Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo - ADVISABLE

Bardugo, Leigh  Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2), 536 pgs.  Henry Holt and Company, 2016.  $18.99 

Content: Language: R (80 swears; 1 “F”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: R.  

Kaz Brekker finished the job he promised Van Eck,a  member of the merchant council, but instead of his reward, he had one of his favorite members of his crew, Inej, taken from him.  In order for Kaz to bargain for Inej’s life, he has to manipulate Van Eck.  Brekker and his crew work together to free Inej and ultimately to get paid for the job they completed for Van Eck.  In a game of manipulation, love and wit, Brekker and his crew work the town of Ketterdam to earn what they deserve.

I loved this duology.  Each chapter is told from alternate perspectives of the main characters.  My favorite part was when all the secrets and manipulation that are built up throughout came together and were revealed.  The content is upsetting violence, including threat of torture and gruesome deaths, as well as a characters reflection on her upsetting experiences in a brothel.  There are a couple of homosexual kisses.  The cast of audio readers are amazing.

HS – ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.