The Grishaverse is a book world I’ve heard about for years. And been thoroughly confused by for years, as well. (Who or what is The Darkling???) Do I start with the more favored Six of Crows?? Or Shadow and Bone that was written first? I had different responses when I asked that question, btw. NOW I understand the confusion.

It really isn’t necessary to read the Shadow and Bone trilogy first, BUT I think it did help me understand the world a bit better. There are so many facets of Six of Crows, and at least I understood the basic “rules” to the world.

But on that note, I did enjoy the Six of Crows duology more than the Shadow and Bone trilogy. For example, I will definitely be rereading the duology someday in the future, but I have no desire to reread the trilogy. And I finally feel ready and excited for the television adaptation to come!

It took me a few years to collect all the books in both of these series—and yes, it frustrates me that they don’t match, but I’m cheap, okay!! 😉

I’ll be sharing my random thoughts and notes that I kept while reading both the trilogy and duology, as well as my playlists. <3 Be sure to check out my thoughts on Shadow and Bone here!

Just a friendly warning: there will definitely be spoilers in my lists of thoughts.

Six of Crows

1. So we meet the famous Kaz.
2. It’s hard keeping all these characters straight.
3. Oops. Kaz has a weakness.
4. This seems to be one of those books I need to read in silence. At least in the beginning. I’m having a hard time keeping it all straight. I thought reading the Shadow and Bone series first would help, but this is an entirely different beast.
5. Oh wait. They’re talking about amplifiers and the Small Science. I recognize those!
6. Okay, I’m starting to see why everyone loves this duology. Such a unique group of characters.
7. Oh wow. Matthias has some issues with Nina, I guess.
8. Hmm. So much talk about the Elderclock being accurate….
9. Awww. Inej’s father’s advice! “Many boys will bring you flowers. But someday you’ll meet a boy who will learn your favorite flower, your favorite song, your favorite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won’t matter because he will have taken the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns your heart.”
10. Inej!! It IS nice knowing this group is vulnerable, but hard to read.
11. They love each other. But they don’t know it!
12. Bloody eyeballs!
13. “She wouldn’t wish love on anyone. It was the guest you welcomed and then couldn’t be rid of.”
14. “Everything.” Oh wow, Matthias. <<fans self>>
15. It’s refreshing to have two girls be friends and not rivals.
16. Not loving Matthias at the moment.
17. Uh oh. I have a feeling Nina and Matthias’ deal will end badly.
18. Wth? Kaz fainted??
19. Poor young Kaz and Jordie. Reading about plagues is such a different experience when you’re living through a pandemic.
20. I’m starting to understand how Kaz is such a favorite character. So many layers.
21. Oops, Nina. This gang doesn’t seem as well-equipped as they think they are.
22. Jesper and Wylan are cute.
23. I sure hope Inej has a plan.
24. First thing that’s taken me out of the story: it’s funny how every character’s “person” from the past is at The Ice Court on the same night.
25. NINA! I thought you were smarter than that.
26. Matthias. You scoundrel. This better be part of Kaz’s plan.
27. If Matthias meant those words as they locked up Nina, he’s gonna have to work hard for MY forgiveness!
28. That’s a start.
29. Swoon. Okay, Matthias, I forgive you. 😉
30. Ummm, Kaz, that’s disgusting.
31. Nina, you badass.
32. “He’ll just be very bald.”
33. Dang, Inej. That’s harsh.
34. Errrrgghhhh. A cliffhanger??
35. Jesper, Jesper, Jesper. Such a big mouth.
36. Inej!!!!
37. I feel sorry for all the fans that had to wait for the second book. Thankfully, it’s just waiting on my shelf!

Crooked Kingdom

1. Welcome back, Crows! Love how we dive right in.
2. I knew Inej would not be sitting around waiting to be rescued.
3. Drat. I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.
4. I can’t wait until Inej or Kaz makes Van Eck suffer miserably.
5. Poor Mr. Jesper. That’s an unfortunate reunion.
6. Ha. Take that, Van Eck.
7. Singing Alys!
8. It’s nice to see Inej and Kaz back together.
9. Ergh. I really wish Kaz would have taken advantage of his time alone with Inej. That boy needs to face his feelings.
10. “I would come for you. And if I couldn’t walk, I’d crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we’d fight our way out together—knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that’s what we do. We never stop fighting.”
11. Oh wow. I didn’t think Van Eck could sink lower, but he did.
12. Somebody better reunite Matthias and his wolf!
13. Poor Inej. I hope she gets to kill Tante Heleen.
14. “What did it mean to aspire to serve Djel, only to see his power in the gifts of another, to know you could never possess those gifts yourself?”
15. That’s how you make an entrance at a dinner party!
16. When Kaz sees Inej!!! “Nina knew that look. It came after the shipwreck, when the tide moved against you and the sky had gone dark. It was the first sight of land, the hope of shelter made and even salvation that might await you on a distant shore.”
17. I wondered how long it’d be before someone mixed up Wylan and Kuwei. Oops.
18. My heart!!!!! Ch. 26, I can’t take the pain!
19. I might have read it twice…
20. Yeah. Take that, “Old Man” Haskell!
21. Sturmhond!!!!
22. I’m so happy Wylan looks like Wylan again. And hanging out with Genya again was fun!
23. Oh Wylan.
24. I had wondered if Wylan’s kidnapping was part of the plan…
25. I can sympathize with the people’s fear of a plague now.
26. NO, MATTHIAS!!!!!!!!!
27. Ch. 40!!!! I really thought it would be Nina to die.
28. “Her heart was a river that carried her to the sea.” Kaz <3 Inej.
29. I’m destroyed. So many feelings.

A Song For A Book

On Bookstagram I created a hashtag for when I include a song that reminds me of the book I’m sharing, #ASongForABook, I thought I’d make it a regular feature on my reviews, too.

Picking one song for this duology is next to impossible, but I think every time I hear “Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots I’ll think of the Six of Crows gang. Especially the version featuring Mutemath.

We don’t deal with outsiders very well
They say newcomers have a certain smell
Yeah, trust issues, not to mention
They say they can smell your intentions
You’re lovin’ on the freakshow sitting next to you
You’ll have some weird people sitting next to you
You’ll think, “How did I get here, sitting next to you?”
But after all I’ve said, please don’t forget

All my friends are heathens, take it slow
Wait for them to ask you who you know
Please don’t make any sudden moves
You don’t know the half of the abuse

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I’m including the Spotify playlist I created to listen to while I read through the Six of Crows duology. It’s cobbled together from author recommendations, Pinterest, Tumblr, and various other sources I discovered by Googling. 😉

Have you read the Six of Crows duology? Or are you like me, and it’s been sitting on your TBR for years? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Wandering!