesper confronts his demons and finds both family and forgiveness. Nina deals with the aftereffects of parem addiction, offering a rare and raw look at withdrawal and identity. Wylan, the underestimated boy with a soft heart and brilliant mind, finally steps into his own power — and his relationship with Jesper brings warmth and joy amidst the chaos. Matthias, ever the warrior torn between duty and desire, delivers one of the book’s most gut-punching arcs — a testament to how love can both transform and devastate.
But make no mistake: while Crooked Kingdom is rich with character development, it’s also packed with action, plot twists, and master-level scheming. The heists are bigger, the stakes higher, the betrayals sharper. Bardugo layers the plot with deception, double-crosses, and breathtaking reveals that feel both earned and exhilarating. No plan goes smoothly — and that’s part of the thrill.
Beyond the action, Crooked Kingdom explores deep themes: justice, power, trauma, grief, and the cost of freedom. These characters don’t just want gold — they want to rewrite their fates. They’re fighting for a place in the world that has never made space for them, and Bardugo never lets us forget the personal cost of every victory.
The prose is atmospheric and sharp, filled with biting humor and poignant introspection. Ketterdam feels alive — grimy, ruthless, and real. Bardugo’s worldbuilding continues to impress, but it’s the emotional weight of her characters that makes the story truly unforgettable.
Crooked Kingdom is more than just a sequel. It’s a character-driven epic that delivers on every promise made in Six of Crows — and then some. With its perfect blend of cleverness, heartbreak, and fierce loyalty, it doesn’t just complete the duology — it cements it as one of the most iconic YA fantasy series of the decade.
If Six of Crows was about assembling a crew, Crooked Kingdom is about testing everything they’re willing to fight for — and lose. This book will make you cheer, cry, gasp, and grin, sometimes all in one chapter. And when you turn the last page, you’ll feel like you’ve survived something alongside them.
Bardugo doesn’t promise that everyone will get what they want — but she guarantees that they’ll earn every moment of their journey. And so will you.
