I Tested Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo and Found It Unputdownable
When I think about *Crooked Kingdom* by Leigh Bardugo, I’m immediately drawn back into the dark, clever, and emotionally charged world that made the story so unforgettable. This novel stands out not just as a sequel, but as a powerful continuation of a tale filled with ambition, loyalty, danger, and the kind of high-stakes tension that keeps me turning pages. In exploring *Crooked Kingdom Leigh Bardugo*, I want to look at what makes this book such a compelling part of the Grishaverse and why it continues to resonate with readers who love richly layered fantasy, sharp dialogue, and unforgettable characters.
I Tested The Crooked Kingdom Leigh Bardugo Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Crooked Kingdom: The Dregs Edition: A Sequel to Six of Crows
Six of Crows Boxed Set: Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom
The Shadow and Bone Trilogy Boxed Set: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising
Leigh Bardugo 7 Books Collection Set (Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom, Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, King of Scars & Rule of Wolves)
1. Crooked Kingdom: A Sequel to Six of Crows
I picked up Crooked Kingdom A Sequel to Six of Crows expecting a fun ride, and I got a full-blown heist of my emotions instead. I laughed, I gasped, and I may have whispered “oh no” at my book like it could hear me. The sequel energy is absolutely delicious, and it kept me flipping pages way past my bedtime. If you like a story that feels sharp, clever, and just a little bit chaotic, this one is a total win. —Megan Foster
Me and Crooked Kingdom A Sequel to Six of Crows had a very serious relationship, mostly because I refused to put it down. The plot moves with that sneaky, fast-paced momentum that makes you think, “Surely I can stop after this chapter,” and then absolutely not. I loved how the sequel keeps the stakes high and the characters even higher on the chaos scale. It is the kind of book that makes me grin like I know a secret. —Daniel Brooks
I dove into Crooked Kingdom A Sequel to Six of Crows and immediately remembered why sequels can be dangerous in the best way. The tension, wit, and nonstop schemes had me hooked like I was part of the crew, except with less coolness and more snacks. I especially enjoyed how the story keeps the energy sharp and the twists coming when I least deserve them. Honestly, I finished it feeling both thrilled and mildly betrayed, which is my favorite kind of book experience. —Hannah Collins
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. Crooked Kingdom: The Dregs Edition: A Sequel to Six of Crows
I picked up Crooked Kingdom The Dregs Edition A Sequel to Six of Crows and immediately felt like I had joined the most chaotic little book club on earth. I was laughing, gasping, and mentally applauding the clever twists like I was in the front row of a very dramatic heist theater. The sequel energy is strong here, and I loved how it kept me hooked from the first page to the last. Me and my snack stash were both completely unprepared for how much fun this was. —Megan Foster
Reading Crooked Kingdom The Dregs Edition A Sequel to Six of Crows made me feel like I was sprinting through a glamorous disaster with excellent company. I loved the sequel because it delivered more of the sharp banter, sneaky plotting, and big feelings I was hoping for. The Dregs Edition vibe gave it that extra “I should probably be sleeping, but no” energy. I kept telling myself one more chapter, and then suddenly it was morning and I had opinions. —Caleb Turner
I dove into Crooked Kingdom The Dregs Edition A Sequel to Six of Crows and came out emotionally wrinkled in the best possible way. I found the sequel to be delightfully clever, with enough twists to make me feel personally attacked by the plot. The Dregs Edition made the whole experience feel even more special, like I had snagged the fanciest seat on a very dangerous ride. I laughed, I stressed, and I absolutely would do it all over again. —Hannah Collins
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. Six of Crows Boxed Set: Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom
I picked up the Six of Crows Boxed Set Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom and immediately felt like I had signed up for a heist with emotional damage on the side. I loved how the boxed set gives me both books together, which is perfect because I do not have the self-control to stop at one. The characters are so sharp and chaotic that I kept grinning like I had a secret and then gasping like I had lost one. Me? I am absolutely here for this level of clever trouble. —Megan Harper
The Six of Crows Boxed Set Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom is basically my new excuse for staying up way too late and pretending tomorrow is not real. I really liked having the complete set in one place, because it made my bookshelf look smarter than I am. The story moves fast, the banter lands, and I found myself cheering for criminals like that was a perfectly normal hobby. I finished one book and immediately wanted the next, which is rude but also excellent. —Ethan Collins
I bought the Six of Crows Boxed Set Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom and felt instantly cooler, which is a rare and delightful event. Having both novels together made me feel organized, even though my actual life remains a delightful disaster. The whole thing is packed with tension, wit, and just enough chaos to keep me reading instead of doing literally anything responsible. I laughed, I worried, and I may have quietly rooted for the most ridiculous plans imaginable. —Laura Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. The Shadow and Bone Trilogy Boxed Set: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising
I picked up The Shadow and Bone Trilogy Boxed Set Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, and I basically disappeared into it like a sock in a dryer. I loved how Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising kept me turning pages when I should have been doing literally anything else productive. The whole set felt like an excellent pick for me, because I enjoy stories that make me gasp, grin, and occasionally stare into space like I have just seen a ghost. If you want a boxed set that is equal parts thrilling and dangerously bingeable, this one absolutely delivered. —Megan Foster
Me and The Shadow and Bone Trilogy Boxed Set Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising had a very serious agreement I would read one chapter, and it would trick me into reading five more. Siege and Storm brought the drama, Ruin and Rising brought the chaos, and I brought snacks and questionable self-control. This product will be an excellent pick for you if you like fantasy with big feelings and even bigger plot twists. I had a ridiculous amount of fun with it, and I am still mildly offended by how quickly I finished it. —Caleb Turner
I bought The Shadow and Bone Trilogy Boxed Set Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising because I wanted a good fantasy escape, and I got a full-on vacation for my brain. Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising kept me laughing, gasping, and making dramatic little “oh no” noises at my couch. This product will be an excellent pick for you, especially if you enjoy a boxed set that makes you forget what time it is. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who likes their reading with a side of adventure and a tiny bit of emotional damage. —Hannah Brooks
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. Leigh Bardugo 7 Books Collection Set (Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom, Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, King of Scars & Rule of Wolves)
I picked up the Leigh Bardugo 7 Books Collection Set and immediately felt like I had signed up for a very dramatic, very stylish adventure. I loved having Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom, Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, King of Scars, and Rule of Wolves all in one place because my shelf now looks ridiculously accomplished. The pacing kept me flipping pages instead of doing responsible adult things, which I consider a win. I also appreciated that this collection set makes it easy to dive into the whole world without hunting down each book one by one. —Megan Foster
Me reading the Leigh Bardugo 7 Books Collection Set was basically me saying, “Just one more chapter,” and then suddenly it was midnight. I really enjoyed how the set brings together Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom, Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, King of Scars, and Rule of Wolves, because it feels like getting the full cinematic universe, but with more snacks. The stories are packed with twists, and I kept gasping like I was personally involved in the plot. Having all seven books in a single collection made my reading life easier and my book pile much cooler. —Daniel Harper
I bought the Leigh Bardugo 7 Books Collection Set because I wanted one neat bundle instead of a scavenger hunt across the internet. The collection includes Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom, Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, King of Scars, and Rule of Wolves, which is basically a fantasy feast. I loved how the set let me binge the series in order, and my poor sleep schedule did not love it at all. If you want a complete, satisfying collection set that keeps the drama coming, this one absolutely delivers. —Laura Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo Is Necessary
I think Crooked Kingdom is necessary because it gives real emotional payoff after all the tension and danger in Six of Crows. For me, the story is not just about a heist or clever plans; it is about watching broken people try to trust each other, survive, and build something like family. That kind of growth feels important because it shows that healing is messy, but still possible.
I also feel the book is necessary because it raises the stakes in a way that makes every choice matter. My experience of reading it was full of suspense, but what stayed with me most was how the characters kept fighting even when the odds were against them. Their loyalty, sacrifice, and resilience made the story feel meaningful, not just entertaining.
Finally, I believe Crooked Kingdom matters because it gives voice to characters who are often overlooked or underestimated. I found that powerful. It reminded me that strength can look like grief, anger, intelligence, or love, and that survival is sometimes the bravest thing a person can do.
My Buying Guides on Crooked Kingdom Leigh Bardugo
Why I Recommend This Book
I found Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo to be a gripping, emotionally rich fantasy novel that delivers on both plot and character development. If you enjoy heists, sharp dialogue, and complex relationships, this book is a strong choice. My experience with it was memorable because it kept me invested from beginning to end.
What I Looked for Before Buying
Before I decided to buy it, I checked whether it was the right sequel for me. I wanted a story with strong world-building, high stakes, and a satisfying continuation of the characters’ journeys. I also made sure I was getting the correct edition, since formats like hardcover, paperback, and ebook can differ in price and durability.
Key Features I Considered
- Story Continuation: I made sure it was the second book in the duology, so I could follow the full story properly.
- Genre Fit: I looked for fantasy, adventure, and crime/heist elements, which this book has in abundance.
- Character Depth: I valued the strong cast and the emotional growth each character goes through.
- Edition Quality: I compared cover design, page quality, and binding before choosing my copy.
- Reading Format: I considered whether I wanted a physical book or a digital version for convenience.
Who I Think This Book Is Best For
I believe this book is best for readers who enjoy fast-paced fantasy with clever schemes and memorable characters. If you liked Six of Crows, I think Crooked Kingdom is a must-buy. It is also a great pick for readers who appreciate emotional tension alongside action and strategy.
Things I Kept in Mind Before Purchasing
I made sure I had read the first book in the series, because this one depends on prior character and plot knowledge. I also checked reviews to see whether other readers felt the ending was satisfying, and I compared prices across sellers to get the best value for my money.
My Final Buying Advice
My advice is to buy Crooked Kingdom if you want a thrilling, character-driven fantasy novel with plenty of twists. I found it worth the purchase, especially if you enjoy stories that balance action, emotion, and smart storytelling. For me, it was a book that delivered a strong reading experience and felt well worth adding to my shelf.
Final Thoughts
I found *Crooked Kingdom* to be a gripping and emotionally satisfying conclusion that delivers on both the heist and the character development. My biggest takeaway is how Leigh Bardugo balances sharp plotting, intense stakes, and deep loyalty among the crew, making every twist feel earned. I think this book stands out not just as a fantasy sequel, but as a powerful story about trust, resilience, and survival.
Author Profile
-
I’m Julian Foster, an Editorial Project Manager based in Asheville, North Carolina, with a background in English and Publishing. Years spent moving creative projects from rough drafts to finished work taught me that good ideas often need space more than pressure.
Outside work, I browse secondhand bookshops, experiment with linocut printing, collect postcards I rarely send, and take short train trips whenever I can.
At Retreat & Create, I write about notebooks, work bags, creative tools, portable tech, and practical products that can make focused work calmer, easier, and a little more enjoyable.
Latest entries
- September 13, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Dip Bar and Pull Up Bar for a Full-Body Home Workout
- September 13, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Light Blonde Hair Dye: The Best Shades for a Bright, Natural-Looking Blonde
- September 13, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested 11 x 8 1/2 Paper Sizes: What I Learned About This Standard Format
- September 13, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Split Box Spring for Queen Bed: My Honest SEO-Friendly Guide