“Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo has captivated readers with its rich, intricate world-building, ensemble cast, and thrilling heist plotline. If you’ve turned the last page of this remarkable novel and found yourself craving more, you’re not alone. It’s a testament to the story’s engaging narrative and vivid characters that, upon finishing, many readers begin the hunt for similar books that can provide the same thrill and excitement.
This blog post aims to recommend a list of books that capture some of the same magic as “Six of Crows”, diving into realms where danger lurks around every corner, alliances are key, and every character has a story to tell.
Let’s begin this journey, uncovering novels that will satisfy your craving for heist plots, moral ambiguities, political intrigue, and detailed world-building.
Characteristics of Books like “Six of Crows”
“Six of Crows” has an array of elements that make it so engaging. It’s a combination of these characteristics that we’ve identified and looked for in our recommended book list.
Heist Elements
“Six of Crows” is popular for its thrilling and intricately planned heist plot. The stakes are high, the tension is palpable, and the planning stages are just as exciting as the execution. Books with similar heist or high-stakes missions bring that same edge-of-your-seat anticipation.
Ensemble Cast
One of Bardugo’s strengths is her ability to craft a diverse group of characters, each with their own backgrounds, motivations, and arcs. You come to care for each one, reveling in their interactions and dynamics. In similar vein, our recommendations also include books with a strong, diverse cast of characters.
Morally Grey Characters
In “Six of Crows”, the line between hero and villain is blurred. Each character operates in shades of grey, making them deeply human and relatable. We’ve sought out books where characters wrestle with moral ambiguities, challenging the typical dichotomy of good and evil.
Intricate World-Building
Bardugo’s Ketterdam is rich with detail. The politics, social structures, geography, and even the slang pull you into a fully realized world. We’ve selected books that also demonstrate strong world-building, crafting settings that you can almost touch and smell.
Political Intrigue
The backdrop of “Six of Crows” includes political maneuverings, power plays, and social tension. This depth of context makes the plot all the more engaging. Similarly, our recommendations have a level of political and social intrigue that adds depth to the story.
Recommended Book List
This carefully curated list includes books that resonate with many of the themes and traits found in “Six of Crows”. Let’s dive into our recommendations.
“Mistborn: The Final Empire” by Brandon Sanderson
Overview
“Mistborn: The Final Empire” is
is the first in Sanderson’s epic fantasy trilogy. The book revolves around Kelsier, a Mistborn with the power to use all forms of metal-based magic, and Vin, a street urchin with untapped abilities. Together with a crew of rogues, they plan to overthrow a seemingly immortal tyrant and the oppressive nobility.
Key Similarities
This book shares many elements with “Six of Crows”. There’s the intricate world-building, a high-stakes heist, and a diverse ensemble of characters. Sanderson’s magical system is as detailed and unique as Bardugo’s Grisha magic.
Unique Features
What sets “Mistborn” apart is Sanderson’s meticulous magic system and the philosophical exploration of power and oppression. The characters undergo significant development, and the plot is filled with unexpected twists.
“The Lies of Locke Lamora” by Scott Lynch
Overview
“The Lies of Locke Lamora” introduces readers to Locke Lamora, a skilled thief and the leader of the Gentleman Bastards. The story unfolds in the city of Camorr, where Locke and his crew carry out elaborate scams on the city’s nobility while evading the watchful eye of the Duke’s secret police.
Key Similarities
Like “Six of Crows”, this book presents an ensemble cast of criminals in a detailed, atmospheric world. It features cleverly orchestrated heists, gritty back-alley politics, and compelling character dynamics.
Unique Features
Lynch’s Camorr is reminiscent of Venice, complete with canals and shifting loyalties. The author’s gift for descriptive writing creates a vivid, immersive experience. Additionally, the book’s dark humor adds a unique flavor to the narrative.
“An Ember in the Ashes” by Sabaa Tahir
Overview
“An Ember in the Ashes” is a dual perspective story set in a brutally oppressive society inspired by ancient Rome. It features Laia, a slave fighting for her family, and Elias, a soldier struggling against his own loyalties.
Key Similarities
Similar to “Six of Crows”, Tahir’s book features an elaborate world, complex characters, and an oppressive political regime. The story is driven by multiple perspectives, which offers an in-depth exploration of each character and their motivations.
Unique Features
Tahir’s narrative strength lies in creating tension and suspense. She uses the stark contrasts between the two protagonists to drive the story forward. Moreover, the ancient Rome-inspired setting provides a unique backdrop for the story.
“The Gilded Wolves” by Roshani Chokshi
Overview
“The Gilded Wolves” is set in 1889 Paris, where Séverin Montagnet-Alarie, a treasure hunter, is enlisted by the powerful Order of Babel to find an ancient artifact. Séverin recruits a team of experts, each with their own unique skills and troubled pasts.
Key Similarities
Chokshi’s book shares several features with “Six of Crows”, including a heist, an ensemble cast, and complex characters. The story is rich with history and mythology, which adds depth and intrigue to the narrative.
Unique Features
“The Gilded Wolves” stands out with its historical setting and the incorporation of mythology and culture. Chokshi’s vivid writing style brings the opulence of 19th century Paris to life, and the use of puzzles throughout the plot adds an extra layer of intrigue.
“A Darker Shade of Magic” by V.E. Schwab
Overview
“A Darker Shade of Magic” introduces us to Kell, one of the last Antari—magicians with the ability to travel between parallel Londons. When Kell crosses paths with Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty ambitions, their lives become entangled in dangerous adventures.
Key Similarities
Like “Six of Crows”, Schwab’s book features a unique magic system, complex and morally grey characters, and thrilling adventures. It also has an intricate and well-developed world, made even more intriguing by the concept of parallel Londons.
Unique Features
The unique premise of multiple Londons, each with varying degrees of magic, sets this book apart. Moreover, Schwab’s writing style is engaging and full of vivid imagery. The plot is fast-paced, and the characters are memorably distinctive.
Young Adult (YA) Book Recommendations
For younger readers who enjoyed “Six of Crows”, here are a few Young Adult novels that echo some of the same themes and traits.
“Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas
Overview
“Throne of Glass” follows Celaena Sardothien, a skilled assassin who gets a chance at freedom if she wins a competition to become the king’s champion. However, as Celaena navigates through court politics and uncovers dark secrets, she finds that much more than her freedom is at stake.
Key Similarities
Like “Six of Crows”, “Throne of Glass” is centered around a protagonist with a dark past. The book is filled with political intrigue, well-developed characters, and a richly detailed world.
Unique Features
What sets this book apart is the complexity of its protagonist, Celaena, and the growth she undergoes throughout the series. The book also combines elements of fantasy, mystery, and romance, offering a multifaceted narrative.
“The Cruel Prince” by Holly Black
Overview
“The Cruel Prince” tells the story of Jude, a human living in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. When she crosses paths with Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King, Jude must risk everything to secure her place in the Court.
Key Similarities
“The Cruel Prince” shares the morally ambiguous characters, political intrigue, and intricate world-building of “Six of Crows”. The tensions between the characters and their internal conflicts drive the narrative.
Unique Features
Black’s world of faerie is brutal and beautiful, filled with intricate details and rich lore. The book is notable for its exploration of power dynamics, betrayal, and the blurring lines between good and evil.
“Legend” by Marie Lu
Overview
“Legend” is set in a dystopian future where the western United States is now the Republic, a nation perpetually at war. The story is told from the perspectives of June, a military prodigy, and Day, the Republic’s most-wanted criminal, as their paths cross in unexpected ways.
Key Similarities
Like “Six of Crows”, “Legend” features characters with a complicated past, a richly detailed setting, and a plot filled with tension and intrigue. The dual perspectives offer an in-depth exploration of the characters and their motivations.
Unique Features
The dystopian setting and the stark contrast between the characters’ backgrounds add a unique dimension to “Legend”. Additionally, Lu’s fast-paced narrative and the evolving relationship between June and Day make the book a compelling read.
Conclusion
We’ve journeyed through a variety of enchanting worlds, meeting a host of unforgettable characters along the way. From high-stakes heists and intricate political maneuverings to the exploration of moral ambiguities and the crafting of detailed worlds, these books echo many of the elements that made “Six of Crows” such a captivating read.
Whether you’re drawn to the meticulous world-building of Brandon Sanderson’s “Mistborn: The Final Empire”, the cunning exploits of Locke Lamora, or the struggle against oppressive regimes in Sabaa Tahir’s “An Ember in the Ashes”, there’s a book in this list for every “Six of Crows” fan.
Each of these novels, like Bardugo’s duology, challenges the typical dichotomy of good and evil, dives into deep, personal narratives of characters, and tells a thrilling tale that’s hard to put down. Just as “Six of Crows” left us wanting more, these books promise to satisfy your craving for more adventures, more magic, and more unforgettable characters.
Yet, as each book presents its unique flavor, it reminds us that while we may be searching for books like “Six of Crows”, every story is its own world, with its own tales to tell.
