Kaz Brekker is a standout character in Leigh Bardugo’s novel Six of Crows. But even he is human. Kaz may not show any weaknesses but they seep out and will determine the fate of the Crows that follow him.
Six of Crows Summary
A Grisha is found dead after escaping captivity. Councilman Hoede tested a new experimental drug called jurda parem that increases the abilities of the Grisha. But it works a little t0o well and escaped before being found dead days later.
17-year-old Kaz Brekker is offered a job to free Bo Yul-Bayur, the creator of the jurda parem and prevent it from becoming public. Yul-Bayur is a prisomer in the Ice Court, a military stronghold in Fjerda that is said to be impenetrable. Kaz agrees to take on the job for a large sum of cash and recruits a crew to help him do the impossible.
The crew consists of six people and Kaz is the leader Kaz . He recruits people he can trust and uses leverage to break into the Ice Court. The prison is home to many prisoners including Grisha who are persecuted in Fjerda for their supernatural abilities. If Kaz and the others want to make it out, they have to work together and put away their differences. But that is much harder to do when animosity exists amongst the members.
Commentary
I really enjoyed this novel and wished it was longer. It is the typical heist novel but with Grisha. It works on so many levels and part of that is the great set of characters. Kaz Brekker is one of the best characters I’ve come across and he is a big reason why this novel is as good as it is.
If you are interested in the Grishaverse and want to read more novels from Leigh Bardugo, you can read her other novels such as Shadow and Bone and King of Scars. They take place in the same universe and some characters do make appearances. But they plot there is more focused on the future of Ravka, another country that is home to the Grisha.
Why You Should Read This Novel
If you want to dive into a fun, dark fantasy world, then Six of Crows is for you. The setting in this book is dark and cruel. In order to land on your feet, you have to play dirty. If you don’t then someone else will at your expense and many of the characters in the book find out just that.
The dark overtone in this book is a part of the characters identity so it works. It has a necessary role and makes the book that much more interesting. Fantasy fans and dystopian lovers will find it hard to put this book down!
I really enjoyed this book!