Six of Crows (2015) – Leigh Bardugo
Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows is a gripping heist fantasy and the first book in the Six of Crows duology, set in the same universe as her Grisha Trilogy. The story unfolds in the gritty, crime-ridden city of Ketterdam, where a band of outcasts—led by the cunning and ambitious Kaz Brekker—is recruited for an impossible mission: breaking into the impenetrable Ice Court to rescue a hostage with world-altering secrets.
Bardugo masterfully weaves together six distinct voices, including the sharpshooter Jesper, the runaway Inej, the convict Matthias, the heartrender Nina, and the demolitions expert Wylan. The novel blends high-stakes action, intricate world-building, and morally complex characters, exploring themes of trauma, redemption, and found family. Its 2015 hardcover edition, featuring darkly whimsical artwork (like the crow-and-skull motif by artist Kevin Tong), became an instant favorite among YA and adult readers alike.
If You Loved Six of Crows, Try:
- The Lies of Locke Lamora (Scott Lynch, 2006) – A darker, adult heist fantasy with witty criminals and brutal stakes.
- The Gilded Wolves (Roshani Chokshi, 2019) – A historical fantasy heist with diverse characters and puzzles.
- Vicious (V.E. Schwab, 2013) – A tale of rival antiheroes and morally gray ambition.
