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Imme [trying to crawl out of hiatus] van Gorp's Reviews > Crooked Kingdom
Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)
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Imme [trying to crawl out of hiatus] van Gorp's review
bookshelves: 3rd-person-pov, adventure, fantasy, hardcover, high-fantasy, lgbtq, magic, multiple-pov, romance, young-adult
Apr 13, 2024
bookshelves: 3rd-person-pov, adventure, fantasy, hardcover, high-fantasy, lgbtq, magic, multiple-pov, romance, young-adult
|| 3.5 stars ||
Wow. This book was so vivid and so vibrant. All the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The imagery was gorgeous and the story just flowed so seamlessly. It was all very admirably and cleverly put together.
The writing was pretty dense, though, and could definitely feel like it dragged with its excessive descriptions, but despite that, it was somehow still pleasant and engrossing to read, even if a bit hard to get through at times.
That said, this book was certainly too action-packed and plot-focused for my tastes. I prefer it when there are more quiet moments spent on character development and build-up of relationships. There were so many action scenes going on that there was little time left for the characters to interact with each other.
And that’s not to say that these characters felt superficial or empty; far from it. These characters actually felt very real and lively with super interesting backstories, motivations, dreams, fears and personalities. However, the fact that there was so much potential in these characters was also exactly why I wanted to see more of them. I wanted to see their personalities shine through in scenes without some sort of action-sequence involved; I wanted to see these characters be more than pawns in some genius scheme, I wanted them to just be themselves and talk with each other in a meaningful and in-depth way, but also have light or fun moments together.
Alas, that was not what happened as most of this book was action upon action with a pure focus on the twist and turns of the plot, and thus, with hardly any room left for dialogue or interactions of a different kind. For me, that was exactly what made this merely a good book instead of a fantastic one.
GRISHAVERSE:
'Shadow and Bone' trilogy:
1. Shadow and Bone - 3.5 stars
2. Siege and Storm - 3.5 stars
3. Ruin and Rising - 3.0 stars
'Six of Crows' duology:
1. Six of Crows - 2.5 stars
2. Crooked Kingdom - 3.5 stars
'King of Scars' duology:
1. King of Scars - 2.5 stars
2. Rule of Wolves - 4.5 stars
Companion Novellas:
The Demon in the Woods - 3.5 stars
The Witch of Duva - 3.5 stars
The Tailor - 2.5 stars
The Too-Clever Fox - 3.5 stars
Little Knife - 3.0 stars
Wow. This book was so vivid and so vibrant. All the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The imagery was gorgeous and the story just flowed so seamlessly. It was all very admirably and cleverly put together.
The writing was pretty dense, though, and could definitely feel like it dragged with its excessive descriptions, but despite that, it was somehow still pleasant and engrossing to read, even if a bit hard to get through at times.
That said, this book was certainly too action-packed and plot-focused for my tastes. I prefer it when there are more quiet moments spent on character development and build-up of relationships. There were so many action scenes going on that there was little time left for the characters to interact with each other.
And that’s not to say that these characters felt superficial or empty; far from it. These characters actually felt very real and lively with super interesting backstories, motivations, dreams, fears and personalities. However, the fact that there was so much potential in these characters was also exactly why I wanted to see more of them. I wanted to see their personalities shine through in scenes without some sort of action-sequence involved; I wanted to see these characters be more than pawns in some genius scheme, I wanted them to just be themselves and talk with each other in a meaningful and in-depth way, but also have light or fun moments together.
Alas, that was not what happened as most of this book was action upon action with a pure focus on the twist and turns of the plot, and thus, with hardly any room left for dialogue or interactions of a different kind. For me, that was exactly what made this merely a good book instead of a fantastic one.
GRISHAVERSE:
'Shadow and Bone' trilogy:
1. Shadow and Bone - 3.5 stars
2. Siege and Storm - 3.5 stars
3. Ruin and Rising - 3.0 stars
'Six of Crows' duology:
1. Six of Crows - 2.5 stars
2. Crooked Kingdom - 3.5 stars
'King of Scars' duology:
1. King of Scars - 2.5 stars
2. Rule of Wolves - 4.5 stars
Companion Novellas:
The Demon in the Woods - 3.5 stars
The Witch of Duva - 3.5 stars
The Tailor - 2.5 stars
The Too-Clever Fox - 3.5 stars
Little Knife - 3.0 stars
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Reading Progress
July 12, 2023
– Shelved
April 11, 2024
–
Started Reading
April 13, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 54 (54 new)
message 1:
by
hope
(new)
Apr 13, 2024 05:45AM
i honestly feel like if i read this i would feel the same way. if there is too much action i would kinda lose interest even if the action/plot is really good. it does seem like this book would be good but unfortunate there wasn't more time spent on the characters and their interactions. great review bestie! 💖
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I loved your review, you made a perfect assessment of this last book in the series. I also liked it better than six of crows. You might consider her Alex Stern series (Ninth House, etc) if you want to see how she does character development in a modern setting . 💜
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@hope — yea, exactly! the action and the overall plot were honestly really good, but I just needed the characters to have more room to breathe!🫡
@Charles — Thank you!☺️ I’m glad to hear you share my sentiments <33 I’m definitely curious about the Alex Stern series, and I do plan to read it someday. Not sure if I’ll read the King of Scars duology first though, cus there is a part of me that does want to finish the Grishaverse before moving on to her other works!🫣
great review Imme!! I need to finally sit down and read this trilogy, but I'm afraid I'll feel exactly the same as you - that it was just good, not fantastic, hope you enjoy the next book more!! 🤍
yay !! i remember reading this and liking it too. wonderful review :-) but it seems like u didn't enjoy the first one. glad that u liked this better!
@aleksandra — this one is actually a duology, not a trilogy, but I fully get why you feel daunted! I always have that fear when I start a series that has received a lot of hype or praise; it feels almost impossible that a series will live up to that. So really, the best you can try is to put your expectations low and enjoy it as it is, even if if it’s not fantastic and just good😉😂
@adira — Yea, I was superrrr disappointed with the first book but this one felt like a big improvement!☺️
Great review, Imme! Glad you enjoyed it more than book 1. 💗 For me it was the other way around. 😅 I agree that this one was very action-packed.
@Snjez — hahah it’s funny we had opposite experiences with book 1 and 2, but yea, I think almost everyone agreed the action scenes were a bit too much🫡
I totally love the positives you mentioned about this story, it makes me want to start it right now. But like you I too struggle with too action-packed and plot-focused books. I guess I have to be in a certain mood for it. Maybe I should look up the audios for this. Happy to see you overall liked it tho. ❤️
@Kati — Yea, I definitely think this is one of those books that you have to be in the right mood for, cus otherwise you’ll end up feeling bored or unattached! It’s easy to let your mind wander with more densely written books like these, so I’d certainly save it for a time you can put a lot of concentration in your reading!😌
I see what you mean! Unless, it's a thriller, I prefer books that give the characters time to reflect on things and playfully interact rather than packing 100 fight scenes into one book.
i love this book😭 but i agree with you especially on the dense writing cause i feel that way about all this authors books😅 im happy you got some enjoyment out of it though!
Oh that's too bad, Imme. Such great writing but too little focus on the characters and their interactions. I see the whole Grishaverse has no rating higher than 3,5 from you. A 4 or 5 stars in between would have felt good, I imagine ❤️
Happy you loved the vividness of this book, Imme. I still haven’t read anything by Leigh Bardugo yet. My TBR is overflowing 😅.
@Dann — Yup, exactly. With a fantasy book I love good world-building and a strong plot is super important, but I really need characters development too with all those simpler interactions between them as well! It can’t only be about the plot🫤
@Krysta — Oh yea, I definitely still got plenty of enjoyment out of it :) But the dense writing really is a bit of a mood killer sometimes😅
@emma — thankss🩷🩷
@Angelika — Yea, I would have really appreciated that! Most of these books were good, but I would have loved it if it least a few of them had been amazing😉
@Marieke — hahah I know the feeling; sometimes it feels like we’ll never get around to reading everything we want to🫠
This series sounds like fun🫶. I love action but there needs to be a balance. I am so happy you enjoyed this one a lot better than the first😚.
You make a good point, and now I would LOVE a book or novella where we just get to hang around and get to know these characters outside of this crazy story. 🥺
@allison — yea it’s definitely fun, but balance between action and quieter moments is key😌
@aimee — ohmygodd yess, I’d love that!!🩷🩷
Your review makes me want to re-read this one with fresher eyes! Happy you enjoyed it Imme 😊
@Rain — Oh really? I love that☺️ and thank youu <3
Great review, beautiful💗!!!!!!! I'm so happy you enjoyed this book😘😘!!!!!!!!
@Cara — Thankss sweetie🤍🤍
@Mai — 😁😁🩷
do you plan on reading Nikolai's book? It's been on my tbr for forever, but the mixed reviews aways make me hesitate on picking it up, even though I love all the other grishaverse books.
I'm pleasantly surprised that you liked this much more than Six of Crows :)
@Morgan — I do plan on it, yea, but I’m not sure when. It definitely feels like a waste to drop the universe before I’ve finished, yet I’m not sure I have the desire to finish it right now haaha. I’m just not so sure what to expect of Nikolai’s books… I’ve heard some mixed things as well🤔
@CC — hahah same! :) very pleasantly surprised😌
great review, imme! i never finished this, but only because i remember i wasn’t feeling it st the moment. i was a mood reader when i started this and i wasn’t in the right mood. sadly the spoilers for what happens felt impossible to avoid, so i’ve also avoided it since then. 😂
I'm glad the second book in the duology was a more enjoyable experience for you, Imme! Great review! 💛
@elena — aww I’m so sorry the book got ruined for you by spoilers! It’s truly such a shame when that happens, but it’s often unavoidable😞 also, I totally get why you stopped reading this back then. This is definitely a perfect example of a book you can only enjoy if you’re in the right mood for it; otherwise, I think it’s an easy one to get bored with😅
@Amina — Thanks😊 I was very happy about that as well🩷
i totally get your point about wanting to spend more genuine time with these characters. they are so precious and this story was such a rollercoaster of emotions that it felt like 500 pages was too less🥺 who's your favourite character and ship? chapter 50 made me bawl like a baby😭 I MISS HIM SO MUCH.it's good to see this book had a positive effect on you as contrary to the disappointment the first book was :(
You are really blowing through all of Leigh Bardugo’s series lately! You’ve got a point about the action packed ness of this duology tho. There was not a ton of time to stop and develop romances etc
i'm glad this was better for you but damn this doesn't sound super good lol 😭 i've always been curious about this but i'm not a fantasy girlie so i don't think i would enjoy it...
I need to reread this series, but I remember having a similar issue to you -- everything just moved a bit too fast.
You did a really good job explaining how the action didn't balance with the expectations from the characters. I definitely agree - wonderfully written, Imme 💜
I am the sole individual on Goodreads who has yet to read this series.
@Betty — Yess, I feel like there was so much potential in these characters that I would have LOVED to see more of them outside of all the action! My favourite ship was definitely Kaz and Inej cus they seemed to have the most genuine and deep-rooted love for each other! Like, they had so much real history yk?
@Helen — hahahah yes, I read through them on warp speed! i guess once I got a real taste of how good these books can be, I couldn’t get myself to stay away from them LOL🤣
@bruna — Yea, it’s superrr plot-heavy, so if that’s not your thing, I doubt you’d enjoy this duology😅
@liv — I’m curious what you’ll think about if if you reread, and if you’ll opinions on it change a lot🤔
