{Review} Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Page Count: 536

Published On: September 27, 2016

Published By: Orion Children's Books

Genre(s): Fantasy, YA

Source: hardback - personally purchased

Age Rating: 15+

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 5 stars 

Goodreads synopsis:

Welcome to the world of the Grisha.

Kaz Brekker and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives.

Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties.

A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets - a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

~~~

Hey, guys!

     It's been a hot minute since my last full review, but I'm ready to catch up on my reviews and bring you all of the hot goss on my favorite books. Stay tuned for more reviews soon!

     It's also been a hot minute since I read this book, but wow oh wow has it stayed with me during these past few months. This book was the perfect companion to Six of Crows. I absolutely love these characters and the plot is just so fantastically done. Leigh Bardugo really blew me away with this book. I cannot wait to get my hands on King of Scars on the 29th. 

    This gif has been my mood every time I think about Leigh Bardugo's 2019 releases. Ugh, I need them ...yesterday.

     I absolutely adored the focus that this book had on developing the characters and getting to see their cultures through their interactions. I loved learning about their families and their developing friendships. I need more more more! They are just so well fleshed out and developed characters. You don't usually see characters as wonderful as these and I just really need more about them in my life. I cannot wait to see which characters show up in King of Scars.

     This book was also beautifully executed. The amount of thought that went into the soul of this book is beautiful and mind-boggling. There is so much action throughout this book and I was constantly on the edge of my seat. The heist never ended and there was never a lull. I was not prepared for such a fast-paced and action-packed book. I should have been because DUH Six of Crows was just as action packed! You really cannot emotionally prepare yourself for this book. You will be surprised at every turn. 

    I can only gush about this book. It's dark, it's action-packed, it's heartbreaking, it's hopeful, it's funny, it's so freaking engaging! I cannot wait to read more from Leigh. She's such a masterful writer. I can only hope that I can meet her someday. I wish I could tell her how much I adore her books. She deserves every nugget of praise that she receives. She is a master wordsmith. 

I definitely recommend this book! Please read it! Let's talk about it!

My Other Reviews for Leigh's Books:

• The Demon in the Wood (Grisha #0.1) {review}
• Shadow & Bone (Grisha #1) {review}
• Siege and Storm (Grisha #2) {review}
• Ruin & Rising (Grisha #3) ~ review coming soon!
• The Tailor (Grisha #1.5) {review}
• Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1) {review}
• Language of Thorns (Grisha #0.5, #2.5, #2.6) {review}

Happy reading!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Review} Language of Thorns (Grishaverse #0.5, #2.5, #2.6) by Leigh Bardugo

Page Count: 281

Published on: September 26, 2017

Published by: Imprint

Genre(s): YA, Fantasy, Retellings, Anthology, Short Stories

Source: hardback -gift

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 4.75 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.

This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.

~~~

Hey, guys!

     Back in December, my boyfriend's lovely family gifted me this book for Christmas. I was so excited to read the stories and be re-immersed into the Grisha world. This book totally lived up to the hype and my expectations. The stories were fantastic, the writing was A+ as always, the illustrations were stunning, and the book itself was just amazing. I love these stories so much. I couldn't find anything that I didn't like about this book. It was just straight-up awesome. Cue the excessive gushing and lack of critical analysis. 

     This book was just gorgeous! I'm so in love with the stories that Leigh Bardugo created for this world. Each story was so hauntingly beautiful and the language and imagery that they created were just so imaginative and stunning. I'm so pleased with both the physical look of the book and the actual content itself. The illustrations throughout the book were just so intricately done and the detail that went into their making is just astoundingly beautiful and perfectly reflected the stories and their spooky vibes. Each story was intricately crafted in a way that left you desperately wanting more, yet still satisfied with how their ending was summed up. 

      Each story in this Grisha anthology is inspired by common known and lesser known fairy tales, myths, and folklore. The five stories each represent the five areas/countries in the Grisha universe. The stories are such a fantastic representation of the Grisha world. Each story adds more to the world building and reveals a more in depth look at the history of the world.

Other Grisha Reviews:

• Shadow & Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1) by Leigh Bardugo
• Siege & Storm (The Grisha Trilogy #2) by Leigh Bardugo
• The Tailor (The Grisha Trilogy #1.5) by Leigh Bardugo
• Six of Crows (The Six of Crows Duology #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Happy reading!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Review} The Tailor (Shadow & Bone #1.5) by Leigh Bardugo

Page Count: 18

Published on: May 23, 2013

Published by: Holt/Macmillan

Genre(s): short story/novella, fantasy, high fantasy, young adult

Source: Paperback - via publisher 

Age Rating: PG

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

New scene from Shadow and Bone told from Genya's point of view.

~~~

Hey, guys!

Julia had lent me her copy of Siege & Storm and her copy featured the awesome novella: The Tailor. This novella consists of a scene from Genya's perspective that took place between Shadow & Bone and Siege & Storm. 

This was such a great novella. I didn't realize that I needed this scene until I read this novella. This really revealed an influential key part of Genya's character. I was so sad about her character change back in the day, but after reading this bit, I kind of understood why she did what she did. I just hope she has a fantastic character arc. 

I can't reveal much about this novella, but I highly recommend it. If you've read the other Grisha books then, this is pretty important for the character arcs and the development of the story (in my opinion).

I cannot wait to read Ruin & Rising! I need it in my life!

My Bardugo Reviews:

• Six of Crows: {click here}
• Shadow & Bone: {click here}
• Siege & Storm: {click here}

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Review} Siege & Storm(The Grisha #2) by Leigh Barudgo

Page Count: 435

Published on: June 4, 2013

Published by: Henry Holt & Company

Genre(s): Fantasy, YA, Romance

Source: Paperback - borrowed from Julia

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @Lbardugo

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm. 

~~~

Hey, guys!

     I read this book a couple months ago back when I actually had time to read and it was one of my favorite books that I read. I desperately miss the Grishaverse and I cannot wait to read more after this semester ends. Siege & Storm follows Alina and Mal after the end of Shadow & Bone and continues on with their magical and politically driven adventure. I absolutely loved this book. Leigh Bardugo has such a magical ability to create such an interesting and addicting world and amazing characters that I can't help but love. 

     Once again, I'll sound like a broken record when it comes to Bardugo's books. Her writing style is so addicting to read. She has such fantastic ability to create a rich, dark, and intriguing world and magic system that I want to know more about. I just adore every element of this book. It was a bit slower than Shadow & Bone, but there was so much tension as the book progressed, so that is probably why.

      I loved the new character, Nikolai, that was introduced. He is so dreamy and I hope he doesn't end up to be an ass. He's so complex and interesting and I cannot wait for the series that is being developed about him. I need it tomorrow. I still cannot help but love the Darkling. He's such a fantastic villain. I need more about him. I (not-so) secretly hope for a great character arc. He and Alina are just a massive ship for me. I want it. Mal can choke. I still cannot stand him. He's no good for Alina. No thank you. Alina is so complicated and fantastically written. I adore her character.

Okay you're going to hate me for using the world "complex" again, but it's my go-to for this review, I suppose. 

The political aspects of this book are so rich and complex and I just get so caught up in the politics of the war. I need more and I cannot wait to read more about it. The issues that these characters are facing are so fascinating and I cannot wait to finish this series, but yet I don't want to at all! Ah this will be so bitter sweet!

My Review of Shadow & Bone: {click here}
My Review of Six of Crows: {click here}

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Review} Shadow & Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Page Count: 358

Published on: June 5, 2012

Published by: Henry Holt & Company

Genre(s): Fantasy, High Fantasy, YA

Source: Paperback - personally purchased

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

Twitter: @LBardugo

My Rating: 4.75 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Shadow and Bone is the first installment in Leigh Bardugo's Grisha Trilogy.

~~~

Hey, guys! 

Julia (from @jujuthereader on IG & Twitter aka my best friend) has been recommending and asking me to read this book for the longest time and I've finally gotten to it! This book definitely met and exceeded my expectations. I loved it so much. I flew through it in under 24 hours. 

Shadow & Bone was Leigh Bardugo's debut novel in 2012. In the book, Bardugo introduces the world of Ravka, a world that is very loosely based on the Russian culture. In her novel, she introduces Alina Starkov. Alina has never been good at much of anything. When Alina and her best friend, Mal's regiment is attacked, Mal is injured and Alina reveals a power that she was not only unaware of, but a power that could save her country. Alina is whisked away to the capital city to be trained by the Grisha and the Darkling; a mysterious, powerful, and dark Grisha. Alina's personal journey begins as she confronts her past and learns more about her mysterious power. 

            Shadow and Bone is such a fantastic introduction to the Grishaverse. Leigh Bardugo has such a fantastic ability to seamlessly create an original world. Her characters are so complex and interesting to read about. Alina is such a great main character. I loved her character arc and I loved seeing how she grew as the book continued. However, I do not like Mal as a character. I think he’s kind of lame and bland. Not because of the way his character was written, but I just don’t like him. I think Alina deserves someone who loves her and appreciates her. I think Mal manipulates her, but don’t hold me to that. It’s only the first book. Also, these are just my first thoughts. I’m probably wrong. I just don’t like him. I might have a prejudice. I’m sorry I’m rambling. Let’s continue on!

            Holy crap the Darkling was so cool. I can’t wait to see what happens in Siege and Storm & Ruin and Rising. I desperately need them. I hate that I decided to go on a book-buying ban. I just want all of Leigh Bardugo’s books. October can’t come fast enough.

            This book’s plot was so intriguing and the pacing was just perfect. It was so intricately done, but not hard to understand. I just loved how Bardugo wrote this book. It was so addicting and I never could tell what would happen next. I read most of the book in one sitting and whenever something happened that I didn’t anticipate, I would literally gasp or say something out loud.

            This book was just so stunning and flawlessly done. Bardugo’s world is so original and unique and I cannot wait to read more. This makes me even more excited to continue with the series. I cannot wait until the new boxset with the new covers is released, because you know I will definitely buy it. I need it in my life.

I need more books like this!

Happy reading!

Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository @LivTheBookNerd on Books Amino