Set in the crime-filled slums of Ketterdam, the story follows Kaz Brekker, a teenage criminal prodigy, who must perform a deadly heist to become rich beyond his wildest dreams.
Compiling a team of six, they must all work together to perform the heist, while facing their own personal demons along the way.
This YA fantasy series is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys quick wit and high-stakes action.
Each character has their own unique perspective on the events taking place around them.
Whether you’re new to the Grishaverse or already a fan of Shadow and Bone, you can jump right into the action with Kaz Brekker and his team without any prior knowledge of the other novels.
If you enjoyed reading Six of Crows, then you should check out these book series that are similar. If you want to read something similar, consider A Darker Shade of Magic, The Lies of Locke Lamora, Mistborn, The Cruel Prince and the Bone Maker.
Themes In Six Of Crows
Six of Crows has numerous themes that are impossible to ignore, with one key theme being vengeance.
Every character, and especially Kaz, all want to enact vengeance for the wrongs that they have dealt with in the past.
Each character finds their own path to enact their revenge, and it’s interesting to see how each character reaches their goal.
The reason that the characters are looking for revenge is due to the trauma that they have all gone through.
Trauma and recovery is a key theme in this novel, as everyone is dealing with their own deeply ingrained personal issues.
Kaz himself struggles with his trauma a lot, as does Matthias and Inej, who are both deeply affected by the events that they went through in their backgrounds.
If a character isn’t enduring trauma however, then addiction is also a key factor in this series.
One of the main features of Six of Crows is their search for the creator of Jurda Parem, a type of medication used to control Grisha, which they can then become hooked on.
However, not only that, but one serious issue for Jesper, one of the Crows, is his struggle with gambling which serves as his own weakness.
Finally, we have the most important theme which is the search for home.
Everyone has their own reasons for wanting their own personal wealth, and their own reasons for partaking in the heist.
Nina, Matthias, and Inej want to return home, while Wylan wants to find a home where he feels welcome.
Even Kaz wants to find a home, but denies it, as he has spent so long being driven by his revenge.
These are only a few of the themes included in Six of Crows, but there are also many more that you will discover by reading the duology.
If you enjoy fantasy novels, then you’ll love A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab.
There are three parallel Londons, Red, White, and Grey, where the only ones who can travel between them are the Antari.
Kell is both an Antari and a smuggler, bringing items to and from the different Londons.
While there, his paths cross with the thief: Delilah Bard, who he must work with to save the three Londons before it’s too late.
A Darker Shade of Magic has similar themes to Six of Crows.
Kell and Lilah have a desire to find their own homes, get revenge against those who’ve wronged them and there are also some small themes of addiction throughout the novel too.
So, if you enjoy fantastical crimes, then you’ll enjoy this book.
However, we should note that it isn’t necessarily for the same age range as Six of Crows, and is classed as a new adult novel, so keep that in mind if buying for a younger reader.
Pros
Strong world-building which allows you to fully immerse yourself in the story.
Characters are well-developed.
Dialogue is well done, with each character having their own distinct voice.
Cons
There are some rough violent scenes that some readers might be uncomfortable with.
Themes: Found Family, Revenge, Fantasy, Parallel Worlds, Addiction, Crime
If you’re a fan of the criminal elements of Six of Crows, then you’ll most likely enjoy The Lies of Locke Lamora.
Locke is an infamous thief who has learned to survive in the mysterious island city of Camorr.
It is the first of the Gentleman Bastard trilogy, and is a perfect mixture of fantasy and crime thriller.
The Lies of Locke Lamora focuses on the eponymous thief, who works as the leader of the Gentleman Bastards, or else he may lose everything he holds dear.
If you want to read a novel that focuses on finding a home and found family, then you’ll no doubt enjoy The Lies of Locke Lamora.
Both this and Six of Crows are fast-paced crime novels with a focus on protecting their loved ones.
There is no doubt that greed is a significant part of this book, as many of the characters are thieves.
However, we should note that if you don’t enjoy vulgar language, then you might not enjoy this novel.
Pros
Character-driven, so it may take some time to get to the main plot.
World building is incredibly detailed and immersive.
Cons
Quite a lot of vulgar language that some readers may not enjoy.
Mistborn is the first of a trilogy which focuses on Kelsier, a half-Skaa thief who finds the powers of a Mistborn.
The Lord Ruler has ruled over the Skaa for generations, and it is Kelsier who must go out there and vanquish him using his abilities.
Recruiting the underworld’s elite, they perform a heist on The Lord Ruler, and turn the trope of a chosen one beating the villain on its head.
Mistborn is perfect for any fans of dark fantasy, but one theme it does share with Six of Crows is the theme of power.
Power is a major factor in both of these novels, with power being desired by most of the characters.
Trauma is also a significant factor in this as well, with all of the characters struggling with their own past, and getting revenge on The Lord Ruler who has ruled over them for so long.
Pros
Offers a fresh take on the chosen one trope.
World building is phenomenal so you can fully immerse yourself in the story.
Twenty-five years ago, five heroes defeated the corrupt magician: Eklor, but only four survived. Kreya wants to bring her husband back from the dead, but you can’t use human bones for magic.
Returning to the battlefield with her old allies, she goes to reclaim the bones and bring back what she has lost.
Finding home and found family is a strong theme in Six of Crows, and The Bone Maker brings this to another level.
However, there is no doubt that trauma is also a significant theme that ties Six of Crows and The Bone Maker together.
In a way, it is similar to Six of Crows, having an ensemble cast who is older than the teenage protagonists of Six of Crows.
Pros
Fast-paced action that pulls you right into the story.
Offers a fresh take on a story after the villain is defeated.
Cons
Some of the characters aren’t as developed as others.
Themes: Fantasy, Found Family, Home, Trauma.
Final Thoughts
Six of Crows is an incredibly popular book, and you may want to read more books similar to this.
These books are the best to read if you’re looking for similar novels, it’s best to consider these book series.
Of course, you can also go back to the Six of Crows series, and read more from Leigh Bardugo too.
Six of Crows is a part of the wider Grishaverse novels, including Shadow and Bone, and the King of Scars series.
If you’re looking for similar books and want to find more, then consider the themes that you enjoyed the most out of Six of Crows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Read Shadow And Bone Before Six Of Crows?
You can read Six of Crows without reading The Shadow and Bone Trilogy. Both series are in the same universe, but follow a different set of characters.
How Many POVs Does Six Of Crows Have?
Six of Crows tells the story from six different viewpoints. However, the open and closing chapters are told from the perspective of two minor characters.
Is Six Of Crows Easy To Read?
Six of Crows is relatively easy to read and is fast-paced too. Older teenagers shouldn’t struggle with reading Six of Crows.
Noah Burton works as a Librarian full time, and is a blogger in his spare time. His goal is to write compelling recommendations for all of the most popular books he can find, from science fiction to romance.
With a passion for books, a drive to find new reads to get stuck into, and a love for sharing book recommendations with others, Noah can help you find the next novel for your bucket list.
