A ragtag bunch of criminal misfits, a heist, an incalculable reward, and the world against them.
Six of Crows is a thrilling duology penned by the skilled hand of Leight Bardugo and considered one of the 100 best fantasy books of all time by Time Magazine. Set in the author’s shared universe of stories, Six of Crows is a tale of moral ambiguity, friendship, loyalty, revenge, and redemption—all surrounding six young criminals with skills as powerful as their inner demons.
- Overview of the Six of Crows Series
- What is the Grishaverse?
- Should You Read Shadow and Bone Trilogy Before Six of Crows?
- The Setting of the Six of Crows Series
- The Six of Crows Series in Order
- Who Should Read Six of Crows?
Overview of the Six of Crows Series
The Six of Crows series is a Young Adult Fantasy duology written by Leigh Bardugo and published in 2015-2016.
The story follows a group of six young criminals gathered together to fulfill a deadly heist that, if successful, could give them riches beyond their imagination. The ragtag group of outcasts must learn to work together to accomplish the mission—which might be more dangerous than they ever imagined.
Although the Six of Crows series is a stand-alone duology, it is part of what the author calls the Grishaverse—an expansive collection of interconnected stories set in the same world.
What is the Grishaverse?
The Grishaverse is the name given to the shared universe created by Leigh Bardugo. It encompasses three main series, including the Six of Crows duology and many more short stories.
According to the author, the Grishaverse is a “lavish fantasy world in which science and magic collide,” inspired mainly by 19th-century countries and political events. Each series focuses on a different country, highlighting different main characters, sociopolitical circumstances, and cultural conflicts.
The fantasy aspect—and the universe’s name—comes from the Grisha, a group of individuals who can perform ‘Small Science,’ a type of matter manipulation. While many consider this a kind of magic, the Grisha deem it an extension of the natural world. Depending on the kind of matter they can manage, the Grisha are classified into different groups.
The Grishaverse begins with the Shadow and Bone trilogy, is followed by the Six of Crows duology, and currently ends with the King of Scars duology. Additionally, there are companion books and stories that further expand the lore of this universe.
Should You Read Shadow and Bone Trilogy Before Six of Crows?
Although it may seem counterproductive, you do not need to read Shadow and Bone before starting the Six of Crows series—with a few caveats.
Shadow and Bone is the first book series of the Grishaverse written and published by Leigh Bardugo. She suggests starting with it, as Six of Crows takes place two years after the trilogy’s ending.
However, this suggestion is not mandatory since the Six of Crows series takes place in a different country and features an entirely new cast of characters, which makes it a great starting point.
However, the Six of Crows series starts in a new country and features entirely new characters, so it is also an excellent starting point for exploring the Grishaverse world—with the caveat that you can get spoiled for some of the events that take place in the Shadow and Bone trilogy.
In short, you can start with the Six of Crows series if you’d like, and you’ll enjoy the story without further issues. Still, if you’re serious about avoiding spoilers and reading chronologically, you should consider stopping by the Shadow and Bone series first.
The Setting of the Six of Crows Series
Six of Crows begins in Ketterdam, the capital of Kerch—an island country loosely inspired by the old Dutch Republic with shades of Victorian London. It is a prosperous merchant city ruled by the Merchant Council and a bustling international trade hub that is nonetheless plagued by a thriving underbelly full of criminals.
One such criminal is Kaz Brekker, a gang leader in Ketterdam. One day, a wealthy merchant makes him an offer he can’t refuse: millions in exchange for a mission that involves freeing a captive scientist in Fjerda—and keeping his deadly discovery away from foreign forces.
The mission seems impossible, as Fjerda is well-known as an impregnable fortress. But to achieve his goal, Kaz recruits five more members, each with skills that make the impossible seem attainable—even if the result of their mission is not what they expect.
The Six of Crows Series in Order
Luckily, the Six of Crows series consists of only two books released chronologically, making it easy to follow.
Six of Crows (2015)
The first book and the one that lends its name to the series. Six of Crows narrates the beginning of the famed heist and showcases the teenage criminals’ attempts to complete the mission while struggling to coexist with one another.
The book narrates the central plotline of the series, as Kaz and his team venture into Fjerda to free a captive scientist—and things, of course, don’t go according to plan.
Crooked Kingdom (2016)
Crooked Kingdom is the second and last installment of the Six of Crows series, and it continues immediately after the first book’s ending.
The mission concluded with an unexpected result, and the Crows were more beaten down than ever. After a terrible double-crossing, low on allies, and on the edge of despair, they watch as Ketterdam becomes the target for those seeking the power of jurda parem. But there is always a plan—and the upcoming war will need it more than ever.
Other Grishaverse Books Featuring the Six of Crows characters
Although the Six of Crows series is strictly a duology, the characters are part of the Grishaverse. Thus, they appear in other books outside the entries mentioned earlier.
In particular, some Six of Crows characters have prominent roles in The King of Scars duology, the third Grishaverse series that takes place after the events of Crooked Kingdom—to the point where it concludes some of their arcs.
Subsequently, it’s best to read The King of Scars duology after finishing both Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows.
Who Should Read Six of Crows?
The Six of Crows series is a fascinating and engaging read for any YA literature enthusiast, particularly if they have a penchant for fantasy novels with established magic systems. Its structure, designed after a heist, can also offer spectacular action and thrilling moments for those who enjoy high-stakes moments and chess-like strategical maneuvering.
However, those who love character-driven stories will be the ones to enjoy Six of Crows the most. At its core, Six of Crows is about a group of misfits finding their place in their world and with each other, creating engaging interactions between morally grey characters who are as fundamentally good as a band of criminals can be.
For fans of expansive fantasy worlds, consider exploring Brandon Sanderson books or The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss. Readers who enjoy intricate relationships and vivid settings might find themselves drawn to A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas or The Folk of the Air and Elfhame series by Holly Black. If you’re looking for timeless sci-fi and fantasy classics, Anne McCaffrey books are another must-read.
For more complex and interconnected universes, check Cassandra Clare’s books in order. But if you prefer your YA fantasy to have a bit more political intrigue, head over to the Ember in the Ashes series—all of which you can find on BookScouter.