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Quick answer: If you loved Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, try The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi, The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli and The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.
Six of Crows follows Kaz Brekker and his crew of thieves as they attempt an impossible heist on a fortress no one has escaped. With six narrators, sharp banter and a found family of outcasts, it became a fan favorite. Readers who finish Crooked Kingdom often want another clever crew to fall in love with. The picks below feature heists, con artists, morally gray heroes and groups of misfits bound by loyalty. Most are young adult or crossover fantasy for teens and adults.
Table of Contents
Why Readers Love Six of Crows
Readers love Six of Crows because every member of the crew is broken in a different way, and they fight for each other anyway. Kaz’s cold planning, Inej’s quiet strength, Jesper’s humor, Wylan’s growth, Nina’s warmth and Matthias’s conflict make the group feel like a real family. Leigh Bardugo layers twists inside twists, so the plan you think you understand is rarely the real one. The Netflix series Shadow and Bone brought the Crows to screen and won them even more fans.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick below shares at least one thing readers loved about Six of Crows: its characters, its mood, its setting or the questions it raises. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious choices, and we noted the genre and who each book suits best in the table, so you can scan for the right fit before you read the blurbs.
We kept every description spoiler-free and flagged mature content where it matters, since some of these books are written for adults and others suit teens. If you’re not sure where to start, the tips near the end of this list match each pick to what you loved most. The FAQ at the bottom answers the questions readers ask most often.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gilded Wolves | Roshani Chokshi | YA fantasy | A heist crew in Paris |
| The Lies of Locke Lamora | Scott Lynch | Adult fantasy | Older readers who love con artists |
| Ace of Shades | Amanda Foody | YA fantasy | Gangs and gambling cities |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Fantasy | A heist with magic |
| Heartless Hunter | Kristen Ciccarelli | Romantasy | Rivals with secrets |
| The Raven Boys | Maggie Stiefvater | YA fantasy | Found family |
| Gideon the Ninth | Tamsyn Muir | Science fantasy | Snarky narrators |
| Crooked Kingdom | Leigh Bardugo | YA fantasy | Continuing the duology |
| Heist Society | Ally Carter | YA mystery | Lighter heists |
| The Inheritance Games | Jennifer Lynn Barnes | YA mystery | Puzzles and riddles |
| Foul Lady Fortune | Chloe Gong | YA historical fantasy | Spies and schemes |
| The Wolf and the Woodsman | Ava Reid | Fantasy | Dark and morally gray |
| A Darker Shade of Magic | V.E. Schwab | Fantasy | A thief and a magician |
| The Thief | Megan Whalen Turner | YA fantasy | Clever twists |
| Kings of the Wyld | Nicholas Eames | Fantasy | Older readers wanting a crew |
1. The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
In 1889 Paris, a treasure hunter and his band of experts plan a heist to find an ancient artifact. It’s lush, clever and full of banter.
2. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
A gang of con men called the Gentleman Bastards pulls elaborate scams in a Venice-like city. It’s witty, dark and contains strong language.
3. Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody
A girl searches for her missing mother in the City of Sin, where gangs rule. It has the same gritty underworld atmosphere.
4. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
A street thief joins a crew planning to overthrow an immortal emperor. It’s an epic heist with a brilliant magic system.
5. Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
A witch posing as a socialite and a witch hunter with a secret plan become entangled. It’s romantic and full of deception.
6. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Blue joins four private-school boys searching for a sleeping Welsh king. It’s atmospheric and has a beloved friend group.
7. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
A swordswoman and a necromancer compete in a deadly trial in a haunted palace. It’s strange, funny and full of twists.
8. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
If you haven’t read it yet, the sequel is just as good, with a revenge plot and an emotional ending.
9. Heist Society by Ally Carter
A teen from a family of thieves must steal back paintings to save her father. It’s fun and fast.
10. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
A girl inherits a fortune from a stranger and must solve puzzles in his mansion. It has the same clever plotting.
11. Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong
A spy in 1930s Shanghai goes undercover in a fake marriage. It’s twisty and atmospheric.
12. The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid
A pagan girl and a captain of the king’s guard become uneasy allies. It’s dark, romantic and fierce.
13. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
A magician who travels between Londons meets a cross-dressing thief. It’s adventurous and sharp.
14. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
A thief is freed from prison to steal a legendary treasure. Its twist ending is one of the best in YA.
15. Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames
A retired band of mercenaries reunites for one last job. It’s funny, loud and loyal like the Crows.
How to Pick Your Next Read After Six of Crows
- Want another heist? The Gilded Wolves and Mistborn.
- Want con artists? The Lies of Locke Lamora.
- Want found family? The Raven Boys and Kings of the Wyld.
- Want puzzles? The Inheritance Games.
- Want lighter fun? Heist Society.
- Check the ages. Locke Lamora and Kings of the Wyld are adult books with mature content.
Should You Read Shadow and Bone First?
Six of Crows is set in the same world as Shadow and Bone, a few years later, and a few characters and events connect. You can read Six of Crows first and enjoy it fully, but reading the Shadow and Bone trilogy first adds context and some lovely payoffs, especially in Crooked Kingdom and the King of Scars duology. Many readers prefer the Crows books, so if you want the best first, start with them.
Related: what age Six of Crows is appropriate for and books like Mistborn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What book is most like Six of Crows?
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi is the closest YA match. The Lies of Locke Lamora is the best adult pick.
Do I need to read Shadow and Bone before Six of Crows?
No. It adds context, but Six of Crows works on its own.
Is Six of Crows appropriate for 13-year-olds?
It has violence and references to trauma, so it’s usually recommended for ages 14 and up.