Six of Crows, #2
Crooked Kingdom
by Leigh Bardugo
Contents
Overview
Crooked Kingdom follows Kaz Brekker and his crew after a high-stakes job leaves them cheated, hunted, and desperate to reclaim what was stolen from them. In Ketterdam, a city ruled by money, reputation, and criminal leverage, Kaz, Inej, Jesper, Wylan, Nina, Matthias, and Kuwei must survive Jan Van Eck’s wealth and influence while foreign powers close in on the secret of jurda parem.
The story combines heist, revenge plot, political intrigue, and character drama. Its central conflicts revolve around freedom, debt, identity, trauma, loyalty, and the price of survival. As Grisha begin disappearing and new enemies enter the city, the crew’s private vendetta expands into a struggle over who gets to control dangerous knowledge—and whether damaged people can build futures beyond the systems that tried to break them.
Plot Summary ⚠️ Spoilers
The story opens with Emil Retvenko, a Ravkan Grisha Squaller indentured in Ketterdam, being abducted from Fourth Harbor by enhanced Shu attackers with golden eyes, metal-reinforced bodies, and mechanical wings. His disappearance confirms growing rumors that Grisha are being hunted in the city. Meanwhile, Kaz Brekker’s crew works from Black Veil Island after Jan Van Eck’s betrayal and Inej Ghafa’s capture. Kaz, Wylan Van Eck, Jesper Fahey, Nina Zenik, and Matthias Helvar begin gathering leverage, searching the records of Cornelis Smeet, Van Eck’s attorney. They discover Van Eck’s strange payments to the Church of Saint Hilde and learn that Ketterdam is filling with foreign forces seeking Kuwei Yul-Bo and the secret of jurda parem.
Inej, imprisoned by Van Eck, resists interrogation and attempts escape, but Van Eck uses her as bait for Kaz. Kaz avoids the trap by abducting Van Eck’s pregnant wife, Alys, and forcing an exchange at Goedmedbridge. The trade succeeds, but Van Eck brings the stadwatch, and the escape erupts into chaos. Kaz’s planned distractions work, yet a separate Shu attack devastates Grisha-linked pleasure houses and reveals the Kherguud, Shu soldiers created through experiments on Grisha affected by parem. Nina’s powers, damaged by her own use of parem, begin changing into something stranger and more frightening: first dust, then bones, corpses, and dead tissue answer her.
With Inej rescued, Kaz unveils a plan to ruin Van Eck by destroying his sugar stores with Wylan and Kuwei’s chemical weevil, making it appear Van Eck profited from sabotage. Nina and Inej insist that the crew also evacuate endangered Grisha from Ketterdam. The plan expands: they need Van Eck’s seal, forged papers, a ship, and a way to smuggle refugees through a city thick with enemies. As preparations unfold, personal truths surface. Nina and Matthias contact Ravkan allies Zoya Nazyalensky and Genya Safin beneath the embassy. Wylan and Jesper visit Saint Hilde expecting to find Wylan’s mother’s grave, but instead discover Marya Van Eck alive, confined in an asylum so Jan Van Eck could control her wealth. Jesper confronts his father, Colm Fahey, and the damage caused by gambling, lies, and his suppressed Grisha identity.
The crew’s split operation collapses when Pekka Rollins allies with Van Eck. Kaz and Wylan steal Van Eck’s seal but are ambushed by Pekka and escape only by burning through the floor with auric acid. Matthias, Jesper, and Kuwei flee Black Veil when Dime Lions attack. At Sweet Reef, Inej is attacked on the high wire by Dunyasha Lazareva, Pekka’s assassin, and Nina saves her by commanding corpses from a sickboat. The crew reunites at the Geldrenner Hotel, but Ketterdam is sealed and Barrel gangs, including the Dregs, are deputized to hunt them. Kaz realizes they can no longer hide. He devises a public scheme: Kuwei will legally auction his own indenture at the Church of Barter, while a fake jurda consortium, fronted by Colm as Johannus Rietveld, will manipulate the Merchant Council and help Ravka bid for Kuwei.
Kaz reclaims the Dregs by confronting Per Haskell at the Slat, surviving a brutal beating, and proving Haskell weak before the gang. Genya restores Wylan’s true face, and the crew secures Ravkan cooperation from Sturmhond, who is revealed to be Ravka’s king in disguise. Kaz also frees Inej from her contract and struggles toward emotional honesty with her, though his trauma from Jordie’s death still shapes his aversion to touch and his hunger for revenge against Pekka.
Before the auction, Wylan is captured by Pekka’s Dime Lions and tortured by Jan Van Eck, seemingly forcing him to reveal Kaz’s plan. At the Church of Barter, the auction draws Shu, Fjerdan, Zemeni, Ravkan, Kerch, and criminal powers. Bidding reaches impossible sums before the Council of Tides interrupts, declaring the auction compromised. Van Eck tries to expose Kaz, but Kaz has anticipated him: Wylan’s apparent captivity becomes evidence against Van Eck and Pekka, and forged financial trails implicate Van Eck in fraud, secret jurda purchases, and attempts to manipulate the market. The auction is halted, Van Eck’s credibility shatters, and Nina triggers Kaz’s false plague panic by spreading necrotic tissue through Pekka-owned gambling houses, breaking the city’s blockades.
In the chaos, Inej defeats Dunyasha on the cathedral roof. Jesper survives a Kherguud attack and uses his zowa ability to guide a nonlethal shot that makes Kuwei appear dead. Kaz injects Kuwei, and Matthias helps move the false body through the plague panic while Rotty, Specht, Nina, and Genya complete a corpse swap. Kuwei is revived only after Zoya shocks his heart back into motion, allowing the world to believe he died. Kaz also corners Pekka by bluffing that he has buried Pekka’s son alive; Pekka breaks, flees, and his businesses are damaged by the plague scare.
The victory is shadowed by loss. A young drüskelle cadet shoots Matthias, who reaches Nina before dying in her arms. Nina briefly pulls him back with her altered power but releases him after Inej urges mercy, promising to carry him north to Fjerda. In the aftermath, Van Eck is arrested and exposed. Kaz’s final trap gives Wylan authority over the Van Eck estate, and Wylan defeats his father’s public attempt to shame him for being unable to read. The surviving crew receives its money: Jesper places his share in Colm’s name, Wylan begins rebuilding his home and caring for Marya, Kuwei escapes with the Ravkans, and Nina leaves with Matthias’ body and the refugees.
Weeks later, Kaz consolidates power at the Slat while Van Eck remains imprisoned and Pekka stays away. The Council of Tides confronts Kaz about Kuwei, but he outbluffs them with the threat of renewed plague panic. Kaz then gives Inej a ship, The Wraith, so she can hunt slavers, and arranges for her parents to be found and brought to Ketterdam. Inej accepts the future before her, asks Kaz to help her fight the city’s predators, and reunites with her family. Pekka, still haunted, is finally warned off by Inej herself, who proves she can reach his son and forces him to abandon any return to Ketterdam.
Characters
- Kaz BrekkerThe strategist and criminal leader of the crew, Kaz drives the plans to rescue Inej, ruin Jan Van Eck, manipulate Kuwei’s auction, and break Pekka Rollins. His ruthlessness is tied to trauma over Jordie’s death, and the story tests whether his need for revenge can coexist with loyalty and care.
- Inej GhafaThe Wraith of Kaz’s crew, Inej survives Van Eck’s captivity, battles Dunyasha, and claims a future beyond indenture and exploitation. Her faith, trauma, and longing for freedom shape her decision to fight slavers and challenge Kaz to use his power against predators.
- Jesper FaheyThe crew’s sharpshooter, Jesper struggles with gambling, guilt, his relationship with Colm, and his hidden Grisha identity. By embracing his zowa ability during the auction plan, he turns a long-denied part of himself into a crucial strength.
- Wylan Van EckJan Van Eck’s disowned son and the crew’s chemist, Wylan supplies bombs, the chemical weevil, and key knowledge of his father’s house. His discovery that Marya is alive and his public stand against Van Eck transform him from a hidden heir into the new authority over the family estate.
- Nina ZenikA Ravkan Grisha recovering from jurda parem, Nina helps rescue Inej, contacts Ravkan allies, and engineers the false plague. Her powers change from Heartrender abilities into command over dead matter, forcing her to redefine herself while grieving Matthias.
- Matthias HelvarA former Fjerdan drüskelle, Matthias fights beside the crew while unlearning the hatred he was taught toward Grisha. His love for Nina and his hope for a better Fjerda guide his final choices before he is killed by a young drüskelle cadet.
- Kuwei Yul-BoThe Shu Grisha whose knowledge of jurda parem makes him the target of Van Eck, foreign governments, and the Shu. The crew stages his auction and death so he can escape the powers trying to control him.
- Jan Van EckA wealthy Kerch merchant and the central antagonist, Van Eck betrays the crew, imprisons Inej, hunts Kuwei, and tries to erase Wylan. His greed, secret jurda dealings, and abuse of his family become the basis for Kaz’s public destruction of him.
- Pekka RollinsKaz’s longtime enemy and a Barrel crime lord, Pekka allies with Van Eck and sends Dime Lions and Dunyasha against the crew. Kaz and Inej defeat him by attacking his reputation, businesses, and deepest fear for his son.
- Colm FaheyJesper’s father, Colm comes to Ketterdam searching for his son and is drawn into Kaz’s scheme as the false Johannus Rietveld. His love and disappointment force Jesper to confront gambling, lies, and responsibility.
- Marya Van EckWylan’s mother, believed dead but found alive in Saint Hilde asylum after Jan Van Eck had her confined. Her survival exposes Van Eck’s cruelty and gives Wylan a personal reason to reclaim the estate.
- Alys Van EckJan Van Eck’s pregnant wife, Alys is abducted by Kaz’s crew to force Inej’s release. Later, her uncertainty and vulnerability become part of the fallout from Van Eck’s disgrace.
- Per HaskellThe nominal leader of the Dregs, Haskell tries to turn Kaz over when the city hunts the crew. Kaz defeats him publicly at the Slat and takes control of the gang.
- SturmhondA privateer negotiating for Ravka, Sturmhond is revealed to be Ravka’s king in disguise. He works with Kaz to secure Kuwei and later helps locate Inej’s parents.
- Zoya NazyalenskyA powerful Ravkan Squaller, Zoya shelters Grisha refugees, distrusts Matthias, and helps negotiate Kuwei’s rescue. She saves Kuwei by restarting his heart with lightning after the staged death nearly becomes real.
- Genya SafinA Ravkan Tailor and former instructor of Nina, Genya helps the crew by restoring Wylan’s face and preparing the corpse used in Kuwei’s staged death. She also urges Nina to see her changed power as still useful to Ravka.
- Dunyasha LazarevaA white-clad assassin hired by Pekka Rollins, Dunyasha sees herself as Inej’s destined superior and repeatedly targets her. Inej defeats her on the Church of Barter roof by relying on preparation, endurance, and knowledge of Ketterdam.
- Jordie RietveldKaz’s dead brother, Jordie is central to Kaz’s hatred of Pekka Rollins and his aversion to touch. Memories of Jordie’s death and Pekka’s con shape Kaz’s Dirtyhands persona.
- Cornelis SmeetJan Van Eck’s attorney and property manager, Smeet’s records give Kaz key leads about Van Eck’s assets, Alys’s location, and Marya’s confinement. His habits are exploited during the crew’s early burglary.
- BajanA Suli indentured music teacher in Van Eck’s household, Bajan questions Inej during captivity and stands by while Van Eck threatens her. His connection to the household also links him to Alys’s later removal from the city.
- RottyA Dreg ally who scouts for Kaz, helps move Colm, rows the crew through the canals, and ferries Kuwei during the staged death. He receives part of Per Haskell’s forfeited share.
- SpechtA crew ally who gathers intelligence, helps guard Kuwei, and assists the canal corpse swap by posing as a bottleboat man. He is also expected to help Inej hire a crew for her ship.
- AnikaA Dreg who sides with Kaz during the confrontation at the Slat and later reports to him after he takes control. She helps represent Kaz’s restored authority in the gang.
- PimA Dreg bruiser who supports Kaz against Per Haskell and later reports on Van Eck’s trial. He also helps move Wylan and Colm into position before the auction.
- Jellen RadmakkerThe auctioneer and councilman who oversees Kuwei’s auction and later questions Van Eck as the fraud evidence emerges. His decision to halt the auction helps turn the political tide against Van Eck.
- Karl DrydenAn ambitious Merchant Council member whom Kaz lures toward the fake jurda consortium. Dryden’s realization that Van Eck hid jurda purchases helps expose Van Eck’s schemes.
- Council of TidesKetterdam’s secretive Tidemakers, the Council interrupts Kuwei’s auction and later confronts Kaz over the secret of jurda parem. Kaz survives their threat by using the false plague as leverage.
- KherguudEnhanced Shu soldiers with mechanical wings, metal-reinforced bodies, and the ability to hunt Grisha. Their attacks reveal that the struggle over jurda parem extends beyond Van Eck’s vendetta.
- Dime LionsPekka Rollins’ gang, the Dime Lions attack Black Veil, help capture Wylan, and hunt the crew after being deputized. Their presence shows Pekka’s alliance with Van Eck and the threat to Kaz’s people.
- DoughtyA Dime Lion trusted by Pekka Rollins, Doughty leads the assault on Black Veil and is present when Pekka panics after Inej’s warning. He anchors Pekka’s criminal force in the story.
- Emil RetvenkoA Ravkan Grisha Squaller abducted at Fourth Harbor by Shu attackers. His disappearance establishes the wider danger to Grisha in Ketterdam.
- Danil MarkovAn Inferni from the Anvil who is abducted during the Shu attack on Grisha-linked pleasure houses. His capture confirms that the Kherguud are targeting Grisha beyond Kuwei and Nina.
- TamarA Shu Heartrender sheltered with the Ravkans beneath the embassy. Her poison pill underscores the terror of capture by the Kherguud.
- Aditi HilliJesper’s late mother, a gifted zowa whose death after healing a poisoned girl shapes Jesper and Colm’s fear of Grisha power. Her memory helps Jesper understand his own abilities.
- Tante HeleenThe Menagerie owner from Inej’s past, Tante Heleen represents the abuse and exploitation Inej is trying to escape and later fight. Memories of her control continue to shape Inej’s fears around intimacy and freedom.
- Young drüskelle cadetA fourteen-year-old Fjerdan recruit who confronts Matthias after Kuwei’s escape. His fear and indoctrination embody the hatred Matthias hoped to change, and he fatally shoots Matthias.
- Alby RollinsPekka Rollins’ young son, Alby becomes the emotional pressure point Kaz exploits in his bluff against Pekka. Inej later proves she can reach him, forcing Pekka to abandon Ketterdam.
- Inej’s motherInej’s mother is found through Sturmhond’s scouts and brought to Ketterdam. Her arrival gives Inej a long-hoped-for reunion and a future beyond survival.
- Inej’s fatherInej’s father arrives in Ketterdam with Inej’s mother after Kaz arranges the search for them. His reunion with Inej completes one of Kaz’s most meaningful gifts to her.
Themes
Leigh Bardugo’s Crooked Kingdom is a heist story, but its deeper force comes from its portrait of damaged people trying to reclaim agency in a city built to commodify them. Across Ketterdam’s markets, brothels, churches, prisons, and countinghouses, the novel asks what freedom costs—and whether revenge can become something larger than retaliation.
- Freedom from ownership and exploitation. Nearly every major plot turns on bodies and lives treated as property: Inej’s indenture and trauma at the Menagerie, Kuwei’s proposed auction, Grisha hunted by the Shu Kherguud, and Wylan’s inheritance controlled through his mother’s confinement. Kaz’s gift of Inej’s contract and later The Wraith transforms money from loot into liberation, while Nina’s insistence on evacuating Grisha refugees widens the crew’s mission beyond self-interest.
- Trauma, survival, and the difficulty of intimacy. The characters’ wounds shape both their strengths and their limits. Kaz’s gloves and fear of touch originate in Jordie’s death; Inej’s captivity under Van Eck reopens the terror of being valued only for usefulness; Jesper’s gambling masks grief, shame, and suppressed Grisha identity. The tender, halting moments—Kaz bandaging Inej, Jesper confessing to Colm, Wylan revealing he cannot read—show that healing begins not with being “fixed,” but with being known.
- Identity reclaimed against shame. Wylan’s arc most clearly dramatizes this theme: Van Eck weaponizes his illiteracy, but Wylan survives by memory, craft, music, and loyalty. Jesper likewise begins to accept his zowa gift, and Nina’s frightening new power over the dead becomes not corruption alone but a changed form of strength. Even Matthias, raised to hate Grisha, reimagines faith as something that can include them.
- Justice versus revenge. Kaz’s schemes against Van Eck and Pekka Rollins are brutal, but the novel repeatedly tests whether vengeance can avoid becoming cruelty for its own sake. Inej challenges Kaz not to become another Pekka; Matthias asks Nina to teach mercy to drüskelle; Inej’s warning to Pekka at the end is vengeance in service of protection, not conquest.
- Found family and costly loyalty. “No mourners, no funerals” begins as a hard Barrel motto, yet Matthias’s death reveals the love beneath it. The crew’s loyalty does not erase their flaws, but it gives each of them a home strong enough to imagine a different future.