Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo Book Review Part Two

Hi fellow Crow, if you are reading this post, you have found the second part of my Crooked Kingdom book review. Gosh, only knows my part one was toooooooo long so I wanted to break the book review up. If you haven’t read part one, I will link it below! Also, part one has all the links to other book reviews and the synopsis of Crooked Kingdom. Part one focuses more on a character analysis of each Crow’s past and present. Part two will focus on the ships and Ketterdam drama/deceptive plans for takedown!

Click to read my Crooked Kingdom Book Review Part One

♥️ All Things Ship ♥️

I want to say that the ships were written BEAUTIFULLy. I really admired how Leigh Bardugo dispersed the ships evenly in the storyline and built it up throughout the story rather than focusing on the ships heavily in either the beginning, middle, or end. I loved every minute, sailing on the wild ride that was true love.

Kanej

If Matthias didn’t break my heart from Crooked Kingdom, surely Kanej ran it over, drove back over it, and left me a shattered mess.

I really enjoyed that we got more Kanej scenes than in Six of Crows. I felt like in Six of Crows Leigh Bardugo created a strong basis and tension to build on for Crooked Kingdom. And Leigh Bardugo did build—she built a kingdom on her ships and I was here for it!

I talked about this with part one, but I LIVED for the moment when Kaz and Inej reunited and he brought her her favorite flower. That meant he had earned her heart all along. I also loved the intimate and caring conversation they had on the boat back to Black Veil Island where he asked her if she was hurt. Gosh, knows if Van Eck hurt her Kaz would have broken his legs. HE SAID BREK MY LEGS! But I liked how Kaz gave time for Inej to open up when she was ready to. However, I could tell how much it pained Kaz to not have her with them, hence savage Kaz in the beginning of the book. I also felt his pain in not knowing what happened to her because it felt like it was his fault she got captured. When Inej did open up to Kaz about her time with Van Eck, we got the first Kaz admission that he cared for her. When he told her he would have crawled to her . . . 🥺. Get you a partner who would go to the ends of the earth for you and no less ♥️.

The thing I found interesting between both of them was how they were obviously denying their feelings for each other. Kaz didn’t want to tell her he loved or cared for her because it would hurt when something bad happened to her like with Van Eck, and Kaz had already lost a lot of people he loved. But he didn’t have to make her feel like an investment or job. For example, right after she returned, he gave her the task to traipse to drop the weevil into the silos. Like bro, give her a break! I thought he was losing her at that moment because Inej wanted to like him and think Kaz was her knight in shining armor, but he never treated her like that. I also felt Inej needed to hear it from him that he cared for her more than an investment because I could understand why Inej didn’t feel like he cared. Gosh, if only she could have read his mind. There was this one cute moment I liked after her rescue where Kaz took her to the safest place in Ketterdam and let her rest. He gave her food and just looked at her. I could only imagine how he was searching for if she was okay and he was probably soaking up the beauty that was Inej 😉. But it was such a sweet scene because not a lot was said, but it meant a lot how he took the time to protect and care for her.

I also liked the cute moment when Inej tricked Kaz to climb up the cathedral with her. No one could best Kaz Brekker, except maybe a Kaz Brekker who was a fool for a certain woman. But I loved how playful that scene was and how Kaz smiled. He liked a woman who surprised him.

“‘Curse you and all your Saints,’ he said to no one at all, then realized he was smiling.”

(pg. 181)

He was just a kid in love, after all.

What got me was how he also kept telling himself to “best this” crush like it was something he could get over quickly. Kaz didn’t need to best anything if that was how his heart felt. He also needed to stop telling himself that Inej was a distraction because that was only an excuse to push his feelings down. On Inej’s side she didn’t want to like him as much as she did because she knew Kaz only cared for himself and his vengeance. There was something she said in Six of Crows about how she wanted him to be worth saving. I think she didn’t need to save Kaz, but allow their relationship to be what it was and to figure it out as they went. Because they liked each other. What resists persists.

But Kaz was trying to be better for Inej. He was trying to be unarmored for her. I loved that ♥️.

I loved that he got her a net for the silo job because that was his way of protecting her and showing her he cared about her. I loved that he would always look at her before separating before a job because he loved her. I liked that when he was doing a job, he would still think about her safety and well-being.

“Would she have told you if she was afraid? Is that something you’ve ever shown sympathy for?

Kaz shook the thought from his mind. If Inej didn’t doubt her abilities, then he shouldn’t either.”

(pg. 278)

I liked how he blew up the Menagerie for her. I liked how he tried opening his heart up bit by bit because he trusted her. Trust is huge for Kaz. I know in his own way he trusts the Crows, but out of all the Crows, we all know he trusted Inej the most because he told his story to her and he allowed her to see his vulnerabilities and weaknesses. She never judged him for that, and that made him feel comfortable enough to be open with her.

“‘Would you?’ asked Wylan, his chin jutting forward. ‘Trust someone with that knowledge, with a secret that could destroy you?’

Yes, thought Kaz without hesitation. There’s one person I would trust. One person I know would never use my weakness against me.”

(pg. 282)

This sentiment reminded me of what Wylan talked about later in how opening up to others about your battles and them not judging you, makes you feel comfortable enough to be yourself—to accept who you are. Inej made Kaz feel seen without feeling wrong.

Inej also felt Kaz was the one who saved her and that’s why she loved him. Kaz also showed her in his own ways he cared, and despite her better judgment, she knew she loved him. She just didn’t know how because of her days at the Menagerie. I absolutely think Inej doesn’t need to rush into a relationship right now when she is still healing from the trauma from such a horribly vile place. It felt like she was numb and scared to love because of her past, which was understandable. But it made me beyond sad when she said that she didn’t feel like she could ever be whole because of her past. She deserved happiness and love on her own time. Her past did not make her unloveable, but someone would come along and love her for it. That person was Kaz. But Inej had a hard time trusting and letting men into her life and that’s why she wanted Kaz unarmed because she didn’t want another guy to come into her life and not give him her full self.

All the tension and conflict between Kaz and Inej built up to the moment I NEED to write about: the bandage scene 😏.

I mean, sign me up for Dr. Brekker 😂.

Jokes aside, There has to be something symbolic in this scene because Kaz was healing her wounds tenderly and carefully like their relationship and she was watching him like she does in their relationship. She watches him and notices the small kindness and vulnerabilities within him.

One of the things I loved about this scene was how Kaz talked about paying off Inej’s debt without her knowing so she could be free. Honestly, I respected that Kaz never wanted to hold her back even though every part of him wanted her to stay. Heck, he told her to stay, but even then he still helped her in every way he could for her to live out her purpose and be free. That’s love ♥️. Their conversation was also very intimate. It just always boggles my mind how they were just kids, and how everything comes back to their survival because no one was there to protect them. So they protected each other.

But I LOVED when he said, “I can help you,” because those were the first words Inej said to him all those years ago. Honestly, this whole undressing the bandages was a whole sensual, tantalizing tease that had me SCREAMING and puppy-dog facing the whole time. It was such a beautifully written scene that was so heartbreaking too. But it was a scene that felt beyond right for Kaz and Inej. I said in my Six of Crows post if Kanej didn’t kiss, I would go livid 😂. But then, I retracted that statement for hand holding or a hug or a high five because I realized that kissing would be too much for them based on their histories. They had a slow, but powerful romance and kissing would have seemed wrong. So, the tease of the lips was perfect. Of course, I hope they kiss one day, but I absolutely do not think they should rush into something they aren’t ready to do.

But I was glad we got some action, you know. Gotta keep us readers satisfied but craving more!

Okay, so let’s break down the scene, shall we. First, can we talk about how Kaz took off his gloves! She said unarmored, he said for you! 😆 Then he went between her open legs on the rim of the bathtub to get closer to her wounds. At that point I was screaming! Then their descriptions of their breaths hitching, their hearts beating fast, sweating out of nerves! I felt that. His slow, hot movements of taking the gauze or band-aids off her arms and whatnot. Being her height? It was a rush of serotonin for sure. I LOVED hearing how weak Kaz felt and how much he wanted to resist the moment, but how he also felt like he was drowning.

“The sink was there, the need to run, the need for something else too. Kaz thought he knew the language of pain intimately, but this ache was new. It hurt to stand here like this, so close to the circle of her arms. It isn’t easy for me either. After all she’d endured. He was the weak one.”

(pg. 364)

I just loved seeing Kaz so human and vulnerable ♥️.

He has the best heart. A conniving heart, but a good one.

I loved when Inej said

“‘It isn’t easy for me either.'”

(pg. 362)

because it made Kaz feel less alone in how hard this was for him too. He didn’t have his gloves on—skin to skin contact and he was close to a woman he loved. But he was trying to battle these monsters/trauma to be in the moment with her. AND GOSH when he bent his head to kiss her, it was like full force magic in my head. I loved how it was quick, but in that second it felt like Kaz came alive and he wasn’t a man of vengeance, but of love. So, it was soooo painful to see him pull back because it was hard 🥺—it was hard to kiss someone when he had all this trauma he needed to heal from. I understood it, but it made me so sad that both of them carried so much trauma that being intimate was hard for them. And it’s not their fault and I don’t blame them, it just pained me how they lived with very real pain everyday—pain they wanted to be stronger than, but sometimes trauma doesn’t work like that and it comes back during certain moments.

It also made me sad how Kaz still didn’t believe he deserved her because of the trauma and anger he had. I also didn’t like how he tried to make Inej dislike him by voicing all the bad acts he did. I felt that was his way of pushing down his emotions and for her to hate him because hating him would be easier for him to bear than her loving him when it was hard for him.

“‘ . . . There is no peace waiting for me, no forgiveness, not in this life, not in the next.’

Inej shook her head. How could she still look at him with kindness in her eyes? ‘You don’t ask for forgiveness., Kaz. You earn it.'”

(pg. 365)

Honestly, Kaz was not a man of faith, but Inej gave him something to believe in.

Inej also still saw the best in him when he couldn’t see it in himself. He needed to know he was still worth saving and he wasn’t bad for all the choices he had to make to survive. Sure, he could have made kinder choices, but gosh he was a good person. He didn’t want to be the one that ruined Inej’s goodness, but heck knows that’s her choice to make. So I felt sad when Kaz shut down and strutted out of that room afterwards because he was scared and saying all these excuses of he’s bad, a bad influence, or whatever was easier than facing her. I understood it. It just made me sad because she cared so much for him and him villainizing himself wasn’t going to change that. She knew who he was, and she still liked him all this time. That wasn’t going to change.

“So he wasn’t fit for a normal life. Was she meant to find a kindhearted husband, have his children, then sharpen her knives after they’ve gone to sleep? How would she explain the nightmares she still had from the Menagerie? Or the blood on her hands.”

(pg. 368)

They both weren’t meant to have a normal relationship, but this was their normal.

But there goes me being emotionally wrecked by Kaz Brekker.

I liked how Kaz and Inej had another scene towards the end where Inej told him don’t be this—a killer of an innocent kid (Pekka’s son). I liked how she told Kaz he was the better man because Kaz needed to hear that. She always believed Kaz was a good person in her own way, but he needed to know that he was more than his worst deeds or false crimes.

After the takedown of Pekka and Van Eck, the Crows kind of did their own thing. Inej was free and Kaz had the Slat and Crow Club. They weren’t together much, but left notes for each other without seeing each other. That made my heart hurt because they obviously still cared and loved each other. After their near kiss, I liked how they didn’t talk about it because they both knew they had things to work through, but they still showed each other they loved and cared for one another. That was their relationship—subtly strong love. Love doesn’t need to be grand gestures of affection or poetic prose every waking second, but it can be the way you leave little notes of love or looks of affection for those you love. It can be the way you look out for someone or do things for them—-it’s still showing you care. It’s like the five love languages. Honestly, Kaz and Inej do the five love languages well.

I wondered though, why Inej couldn’t’ live with Kaz at the Slat 😆. But I guess if I was Inej and I had to choose a mansion over the Slat, I would stay in a mansion. Sis, deserved to live it up!

But what made my heart warm soooo much was how Kaz bought her a boat and named it The Wraith 🥺. I knew he would buy her a boat because he said he had unfinished business, and Inej didn’t have her boat yet. But my heart just swelled so much because him buying her a boat showed her he believed in her dreams and he just wanted her to be happy and free. Even if that meant not being with him. THAT’S LOVE ♥️.

I loved how Inej said she would come back to Ketterdam, meaning she might come back and see him. I liked that they would be partners in crime to take down practically all of Ketterdam. I loved when she made him laugh.

“‘Why not?’ Inej asked. ‘On the seas and in the city. One by one.’

‘Brick by brick,’ he said. Then he gave a single shake of his head, as if shrugging off the notion. ‘I wasn’t made to be a hero, Wraith. You should have learned that by now. You want me to be a better man, a good man. I-‘

‘This city doesn’t need a good man. It needs you.’

‘Inej–‘

‘How many times have you told me you’re a monster? So be a monster. Be the thing they all fear when they close their eyes at night. . . . think about it this way . . . you’ll be thinning out the competition.’

He made a sound that might have been a laugh.”

(pg. 526-7)

She never wanted him to change or be someone good, but to be himself. Of course, making sound choices like not burying kids alive 😅.

But I loved when Inej said:

“I’m not ready to give up on this city, Kaz. I think it’s worth saving.’ I think you’re worth saving.”

(pg. 527)

She LLLLLOOOVED him because she knew he was worth it.

“She would fight for him, but she could not heal him. She would not waste her life trying.”

(pg. 527)

But I also respected that she knew she could not heal him. That was for him to work on. She would be by his side through his trauma and help him as she could, fight for him as much as she could help, but she could not heal the hurt he carried. I respected how she knew that and how she was going to live her life and not try to heal something that is not hers to heal. She would take what she can of his heart and come back and maybe in time he will be healed and she will be healed and they can have more. But right now, the relationship they did have was more than enough. There’s also this sentiment I heard once that you shouldn’t expect a relationship to fix every problem in your life because that takes figuring things out for yourself. Inej’s quote made me think about that.

“‘Crows remember human faces. They remember the people who feed them, who are kind to them. And the people who wrong them too. . . They don’t forget. They tell each other who to look after and who to watch out for.'”

(pg. 528)

I told you Kaz was the Crow. Well, they are all Crows, but he’s the OG crow 😆.

But I loved the sentiment because crows are usually seen as intimidating or scary creatures, but they are interesting creatures that have goodness within them, but have been tainted by the world. I read in a Rick Riodan book—I think it was a Trials of Apollo story—-that crows were originally white birds and then it was scorched/turned black because of an affair that Apollo’s lover had with someone else at the time. So, I guess from that mythology the crow remembered the face—that’s why they symbolize having a good memory. But the color change also made me think about the goodness within and the darkness they faced on the outside—the hurt they felt from the outside world that turned them dark. So, maybe Crows could also symbolize that.

No matter, they were all Crows—beautifully enticing ❣️.

I kind of laughed, but mostly gushed at the end where they held hands. I told you I would take a hand holding 😆.

But I loved how it was Kaz without gloves because he was trying to be unarmored for her and too slowly work on being intimate or having physical contact with another. It was such a powerfully beautiful scene and I loved it. I loved how Kaz didn’t let go that time. I also smiled sooo wide when Kaz pointed out the Suit boat in the harbor. Inej’s reaction was priceless and sweet. Kaz Brekker surprised me yet again. He found her family. I DON’T know how, but gosh that was sooo sweet. I loved that little moment where he made a joke—I mean, Kaz Brekker, joking? Someone call Jesper! And the joke made Inej laugh and that’s what he wanted to hear 🥺. I also liked how he asked if his tie was straight because it was such a funny, teen thing to say. It also was such a laughably cute moment that Kaz wanted to impress Inej’s parents. I mean, that’s sooo funny! I could imagine Kaz being like, “Hi, I’m Kaz I run heists and con money and all these things.” Gosh, I could impinge the parents finding out his reputation and being turned off. Kaz was the definition of don’t-date-my-daughter 😂.

Gosh, I want to see Kaz and Inej’s parents meet. I want to see Inej actually reunite and talk to her parents and tell them all her stories. I think that would be sweet. But I loved how happy she was and I could tell that made Kaz happy. He gave her that happiness.

He earned her love. She earned his love. And they would find each other again when they were ready.

I thought things were closed for their story until we got to the epilogue. The epilogue brought closure to Pekka’s story because he was going into hiding to protect his son, Alby. To me, the ending seemed too easy because I thought Pekka was a big bad, so it seemed funny how easily scared off he was by Kaz. But then as Kaz would say,

“I suspect he got a bad case of the Wraith.”

(pg. 129)

I mean Inej really done scared the heebie jeebies out of Pekka and Alby just so Kaz could find peace and move on. I loved that for Kaz, but gosh DON’T MESS WITH Inej! Inej knew that Kaz wouldn’t move on with Pekka still on his mind, so she got rid of him as much as she could for Kaz—her way of fighting for him. Her doing so reminded me of their conversation after they kissed when she said:

” ‘. . . By being something more than just the next Pekka Rollins.’

It was impossible. There was nothing more. He could see the truth even if she couldn’t.”

(pg. 366)

Kaz wouldn’t let this go until it was gone. So Inej sped up the process—you know, like a fated moment.

I was Volcra screeeing when Inej carved the place where Pekka’s heart was and how she placed a crow in place of Alby’s lion. THAT WAS A WICKED POWER MOVE! I bow down to the Queen of the Barrel. But he was smart to say it wasn’t worth it to fight the Crows he built.

“The problem was that the creatures who had managed to survive the city he’d made were a new kind of misery entirely—Brekker, his Wraith queen, his rotten little court of thugs. A fearless breed, hard-eyed and feral, hungrier for vengeance than gold.”

(pg. 536)

It goes back to that sentiment of how mature people grow up faster because of the environment they survive in. It’s crazy how Pekka looked back and thought he birthed these new survivors because of his cruelty to them—he turned them crueler. They weren’t bad people, just tougher than he was because he had grown comfortable in his high chair of wealth and power. There’s always people who were hungrier for more. At least, Pekka recognized that he was no match for Kaz Brekker and his crew and stepped down. However, it seemed too easy.

But at least now I think Kaz and Inej could try to move on.

But what would Kaz do if someone new came along? Who was Kaz without a grudge to nurture?

That’s a Kaz I would love to see. Maybe not with kids though 🤪. Maybe a dog, or a goat.

Helink

Nina and Matthias were my bantering King and Queen.

I loved how we saw those tender in-sickness-and-in-health moments between them. I also absolutely adored their dynamic.

One of my favorite moments was when they were walking in the Mister Crimson costumes and Nina tried to make Matthias laugh and play the part. But my favorite Matthias and Nina moment was when they went to Little Ravka in Ketterdam to find the other Grisha. I found it funny how they were supposed to play brother and sister, and Jesper even told them not to kiss, but you know . . . that’s what happened. So much for brother and sisterly love 😆. I thought it was cute how Nina thought of Little Ravka like a home—it was where she felt like her people were.

I also thought it was quite laughable and cute how Matthias looked at her like a million bucks when she came out in her diner Fjerdan fashion 😂. Of course the Sven caveman in Matthias would enjoy Nina in his homelands fashion.

I couldn’t stop laughing at that older lady who told Nina to ask Matthias if he wanted to play Princess and the Barbarian. I was like, “Is that some sort of innuendo?” 😂. This old lady knew how to have fun. What made it funnier was Matthias was clueless to what the older lady might have been asking, and Nina had to literally spell it out for him/tell him the story. Ah, our innocent Fjerdan. Such a gentleman.

“‘This culture is disgusting. The idea that a Ravkan could civilize a Fjerdan–‘

‘Calm down, Matthias.’

‘Perhaps I’ll write a story about insatiable Ravkans who like to get drunk and take their clothes off and make unseemly advances toward hapless Fjerdans.'”

(pg. 195)

Matthias’s actor in Shadow and Bone, Callahan Skogman, wrote a book during quarantine, so maybe he could write us this story 😂. I’m pretty sure Leigh Bardugo beat him to it, but I’m always here for a new author.

Part of their Little Ravka visit was the KISS.

Our sweet, gentleman, honorable Matthias really was a good guy who wanted their kiss done right. I respected that. He was a romantic at heart ❣️.

“‘Our first kiss would be in a sunlit wood or under a starry sky after a village dance, not in a tomb or some dank basement with guards at the door.’

‘Let me get this straight,’ Nina said. ‘You haven’t kissed me because the setting isn’t suitably romantic?’

‘This isn’t about romance. A proper kiss, a proper courtship. There’s a way these things should be done.'”

(pg. 234)

Another one of Matthias life-long beliefs as a Fjerdan man. I’m not mad at the chivalry of Fjderan men, but Matthias was not in Fjerda, he was in Ketterdam and in Ketterdam, you just go for it! 😆 I mean, it’s sweet he wanted to wait for the right moment and do the right thing to “court” Nina because he loved her. I thought it was funny when he looked at the ceiling and Nina was like, “Matthias, are you praying?” And he was like “Possibly.” And Nina was like, “For restraint?” 😂

Restraint went out the window when he lifted her off the ground and gave her a passionate kiss.

Loved that for them.

I”m still waiting for the Crow date where everyone eats waffles. Imagine a triple date or maybe a double date with Kaz and Inej because I don’t want to rush them into being a couple if they’re not ready. But it would still be cute.

I kind of cringed when he called her overwhelming before the kiss. It made me think back to what he said to Inej in Six of Crows. I mean, calling a woman overwhelming was like calling her high maintenance. He really stumbled over his words for a while before Nina told him to look at her and he got all hormonal as most guys would 🤪. However, I enjoyed their other little flirtations here and there with having fun, waffles, and all the things. And then we oet to the end, and my heart just broke for Helnik. What really got me was the way Matthias wanted to see her one last time, and the way he said her name. I was a complete mess for them. They were better together and would make the world better.

But . . .

Sigh.

No mourners, no funerals. Right? 😭

“No mourners, no funerals. Another way of saying good luck. But it was something more. A dark wink to the fact that there would be no expensive burials for people like them, no marble markers to remember their names, no wreaths of myrtle and rose.”

(pg. 266)

Their four word catch phrase of good luck. It was cool to understand how the saying originated. Morbid, but interesting how it made sense.

There’s also quote I remember seeing earlier in the book:

“I have been made to protect you. Only in death will I be kept from this oath.”

Matthias also said this in Six of Crows after he and her hugged when she got out of that Grisha cell. But now . . . he would protect her from above. He will always be with her and they will see each other again.

I would have liked to have seen Nina after Matthias passed away to see how she was doing because after Matthias’s send off, we don’t really see or hear from Nina. We know she’s going to bury his body in Fjerda and keep her promise to Matthias. But gosh, I still hurt for her and the love she lost.

Helnik forever. Gosh, Matthias forever ♥️.

Wesper

My cuties patooties 🥺.

I came for the Kanej, Helnik, and Wesper content and left with a full heart. Well, a half broken and full heart.

I loved hearing the backstory or love at first sight moment between Jesper and Wylan. Little did they know they would fall in love. I knew Wylan was in love with Jesper from the first second because of the way Wylan paid attention to every detail of Jesper. I also knew Jesper liked Wylan because DUH, he kept teasing him because he liked him. I loved how they were always there for each other—the university meeting, seeing the mom, reading to each other, and staying in a mansion together. I also appreciated how they supported each other when Wylan panicked with seeing his mom and Jesper felt unsettled seeing his dad. They reminded each other of their best qualities and I loved that for them.

I enjoyed their teasingly sweet moments and banter as well.

But the moment that got me was when Jesper went to go kiss Wylan out of spite and all his pent up energy. And I remember thinking, “GO JESPER!!! FINALLY!” I was also like, “GO WYLAN!! I like this new boldness and flirtation.” And then Wylan walked into the room 🙈. DARN it! Jesper kissed Kuwei. This little kid had no scruples to correct Jesper that he was kissing the wrong person. Poor Wylan got so upset, I mean I would be too. Jesper, sigh, he should have made sure it was the RIGHT person 🤪. But I don’t blame Jesper, I fell for it too. That explained why Wylan was bold. Gosh, what got me too was how Kuwei didn’t say no to the kiss, so I guess he had the same taste in men as Wylan and he was just desperate. I liked it when they actually did kiss and Wylan initiated it! Go Wylan! He could be bold.

“This was the kiss he’d been waiting for. It was a gunshot. It was a prairie fire. It was the spin of the Makker’s wheel. Jesper felt the pounding of his heart—or was it Wylan’s?—like a stampede in his chest, and the only thought in his head was a happy, startled, oh.”

(pg. 395)

Let’s go Wesper!!!

I loved the ending when Wylan threatened to push Kuwei into the canal when Kuwei tried to make a move at Jesper. Don’t come for his man’s Kuwei. Oh, don’t even get me started on this kid, I have a lot to say 😆.

But I loved that Jesper and Wylan had a life together now. Heck, they had a mansion and lived together. They were living like Larry 😂.

I also wanted to mention how much I liked the heart-to-heart Colm and Wylan had where Colm told Wylan he thought he was good for Jesper. I loved that. At least, we know if Wylan and Jesper get married, they have the dad’s blessing. I expect a wedding where Kaz is the best man and Inej the best woman and Kuwei the ring bearer 😂. Nina can officiate and Matthias can be there in spirit.

⚔️🎰🦅 The Ketterdam Deception⚔️🎰🦅

Now for the plot.

I thought Kaz and the Crows had an elaborate plan to directly break out Inej, but they really got me for a loop. I was terrified for the Crows because it seemed like Van Eck was going to get them with the crew he hired around the area he kept Inej, but then Kaz really went and stole the pregnant wife!! I was shook. Kaz really said, you take my girl, I take your wife and your baby 🙈. When Inej started to laugh, I cracked up along with her. You could not fool Kaz Brekker. Ever.

“He often wondered who would survive this city, but it was possible Ketterdam would not survive Kaz Brekker.”

(pg. 34)

I kept on laughing when their plan kind of backfired. Taking Alys was the torture 😂.

“‘Are all pregnant women always like this?’ Nina had moaned.

Matthias glanced inside the stone hull. ‘Only the kidnapped ones.'”

(pg. 109)

Alys kept wailing and singing and wailing and singing. Kaz could not. I could not 😂. Matthias was ever the pregnant women whisperer. He would be wonderful with kids. I liked how he knew just what to do and say to make her feel happy and comfortable, even if it meant hearing Alys sing. I thought it was funny how when they were on Goedmedbridge, Matthias thought Kaz looked tense because Alys lips were moving—she was singing. Gotta love Alys.

I als laughed when Alys said, “Where are you parents?” And Jesper and Wylan bursted out laughing. I mean, that was the joke of the entire duology.

Getting Inej back had to be the first thing we did because 1) Kaz would go crazy and 2) we needed our Wraith. I thought it was funny how when everyone saw Inej, they greeted her with raised guns and fists. Only Crows would. I also loved how Nina was so quick to share her cookies with Inej because she loved her.

Also with the bridge scene, I loved Nina and Matthias’ part in the plan where everyone wore Mister Crimson costumes because they handed them out. That way the Crows could blend in as they escaped. I wondered why Nina and Matthias were walking around in costume 😆.

While reuniting, they talked about the new plan and who these Kherguud Shu soldiers were. I still don’t understand why there were Kherguud soldiers. I didn’t feel like they were necessary in the plot because we never got closure as to what they were or the future of them. I understood they could hunt Grisha, but still, are they going to pose a problem in the future? Maybe, but I just didn’t really feel for the Kherguud plot line as much as figuring out the parem and take down situation.

Their initial plan was what I liked to call the Weevil Crop Drop.

I’m not good with understanding big plans, so excuse me if I say some of these things wrong.

But Kaz sold his Crow Club and Fifth Harbor shares for the sugar stock markets so they could get rich off of sugar when they take down Van Ecks sugar shares. Kaz set up anonymous shares in each of their names so they would be rich. Van Eck owned/protected ten silos—huge silver vats—that hold sugar. So, Van Eck got a portion of these sales. My economics class I took in high school helped me remember supply and demand because if his sugar was ruined, it would increase the price of sugar. To not make it look targeted when only his ten shares lose money, they were going to ruin the sugar in his ten silos by putting Wylan’s weevil that worked like acid to the sugar. When his sugar sales fall the people who owned the sugar inside the silos find out he profited from their lost sugar, they will find the Weevil and think he messed with the market. Then he would be brought down and his empire wouldn’t be reputable and no one would want to trade with him. Or that’s what I got, but to be really honest it was hard to follow along because I’m not business or money minded. And frankly, I don’t have a scheming mindset 🤪. But I tried to understand what they were doing. They wanted to ruin him.

“‘Destruction of property, tampering with the markets,’ Inej murmured. ‘It will be the end of him.’

. . . ‘He’ll be charged with violating a contract and attempting to interfere with the market,’ said Kaz. ‘There is no greater crime according to Kerch law.'”

(pg. 162)

Take down a business man by taking his money—money he should have paid them.

Smart.

Their plan really went to pieces when Van Eck teamed up with Pekka. I actually liked that Leigh Bardugo did this because it gave Kaz a chance to take down Van Eck and his greatest enemy. But it also changed every plan they had. They were also surprised attacked by the Dime Lions, Dunyasha, and Pekka himself. I felt my heart drop for all of them when they were on their jobs.

I feared mostly for Kaz and Wylan because they were with the big bad Pekka and usually Kaz couldn’t see reason with Pekka around. It also shook Kaz because he knew everyone was now at risk, including Inej. He didn’t want anyone to get hurt. I liked how he and Wylan escaped out of there by “making a new door” or a hole through the roof. I also loved the whole part where Nina raised the dead to battle the Dime Lions and save Inej from her fall. I also loved how Matthias stepped up in protecting Kuwei and Jesper back on Black Island. It was pretty epic when both of them used their powers under rMatthias’s order to escape the Dime Lions who were bombing/shooting at them. Matthias really came through.

I really felt defeated for the gang because not only were Pekka and Van Eck now working together, they now had the Stadwatch out for them. It wasn’t helping that Van Eck was “winning” because he had Pekka in his corner—Pekka who knew how to think like a thief and not a merchant. I also could feel the steam coming out of Kaz when the Dregs walked with the Staddwacth purple. He was going to get them—those traitors!

I really didn’t know what they were all going to do now. I felt terrible.

I thought Kaz was an idiot for going to the Slat when everyone wanted him and then Dregs dead. But he had to do what he had to do.

Let’s talk about parem real quick. I liked how we got to hear why parem was created in the first place. I also liked that we were on track to creating an antidote based on Jesper’s Noyvi Zem knowledge of parem. I think Kuewei would have a lot to work with when he got to Ravka to create the antidote. I wonder if they will give the antidote to every Grisha who had parem in their system. I wonder if Nina’s powers would return to normal if she had the antidote or if her powers would stay the same. Would other Grisha’s powers change with the antidote? I’m not sure, but I hope in King of Scars, it shows Kuwei and the antidote and what it does. Towards the end, I felt like the parem situation wasn’t completely solved. Kuwei was “dead” but everyone could still create parem if they truly wished. I guess they really do need that antidote and fast.

Kuwei, Kuwei, Kuwei.

This kid would be a perfect Dreg or Crow.

He has sass, spunk, and gut 🤪👌🏼.

I found it morbid they hid him in a cemetery. But then he opened his mouth and I was like, “Wow. This kid’s funny.” I laughed when he said that he had other interests besides helping them. Kaz was going to slap that sass out of him. I also laughed when Kuwei said he had nothing when they were all coming up with ideas. He also had a big ego with that whole wanted poster competition they had—-who was wanted for more money. He also had the audacity to kiss Jesper and trick him into thinking he was Wylan. So, this kid was beyond interesting.

Back to the situation at hand, Kaz came up with a new plan of auction 😉. He was going to auction Kuwei to funnel money from jurda farms. He was thinking like a merchant, which I loved because this whole time he played this game thinking like a thief, so Kaz changed tactics. Kaz wanted to auction Kuwei because the Council and Staddwatch would have to protect Kuwei and his representatives—Kaz and Matthias—-until after the auction. They were going to funnel the money to Ravka so they could bid on Kuwei and win. So, that meant working with the Ravkans and Grisha personnel. Kaz also wanted to use Johannus Rieteveld as the random person who would have shares to a jurda farm and use it to con Van Eck into a plan that would still get him charged as a criminal. I stopped following along to the details of the plan at this point because gosh was there a lot they were doing. I liked how Kaz used Jordie’s middle name and their last name as the alias because it meant Kaz still wanted to remember that part of himself/life.

Let’s touch on the Grisha and Ravka part of the plan. Nina originally wanted to get the Grisha out of Ketterdam with the Weevil Crop Drop plan and that was why Wylan and Kaz had to go get the seal from Van Eck’s safe—no one was supposed to leave Ketterdam harbor unless they were part of the Council. So, they faked a letter from Van Eck, but needed his seal of approval. That’s when Kaz did the whole change-the-will-to-Wylan thing too. I’m still curious who is in the Council and how important they were?

Matthias and Nina’s had to meet with the Grisha and Ravkans to warn them about the plan to get them out—to save them from the Kherguud soldiers. I loved how we reunited with Genya and we saw Zoya. Zoya, still spunky and leader-y as ever. I loved the familiar faces. I also loved how Genya turned Wylan back to Wylan because gosh that would help with Jesper knowing who to kiss 🤪. I thought it was sweet though, that Jesper took one of the Wylan’s mom’s paintings as a reminder to what Wylan looked like in case he ever got tailored back to himself.

I loved that we also got to see Strumhond, or our Prince Nickolai ♥️. I loved how amazed Jesper was at Strumhond.

“‘Do you really have a flying ship?’ blurted Jesper.

‘No.’

‘Oh.’

‘I have several.’

‘Take me with you.’

(pg. 386)

If Inej were there, I think she would have said that too.

I liked the whole conversation that Kaz and Nickolai had. I loved how nothing went past Kaz with how he knew Sturmhond wasn’t just some pirate. I felt like Kaz was kind of shook that he was in the presence of royalty, but I also thought it was funny when he said Stumhond could enter as Fairy Queen of Isatmere. But I noticed something when I went back to this scene. Kaz said a line that Freddy Carter said in the show to Alina/Jessie.

“‘The deal is the deal?’

‘The deal is the deal.’ They shook.

(pg. 411)

Played out exactly like it was written too. I appreciated that change in how this scene was created. Hopefully we get more seasons so this scene can play out with Nickolai too 😊.

I did appreciate whenever Kaz owned up to his mistakes as a leader because he was a man of honor as well. One of those mistakes was going to Pekka at the end of Six of Crows. I said in that book review how I didn’t see why he would put himself so openly in Pekka’s target or ask him for help. So, yea it wasn’t the best move. But now they were up against literally everyone and it was the six of them with Colm and Kuwei. They had work to do, and did they work. I just admired the way Leigh Bardugo instilled this sense of dread and hope within the span of a few pages. I felt terrified for what they were up against, but yet I knew that Kaz Brekker was a fighter. And they were all survivors. This too they would endure.

“‘And if Ketterdam has taught me anything, it’s that you can always bleed a little more.'”

(pg. 354)

I also enjoyed Kaz and Jepser’s little bro brawl they had. Gosh knows the anger and tension of their relationship and their plan made them say and do things that weren’t kind. They also needed to just get out their anger. I found it funny when Colm came in and scolded Jesper and the boys like the kids they were. I LOVED when Colm even counted down 🤪.

Auction day was hands-down the most action packed day I have ever read.

I couldn’t believe Wylan got kidnapped until I realized it might have been part of the plan. I mean, I knew Wylan was a newer Crow, but I didn’t think he would rot their entire plan out to the Dime Lions. Luckily, it was part of the plan and I had the utmost respect for Kaz and Wylan that they staged a kidnapping and how dedicated Wylan was to play being roughed up. He really did grow a spine and I am proud of him.

When the plague bell rang, I was like what the FREAK was going on? 🤪

This wasn’t the plan they talked about.

But it was probably part of it and I just didn’t know.

Apparently, Nina’s role was to create a fake plague scare with black resin or dust from the dead body Kaz and she looked at the morgue. Nina did wonderfully for her part.

But gosh when I tell you reading about a plague or a pandemic when you’re in a pandemic hits differently 🤪.

I was like, “Darn.” They talked about quarantine and everyone running to go home and how many weeks they would be like that, and I kept shaking my head. Sigh. Truly, hit something 😂. But it was a smart way to open up the ports to certain people and it was a good distraction—a hit where they aren’t looking moment for sure. Kind of sucked, though, that everyone would have to quarantine for who knew how long. And being in a pandemic right now, it’s not something to fake or take lightly. I felt empathy for the Ketterdam-ians.

Don’t even get me STARTED with how they said they were going to kill Kuwei. I had to pause because WHAT!? They literally went through a whole freaking heist and risked their lives for this kid just to kill him in the end. That made no sense to me. But they faked Kuwei’s death during the auction so no one could properly bid on him anymore and he would be safe to change identities to create a cure in Ravka. However, Nickolai would know who Kuwei was because Kaz set everything up with him. Also, when the Council of Tides came to the bidding, I was kind of shook because Kaz said they hadn’t been seen in like twelve years. So what were they doing there? But I kind of had a hunch it must have been Grisha because they blurred the Council of Tides faces and that seemed sketchy to me—like they were hiding something. It was them. I still don’t know who the Council of Tides are. I mean, who were they and what made them scary? I know at the very end, Kaz got ambushed by the real Tides and they tell him to watch his back. I’m curious if there could be a story in the future in maybe the Tides were out to get Kaz. I would like to know more about this magical council.

I loved how everyone said that Nina controlling the dead was unnatural, but when Zoya controlled lightning.to spark life back into Kuwei, that was someone natural 😂—that that was okay. If anything was unnatural, it would have been that. I mean, she could have made Kuwei bacon with lightning.. Gosh.

“‘Is anyone going to thank me—or Genya, for that matter—for this little miracle?’

‘Thank you for nearly killing and then reviving the most valuable hostage in the world so you could use him for your own gain,’ Kaz said.”

(pg. 492)

Gosh, I loved Kaz’s humor.

It reminded me of when Nina tried to explain to Zoya what the last year was like for them.

“‘I was taken captive by the drüskelle. Matthias helped me space. Matthias was taken captive by the Kerch. I helped him escape. I was taken captive by Jarl Brum. Matthias helped me escape.’ Matthias wasn’t entirely comfortable with how good they both were at being taken prisoner.”

(pg. 230)

Neither was I 😆. Saying they had a rough year was an understatement. But when Nina laid it out like that, I was like, gosh that did happen.

In the end, Van Eck was charged just as Kaz intended and Kaz had Pekka begging for mercy. His literal dreams. It felt right that bad men like Van Eck got what was coming for him given how he 1) tried to have Wylan killed 2) sent the Crows on a death mission 3) never gave the Crows their money and tried to kill them and 4) was generally a SICKO man.

But they got justice for what they have been through.

“‘ . . . Sometimes, the only way to get justice is to take it for yourself.'”

(pg. 89)

Kind of like I discussed before, they were all kids who had no one to look out for them. Sometimes people in the rail world don’t have people to look out for them, so they find justice by taking it for themselves—they do what they have to do for themselves because they know no one else will. That’s how the Crows and Dregs operated. I understood it. It just kept making me think about the theme of survival and chosen family.

They were a hodgepodge of a chosen family who loved each other and showed their love in their own way. I loved that ♥️.

Some families you are born in, and some families you choose. Wylan’s story also highlighted how sometimes you can be rich and have everything, but still have nothing and find your survival. Jesper’s arc emphasized how sometimes family life is complicated, but can be mended with communication. Every family is different.

They also all got their money to do as they pleased. It broke my heart to see the Crows’ time together come to an end 😢. They were a wonderful dream team! They fought and butt-heads, but they supported each other and came through. I hope they reunite or have a reunion because that would be fun to see. I know Nina and Inej had plans to see each other again. Nina was first going to bury Matthias and then go home to Ravka for a while with the rest of the Grisha. Wylan and Jesper were going to live together. And Inej and Kaz were going to work together and work on themselves to give what they have, maybe a chance. But I liked that Kaz wasn’t one to say goodbyes. It reminded me of the sentiment that saying goodbye means you won’t see someone or something again. But when you leave, you should say see you later. I hope they see each other later ♥️. They will forever and always be my favorite Crows.

I also loved the ending moments with each character in seeing how they felt or where they were going. I especially enjoyed Kaz and Inej’s chapters because they were my two favorites, but gosh knows I have a special place in my heart for all of them.

Questions I still had after Crooked Kingdom was what would happen if/when Van Eck got out of jail? Would he seek revenge? There might be a story there 😏. Maybe there could be a story where we see Jesper and Wylan go to Noyvi Zem, gosh knows, I’ve never been there! I’m also still curious about the Council of Tides and what they have against Kaz? Or who that Grisha girl Jesper’s mom saved? Was she important? What of these Shu robot Khuugurd people? Were they still a threat? And what about parem? Was that still a threat? Are these threats going to be discussed in King of Scars? I guess I’ll find out when I read it.

In all the book was a work of beauty and art that I thoroughly loved and enjoyed. I have not enjoyed a fantasy book in soooooo long, but truth be told I haven’t read a fantasy book in soooo long. But the Six of Crow duology made me fall in love with fantasy again and the world, characters, depth, action, and drama that fantasies hold. I am on a fantasy kick for sure. I will miss the Crows and Ketterdam, but I’m holding out hope that Leigh Bardguo has more stories to tell with our Crows. She said YEARS later she might come back and write about them again. I hope she does. There’s something magical about the Crows that make you want more.

Update: I watched a video somewhere where Leigh said after she wrote the sequel to Ninth House, she would write SoC 3 if there was a demand for It (which gosh knows there is 😆), but she said SOMETHING will happen and that the characters won’t just sit around for tea! Honestly, I would LOVE a SoC 3, but if someone DIES in SoC 3, I will not recover, soooooo I feel like Leigh is making us not want this book 🤪. I mean, I still want a SoC 3, but do I realllllly? I mean, I could not function if Kaz, Inej, Jesper, Wylan, or Nina didn’t make it. I don’t know. I don’t know. I think I’m good with the illusion that they are all living high and mighty now. BUT . . . . 🙈. Leigh don’t kill any more people 😆!!!

Anyway, what was your favorite part of the book? Least favorite part? Anything I mentioned that you want to discuss more about?  What was your favorite part of Crooked Kingdom? Let me know below in the comments as I love hearing from you all 💕

I hope you have a beautiful day whenever and wherever you might be reading this 😊.

And as always, with love,

Rating

5 Full Fledged Crows

Characters: I want to be a Crow 🙈. They are all so gosh darn cool and so unique. They have deep backstories that make you fall in love with their characters and admire the strength and love of who they are today.

Plot: I swear Leigh Bardugo is either one of the greatest plot schemers/planners ever, or one of the best writers ever. Every moment surprised me, left me insatiated, and filled with serotonin.

Writing: Brilliant. Pure Brilliance. I loved how Leigh Bardguo interweaved backstories, new plots and plans, romance, drama, and action evenly and in detail throughout the entire story. No moment lacked.

Romance: Some books have one ship written beautifully, but Leigh Bardguo has crafted three ships with such rich, complex, deep love that is so different for each ship. I appreciated every detail and every moment that built their ships.

Action: Who needs a Marvel movie when you can read Crooked Kingdom?