Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo Summary

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.