Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo had been sitting in my Goodreads recommended list for months. Every time I opened up the comforting parchment site to browse new titles, it stared back at me menacingly with its dark, brooding cover.

Curious, I scrolled through the reviews and was instantly doused in its hype. With readers describing the book as “perfection” and “epic-sauce”, I decided to put the mega hype to the test. After finally spotting this book at the local library, I flipped open the black dyed pages and began to read.

Six of Crows far exceeded my expectations.

Set in the fictional world of Ketterdam, the story follows Kaz Brekker, a master thief and gang leader who has spent his life trying to survive the harsh realities of the city. Kaz is just barely getting along in his life when he is offered a chance at an impossible heist in exchange for more money than he could imagine. Pulling together the five best members fit for the job, Kaz and his team embark on one of the most dangerous missions yet.

Six of Crows is a fast-paced read with a well thought out plot and unique characters that you can’t help but root for until the very end. Bardugo masterfully crafted her plot so that the twists and surprises are completely unpredictable. Kaz and his team embark on their adventure with break neck speed, and there is never a stagnant moment.

Meanwhile, the characters’ backstories unfold throughout the journey, revealing their intricate lives and explaining how they have managed to sink into the lowest echelons of society. Each member is also plagued with past grudges against each other, which further complicates the mission. These detailed third-person descriptions only draw the readers closer to the main characters, and allow them to empathize with them more.

By the end, readers will find it impossible to choose a favorite character because they are all so distinctive ,with their many flaws, traits, and unique backstories.

Not only is the plot riveting, but the ingeniously constructed dialogue will have readers struggling between racing to the end of the book to see what happens, and slowly savoring every line. The witty, humorous dialogue provides a comic relief from the dark and ominous tone of the story.

Additionally, Six of Crows contains a very diverse group of characters of varying ethnicities, sexualities, and disabilities, allowing more readers to be able to relate to them.

As the story’s plot twists and turns, it finally grinds to a sudden halt on a high cliffhanger.

Overall, Six of Crows is a brilliantly epic fantasy tale with the perfect combination of action, humor, and romance. It definitely exceeds the hype and will leave readers aching for the next book.

I would give this book a 10/10.

Note: Leigh Bardugo is also the author of The Grisha Trilogy, which takes place before Six of Crows. However, you do not have to read The Grisha Trilogy before reading Six of Crows.