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Crooked Kingdom |
Review
I instantly grabbed Crooked Kingdom off my bookshelf straight after I finished
Six of Crows because I had to desperately know what would happen to the
characters in this incredible series.
I was hooked and invested already by the first book in this duology and was
left wanting even more by the end of it too! I have already said in my Six
of Crows review that Bardugo has become a much stronger author but I honestly
cannot overstate how much I mean this, and if you read Crooked Kingdom
you will hopefully feel the same as me. Crooked kingdom begins straight
away from the cliff-hanger of the previous book and it is definitely one that leaves
you needing to know the answer to. A great cliff-hanger always ensures that a
reader will return and showcases an authors ability to leave their readers devastated
but enthralled (which reader doesn’t want to be left reeling and desperate for
more?). If you’ve read both the original trilogy and Six of Crows then
you might agree with me when I say that this duology gives us much stronger and
complex friendships and relationships then seen in the trilogy and for me that
made the duology more exciting and intense.
I
still very much love Kaz and Nina but in Crooked Kingdom there were some
different stand out individuals and relationships for me. All the relationships,
friendships and individuals are given continued equal development but some
themes and issues stood out more for others than in Six of Crows. The stand
out individuals that had the most recognisable developments in Crooked Kingdom
for me were Jesper, Matthias and Wylan. Matthias in particular faced the difficulties
of challenging and untangling his prejudices as a druskelle, a group of people
who fear and hunt down Grisha, which is a process that began in the previous
book when he met and developed a relationship with Nina (a Grisha he’d previously
helped capture). Do all romances begin with a Kidnapping and potential
threat of trial and succeed? Well, this is certainly the case for Nina and Matthias
who both equally challenge and hold each other to account for their individual
prejudices. In Matthias’ case the druskelle has taught him to fear a group
of people who possess a power they cannot understand (importantly the druskelle
are not the only groups of people who fear Grisha, other cultures in Crooked
Kingdom also express fear and prejudices too). However, in the previous book
and continued in Crooked Kingdom is Matthias’ struggle to challenge internalised
prejudices, this is never an easy task and does not happen overnight, in fact
for many people, just as it is for Matthias, it can be a lifelong struggle.
As a druskelle Matthias had lived with a purpose and had security in his life
but is now willing to see and challenge the negative aspects of his past, with
the right people to help, and Nina is the most vocal in this task but also the
most loving in allowing Matthias the time he needs without expecting an
overnight change. This is one of the few interactions between Matthias and Nina
which I think showcases their joint journey to challenging their individual, as
well as cultural prejudices, giving hope that change can happen. But both are
aware that this cannot happen if someone is forcibly pressured into changing instead
accepting that there are difficulties to overcome from both individuals
prejudices and it is not a one sided struggle:
“Do you remember what you said to me, Nina? You wished King Nikolai would march north and raze everything in his path.” “I was angry—” “You had a right to your anger. We all do. That’s the problem. Brum won’t stop. The drüskelle won’t stop. They consider it their holy mission to destroy your kind.” It had been his mission too, and he could still feel the distrust, the pull toward hatred. He cursed himself for it. “Then we’ll find a way to change their minds. All of them.”
I
couldn’t stop reading this book and I honestly found myself reduced to fits of
laughter at some points along the way and couldn’t contain my excitement at
some of the romantic relationships that evolved throughout. If you are looking for
a new book or series with positive LGBTQ+ representation than this duology and Crooked
Kingdom in particular is perfect for that very reason. During a scene Wylan
is having his features adjusted by a Grisha, I wont say who but readers of Shadow
and Bone will be thrilled! During this scene Jesper comments on and makes
suggestions to help the Grisha restore Wylan’s features, which is one of the
cute and beautiful moments between Jesper and Wylan:
“His brow should be narrower,” Jesper said, peering over [...] “Just a little bit. And his lashes were longer.” “I didn’t know you were paying attention,” murmured Wylan. Jesper grinned. “I was paying attention.”
I
think this is one of the magical abilities of fantasy, especially ya fantasy, which
is the genres ability to help and safely explore the themes and issues of
acceptance. I have already indicated those of challenging prejudices and sexualities
but there is also the exploration of learning difficulties, in particular dyslexia,
and the struggles and difficulties faced by those individuals too and finding a
path towards support and acceptance too. So for me Crooked Kingdom is not
only fantastic because it’s a fantasy and develops Bardugo’s Grishaverse world
but because she engages with and explores important themes and issues relevant
to real life.
“It’s easier when you’re younger, but so is everything. Children learn languages more easily. They learn mathematics more easily.” “And they’re unafraid,” said Wylan quietly. “It’s other people who teach them their limits.”
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| Crooked Kingdom |
Synopsis (From Goodreads)
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.
Key Quotes
'Kuwei cleared his throat. “I would prefer to go to Ravka.” “I’d prefer a pair of sable-lined swimming trunks,” said Jesper. “But we can’t always get what we want.” […] “I would prefer to go to Ravka,” he repeated more firmly. Kaz’s flat black gaze fastened on Kuwei and held. Kuwei squirmed nervously. “Why is he looking at me this way?” “Kaz is wondering if he should keep you alive,” said Jesper. “Terrible for the nerves. I recommend deep breathing. Maybe a tonic.” “Jesper, stop,” said Wylan. “Both of you need to relax.” Jesper patted Kuwei’s hand. “We’re not going to let him put you in the ground.” Kaz raised a brow. “Let’s not make any promises just yet.”
'I may not have Kaz’s devious mind, but I am a dangerous girl.’ - Inej Ghafa
“All Saints,” he shouted as pain tore through his shoulder. He really hated being shot. […] Just a scratch, but it hurt like hell, and he was bleeding all over his new tweed jacket. “This is why it doesn’t pay to try to look respectable,” he muttered.'
“Young man—” Jesper pointed his gun at the scholar’s chest. “Move.” “Jesper!” his father said. “Don’t worry, Da. People point guns at each other all the time in Ketterdam. It’s basically a handshake.” “Is that true?” his father asked as the scholar grudgingly moved aside…’
“A lock is like a woman,” he’d said blearily. “You have to seduce it into giving up its secrets.” [...] Sure, a lock was like a woman. It was also like a man and anyone or anything else—if you wanted to understand it, you had to take it apart and see how it worked. If you wanted to master it, you had to learn it so well you could put it back together.’
“Matthias—” “I don’t have it.” She yanked herself free, shame crawling over her skin like fire over a forest floor. “Then who does?” she hissed. “Kaz.” She stilled. “Are you going to creep into his bed?” Nina released a huff of disbelief. “He’d slit my throat.” She wanted to scream her helplessness. There would be no bargaining with Kaz.’
Similar reads
Shadow and Bone, The Raven Boys, A Darker Shade of Magic
Afterthoughts
Are you excited for the tv show?
Have you read Crooked Kingdom? Let me know your thoughts!
How do you try to challenge some of your own prejudices? We all have them, it's what we do with them that matters.
Leigh Bardugo has said that she might write a third book in the very distant future for what is currently a duology, would you be interested in reading it (if it happens, of course)?
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