ARC REVIEW: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

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. 

Title: Six of Crows (The Dregs #1)

Author: (Queen) Leigh Bardugo

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Published: 29th September, 2015

Rating: A gigatrillion stars.

A massive thank-you to Jo Volpe for the ARC! And Louisse for jumping out and proclaiming that you were my Threadsister. 

"When everyone knows you're a monster, you needn't waste your time doing every monstrous thing."

First of all, it's no great secret that I am a massive Grisha fan. Leigh's writing is superb and intricate, her characters worming their way into your heart with ease.

Secondly, because many have asked, you CAN read SIX OF CROWS before the Grisha Trilogy! There are some spoilers, but minor ones that wouldn't affect you reading SIX OF CROWS first. The biggest spoiler for a person who has read SoC first is two words: King Nikolai. And a few other bits such as a passing mention of events that happened in Ruin and Rising. None of the characters from Grisha are, sadly, in the story. But Book Two I certainly have my fingers crossed! 

I totally put my book down at the mention of King Nikolai so I could fist-pump at the air. He rules! Literally.

SIX OF CROWS did not disappoint. I'll keep this review short and sweet for now until the book is out. There is a LOT to talk about. So. Much. Returning to the world of the Grisha was bittersweet at first.The pain of leaving behind a bunch of beloved characters in favor of another crew! But very, very quickly these new characters joined the ranks of the Grisha gang.

The story was a roller-coaster of emotions and action. There was not a single dull moment or time that you wanted to skip ahead. Each character was sublime and played their part exceptionally well. Kaz is the kind of man you both want to love but run the heck away from. Each character is so brutal, yet broken in their own way. Rough gems that, once polished, will shine and sparkle. Book Two is going to be explosive. And that's not an exaggeration. I am terribly in love with Matthias and Kaz. And Nina and Inej. And Wylan and Jesper. Whoops, I seem to have listed the entire crew. 

Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?"

"Knife to the throat?" asked Inej.

"Gun to the back?" said Jesper.

"Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina.

"You're all horrible." said Matthias.

I'll leave this teaser of a review here for now. Until September, gang! This isn't a book that you want, it's a book you NEED. No life is complete without the Dregs in it.