Rating: ★★★★☆
Review:
“Always hit where the mark isn’t looking.”
“Who’s Mark?”
Ok, so the hype may have been a little true about this book. While I didn’t agree with or like everything, there were some parts that stood out. Kaz’s struggling with his past, Inej’s fight for purpose, their moments together, Nina and Matthias’s journey to understand each other, the unexpected humor. All of it mixing to create a very well-crafted, thoroughly entertaining heist read.
The thing I loved most though was undoubtedly the relationship between Kaz and Inej. The romance elements were subtle for sure but that idea of caring for someone yet not being with them because you need more from them is an important one. I adored Inej’s strength of character and purpose in being able to feel for Kaz but still be ok with the potential of leaving him because she knew he couldn’t give her what she wanted. And Kaz’s wrestling with wanting to be more for her while hiding behind the mask he had made for himself and dealing with the traumas he still suffered from.
Overall this book captured the idea of the anti-hero really well. Someone who’s fighting for good even if they’re going about it in all the wrong ways. You can’t really call Kaz (or any of the six for that matter) a hero, but he’s someone you end up admiring anyway, for his resilience and cunning even if nothing else.
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Synopsis:
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…
A convict with a thirst for revenge.
A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
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.
Babbling Books 