When her parents drop the news that they can no longer afford her tuition, even with the scholarship, Alice hatches a plan to monetize her strange new power—she’ll discover the scandalous secrets her classmates want to know, for a price.
But as the tasks escalate from petty scandals to actual crimes, Alice must decide if it’s worth losing her conscience—or even her life.
“To live well, you must learn to see yourself first.”
First Impressions: The Start of Something New
As a mainly mystery/fantasy reader, I was interested in broadening my horizons with a new book genre. I knew that I wanted to dive into a romance, but there are so many great romance books out there that it felt almost impossible to choose one. But as soon as I saw If You Could See the Sun’s cover and read the quick blurb on the back, I was absolutely set on this one. It felt perfect, with a dabble in all three of my favorite genres: Henry and Alice gave me the romance, Alice’s unexpected invisibility powers gave me fantasy, and the scandalous secrets of her classmates gave me some mystery.
This book was the perfect read, and absolutely exceeded my expectations in every way possible. Upon reading, I realized pretty early on that Ann Liang used an academic rivals-to-lovers trope for the relationship between Alice and Henry. I had not read much academic rivals-to-lovers before this book, but If You Could See the Sun made me fall in love with this trope almost instantly. It was perfectly executed, and Henry and Alice’s relationship felt so authentic, like an actual real-life relationship. What stood out to me most about this trope was that it was complex, and Liang did not limit their relationship to just the surface level, but instead dived deeper into the trope. While Henry and Alice were certainly academic rivals, it never felt as if they actually hated each other, and their competitive spirit only brought them closer together, creating such palpable tension that you couldn’t help but smile watching their relationship unfold.
“And everything about this moment is so lovely and so fragile in its loveliness that I’m almost afraid to hold it. Afraid that the spell will break.”
The Story: Secrets, Sunlights, and Something More
I am so happy that this was not your typical romance story where the relationship between the characters is the only plot line. If You Could See the Sun incorporates mystery elements, including Alice’s invisibility, which further “pushes” the relationship between her and Henry. I absolutely adored this because I love it when two characters that don’t get along too well are forced to work together on a plan. I will fall in love with this storyline every single time, and Liang executed it perfectly. The story kept my attention for every single page, and I loved this so much that I would read it again and again.
“If I’m not first, I’m nothing.”
The Setting: Behind the Boarding School Gates
Set in an elite Beijing boarding school, the setting of that story was absolutely perfect. I am obsessed with boarding school stories, and this book was no exception. You could feel the energy from the school radiating off the pages, with every single person fighting for that number one spot in the class. It also gave us different perspectives, and the contrast between how Alice feels being the only scholarship student, and the thoughts of the other privileged and rich students who do not have to work for their spot at the school.
“God, I’ve missed him. I somehow still do, even though he’s standing right in front of me.”
Their Relationship: Rivals, or Something like it
Everything about the relationship between Alice and Henry was perfect. Their slow-burning feelings for one another were growing throughout the book, and watching as they slowly realized their feelings for each other were changing. They were absolutely adoring, and you couldn’t help but fall in love with them. You could feel their tension, and I was so giddy reading each of their scenes, smiling through every page.
One of my favorite quotes between the two of them is, “‘You know’, I muse out loud. ‘If it weren’t for the fact that we hated each other’s guts, we’d probably make an impressive power duo.’ I expect Henry to raise his eyebrows at me as usual or make a cutting remark, but his footsteps suddenly slow beside me. ‘Wait. We hate each other?’” I could not contain my excitement when I read this, and there are so many conversations like this between the two of them that just make you fall in love with them. The fact that Henry never hated her just shows that they were never really rivals, but there was always this lingering connection between the two of them that they just didn’t understand at first.
It feels like a thousand banished and buried moments have been building up to this – to us alone and untethered and weak with wanting – and maybe they have.”
Writing Style: Words that Feel like Sunshine
This was my first Ann Liang work that I read, but I can promise that it won’t be the last. I absolutely fell in love with her writing style and just how authentic it all felt. Her writing is so smooth, and it flows so nicely, making you forget that it is a book you are reading and not reality. I discovered that If You Could See the Sun was Liang’s debut novel, and this just further emphasizes Liang’s talent. If this is just her debut, I am so excited to read her other works and see what she does in the future. Whatever it is, I know I will fall in love just as I did with this story.
“I want to laugh until my stomach hurts, and write until I’ve crafted something that delights me, and learn to bask in my small, private victories.”
Final Thoughts: A Lingering Love
I truly loved the story, and I could not recommend this book enough. It is perfect for readers of any genre and is uniquely captivating, immediately drawing you in. I am so excited to dive deeper into Ann Liang’s works, and if you haven’t read this book, please do!
Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties.
A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets – a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.
“we meet fear. we greet the unexpected visitor and listen to what he has to tell us. when fear arrives, something is about to happen”
first impressions: back to ketterdam, one last time
As you were most likely able to discern from my last blog post, I absolutely loved Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, and I was so excited to read Crooked Kingdom. Since this series was only a duology, I knew this story would end with Crooked Kingdom, and it was bittersweet, to say the least. Bardugo easily forced me to fall in love with these characters and with this story, and I didn’t want to turn that final page. But my excitement to read was just too great, and I began to immerse myself back into Bardugo’s Grishaverse as soon as I could.
After reading Six of Crows, I had expected to like Crooked Kingdom, though maybe not as much as its counterpart, since it was a sequel. But I was not expecting the sheer amount of love that I have for it. Unlike many other sequels, I find myself loving Crooked Kingdom just as much as I love Six of Crows, which does not happen often. Bardugo easily was able to live up to the stakes of Six of Crows, and Crooked Kingdom did not feel like it lacked even in the slightest. From the first page up until the very last I was fully immersed in the story, trapped in the action and experiences of the characters. Bardugo does such an amazing job of portraying this story, allowing readers to find ways to relate to the characters and their situations, but also incorporating a fantasy element to bring imagination to the table. Crooked Kingdom had the perfect balance of this, and Bardugo absolutely hit the mark.
“sometimes, the only way to get justice is to take it for yourself”
the story: heists within heists
With Six of Crows, there was one sole agenda: the Ice Court heist. However, Crooked Kingdom took this to the next level, incorporating multiple heists and action-based sequences throughout the book. This increased the stakes to the point where I began to worry about the characters, wondering what would happen to them and whether or not their plans would be successful. With multiple different storylines to follow and tense situations that are tough to get out of, the story felt more scattered than Six of Crows. But this is by no means a negative or a criticism. I enjoyed the thrill of moving from situation to situation, because it allowed me to feel the stress of the characters, and the pressure they faced as they battled both with their own emotional turmoils, as well as their physical obstacles.
“but they were his first friends, his only friends, and wylan knew that even if he’d had his pick of a thousand companions, these would have been the people he chose”
the characters: six hearts, one home
There was certainly enough emotional turmoil to go around. What I loved about Crooked Kingdom was how much more we were able to learn about their characters, especially their backstories. With a more faced-paced and multiple-things-happening-at-once plot, I was worried that the characters would get lost in the chaos, and we wouldn’t be able to see deeper into their backgrounds. But this was by no means the case, and it feels like we learned almost more about them this time around. Each character has such a unique upbringing, and each of their past experiences has influenced the way they live their lives in the present. I loved learning every little thing about our characters, and Bardugo did an amazing job at balancing so many intense personalities.
Crooked Kingdom had the same dynamic between the characters that I loved so much about Six of Crows, and though they all had such vastly different personalities, they fit together perfectly. I feel almost trauma-bonded to them, and by following them through these devastating situations, I know them so much better than I once did. Watching them interact with eachother could be so entertaining, and every time they were all together, they felt like a true “family,” and each character was given their moment to shine at one point or another.
One of the aspects of this book that I was the most excited about was the first chapter from Wylan’s perspective. I was disappointed in Six of Crows to see that he was the only character without a chapter from his point of view, but I knew that Bardugo would not let me down. In fact, Crooked Kingdom felt even more tailored to him, as well as him and Jespers relationship. I was so ecstatic to see this, and I felt they deserved to be shown in the spotlight a little bit more.
“wylan,” jesper said, looking into the wide blue sky of his eyes, “i really hope we don’t die”
the relationships: love in the wreckage
I became obsessed with the relationships between these characters from the beginning, but Crooked Kingdom gave us even more insights into their emotional connectins. Both Kaz and Inej, as well as Wylan and Jesper, were given more page time, and it was beautiful to watch as they found love in a place that was once so dark. I was so glad to see more one on one time with Wylan and Jesper, and every time they were together, I couldn’t help but smile. They just fit so well, and I would read an entire spin-off just of them. While “Wesper” was my main focus on interest when it came to relationships in Crooked Kingdom, I was of course still rooting for Kaz and Inej. Their connection transcended any normal relationship, and it was lovely to see as Inej forced Kaz’s wall down and made him vulnerable in a way that he never was before.
“we were all supposed to make it,” said wylan softly”
the ending: grief and goodbyes
I knew that leaving the story of Six of Crows behind would be difficult, but I was not expecting the emotional devesation that would come from it. Some grim choices were definitely made, and Leigh Bardugo, I’m afraid that I will never be able to forgive you.
On a more serious note, I can understand why Bardugo made the choices she did, and I support them through and through. There needed to be sacrifices, or else the dangers the characters faced for the entire story wouldn’t feel like true dangers. While I will never forget what happened, it doesn’t take away any of the love I have for this story. This ending left many things up to your interpretation and imagination, and this was the perfect way to end such an amazing story; in the minds of the readers.
“he doesn’t say goodbye,” inej said. she kept her eyes on the lights of the canal. somewhere in the garden, a night bird began to sing. “he just lets go”
final thoughts: letting go
I absolutely loved this duology, and I am so sad to see it end. But, there is a lot more still yet to come. I’m excited to dive deeper into the Grishaverse, and though I jokingly will never forgive Bardugo, she can honestly do no wrong in my eyes. There is still so much of her work I have yet to explore, and I could not be more excited. A fantasy heist is exactly what you need right now, so please check out Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. Happy Reading!
A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.
“no mourners”
first impressions: welcome to the grishaverse
I was so excited to pick up Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, as it was my first introduction to Leigh Bardugo and the “Grishaverse.” I had heard about her Shadow and Bone series as well as her Six of Crows series, and I researched more into the Grishaverse and which installment I should start with first. Upon finding out that I could start with either series, I felt a pull towards Six of Crows, and I started the book as soon as I could get my hands on it.
I absolutely loved it, and I am so glad this book was the opening I had to Leigh Bardugo and the Grishaverse. It was the perfect way for me to be introduced to this story, and Six of Crows made this series one of my favorites of all time. I loved it so much that I even recommended it to my father, and he read the series and is just as passionate about it as I am. We even waited for the show, Shadow and Bone, to come out, and this series has connected us so much that I can’t help but thank Bardugo for that.
“the water hears and understands. the ice does not forgive”
the story: six outcasts, one impossible job
Six of Crows is honestly one of my favorite books of all time, and one of the reasons for this is the story. Bardugo does such an amazing job of creating a vivid, engaging storyline that keeps you intrigued the entire time. The plot of the story surrounding the heist that the Crows were going to pull off was such an amazing storyline, and you could not put this book down even if you tried. I was obsessed with the planning, the action, and the aftermath of the heist, and how perfect the story seemed to tie together. The action-based plot of the book also allowed readers the see the different mechanics of the characters’ minds; how they react under pressure, their ultimate goals, and the things that influence their decisions. I really enjoyed how much we got to learn about the characters through the story, and not just from interactions between other characters or just the characters themselves.
The story took place throughout multiple points of view and from multiple characters’ perspectives, and it felt so rewarding to be able to see events unfold from different viewpoints. We were given a deeper glimpse into characters’ thoughts and feelings in these situations, and though I am upset that they didn’t give Wylan Van Eck a chapter from his perspective (seeing as he is my favorite character), I have faith that we will get to see more of his point of view in the second installment.
“when everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing”
the characters: the beauty of being morally gray
Speaking of Wylan, I grew to love him throughout the entire story, and he became my favorite character of the series. There was this complexity to him, similar to the other characters, but one that felt more internal, more emotional. I deeply appreciated how much of a backstory we got on all of the characters, and how we grew to be so connected to them throughout the story. It made it so much easier to actually care about what was happening and become so much more invested in the storyline.
All of the characters in this story were so thoughtfully written and so beautifully complex. In another story, they might even be seen as the villains, but in this story, they are the heroes. They are all morally gray, but for their characters, their actions are driven by their innermost desires and their love for each other. Their dynamics with each other were so fun to watch play out, especially because I am obsessed with a found family trope. They all grew so much closer to each other throughout the course of the story, and it was comforting to see how much they risked their lives for each other in the face of danger.
“too bad you can’t talk to girls in equations,” to which wylan responds “just girls?” jesper restrains a grin as he answers, “no, not just girls”
the relationships: love in the middle of a heist
Six of Crows also had some of the best relationships in this story, and it was so comforting to see that each “main” character was able to find their special person. Each relationship felt so different from one another, and the diverse dynamics made each connection have a refreshing uniqueness. Kaz and Inej had such an intimate, emotional connection to one another, Nina and Matthias had such humorous interactions, and Wylan and Jesper understood each other on such a deeper level than anyone else. These differences made nothing about the story feel repetitive or overdone, and it was the perfect balance between learning more about the characters independently and diving into their relationships with other characters.
On first read, I absolutely fell in love with Wylan and Jesper’s relationship, and they were such a beautifully written Queer couple. Their slow-burning dynamic and their yearning for each other before actually getting together was so fun to read, and I so hope that Bardugo dives deeper into their relationship in the second installment.
“no funerals”
final thoughts: the start of something legendary
Six of Crows definitely lived up to my expectations, and I am almost bursting with excitement to read the second installment, Crooked Kingdom. I can’t wait to see more of these characters and what problems they might run into, and if you haven’t done so yet, please read this book! Happy Reading!