#greisha

Who would I recommend this to: Obviously, anyone who loves Leigh Bardugo and loved Six of Crows. But aside from that, I would recommend this (obviously read Six of Crows first or you’re going to be really lost) to anyone who loves YA and maybe loves Fantasy or Dystopian in particular, but is looking for something different. 

Similar Books: I believe I said this with Six of Crows, but I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like these books and I mean that in the best possible way. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this invested in characters and wanted more from their world and their journey beyond the end of the novel. 

What I loved: Getting to re-enter the world of Ketterdam and interact with all the characters I loved so much from the first book and getting to see them grow and change even more (rather than regressing like other books might stoop to). 

What I hated: I’m trying to get better about spoilers and really it doesn’t matter because this book has been out for a few years and so you could find anything about it anywhere, but I’m still going to refrain here. Once you read it I’m sure you can guess the part that I hated.

Questions/Things I’m unsure about: The ending. And whether or not it should stay a duology or if I want her to continue the story. And whether I want this world to be adapted to screen or if that will just ruin everything.

Quotes:

“Was it normal to be fascinated by the way someone slouched?” Mattias about Nina

“Kaz always spoke logic, but that didn’t mean he always told the truth.”

“Kaz is wondering if he should keep you alive. Terrible for the nerves. I recommend deep breathing. Maybe a tonic.” - Jasper

“He was just like the boys she’d grown up with, a head full of nonsense and a mouth full of easy charm.” - Inej

“All I know is that men like you don’t deserve the air they breathe.” “I’ve been nothing but kind to you. I’m not some sort of monster.” “No, you’re the man who sits idly by, congratulating yourself on your decency, while the monster eats his fill. At least a monster has teeth and a spine.” - Inej to Bajan

“You’re not weak because you can’t read. You’re weak because you’re afraid of people seeing your weakness. You’re letting shame decide who you are.” Kaz to Wylan

“That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t hold a grudge. I cradle it. I coddle it. I feed it fine cuts of meat and send it to the best schools. I nurture my grudges.” - Kaz

"I've taken knives, bullets, and too many punches to count, all for a little piece of this town. This is the city I bled for. And if Ketterdam has taught me anything, it's that you can always bleed a little more." - Kaz

"He did not step back. He stood there, hearing his own breath, hers, the rhythm of them alone in this room." - Kaz

Innocence was a luxury, and Inej did not believe her saints demanded it.

"They were twin souls, soldiers destined to fight for different sides, to find each other and lose each other too quickly. She would not keep him here. Not like this. 'In the next life then, ' she whispered. 'Go.' she watched his eyes close once more. 'Farewell, ' she said in Fjerdan. 'May Djel watch over you until can once more.'"

“Jesper’s mind emptied. He wasn’t thinking of what had happened before or what might happen next. There was only the reality of Wylan’s mouth, the press of his lips, then the fine bones of his neck, the silky feel of his curls as Jesper cupped his nape and drew him nearer. This was the kiss he’d been waiting for. It was a gunshot. It was prairie fire. It was the spin of Makker’s Wheel. Jesper felt the pounding of his heart -- or was it Wylan’s? -- like a stampede in his chest, and the only though in his head was happy, startled, Oh.”