Six of Crows

This is the first in the hotly anticipated new series from Leigh Bardugo.  As a fan of the Grisha Trilogy (Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising), I was super excited about this book!  Plus, look at the cover!  It is awesome!

Six of Crows is set in the same world as the Grisha Trilogy not long after the events in Ruin and Rising; however, it is not necessary to read the first series to be immersed in this world.  These are completely separate characters.  That said, there are some fun little "Easter eggs" for those of us familiar with the events of the first series.

Six of Crows is the story of six teens who become part of a crew to pull off a "heist" for an epic payout that could change their lives.

Kaz is the leader of a gang and the mastermind of the mission.  He has a mission for being ruthless and a nickname to match.  Dirtyhands is famed for acting without compassion or remorse, and this cruelty combined with a wily intellect have taken him far in his young life.  But he won't be able to pull off this job alone.

The thief, the sharpshooter, the Heartrender, the spy, the runaway, and the convict.

These make up the team Kaz will take with him into the frozen lands to break into the most fortified stronghold in the world.  If they survive, their lives will change forever.  If they fail, they will be dead.

I loved this book!  I don't want to give too much away because part of the charm is the slow revelation of backstory and connection amongst the characters.  This is a must read for fantasy fans!  (grades 8 and up)