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Quick answer: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is best for ages 14 and up. It’s a thrilling fantasy heist with a gang of teenage criminals, and it contains violence, torture, references to sex trafficking and some swearing, but romance stays at kissing and there’s no sex on the page.
Quick facts
Recommended age: 14+ (13+ for mature readers)
Reading level: Teen to adult
Genre: YA fantasy heist
Published: 2015; sequel Crooked Kingdom, 2016
Main concerns: Violence, trafficking backstory, addiction, trauma
TV: Characters appear in Netflix’s Shadow and Bone, rated TV-14
Six of Crows is one of the most loved young adult fantasies of the last decade, with a diverse cast of unforgettable characters and a twisty heist plot. It’s set in the same world as Shadow and Bone but is darker and grittier. Many teens fall in love with it, and many adults do too. This guide explains what’s in the book so you can decide when your teen is ready.
Table of Contents
What Is Six of Crows About?
In the rough port city of Ketterdam, 17-year-old criminal mastermind Kaz Brekker is offered a fortune for an impossible job: break into the Ice Court, a fortress no one has ever escaped, and rescue a scientist who’s created a dangerous drug.
Kaz assembles a crew of six outcasts: a spy, a sharpshooter, a magical Heartrender, a runaway, and a convict with a grudge. Each has a painful past. Together they plan a heist that could make them rich or get them killed.
Check price of Six of Crows on Amazon
Content Guide for Parents
| Content | Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Violence | High | Fights, killings, torture and an eye being gouged out. Kaz is ruthless. |
| Sexual content | Mild | Kissing and romantic tension. Inej’s backstory involves being trafficked to a brothel, described without explicit detail. |
| Language | Moderate | Some swearing. |
| Drugs | Moderate | A powerful drug, jurda parem, causes addiction and harm. |
| Trauma | Significant | Characters deal with abuse, grief and PTSD. |
| Positive messages | Strong | Found family, loyalty, healing and acceptance of differences. |
Age-by-Age Breakdown
| Age | Is Six of Crows a Good Fit? |
|---|---|
| Under 13 | Too violent and dark; try The False Prince or The Thief. |
| 13 to 14 | Fine for mature readers who handle violence well. |
| 15 and up | The sweet spot for the duology. |
| Adults | Many adults love it too. |
Why Teens Love Six of Crows
The characters are the heart of the book. Kaz, Inej, Jesper, Nina, Matthias and Wylan are flawed, funny and fiercely loyal, and many teens see themselves in their struggles. The banter is sharp, the heist is clever, and the twists keep readers guessing until the last page.
The duology also represents a wide range of people, including characters with disabilities, characters of color and LGBTQ characters, without making it the point of the story. For many teens, that makes the book feel welcoming.
Is Six of Crows Okay for a 12- or 13-Year-Old?
Some mature 13-year-olds read Six of Crows and love it. It doesn’t have explicit sex, but it’s violent, and the trafficking backstory and trauma themes are heavy. For 12-year-olds, it’s usually better to wait.
If your 13-year-old has handled The Hunger Games and Divergent, they may be ready. Shadow and Bone, set in the same world, is a slightly milder place to start.
What Parents Should Know
- It’s darker than Shadow and Bone. The characters are criminals, and the violence is grittier.
- It’s a duology. The story concludes in Crooked Kingdom.
- Diverse characters. The cast includes characters of color, disabled characters and LGBTQ characters.
- Multiple narrators. Five characters tell the story in turn.
- The Netflix show mixes series. It combines Shadow and Bone with Six of Crows characters.
How to Tell If Your Child Is Ready for Six of Crows
- Read the first chapter yourself. Ten minutes with the opening pages tells you a lot about the tone of Six of Crows.
- Think about what upsets your child. Every child is different, so match the content table above to your own child rather than to their age alone.
- Ask what they already know. Kids often hear about popular books from friends, so ask what they expect and why they want to read it.
- Offer to read it together. Reading at the same time, or aloud, makes it easy to pause and talk about hard scenes.
- Keep the door open. Tell your child they can stop at any time and come to you with questions.
Questions to Talk About With Your Child
- Which member of the crew would you trust most, and why?
- Is Kaz a villain or a hero?
- How do the characters’ pasts shape their choices?
- What does found family mean in this story?
- Would you have taken the job?
If Your Child Isn’t Ready Yet: Similar Books to Try
These picks offer clever schemes and thieves with milder content, plus one set in the same world.
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner: ages 11 and up. A boastful thief is sprung from prison to steal a legendary treasure. This Newbery Honor book is full of twists.
Check price of The Thief on Amazon
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: ages 12 and up. A girl inherits a billionaire’s fortune and must solve his puzzles. It’s clever and clean.
Check price of The Inheritance Games on Amazon
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo: ages 13 and up. The first Grishaverse book is a slightly milder entry into the same world.
Check price of Shadow and Bone on Amazon
Related: best fantasy books for book clubs and best book club books for teens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Six of Crows appropriate for?
Six of Crows is best for ages 14 and up, though mature 13-year-olds often read it.
Is there sex in Six of Crows?
No. There’s kissing and romantic tension, and Inej’s past involves trafficking, but there’s no sex on the page.
Is Six of Crows more mature than Shadow and Bone?
Yes. It’s darker and more violent, with criminal characters and trauma themes.
Should my teen read Shadow and Bone before Six of Crows?
It isn’t required, but reading Shadow and Bone first adds background about the world and its magic.
Is the Shadow and Bone Netflix show appropriate for teens?
The show is rated TV-14 for violence and language and suits most teens 14 and up.