Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo Summary

1. Crooked Kingdom follows Kaz Brekker's crew executing elaborate revenge schemes
2. Leigh Bardugo's sequel delivers high-stakes heists and devastating character deaths
3. Inej escapes captivity and launches her mission against slave traders
4. Nina discovers dark corpse-animating powers after surviving jurda parem addiction
5. Matthias sacrifices himself protecting the crew from a young drüskelle
6. Wylan finds his mother alive and inherits Van Eck's fortune
7. Kaz manipulates an auction to destroy enemies and save Kuwei
8. The crew fakes Kuwei's death while exposing Van Eck's corruption
9. Crooked Kingdom explores loyalty redemption and the price of vengeance
10. Jesper embraces his Grisha abilities while building romance with Wylan
11. The Six of Crows duology concludes with bittersweet partings
12. Leigh Bardugo balances action-packed plotting with emotional character arcs

About the Author of Crooked Kingdom

Leigh Bardugo is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Crooked Kingdom, a dark fantasy heist novel and the thrilling conclusion to the Six of Crows duology. Born in Jerusalem and raised in Los Angeles, Bardugo is best known for creating the Grishaverse, a richly detailed fantasy universe inspired by 19th-century Russia and Europe.

Her work explores themes of morality, loyalty, trauma, and power through complex characters and intricate world-building that blends cultural mythology with inventive magic systems.

Bardugo is also the creator of the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the King of Scars duology, and the adult fantasy series beginning with Ninth House. An associate fellow at Yale University's Pauli Murray College, she graduated from Yale with a degree in English. Her books incorporate Jewish themes and cultural influences throughout her storytelling, from the Grisha-inspired magic to historical settings like the Spanish Inquisition in The Familiar.

Her books have been translated into 22 languages and published in over 50 countries, and the Grishaverse has been adapted into a Netflix original series. Bardugo was ranked the sixth most popular author on Goodreads between 2016 and 2021.

FAQs About Crooked Kingdom

What is Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo about?

Crooked Kingdom is the second book in Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows duology, following the aftermath of a daring heist gone wrong. Kaz Brekker and his crew must rescue their captured teammate Inej while seeking revenge against the merchant Jan Van Eck, who betrayed them. Set in the Grishaverse, this YA fantasy-heist novel features elaborate cons, high-stakes schemes to sabotage Van Eck's sugar empire, and a dangerous auction for a powerful prisoner named Kuwei.

Who should read Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo?

Crooked Kingdom is perfect for readers who love character-driven fantasy with intricate heist plots and morally complex protagonists. Fans of Ocean's Eleven-style capers, diverse LGBTQ representation, and dark fantasy will find this sequel compelling. The book appeals to young adult and adult readers who appreciate elaborate plot twists, ensemble casts with deep emotional arcs, and action-packed storytelling that balances suspense with character development throughout the Grishaverse setting.

Is Crooked Kingdom worth reading?

Crooked Kingdom is highly worth reading, with a 4.57 rating from over 752,000 Goodreads reviewers who praise its emotional depth and clever plotting. Leigh Bardugo delivers a satisfying conclusion that balances plot-driven heists with character growth, featuring raw emotions and realistic stakes. While some readers note the mission feels more sprawling than the first book's focused heist, most agree it exceeds expectations with unpredictable twists and a bittersweet ending that doesn't shy away from consequences.

Do I need to read Six of Crows before Crooked Kingdom?

Yes, you must read Six of Crows before Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo, as it picks up immediately where the first book ends. Crooked Kingdom begins with Inej kidnapped by Jan Van Eck after the Ice Court heist, requiring full context from the previous novel. The sequel assumes readers know the crew's dynamics, backstories, and relationships. Reading Six of Crows first ensures you understand character motivations, ongoing conflicts, and the high-stakes situation the gang faces.

What happens at the end of Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo?

Crooked Kingdom concludes with Kaz's crew successfully destroying Jan Van Eck's reputation at a public auction for Kuwei's indenture. They fake Kuwei's death and smuggle him to Ravka to develop an antidote for jurda parem. However, the victory comes at a devastating cost: Matthias is shot by a young Fjerdan soldier and dies in Nina's arms. Wylan inherits his father's estate, Kaz finds Inej's parents, and the crew begins pursuing separate futures while dealing with trauma and loss.

What are the main themes in Crooked Kingdom?

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo explores themes of:

• revenge and its costs, as Kaz orchestrates elaborate schemes against those who betrayed him.
• loyalty and found family through the crew's willingness to risk everything for each other.
• redemption and identity emerge through characters like Wylan confronting his abusive father and Nina discovering new powers.
• The story also addresses prejudice and sacrifice, particularly through Matthias's journey fighting hatred between nations before his tragic death.

How does Crooked Kingdom compare to Six of Crows?

Crooked Kingdom has a more sprawling, multi-layered mission compared to Six of Crows' laser-focused Ice Court heist. While the first book centered on one daring infiltration, Leigh Bardugo's sequel juggles multiple objectives—rescue, revenge, survival, and smuggling Grisha to safety. Many readers found Crooked Kingdom even more emotionally devastating, with higher stakes and raw character development. The action begins immediately without the 100-page buildup of Six of Crows, though some felt the meandering plot occasionally lacked the predecessor's tight focus.

What is the main conflict in Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo?

The central conflict in Crooked Kingdom pits Kaz Brekker's crew against Jan Van Eck, the corrupt merchant who betrayed them and kidnapped Inej. Kaz plans elaborate revenge by sabotaging Van Eck's sugar holdings and orchestrating his public humiliation. Secondary conflicts include battling Pekka Rollins (Kaz's longtime nemesis who allies with Van Eck), escaping Shu soldiers with supernatural abilities enhanced by jurda parem, and navigating the entire Barrel's gangs deputized against them with diminishing allies.

Does Crooked Kingdom have multiple perspectives?

Yes, Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo features eight different third-person viewpoints, giving readers intimate access to multiple characters' thoughts and motivations. The main POV characters include Kaz, Inej, Jesper, Nina, Matthias, and Wylan, allowing Leigh Bardugo to reveal different facets of complex heists simultaneously. This multi-perspective structure creates suspense as readers piece together how separate missions interconnect, while deepening emotional investment in each crew member's personal struggles and growth throughout the story.

Why is Crooked Kingdom so emotional?

Crooked Kingdom delivers intense emotional impact through authentic character vulnerability and devastating consequences that don't spare beloved characters. Leigh Bardugo explores raw themes of trauma, grief, and sacrifice, particularly through Matthias's death and Nina's anguished loss. The novel earns its emotional weight by developing deep relationships between crew members, making readers invested in their found family. Unlike typical YA fantasy, Crooked Kingdom refuses neat resolutions, instead offering bittersweet endings that reflect the true dangers of their criminal world and choices made.

What are the criticisms of Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo?

Some readers criticize Crooked Kingdom for having a:

• meandering, less focused plot compared to Six of Crows' singular heist mission. The sequel juggles multiple objectives (rescue, revenge, money, reputation), making the narrative feel rambling at times.
• Certain action scenes felt disjointed until the ending revealed how pieces connected.
• The devastating character death disappointed readers hoping for a happier conclusion.
• A few reviewers found the extended mission cleaning up loose ends less compelling than the predecessor's tight, high-stakes infiltration structure.

Is Crooked Kingdom appropriate for young adults?

Crooked Kingdom is marketed as YA fantasy but contains mature content suitable for older teens and adults. The book includes violence (torture, death, battle scenes), references to trauma and abuse, mentions of past kidnapping and trafficking, and romantic tension. Leigh Bardugo doesn't shy from consequences—a major character dies, and others deal with PTSD and substance withdrawal effects. The complex moral ambiguity of the criminal protagonists and dark themes make it best suited for readers 15+ who can handle emotionally heavy material.