Teens & Tweens Review is an opportunity for York County Public Library teens and tweens to write book reviews for their peers.
Title: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Reviewed by: Jennifer Z., 12th grade
Rating: 5 our of 5 Stars
The book this review is written on is Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo; it is the first book in a duology. The book is about a group of teens that are planning on pulling off a difficult heist and each of these teens have their own “specialty” or skill. The plot is placed in Ketterdam, based off of Amsterdam. I rate this book a five out of five stars because I think the book is written incredibly well. This book caught my eye since the beginning, and I was hooked as I continued reading. There are amazingly-written and morally grey characters in tandem with a great group dynamic. There is also a healthy variety of silly banter and fun moments mixed in with serious and heart-racing situations. The main cast is also extremely diverse, with characters of all skin colors, disabilities, backgrounds, and orientations. These diverse characters are also portrayed accurately, as characters with disabilities are not mocked or written inappropriately. Because the book is mainly centered around life-or-death circumstances, a lot of mind games and wit are involved, so it is never boring.
I definitely recommend reading this book. It is appropriate for teens and adults of any ages. It does include mentions of death and physical abuse as well as prostitution, but there is nothing too explicit. An added bonus is that this book series is being adapted into a Netflix original series along with another series written by the author, so that is definitely something to look forward to!
YCPL Readalikes
Looking for more magic and mayhem? Try these other YA books!
- Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Summary: The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made. - The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
Summary: Tea's gift for death magic means that she is a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community, but when an older bone witch trains her to become an asha—one who can wield elemental magic—Tea will have to overcome her obstaclesand make a powerful choice in the face of danger as dark forces approach. - The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
Summary: Paris, 1889: The world is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. In this city, no one keeps tabs on secrets better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier, Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. But when the all-powerful society, the Order of Babel, seeks him out for help, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance. To find the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin will need help from a band of experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian who can't yet go home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in all but blood, who might care too much. Together, they'll have to use their wits and knowledge to hunt the artifact through the dark and glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the world, but only if they can stay alive.
If you're interested in earning volunteer hours by writing a review of a book you've read, contact the Tabb Library youth services at 757-890-5110 or youthservices@yorkcounty.gov.