Over the last decade, Leigh Bardugo has become one of the most influential fantasy authors in modern fiction. Her novels have built a massive fanbase around the world, inspired a hit Netflix adaptation, and introduced readers to one of the most beloved fantasy universes of recent years. Whether you are a longtime fantasy fan or someone just beginning to explore the genre, there is a good chance you have heard people talk about the Grishaverse.
And honestly, it deserves the hype.
Leigh Bardugo has a unique ability to combine immersive worldbuilding, memorable characters, morally gray heroes, sharp dialogue, and emotional storytelling into books that are almost impossible to put down. While many fantasy novels focus heavily on lore and large-scale conflicts, Bardugo’s greatest strength has always been her characters. Readers become deeply attached to the people in her stories, which is a huge reason why her books continue to dominate bestseller lists and online discussions years after release.
Bardugo first rose to prominence with Shadow and Bone in 2012, but it was Six of Crows that truly launched her into another level of popularity. Since then, she has expanded her fantasy universe, explored adult fantasy with darker themes, and proven herself to be one of the most versatile fantasy writers working today.
With multiple bestselling books and several entry points for new readers, deciding where to start with Leigh Bardugo can feel overwhelming. Some readers prefer heist stories filled with found family dynamics, while others enjoy dark academia and supernatural horror elements. The good news is that Bardugo has written something for almost every type of fantasy reader.
These are the best Leigh Bardugo books every reader should add to their list.
The Best Leigh Bardugo Books Every Fantasy Fan Should Read
Six of Crows
If there is one Leigh Bardugo book that almost every fantasy fan recommends first, it is Six of Crows.
Released in 2015, this novel quickly became one of the most beloved young adult fantasy books of the modern era. Even readers who normally avoid YA fantasy often end up loving this book because of how layered and mature it feels.
The story follows Kaz Brekker, a criminal mastermind who is offered the opportunity to pull off an impossible heist. To do it, he assembles a dangerous crew made up of thieves, spies, gamblers, sharpshooters, and fugitives. What follows is a tense and addictive fantasy story filled with betrayals, impossible odds, and incredible character moments.
One of the biggest strengths of Six of Crows is its cast.
Every member of the crew feels distinct and memorable. Kaz is cold, calculating, and endlessly fascinating. Inej quickly became a fan favorite because of her quiet strength and emotional complexity. Jesper brings humor and chaos to the group, while Nina and Matthias provide one of the strongest enemies-to-lovers dynamics in fantasy.
The relationships between the characters are what truly elevate the novel. Readers become emotionally invested in the group almost immediately because the found family dynamic is written so well.
Another reason the book stands out is its pacing. Leigh Bardugo structures the story like a high-stakes crime thriller, which makes the novel incredibly difficult to stop reading. There are constant twists, shifting alliances, and moments where everything feels like it could collapse at any second.
The worldbuilding is also fantastic without becoming overwhelming. Bardugo gives readers just enough information to immerse them in the world while keeping the focus on the characters and story.
To this day, Six of Crows remains the book many readers associate most closely with Leigh Bardugo, and for good reason. It is one of the best fantasy heist novels ever written.
Crooked Kingdom
After finishing Six of Crows, most readers immediately dive into Crooked Kingdom because there is simply no way to stop after that ending.
The sequel somehow manages to expand everything readers loved about the first book while raising the emotional stakes significantly. The crew is now dealing with the fallout from the heist, dangerous enemies closing in from all sides, and betrayals that threaten to destroy them completely.
What makes Crooked Kingdom so strong is how emotionally rewarding it feels. By this point, readers are deeply attached to the characters, and Bardugo takes full advantage of that investment.
The character arcs are excellent throughout the novel, especially for Kaz and Inej. Their relationship remains one of the most popular slow-burn romances in fantasy because it is built on emotional vulnerability rather than flashy romantic moments.
The sequel also deepens the political conflicts within the Grishaverse and expands the world in interesting ways without losing focus on the central cast.
Few fantasy duologies maintain the quality of the first book while delivering a satisfying conclusion, but Crooked Kingdom absolutely succeeds.
For many readers, the Six of Crows duology represents Leigh Bardugo at her absolute best.
Shadow and Bone
While Six of Crows may be her most beloved work, Shadow and Bone is still one of the most important books in Leigh Bardugo’s career because it introduced readers to the Grishaverse.
Released in 2012, the novel follows Alina Starkov, an orphan and soldier who discovers she possesses a rare magical power that could change the fate of her country.
The book introduces readers to Ravka, a kingdom divided by the Shadow Fold, a terrifying stretch of darkness filled with monsters. As Alina learns to control her abilities, she becomes entangled in political struggles, war, and dangerous secrets.
Compared to Bardugo’s later work, Shadow and Bone feels more traditional in its fantasy structure. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. The novel still contains compelling worldbuilding, strong emotional moments, and one of the most iconic villains in YA fantasy.
The Darkling became incredibly popular among readers because of his charisma, mystery, and morally gray nature. Even years later, he remains one of the most discussed fantasy antagonists online.
Another reason this series remains important is because it laid the foundation for everything that came after. Readers who enjoy the Grishaverse eventually circle back to this trilogy because it expands the lore and history of the world significantly.
While some readers prefer Bardugo’s later books, Shadow and Bone is still an essential read for fantasy fans.
King of Scars
One of the most impressive things about Leigh Bardugo’s writing career is how she has continued expanding the Grishaverse in ways that feel fresh rather than repetitive.
King of Scars focuses on Nikolai Lantsov, one of the most beloved characters introduced in the original trilogy. Fans had been asking for a Nikolai-centered story for years, and Bardugo absolutely delivered.
Nikolai is one of the most entertaining characters Bardugo has written because of his humor, intelligence, and charm. But King of Scars also explores the darker emotional struggles beneath that confident exterior.
The novel dives deeper into Ravka’s political instability while introducing new magical threats and expanding the mythology of the Grishaverse even further.
What makes this book especially rewarding is seeing how much Bardugo grew as a writer over the years. The character work feels sharper, the pacing feels stronger, and the emotional themes carry more weight.
For longtime Grishaverse fans, King of Scars feels like a return to familiar characters while still pushing the world forward in exciting ways.
Ninth House
While Leigh Bardugo is best known for fantasy, Ninth House proved she could successfully transition into adult fiction as well.
Released in 2019, this dark fantasy novel introduced readers to a completely different side of Bardugo’s writing.
The story follows Alex Stern, a young woman with the ability to see ghosts who is recruited to monitor Yale University’s secret societies and their occult activities. What begins as a mystery quickly turns into something much darker and far more dangerous.
Ninth House is significantly darker than Bardugo’s YA novels. It explores trauma, addiction, class privilege, violence, and power in ways that feel much more mature and unsettling.
The atmosphere is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Bardugo creates a version of Yale that feels eerie, secretive, and haunted by centuries of hidden magic and corruption.
Alex is also one of Bardugo’s strongest protagonists because of how flawed and emotionally complicated she is. She feels realistic in a way many fantasy protagonists do not.
This novel also showcased Bardugo’s versatility as a writer. Rather than relying on the same formula that made the Grishaverse successful, she took creative risks and delivered one of the best dark academia fantasy novels in recent years.
For readers looking for fantasy with horror elements and darker themes, Ninth House is essential.
Why Leigh Bardugo’s Books Stand Out
Fantasy is one of the most crowded genres in publishing, yet Leigh Bardugo has managed to stand out in a massive way.
Part of that comes from her ability to create unforgettable characters. Readers may initially pick up her books for the fantasy elements, but they stay because of the emotional connections they form with the characters.
Another major strength is her pacing. Bardugo’s novels rarely feel slow or bloated. Whether she is writing a fantasy heist, political intrigue, or supernatural horror, her stories constantly move forward while maintaining strong emotional depth.
Her worlds also feel immersive without becoming overly complicated. Some fantasy series overwhelm readers with endless lore and exposition, but Bardugo balances worldbuilding with character-driven storytelling extremely well.
And perhaps most importantly, she understands emotional tension. Whether it is romance, friendship, betrayal, or trauma, the emotional stakes in her books always feel genuine.
That is a huge reason why her novels continue to resonate with readers long after they finish them.
Final Thoughts
Leigh Bardugo has built one of the strongest fantasy catalogs of the modern era. Whether readers are looking for epic fantasy, found family dynamics, dark academia, supernatural horror, or morally gray characters, there is something in her bibliography for almost everyone.
If you are completely new to her work, Six of Crows is probably the best place to start. It remains her most beloved novel for a reason. But readers interested in the broader Grishaverse should absolutely explore Shadow and Bone, King of Scars, and the rest of her connected universe as well.
And for readers wanting something darker and more mature, Ninth House proves that Leigh Bardugo’s talent extends far beyond YA fantasy.
No matter where readers begin, one thing becomes obvious very quickly: Leigh Bardugo knows how to write stories that stay with readers long after the final page.
What are your favorite Leigh Bardugo books? Let us know in the comments below, Until next time, happy reading!
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