★★★★★ 5
No Mourners..
Format: Hardcover
‘No mourners…’
‘…no funerals.’
Among them, it passed for good luck. ”
This quote is a perfect description of the tone set throughout this entire novel. A hopelessness so ingrained in a group of people that their phrase for good luck is hinged around the idea of no one mourning or honoring their deaths.
Having read the Shadow and Bone trilogy, I was familiar with the Grisha universe prior to reading this novel. If you’re wondering which you should read first, I suggest reading the trilogy prior to the duology — it will get you a lot of historical context that lays the foundation for the problems, war and ultimate state of the world this book is set it. I will say, I enjoyed the Grisha trilogy but found myself frustrated with the direction the story ended up going. Leigh Bardugo is a phenomenal writer but it felt like the end of that trilogy took the easy way out — but that review is for a different day.
Six of crows shows Bardugo’s redemption in making the difficult but correct plot choices, in my opinion. This entire book is thrilling because the reader (presumably having read her previous Grisha trilogy) goes into the story assuming they will have some idea of where the story will go, having explored this world before. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Six of crows follows the dark and dangerous mob-lifestyles in the Barrel of Ketterdam, far away from the Golden Palace of Prince Nikolai and the worshiped Sankta Alina. Bardugo does not shy away from the dark and gruesome reality of the mob lifestyle, she embraces it. Readers are shown vivid descriptions of call-girls, gambling rings, mistakes punishable by death and ruthless leaders capable of lethality at any second. Despite such a horrific environment, Bardugo’s character development leaves the readers connecting, loving and rooting for characters with truly horrible qualities.
One thing I appreciated was the pacing of this story – you’re shown an enticing and mysterious scene right off the bat, completely immersing you into this story as you crave to find out more behind what happened. Immediately, you’re pulled away and shown the humble beginnings of Kas Brekker and the Dregs from the Crow Club, learning about their personalities, roles, and motives for the dangerous job that takes up most of the story. Readers learn details slowly — not so slow that they’re bored — but slow enough that they’re kept hooked to the plot, hoping the next page turn will provide the answer they need. Just when you might become a bit bored by the plot, a twist or exciting, unexpected wrench gets thrown into the mix bringing you back in.
As you go along in the story, you’re introduced to more details about each member of the Dregs, their pasts that led them to this journey they take together, and the secrets that shape their relationships. These details are done brilliantly, as readers are able to see these memories and experiences from each characters point of view. This brings a human quality to the characters and allows readers to empathize with their situations, thus creating a bond between reader and character that allows them to continue to love and support the Dregs despite the horrible things they do to each other and others throughout the journey. You’re rooting for them to get the endings they want and deserve and hoping they won’t choose to lie, cheat, kill and steal in order to get there, but ultimately accept that that is just who they are.
The only time this aspect of the characters was frustrating was at the end of the book. The relationship between Kaz and Inej is tantalizingly frustrating throughout the story, but the end of the book is where we really see Kaz’s nature and I found myself so frustrated that he couldn’t be better for her and that because of him, Inej gets placed in the worst case scenario. I’m hoping that he redeems himself in the second installment.
Overall — there’s no denying that Leigh Bardugo has talent and if you loved the first trilogy, I guarantee you’ll love this one even more. If you had mixed feelings on the first Grisha trilogy, I urge you to give this duology a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Stay tuned for the review around book two!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2017
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