Six of Crows

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bardugo, L. (2015). Six of Crows. Henry Holt and Company (BYR). ISBN: 9781627792127

PLOT SUMMARY

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right

price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a

chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he

can’t pull it off alone. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction–if they don’t kill each other first.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Artfully woven details and backstories develop the plot through Kaz’s personal story and the lives of the dynamic team he’s assembled. The story starts off slow, which is good because the character development and use of multiple names for each can be a bit dizzying at times. This series opener to the Grisha trilogy merges heist and action with magic and mystery. With witty banter and burgeoning romances, these damaged and complex characters are completely relatable. Although the team is “dedicated” to Kaz, each one has their own agenda. As their stories unfold, the action kicks up and surprises are revealed along the

way. I was a bit disappointed that the ending was unresolved, so I’m hoping the sequel, Crooked Kingdom, answers all of those questions. This is a YA novel, but I think it will engage readers of any age. I’ll have to admit, I didn’t like this book at first because it felt a bit erratic. But after a few chapters, it levels out and you become lost in the characters and their stories. I would recommend it for any collection.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

When the score of a lifetime presents itself, criminal mastermind Kaz Brekker assembles a crack team of talented outcasts. Their mission: to rescue a prisoner from the most secure prison in the world, so that the secrets he holds can be exploited by the right people. As Kaz and his compatriots put together a daring plan, they contend with old grudges, mistrust, lingering secrets, and deadly rivalries. Naturally, things go wrong once they start their mission, and now they must escape the very prison they sneaked into.

Publishers Weekly (July 13, 2015)

AWARDS/HONORS

• Kirkus, Starred, 2015

• Publishers Weekly, Starred, 2015

• School Library Journal, Starred, 2015

• Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), 2015

CONNECTIONS

Similar Items You May Enjoy:

• The Queen of Attolia, by Megan Whalen Turner

• Dance of Thieves, by Mary E. Pearson

• The Kinder Poison, by Natalie Mae

• To Kill a Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo

Classroom Applications

• Choose one of the main characters and trace the main characters’

personal growth over the course of the novel.

• Pre-Reading Activity: Anticipation Guide

• Reflective Writing Prompts

• Discussion Guide: Tailor Questions from GrishaVerse to fit the Six of

Crows Duology

• https://grishaverse.com/educator-resources/#